Louie Krogman to Wrap Up Stellar Career for Coyotes; Plus More Coyote Notes
Sometimes, it is easy to get wrapped up in wins and losses,
and forget about the student-athletes that even in tough times, have
their head in the right place.
One such athlete is Louie Krogman of The University of South Dakota men's basketball team. On Saturday night against Oakland at the DakotaDome, he will wrap up his career as a one of the best to put on a Coyote uniform.
Even during a 10-17 (5-12 in the Summit League) season that has produced USD's first losing season in men's basketball in 24 seasons, Krogman has exhibited leadership for a young Coyote team, which graduates just three seniors (Krogman, Charlie Westbrook and Rico Andreotti).
As he culminates his career, the senior guard stands sixth all-time in scoring with 1,627 points and his 287 three-point field goals ranks third on the career charts. A starter for 101 games, he is one of two players in school history with 1,600 points and over 280 3-pointers (Josh Mueller, 1,991 points, 307 3's).
Rewind to USD's heartbreaking loss to North Dakota in the finals of the Great West Conference Tournament at the end of the 2010-11 season. In that game he had made a three from the corner, that hung onto the rim and fell through to force a second overtime. A little while later, UND's Josh Schuler hit a three for the win in the final seconds for a 77-76 win.
Krogman felt a bit of loss in the heart-breaking encounter, but he moved on. It is just a game.
"It is what makes this a great game," said
Krogman. "Sometimes they (shots) go in and sometimes they don't. You just have to
stay after it and just focus on winning."
As a high school senior, Krogman scored 112 points with 20 rebounds and 11 assists as White River won the 2008 Class B championship. In the title game win over Langford (66-50), he scored 45 points with seven rebounds. During the course of his prep career, the 2008 Mr. Basketball in South Dakota scored a record 328 points at state tourneys.
As a Coyote, he has led the team to a 70-57 record, playing a pivotal role in the 2009-10 campaign when USD was the Great West Conference regular and postseason tournament champions. As a result, he helped USD earn its first ever Division I postseason appearance (CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament; 89-78 loss to Creighton). He was also on the floor for head coach Dave Boots' 600 career-win.
Krogman has always been true to the Coyote program, since deciding on USD early in his senior year.
“I have a lot of respect for Louie,” said Boots, who is USD’s all-time wins leader with a 493-214 mark in 24 seasons. “He came into this situation knowing we would be in that transition all the way through his career. He was going to play under that situation. He didn’t hesitate,” said Boots.
Krogman has always believed USD was the right fit for him.
For Boots, that says a lot about Krogman.
During his sophomore season, he had various injury issues and accepted a role as USD's first player off the bench. He was the GWC Sixth Man of the Year, after scoring 9.8 points with 2.0 assists and 2.2 rebounds each game for the 22-10 Coyotes. That was the Coyote team that won the GWC regular season and tournament titles.
A year ago, Krogman earned second team All-GWC honors after averaging 14.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists in an 18-15 season which included an upset of the top seed in the tournament and the heart-breaking overtime loss in the finals.
“All through his career he has been such an easy kid to coach. He never questions anything we ask him to do and believes in our coaches just as we all believe in him,” said Boots."
As he wraps up his career, Krogman knows his Coyotes will not finish in last place, where many had them pegged to finish.
In this career finale, Krogman will be focused on one final winning effort.
It might be a little like his high school final when White River won a title before a statewide audience. Minus the championship, he will try to make his Coyote farewell memorable by leading USD to his 1,200th win all-time, albeit before a statewide televised audience on Midco.
And, that final act seems right for which Krogman to star.
Coyote Guard Tandem Leaving Mark --Together, Coyote senior men's basketball guards Charlie Westbrook and Louie Krogman have a combined 135 double-figure games, six games of 30 or more points (three each) and 44 games of 20 points or better. Between them they have led the team in scoring 53 times. Over the last six games, the pair has scored more than 20 points a combined 10 times (Krogman, 6; Westbrook, 4). In four of those games, both Westbrook and Krogman have scored 20 points. Also each of the two guards have tied or set a career-high in points with Krogman scoring 37 and Westbrook, 35. They have made a combined 40-of-85 from long distance, or a warm .471 percent. The two seniors have a combined 957 points (Westbrook, 503; Krogman, 454) and with big efforts vs. Oakland might reach 1,000.
Westbrook Close to 1K -- As Westbrook, who leads the team at 18.6 ppg., wraps up his career Saturday, he needs just 12 points to hit 1,000 for his career. Coming off a career-best 35 points, Westbrook will look to add to his 47 double-digit scoring games in his two seasons in Vermillion. He has scored 20 points or more on 20 occasions and led USD in scoring 24 times. He has broken the 30-point mark three times.
One such athlete is Louie Krogman of The University of South Dakota men's basketball team. On Saturday night against Oakland at the DakotaDome, he will wrap up his career as a one of the best to put on a Coyote uniform.
Even during a 10-17 (5-12 in the Summit League) season that has produced USD's first losing season in men's basketball in 24 seasons, Krogman has exhibited leadership for a young Coyote team, which graduates just three seniors (Krogman, Charlie Westbrook and Rico Andreotti).
