VAN BURCK, MARC
6-11 C (COLORADO, 2007 and CORNELL, 2009)
From Star City, Saskatchewan. Toiled for Regina Luther
As a freshman in 2007, Van Burck played in 9 games for an average 3.8 mpg. He hit 0-5 from the floor, and 3-4 from the line, while garnering 9 boards (including 4 on the offensive glass and 1.0 rpg), 8 fouls, 3 assists (0.33 apg), 2 turnovers (0.22 apg and an asst-to ratio of 1.50), 2 steals (0.22 spg) and 3 points, for a ppg of 0.3. Missed most of the season with a foot injury. The Buffalos, coaches by Ricardo Patton, finished 7-20 overall and 3-13 (12th) in Big 12 play.
After the season, Patton is turfed and replaced by Jeff Bzdelik, who informs Van Burck that he can continue to receive financial aid in 2008 and will not get anything in the way of playing time.
Van Burck left Colorado and enrolled at Salt Lake CC, where he averaged 2.0 ppg and 1.3 rpg for a squad that finished second in the NJCAA tournament. He later enrolls at Cornell, where he is eligible as a junior in 2009.
As a junior in 2009, Van Burck appeared in 6 games, for an average 2.8 mpg. He hit 0-2 from the floor and garnered 2 defensive boards (0.3 rpg), 1 foul, 3 blocks and no points, for a 0.0 ppg. The Big Red, coached by Steve Donahue, finished 21-10 overall and 11-3 (1st) in Ivy play. They fell 78-59 to Missouri in the opening round of the NCAA tournament.
Did not play in 2010 and left the program.
VANDENBERG, CHRIS
6-10 C (CORNELL, 2002-2003)
From Harley, Ontario. Averaged 16.0 ppg and 10.0 rpg at Burford High and chose Cornell over Illinois St and Richmond. Helped Canada finish 6th at World University Games in Beijing. “He’s a terrific athlete said” Big Red coach Steve Donahue. “He runs the floor. He plays extremely hard, is a good shot blocker and is developing as an offensive player. He also understands the game and knows what to do with the ball.”
Vandenberg tore his ACL in 2002 and sat out most of the season. He started three times before injuring the knee, averaging 6.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3 blocks. In his three games, he played 77 minutes (25.7 mpg), shot 8-19 (.421) from the floor, and 3-5 from the line. He garnered 19 boards, including 5 on the offensive glass, committed 2 fouls, dished 4 assists, committed 9 turnovers, had 9 blocks, 2 steals and 19 points. He also had a school freshman record of seven blocks against Canisius in his debut. Coached by Steve Donahue, the Big Red finished 5-22 overall and 2-12 (tied 7th) in Ivy play. Vandenberg “showed signs of being someone who could be real special in this league,” Donahue said. “He adds so much presence inside.”
A sophomore in 2003, Vandenberg appeared in 12 games, playing a total of 70 minutes (5.8 mpg). He hit 4-12 from the field, 1-3 from the arc and 5-8 (.625) from the line, while garnering 15 boards, including 5 on the offensive glass for an average of 1.3 rpg. He committed 16 fouls, had 1 assist, 3 turnovers, 4 blocks and 2 steals, while scoring 14 points for an average of 1.2 ppg. The Big Red coached, by Steve Donahue, finished 9-18 overall and 4-10 (tied 5th) in Ivy league play.
The knee injury proved career ending for Vandenberg. While he remained at Cornell through 2005, he never again suited up for the Big Red.
VANDERBEKEN, JAMIE
6-10 C (IOWA STATE, 2009-2010)
From Belleville, Ont. Signed with Iowa in 2006 but ruled ineligible to play, falling three core credits short of the NCAA’s required number of 14 for incoming freshman. Vanderbeken enrolls at Tyler (Tex.) JC, intending to return to the Hawkeyes in 2008-09. Instead, he accepts a scholarship from Iowa State.
