FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
(article posted by Lauren Brightmore, Student Sports Information Assistant)
Feb. 21, 2011 - North Central College senior Brian Evans has taken the court by storm this season, assisting the men's basketball team to great success. Over the weekend, Evans played a lead role in a 50-46 victory over third-ranked College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) foe Augustana College.
Throughout the season, Evans has proven himself as the team's go-to guy under pressure. On Feb. 14 against Illinois Wesleyan University, he drove the lane for a layup with 10 seconds left in regulation to tie the score at 52-52 and force overtime. Evans and his teammates came out of that conference game victorious, 64-58.
It came as no surprise when Evans was honored by the CCIW as Player of the Week for Jan.9- Jan. 15. He leads the team in rebounds (6.8 per game) and ranks first in offensive rebounds (2.7 per game) for the CCIW. He also owns the team lead in assists (3.8 per game). The finance and management major wraps up his basketball career as the team heads into the CCIW tournament this weekend. With the Cardinals on the quest to win the tournament, their competitors better keep track of the ball before Evans steals it away.
Get to Know Brian Evans
Q: When did you begin playing basketball?
A: I began playing in third grade. I was a point guard when I was younger.
Q: In December, the team traveled to Hawaii to play the University of Hawaii-Hilo. What was that experience like?
A: We went to California and Las Vegas on previous team trips, but Hawaii was definitely my favorite. The weather was awesome, especially since we were away from the cold in Illinois. Playing a bigger school like the University of Hawaii-Hilo, a NCAA Division II team, was a great experience for us as well.
Q: In last week's game against Illinois Wesleyan University, you had the game-tying basket with ten seconds left. What were your thoughts as you went in for the basket which forced the game into overtime?
A: It was really exciting to make it into overtime. At that moment, I knew we had only a few seconds left to score, so I concentrated on stopping them one last time.
Q: Are you the type of player that typically performs well under pressure?
A: There are a few players on the team that work well under pressure. In the Illinois Wesleyan game, the ball just happened to be in my hands. The shot wasn't drawn up for me or anything.
Q: What's your favorite professional basketball team?
A: The Houston Rockets. Tracy McGrady, my favorite player, was on that team a couple years back.
Q: For the week of Jan. 9-15, you were selected as the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Player of the Week, the first honor of your career. What was it like to be recognized?
A: It was pretty exciting, not to mention a little surprising. I don't know if I quite deserved it, but it was nice to be recognized.
Q: What has been one of the most rewarding classes you have taken at North Central?
A: They're all so great. I'd probably say just my general business classes with Professor Robert Moussetis. I didn't always love those classes, but he was a good teacher.
Q: What would like to do after graduation?
A: I should know, I'm a senior, but business is such a general field. I'm just looking all over right now.
Q: If you didn't play basketball, what other sport would you do at North Central?
A: The only other sport I've really played a lot is soccer. In high school I was a midfielder, but stopped playing after my freshman year in high school. So I don't know how good I would be here, but that would be the sport I'd try.
Q: How have you transitioned as a player over the course of your career?
A: I have the same type of game, but my transition from high school to college was more about becoming a big man down low, rebounding, since I wasn't a point guard anymore. Over the past four years of college ball, I've become more of a leader and veteran.
Q: What are some of your favorite basketball memories?
A: In high school I had a lot of fun with basketball and just playing with my friends. At North Central, I would say making the conference tournament this year is very memorable.
Q: With just a few seniors on the team, do you find that the underclassmen have stepped up in terms of leadership?
A: We just have two seniors, myself and Mike Winans. We only have a few juniors, so there are a lot of young guys on the team. They've all been great. We started off a little slow this season, probably because we had so many young guys new to the program. We've been doing well lately though, because they've been playing so well.
Q: Once you're finished playing basketball at North Central, will you continue to play post-college?
A: Yeah, I'll probably be the guy playing in all the men's leagues (laughs).
Q: What is the team's biggest strength on the court?
A: I'd say just how we help each other out on defense.
Q: What teams would you like to see play each other during March Madness this year?
A: I'm a big North Carolina fan, so I wouldn't mind seeing a Carolina-Duke match-up, with the Tar Heels winning. Last year I picked West Virginia to win, and they made it to the final four until they lost to Duke.
Q: Is there any significance behind your number 32?
A: There isn't really any significance. It was one of the numbers available my freshman year, so I just stuck with it because I thought it was a good number.
Q: Who are your role models?
A: It's kind of cliché, but I'd have to say my parents. My dad only missed one of my games this year, and it was the one in Hawaii. So he travels all over to see me play, and I appreciate that.
A: Coach says, “In basketball and in life, always strive to be an overachiever rather than an underachiever.” He tells us that a lot.
