In the locker room after Sunday's loss to Western Michigan University, Coach Frank Ostanik had some words of wisdom for the Nanook Men's Basketball team.  "I want to win so bad fellas," he said.  "But you guys gotta want to win, its gotta come from you.  If I'm paying for some of your school, than your guys' play has to be outstanding."

Maybe it was karma for the two embarrassingly lopsided wins against Puget Sound Christian University that started their season.  Maybe it was the realization that looking good on paper doesn't give you a win wrapped in a bow.

Whatever it was, the boys in Blue and White failed to live up to their hype and 2002's legendary Top of the World Victory, with three straight losses to their Division l foes.

Central Florida destroyed UAF's Championship hopes with a Thursday 74-63 opening night loss.  CFU went on to win the Championship, beating New Mexico State 64-58.  The loss was the first time in three years that the Nanooks failed to win their first game of the Top of the World Classic.

Saturday's game was UAF's closest of the tournament, losing to Georgia Southern University 78-75.  Senior guard Chris Smith put it up from behind the arc, but hit metal.  Senior guard Brad Oleson had 26 points in the game, Junior Forward Andrew Smith had 14, and both freshman swing player Chris Jordan and Smith had 12.

Sunday's 88-65 loss to Western Michigan University put a cap on the Nanooks' Top of the World play, and showed just how far the team has to go to become champions again.  The Broncos put on a show with an 18-2 run for the last five minutes of the first half, outscoring the Nanooks at halftime 49-22. 

Although UAF outscored the Broncos 43-39 in the last half, they never came closer than 18 points.  The Broncos out-rebounded the Nooks 49-27.  Oleson scored 19 points, and Smith had 17 with 6 boards.  No other Nanook scored in double figures.  The loss put the Nooks in eighth place overall in the tournament, WMU Broncos taking seventh.

Head Coach Frank Ostanik said he has learned a lot about his team from the tournament, especially how far they have to go to become competitive.

"Your not gonna compete with any of these teams if you only play for 20 minutes," Ostanik said in the locker room after the loss.  "You've got to make a commitment to win that championship.  If we do get ranked again, you gotta earn it.  The only difference between them and you guys is their level of commitment to their program, and to basketball.  Its a life, its a commitment."

Photo by Chris Cruthers/Sunstar
UAF Head Coach Frank Ostanik reacts to a call Friday night at the Carlson Center. The Nanooks lost to the Eagles from Georgia Southern University 78-75. The University of Central Florida took first place in Top of the World Sunday evening. 

Photo by Chris Cruthers/Sunstar
Top of the World Tournament MVP Brad Oleson drives the ball to the hoop against Georgia Southern Saturday night at the Carlson Center. 

Photo by Chris Cruthers/Sunstar
University of Alaska's Mike Titus, left, tries to find help around Georgia Southern University's Elton Nesbit, right, Saturday night at the Carlson Center. The Nanooks took eighth place in the Top of the World Tournament.

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