As a junior in 2009, Vanderbeken started 1 of 31 games, for an average 15.1 mpg. He hit 61-129 (.473) from the floor, 35-86 (.407) from the arc and 15-20 from the line, while garnering 93 boards (including 29 on the offensive glass and a 3.0 rpg), 55 fouls, 19 assists, 15 turnovers, a 1.3 assist-to ratio, 5 steals, 21 blocks and 172 points, for a 5.5 ppg. The Cyclones, coached by Greg McDermott, finished 15-17 overall and 4-12 (10th) in Big 12 play.
As a senior in 2010, Vanderbeken played in 10 games for an average 13.2 mpg. He hit 15-25 (.600) from the floor, 8-16 from the arc and 3-9 from the line, while garnering 28 boards (including 6 on the offensive glass and a 2.8 rpg), 14 fouls, 4 assists, 5 turnovers, 9 blocks, 1 steal and 41 points, for a 4.1 ppg. The Cyclones, coached by Greg McDermott, finished 15-17 overall and 4-12 (tied 9th) in Big 12 play.
VANDEWEGHE, ERNIE
6-3 F (COLGATE, 1947-49)
Born in Montreal on Sept. 12, 1928. Toiled for Oceanside High in Long Island.
As a sophomore in 1947, Vandeweghe started all 17 games and scored 329 points, for a 19.4 ppg. He hit 134-x from the floor and 61-x from the line. The Raiders, coached by Karl Lawrence, finished 11-6 playing an independent schedule. Vandeweghe was selected a third-team Helms All-American.
As a junior in 1948, Vandeweghe started all 19 games and scored 385 points, for a 20.3 ppg. He hit 134-x from the floor and 77-x from the line. The Raiders, coached by Karl Lawrence, finished 14-5 playing an independent schedule.
As a senior in 1949, Vandeweghe started all 18 games and scored 397 points, for a 20.9 ppg. He hit 152-x from the floor and 93-x from the line. He was selected a 2nd-team Consensus All-American, 1st team Helms, 1st team NABC, 3rd-team Associated Press, 3rd-team United Press. The Raiders, coached by Karl Lawrence, finished 11-7 overall, playing an independent schedule.
A third-round pick in the 1949 NBA draft by the New York Knicks. He married a former Miss America, Colleen Kay Hutchins, but was widowed in 1952. His son, Kiki Vandeweghe, was an All-American at UCLA. While playing for the Knicks, Vandeweghe also studied medicine. After retiring from the NBA in 1956, Vandeweghe served as a physician for the Air Force; while stationed overseas in Germany, he and his wife became the parents of Kiki. In addition, he had two other children who were world-class athletes; his daughter Tauna won a U.S. national swimming championship in the backstroke (and competed in the 1976 Olympics, while his son Bruk medaled in beach volleyball in the 1994 Goodwill Games. The physicians also served as chairman of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, and served on the Olympic Sports Commission under President Gerald Ford, where he assisted with development of two key pieces of sports legislation—Title IX – and the 1976 Amateur Athletic Act.
ERNIE VANDEWEGHE’s NBA STATS at basketballreference.com
VAN ELSWYK, PETER
6-9 F (SOUTH CAROLINA, 1994-1995 and STANFORD, 1997-98)
Played for Hamilton Hill Park HS, averaging 25 ppg, 16 rpg and 10 apg. Played on Canadian Student National Underr-22 team and touring Europe with the Canadian junior national team in the summer of 1993.
As a freshman in 1994, Van Elswyk started all 28 games, for an average 24.5 mpg. He hit 44-97 (.454) from the floor, 8-25 (.320) from the arc and 42-67 (.627) from the line, while garnering 115 boards, including 46 on the offensive glass and a 4.1 rpg, 82 fouls (fouling out twice), 23 assists, 43 turnovers, 5 blocks, 14 steals and 138 points, for a 4.9 ppg. The Gamecocks, coached by Eddie Fogler, finished 9-19 overall and 4-14 (tied 5th East division) in SEC play. Van Elswyk demonstrated strength inside as well as “decent” shooting range, Fogler said. He scored a season-high 13 against Clemson while also grabbing four rebounds, having two assists and two steals.
