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Kuntzsch a focal point for Tigers
1/15/2010
By CONOR NICHOLL
cnicholl@dailynews.net
On a team full of talent, Fort Hays State University men's basketball coach Mark Johnson points to junior Corbin Kuntzsch as the glue for the Tigers, ranked sixth in NCAA Division II with a 14-1 record. That includes a Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association-best 8-0 mark in conference play.
"We have a lot of good players, we have the ability to do a lot of things, but if Corbin, for whatever reason is not in that mix, we are not who we are," Johnson said. "Corbin, no matter what, if he averaged two points a game, he is probably the most important guy on our team. He makes it all go for us."
Kuntzsch, a three-year starter and Scott City native, earned the conference's Player of the Week honor Monday after he helped the Tigers assert themselves as the MIAA's best team.
"It's incredible to be at the top of the league," Kuntzsch said.
Known for his even keel and high basketball IQ, Kuntzsch tallied 13 points in a road win against then-No. 1 ranked University of Central Missouri. After some additional post-practice shooting, Kuntzsch enjoyed a career-high 33 points in a home win against Southwest Baptist (Mo.) University five days later.
"He is a very intelligent basketball player," Johnson said. "You make a player that is maybe not the smartest player and make him a little bit smarter, but you can't take an unintelligent player and make him really intelligent on the floor. I think you are born with that. Corbin just naturally has that feel."
It marked the highest single game point total in the nine-year Johnson era. After another double-figure game versus Missouri Southern State University, Kuntzsch leads the Tigers with 13.7 points and 7.1 rebounds a night.
"I think the biggest thing is that I play with more confidence, learning the game everyday," Kuntzsch said.
He ranks in the top 10 in the MIAA in rebounds, free throw percentage, 3-point shooting percentage and stands second in minutes played per contest (31.9).
"Corbin is never high and he is never low," Johnson said. "You wouldn't know what's going on, whether our team is up 30 or down 30 or if he scored 30 points or zero points. He doesn't show any emotion out there. That's one part of it. He is even keel. Just the toughness factor. He is really a tough guy. He is mentally tough, he is physically tough."
On Saturday, the Tigers travel to Pittsburg State University. Gorilla coach Gene Iba announced before the season he would retire at year's end. PSU has struggled under Iba, posting a 7-8 record, 1-7 MIAA this winter. Spencer Magana ranks fourth in the conference at 17.9 points per game. For FHSU, all-conference senior forward Tim Peintner, who has missed all or parts of five straight games because of an ankle injury, is expected to return to the starting lineup.
"It's real nice and I can't wait to get him back in the lineup and get going again," Kuntzsch said.
Kuntzsch, playing the same style of basketball he learned growing up, has helped carry FHSU without Peintner. At a young age, Kuntzsch knew he wasn't the fastest runner or the best jumper. Instead, Kuntzsch learned how to play unselfishly, not turn the ball over and make intelligent plays.
"I had to move without the ball and try to score and be a smart player," he said. "Old man type of basketball."
His IQ has helped him as Fort Hays. Johnson has often said Kuntzsch has a "great understanding" of the game, an ability to score in the context of the Tigers' offense. This season, Kuntzsch has become a better offensive player, too.
"I think where he has really added to his game this year is he puts it on the floor better this year and makes things happen off the bounce," Johnson said.
In addition, Kuntzsch has worked on his shooting. He has sunk a career-high 52.6 percent of his field goals, including 42 percent from beyond the arc. In FHSU's last road trip through Truman State (Mo.) University and Central Missouri, Kuntzsch went 8-of-16 from the field, including 1-of-5 beyond the arc. He wasn't pleased with his shooting and worked after practice with Peintner and Jason Ball on his 3-pointers and free throws.
"I felt like I lost the feeling in my shot. Shooters go through slumps and come out of them too, so hopefully I am starting to come out of the one that I have been in," he said.
Versus Southwest Baptist, Kuntzsch's 33 points marked the most by a Tiger since Rodney Malloy tallied 33 against Metropolitan State College of Denver in 2000 under former coach Chad Wintz. Kuntzsch finished 8-of-11 from the field, including 5-of-5 beyond the arc, a hallmark performance in a strong season.
| Scoreboard | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport | Date | Opponent | Score |
| MB | 03/13 | Central Oklahoma | W 80-64 |
| SB | 03/08 | Fort Lewis | W 5-4 |
| BB | 03/07 | No. 9 Emporia State | L 13-7 |
| BB | 03/06 | No. 9 Emporia State | L 16-4 |
| BB | 03/06 | No. 9 Emporia State | W 3-0 |
| MB | 03/05 | Emporia State | L 65-61 |
| BB | 03/05 | No. 9 Emporia State | L 10-3 |
| WB | 03/04 | No. 15 Emporia | L 72-66 |
| WB | 02/28 | No. 12 Emporia State | L 87-80 |
| MB | 02/28 | Emporia State | W 94-47 |
| SB | 02/28 | Quincy | L 6-0 |
| SB | 02/27 | Mo Southern | W 9-3 |
| SB | 02/27 | Missouri S&T | L 8-3 |
| SB | 02/27 | Drury | W 17-10 |
| BB | 02/27 | Mo. Western | W 17-0 |
| BB | 02/27 | Mo. Western | W 3-2 (10 inn.) |
| BB | 02/26 | Mo. Western | W 12-8 |
| BB | 02/26 | Missouri Western | W 11-10 |
| MB | 02/24 | Pittsburg State | W 69-60 |
| WB | 02/24 | Pittsburg State | L 78-74 |