As a sophomore in 1995, Van Elswyk started all 27 games, for an average 23.7 mpg. He hit 55-95 (.579) from the floor, 9-17 (.529) from the arc and 20-51 (.392) from the line, while garnering 114 boards, including 53 on the offensive glass and a 4.2 rpg, 69 fouls (fouling out twice), 13 assists, 37 turnovers, 6 blocks, 9 steals and 139 points, for a 5.1 ppg. The Gamecocks, coached by Eddie Fogler, finished 10-17 overall and 5-11 (5th, East division) of SEC play.
After the season, Van Elswyk transferred to Stanford. Cardinal coach Mike Montgomery noted “he can really mix it up. There were times when we had to say, ‘Pete, slow down a bit.’ But he’s tough and knows how to draw fouls. He does what he needs to get the job done. It will be fun to see him in there.”
But Van Elswyk had only a minor impact with the Cardinals as a junior in 1997. He started 2 of 28 games, for a total 313 minutes (11.4 mpg). He hit 35-71 (.493) from the floor, 2-3 from the arc and 20-35 (.571) from the line, while garnering 79 boards, including 31 on the offensive glass and a 2.9 rpg, 58 fouls (fouling out once), 11 assists, 27 turnovers, 11 blocks, 4 steals and 92 points, for a 3.3 ppg. The Cardinals, coached by Mike Montgomery, finished 22.8 overall and 12-6 (tied 2nd) in Pac 10 play. They defeated Oklahoma (80-67) and Wake Forest (72-66) in the NCAA tourney before losing 82-77 in overtime to Utah in the Sweet Sixteen. Montgomery noted that Van Elswyk “is physical, and sometimes he substitutes the physical part for what he is supposed to do, and that gets him in trouble. But he’s made some progress. He’s never played with his back to the basket before, and he’s just starting to relax and understand what he can do.”
The Cardinal made a remarkable run to the Final Four in 1998. Van Elswyk started 11 games early in the season but gradually became lost in the shuffle of Stanford’s deep frontcourt rotation and played only 11 minutes in the Cardinals five postseason games. On the season, he started 11 of 30 games, playing 334 minutes. He hit 34-79 (.420) from the floor, 0-2 from the arc and 37-56 (.661) from the line, while garnering 94 boards (including 42 on the offensive glass and a 3.1 rpg), 49 fouls, 11 assists, 25 turnovers, 1 block, 11 steals and 105 points, for a ppg of 3.5. He scored a game high 14, twice having double-figure rebound games, including 2 against U.S.C. The Cardinal, coached by Montgomery, finished 30-5 on the season and 15-3 (2nd) in the Pac Ten. Seeded fifth in their regional, they defeated College of Charleston 67-57, Western Michigan 83-65, Purdue 67-59 and Rhode Island 79-77 before falling 86-85 to Kentucky in the national semi-finals. In the NCAA semi-final, Van Elswyk scored one point in three minutes of play.
VEIRA, CORDELL
6-4 G (FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL, 2018-2019)
From Etobicoke, Ontario, and North York John Polanyi Collegiate, where he averaged 19.7 ppg, 8.0 rpg and 6.5 apg.
As a freshman in 2018, Veira started 1 of the 30 games he played, for an average 7.5 mpg. He hit 11-41 (.268) from the floor, 6-18 (.333) from the arc and 5-16 (.313) from the line, while garnering 30 boards (including 4 on the offensive glass and a 1.0 rpg), 18 fouls, 24 assists, 10 turnovers, 2 blocks, 6 steals and 33 points, for a 1.1 ppg. The Panthers (coached by Jeremy Ballard) finished 14-18 overall and 8-10 (tied 7th) in Conference USA play.
As a sophomore in 2019, Veira played in 21 games, for an average 8.0 mpg. He hit 12-29 (.414) from the floor, 2-13 (.154) from the arc and 6-13 (.462) from the line, while garnering 22 boards (including 1 on the offensive glass and a 1.0 rpg), 11 assists (0.5 apg), 6 turnovers, 4 steals, 4 blocks and 32 points, for a 1.5 ppg. The Panthers (coached by Jeremy Ballard) finished 20-14 overall and 10-8 (tied 6th) in Conference USA play. They lost 71-57 to North Texas in the opening round of the conference’s postseason tournament, and then defeated Texas State 87-81 before losing 98-68 to Green Bay in the second round of the CollegeInsider.com tournament.
After the season, Veira left the program and transferred to Carleton.
VERCRUYSSEN, RON
6-11 C (ST. JOSEPH’S, 1988-1992)
Vercruyssen averaged 20.4 ppg as a senior in Seaforth, Ontario.
Vercruyssen redshirted in his first year at St. Joseph’s, while the Hawks finished 15-14 overall under coach Jim Boyle and 9-9 (tied 4th) in Atlantic 10 play.
As a freshman in 1989, Vercruyssen started 11 of 28 games, for an average 5.9 mpg. He hit 16-36 (.444) from the floor and 5-20 from the line, while garnering 31 boards, including 10 on the offensive glass and a 1.1 rpg, 31 fouls, 4 assists, 10 turnovers, 14 blocks, 1 steal and 37 points, for a 1.3 ppg. The Hawks, coached by Jim Boyle, finished 8-21 overall and 4-14 (.9th) in Atlantic 10 play.
As a sophomore in 1990 (THROUGH 26 GAMES), Vercruyssen started 3 of 26, for an average 14.6 mpg. He hit 37-105 (.352) from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, and 43-61 (.705) from the line, while garnering 75 boards, including 20 on the offensive glass and a 2.9 rpg, 50 fouls (fouling out twice), 12 assists, 28 turnovers, 26 blocks, 3 steals and 211 points, for an 8.1 ppg. The Hawks, coached by Jim Boyle, finished 7-21 overall and 5-13 (8th) in Atlantic 10 play. After the season, Boyle is turfed and replaced by John Griffin.
As a junior in 1991, Vercruyssen started 11 of the 29 games he played, for an average 14.0 mpg. He hit 30-66 (.455) from the floor and 28-45 (.622) from the line, while garnering 82 boards, including 29 on the offensive glass and a 2.8 rpg, 39 fouls, 11 assists, 20 blocks, 24 turnovers, 2 steals and 88 points, for a 3.0 ppg. The Hawks, coached by John Griffin, finished 13-17 overall and 7-11 (8th) in Atlantic 10 play.
As a senior in 1992, Vercruyssen started 6 of the 15 games he played, for an average 7.0 mpg. He hit 12-20 (.600) from the floor and 13-17 (.765) from the line, while garnering 12 boards, including 6 on the offensive glass and a 0.8 rpg, 10 fouls, 5 assists, 5 blocks, 4 turnovers and 37 points, for a 2.5 ppg. The Hawks, coached by John Griffin, finished 13-15 overall and 6-10 (6th) in Atlantic 10 play.
VERNON, ANTOINE
6-0 G (OREGON STATE, 2019-2020)
From Burlington, Ont., and Brantford’s RISE Centre Academy, where he averaged 16.7 ppg, 7.8 apg, 5-2 rpg and 1.8 apg as a senior and was chosen an Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association first-team all-star while helping the team win an OSBA title.
As a freshman in 2019, Vernon played in 30 games, for an average 10.9 mpg. He hit 13-35 (.371) from the floor, 9-21 (.429) from the arc and 18-18 from the line, while garnering 23 boards (including 4 on the offensive glass and a 0.8 rpg), 32 fouls, 25 assists, 15 turnovers, 7 steals and 53 points, for a 1.8 ppg. The Beavers (coached by Wayne Tinkle) finished 18-13 overall and 10-8 (tied 4th) in Pac-12 play.
As a sophomore in 2020, Vernon played in 25 games, for an average 7.9 mpg. He hit 6-15 (.400) from the floor, 3-8 (.333) from the arc and 1-3 from the line, while garnering 19 boards (0.8 rpg), 20 fouls, 21 assists, 8 turnovers, 5 blocks and 16 points, for a 0.6 ppg. The Beavers (coached by Wayne Tinkle) finished 7-11 (tied 8th) in Pac 12 play and 18-13 overall. Postseason play was suspended by the Covid-19 pandemic.
After the season, Vernon left the program and transferred to St. Francis Xavier.
VERRET, PAUL
6-9 C-F (IDAHO, 1985-1986 and GONZAGA, 1988-1989)
From Vancouver Killarney, where he averaged 24.0 ppg and 15.0 rpg.
As a freshman in 1985, Verret averaged 1.2 ppg and 1.7 rpg. The Vandals, coached by Bill Trumbo, finished 8-22 overall and 1-13 (8th) in Big Sky play.
As a sophomore in 1986, Verret started 2 of the 20 games he played, for a total 241 minutes. He hit 23-49 (.469) from the floor and 12-25 (.480) from the line, while garnering 32 fouls (fouling out twice), 57 boards (2.9 rpg), 2 assists, 20 turnovers, 8 blocks, 4 steals and 58 points, for a 2.9 ppg. The Vandals, coached by Bill Trumbo, finished 11-18 overall and 4-10 (8th) in Big Sky play.
After the season, Verret transferred to Gonzaga.
As a junior in 1988, Verret started all 28 games, playing an average 25.8 mpg. He hit 84-157 (.535) from the floor and 17-34 from the line, while garnering 152 boards (5.6 rpg), 81 fouls (fouling out 5 times), 41 assists, 42 turnovers, 21 blocks, 14 steals and 184 points, for a 6.8 ppg. The Bulldogs, coached by Dan Fitzgerald, finished 16-12 overall and 7-7 (5th) in West Coast play.
As a senior in 1989, Verret started 13 of the 15 games, he played, for a total 341 minutes. He hit 38-66 (.576) from the floor and 16-25 (.640) from the line, while garnering 81 boards, including 20 on the offensive glass and a 5.4 rpg), 27 fouls (fouling out once), 16 assists, 20 turnovers, 8 blocks, 5 steals and 92 points, for a 6.1 ppg. The Bulldogs, coached by Dan Fitzgerald, finished 14-14 overall and 5-9 (6th) in West Coast play.
VIGNEAULT, JACQUES
6-1 G (CORNELL, 2000-2003)
Born in Verdun, Quebec. A three-year starter at Dawson College, Vigneault was an all-star in his final year, helping the Blues to three consecutive provincial titles and pair of national crowns. Vigneault also toiled for Quebec’s under-19 team.
Vigneault saw action in but one game as a freshman in 2000. He hit 1-4 from the field, dished 1 assist and scored 3 points, for a 3.0 ppg. Cornell, coached by Scott Thompson, finished 10-17 overall and 3-11 (8th) in Ivy league. After the season, Thompson was turfed and replaced by Steve Donahue.
As a sophomore in 2001, Vigneault played in 23 games, for an average 7.3 mpg. He hit 16-51 (.314) from the floor, 15-48 (.313) and 4-4 (1.000) from the line, while garnering 11 boards (including 4 on the offensive glass and a 0.5 rpg), 7 fouls, 5 assists, 5 turnovers, 3 steals and 51 points, for an average of 2.2 ppg. The Big Red, coached by Steve Donahue, finished 7-20 overall and 3-11 (7th) in Ivy play. Donahue called Vigneault a dangerous shooter who could become a regular if played more defensive and learned to take foes off the dribble.
As a junior in 2002, Vigneault played in 25 games, for an average 11.1 mpg. He hit 37-88 (.420), 35-82 (.427) from the arc, and 14-16 (.875) from the line, while garnering 18 boards (including 6 on the offensive glass and a 0.7 rpg), 17 fouls, 6 assists, 17 turnovers, 1 block, 3 steals and 123 points, for an average of 4.9 ppg. The Big Red, coached by Steve Donahue, finished 5-22 overall and 2-12 (tied 7th) in Ivy play.
As a senior in 2003, Vigneault started 1 of 19 games, averaging 3.2 mpg. He hit 8-26 (.308) from the floor, 8-25 (.320) from the arc and 4-6 (.667) from the line, while garnering 2 boards (including 1 on the offensive glass and a 0.1 rpg), 3 fouls, 2 assists, 3 turnovers and 28 points, for an average of 1.3 ppg. The Big Red, coached by Steve Donahue, finished 9-18 overall and 4-10 (tied 5th) in Ivy League play.
VIL, MARC-DAVID
6-4 G (WINTHROP, 2008-2009)
From Laval, Quebec and Montmorency College.
As a freshman in 2008, Vil played in 12 games, for an average 3.7 mpg. He hit 4-11 (.364) from the floor, 2-7 (.286) from the arc and 1-8 (.125) from the line, while garnering 12 boards (including 3 on the offensive glass and a 1.0 rpg), 4 fouls, 4 assists, 7 turnovers, 1 steal and 11 points, for a 0.9 ppg. The Eagles, coached by Randy Peele, finished 22-12 overall and 10-4 (tied 1st) in Big South play. They captured the postseason tournament and then fell 71-40 to Washington State in the opening round of the NCAA draw.
As a sophomore in 2009, Vil appeared in 12 games, starting none and playing an average 6.8 mpg. He hit 8-23 (.348) from the floor, 1-5 from the arc and 3-12 (.250) from the line, while garnering 4 defensive boards (for a 0.3 rpg), 11 fouls, 5 assists, 2 turnovers, 3 steals and 20 points, for a 1.7 ppg. The Eagles, coached by Randy Peele, finished 11-19 overall and 9-9 (tied 5th) in Big South play.
After the season, Vil transferred to Division II Lincoln Memorial.
VRANKIC, JOSIP
6-9 F (SANTA CLARA, 2018-2022)
From Etobicoke, Ontario and Wasatch Academy in Mount Pleasant, Utah, where he averaged 20 ppg and 10 rpgs as a senior. Toiled for the Canadian U18 team that won silver at the 2016 FIBA Americas tournament.
As a freshman, Vrankic started 26 of 30 games, for an average 29.9 mpg. He hit 106-260 (.294) from the floor, 32-109 (.294) from the arc and 67-94 (.713) from the line, while garnering 133 boards (including 35 on the offensive glass and a 4.4 rpg), 97 fouls (fouling out 4 times), 49 assists, 67 turnovers, a 0.7 a/to ratio, 31 steals, 24 blocks and 311 points, for a 10.4 ppg. The Broncos (coached by Herb Sendek) finished 11-20 overall and 8-10 (7th) in West Coast Conference play.
As a sophomore in 2019, Vrankic started all 31 games, playing an average 32.2 mpg. He hit 156-300 (.520) from the floor, 17-55 (.309) from the arc and 97-133 (.729) from the line, while garnering 193 boards (including 54 on the offensive glass and a 6.2 rpg), 80 fouls (fouling out twice), 40 assists (1.3 apg), 67 turnovers (0.6 asst/to ratio), 28 blocks, 28 steals and 426 points, for a 13.7 ppg. The Broncos (coached by Herb Sendek) finished 16-15 overall and 8-8 (tied 5th) in West Coast Conference play. They defeated Portland 78-62 in the conference’s postseason tournament before losing 61-45 to San Diego.
As a junior in 2020, Vrankic started 29 of 31 games, for an average 27.9 mpg. He hit 123-256 (.480) from the floor, 17-49 (.347) from the arc and 123-167 (.737) from the line, while garnering 168 boards (including 53 on the offensive glass and a 5.4 rpg), 75 fouls, 56 turnovers (1.5 asst/to ratio), 39 steals, 16 blocks and 386 points, for a 12.5 ppg. The Broncos (coached by Herb Sendek) finished 6-10 (7th) in West Coast play and 20-13 overall. They defeated Portland 76-62 in the opening round of the postseason conference tournament before falling 84-73 to Pepperine. They would likely have qualified for a minor postseason tournament before those were cancelled by the Covid-19 pandemic.
As a senior in 2021, Vrankic started all 20 games, playing an average 29.4 mpg. He hit 106-239 (.444) from the floor, 12-53 (.226) from the arc and 79-112 (.705) from the line, while garnering 164 boards (including 31 on the offensie glass and an 8.2 rpg), 47 fouls (fouling out once), 37 assists, 54 turnovers (0.7 asst/to ratio), 7 blocks, 19 steals and 303 points, for a 15.2 ppg. Vrankic led the league in rebounding and was a first-team all-conference selection. The Broncos (coached by Herb Sendek) finished 12-8 overall and 4-5 (6th) in West Coast play. They defeated Portland 95-86 and Pacific 81-76 before losing 78-70 to Pepperdine in the postseason conference tournament quarterfinals.
As a senior (by way of covid protocols) in 2022, Vrankic started all 25 games he played, for an average 30.1 mpg. He hit 153-273 (.560) from the floor, 12-26 from the arc and 73-92 (.793) from the line, while garnering 143 boards, including 39 on the offensive glass and a 5.7 rpg, 55 fouls, 77 assists (1.3 a/to ratio), 60 turnovers, 11 blocks, 29 steals and 391 points, for a 15.6 ppg. Vrankic was chosen a first-team conference all-star. The Broncos (coached by Herb Sendek) finished 21-12 overall and 10-5 (3rd) in West Coast play. They defeated Portland 91-67 before losing 75-72 to Saint Mary’s-CAL in the conference postseason tournament semi-finals. They then fell 63-50 to Washington State in the opening round of the NIT.
VRCELJ, LJUBISA
6-10 C (JACKSONVILLE, 2004-2007)
Born in Benkovac, Yugoslavia. Played at Windsor W.F. Herman Secondary, where he averaged 16.0 ppg, 12.0 rpg and 3.5 apg as a senior for a 31-5 unit. “Big Lou was recruited by some in the upper Midwest and I got a call from his coach who said he wanted to go to school in Florida. We started getting interested and (found out) he’s got some skills and size,” said Jacksonville coach Hugh Durham.
As a freshman in 2004, Vrcelj started 3 of 27 games, playing an average 8.0 mpg. He hit 17-44 (.386) from the floor, 1-2 (.500) from the arc, and 8-21 (.381) from the line, while garnering 40 boards (including 18 on the offensive glass and a 1.5 rpg), 32 fouls (fouling out once), 1 assist, 18 turnovers (0.7 tpg and an asst-to ratio of 0.6), 6 steals (0.2 spg), 8 blocks (0.3 bpg) and 43 points, for a ppg of 1.6. He scored a game high 12. The Dolphins, coached by Hugh Durham, finished 8-12 (7th) in Atlantic Sun play and 13-15 overall.
As a sophomore in 2005, Vrcelj started 22 of 29 games, playing an average 14.3 mpg. He hit 30-74 (.405) from the floor, 0-1 from the arc and 24-43 (.558) from the line, while garnering 86 boards (including 29 on the offensive glass and a 3.0 rpg), 72 fouls (fouling out twice), 13 assists (0.4 apg), 41 turnovers (1.4 tpg and an asst-to ratio of 0.32), 14 blocks (0.5 bpg), 12 steals (0.4 spg) and 84 points, for a ppg of 2.9. The Dolphins, coached by Hugh Durham, finished 16-13 overall and 11-9 (tied 4th) in Atlantic Sun play. After the season, Durham retired and was replaced by Cliff Warren, a former assistant at Georgia Tech.
As a junior in 2006, Vrcelj started 15 of 26 games, playing an average 16.3 mpg. He hit 42-115 (.365) from the floor, 4-16 (.250) from the arc and 14-33 (.424) from the line, while garnering 99 boards (including 37 on the offensive glass and a 3.8 rpg), 88 fouls (fouling out 6 times), 13 assists (0.5 apg), 35 turnovers (1.3 tpg and an asst-to ratio of 0.37), 8 steals (0.3 spg) and 102 points, for a ppg of 3.9. The Dolphins, coached by Cliff Warren, finished 1-26 overall and 1-19 (9th) in Atlantic Sun play.
As a senior in 2007, Vrcelj started 2 of the 17 games he played, for an average 7.5 mpg. He hit 11-27 (.407) from the floor, 0-1 from the arc and 4-9 (.444) from the line, while garnering 22 boards (including 8 on the offensive glass and a 1.3 rpg), 22 fouls, 4 assists (0.2 apg), 12 turnovers (0.7 tpg and an asst-to ratio of 0.33), 1 block (0.1 bpg), 1 steal (0.1 spg) and 26 points, for a ppg of 1.5. The Dolphins, coached by Cliff Warren, finished 15-14 overall and 11-7 (tied 3rd) in Atlantic Sun play.