As he culminates his career, the senior guard stands sixth all-time in scoring with 1,627 points and his 287 three-point field goals ranks third on the career charts. A starter for 101 games, he is one of two players in school history with 1,600 points and over 280 3-pointers (Josh Mueller, 1,991 points, 307 3's).
Rewind to USD's heartbreaking loss to North Dakota in the finals of the Great West Conference Tournament at the end of the 2010-11 season. In that game he had made a three from the corner, that hung onto the rim and fell through to force a second overtime. A little while later, UND's Josh Schuler hit a three for the win in the final seconds for a 77-76 win.
Krogman felt a bit of loss in the heart-breaking encounter, but he moved on. It is just a game.
A history major, Krogman will forever be entrenched in Coyote basketball lore with his shot-making, leadership and class. He has handled academics smoothly even as the demanding schedule pulls him away from class. He knows it is the player's responsibility to meet the obligations required of student-athletes.
"It is important to be organized and know you have the responsibility to get things done," said Krogman, who values his travel experiences and being a teammate of a group of guys that have a close bond of friendship.
He will take with him numerous memorable moments at the U, such as when he tied a school record with 10 three point field goals on his way to 37 points in a 96-87 win over Houston Baptist last March 5 in Houston.
"It is important to be organized and know you have the responsibility to get things done," said Krogman, who values his travel experiences and being a teammate of a group of guys that have a close bond of friendship.
He will take with him numerous memorable moments at the U, such as when he tied a school record with 10 three point field goals on his way to 37 points in a 96-87 win over Houston Baptist last March 5 in Houston.
Of course, the senior will cherish USD's 72-68 win over arch-rival SDSU at the DakotaDome when he had 22 points, including five three-pointers just a couple of weeks ago.
The Coyotes, which lost by 30 points earlier in the season at Frost Arena, were a huge underdog, yet beat the Summit League's second-best team. On that night before more than 5,100 in attendance at the Dome, Krogman and his mates stepped up and delivered a message that they were a team that could make things happen, regardless of record and especially at home. In the friendly confines of the DakotaDome, USD has had a 300-54 mark during the Dave Boots era.
Another moment to remember is the recent ESPN Bracketbusters game at the DakotaDome where Krogman tied a career-best with 37 points and nearly rallied the Coyotes to a win, when a loss seemed certain.
Down 12 with four minutes left, he led USD back to a 92-91 lead on a wheeling, rolling layup plus a free throw after being fouled with 16 seconds on the clock. However, Texas State converted two free throws at the other end and Krogman's desperation three hit the front of the rim, bounding away.
After the game, Krogman said he had a good look and thought the shot was true.
The Coyotes, which lost by 30 points earlier in the season at Frost Arena, were a huge underdog, yet beat the Summit League's second-best team. On that night before more than 5,100 in attendance at the Dome, Krogman and his mates stepped up and delivered a message that they were a team that could make things happen, regardless of record and especially at home. In the friendly confines of the DakotaDome, USD has had a 300-54 mark during the Dave Boots era.
Another moment to remember is the recent ESPN Bracketbusters game at the DakotaDome where Krogman tied a career-best with 37 points and nearly rallied the Coyotes to a win, when a loss seemed certain.
Down 12 with four minutes left, he led USD back to a 92-91 lead on a wheeling, rolling layup plus a free throw after being fouled with 16 seconds on the clock. However, Texas State converted two free throws at the other end and Krogman's desperation three hit the front of the rim, bounding away.
After the game, Krogman said he had a good look and thought the shot was true.
As he takes the floor at Oakland tomorrow, Krogman
goes in with a bit of confidence. He has had six straight 20 or more point outings and 19 points or better in seven straight contests. During this seven-game run, he has totaled 169 points (19, 23, 22, 24, 24, 37, 20). The senior has knocked down four or more threes in three straight contests. He has had three or more three-pointers in seven straight games, dating back to a 97-64 loss on the road at league champion Oral Roberts.
Through it all (3-4 record), he has been an "iron man," playing all 40 minutes in each of the last seven games. During those games, he is 59 of 115 (.513 pct.) from the field, including 30-of-64 (.468 pct.) from three-point range, and 19-of-27 (.703 pct.) from the foul line. He has also dished out 29 assists or over four a game.
Through it all (3-4 record), he has been an "iron man," playing all 40 minutes in each of the last seven games. During those games, he is 59 of 115 (.513 pct.) from the field, including 30-of-64 (.468 pct.) from three-point range, and 19-of-27 (.703 pct.) from the foul line. He has also dished out 29 assists or over four a game.
Krogman, who is averaging 16.8 ppg and leading the team in assists with 99 while committing just 52 turnovers, has compiled 88 double figure games in his career. He has led USD in
scoring 29 times, totaled 20 points or more 24 times, and twice scored a
career-high of 37 points, including once this season.
From the courts at White River to the DakotaDome, Krogman has been a constant producer. During his prep career, he was simply the most prolific scorer in state history with 3,521 points. As a high school senior, Krogman scored 112 points with 20 rebounds and 11 assists as White River won the 2008 Class B championship. In the title game win over Langford (66-50), he scored 45 points with seven rebounds. During the course of his prep career, the 2008 Mr. Basketball in South Dakota scored a record 328 points at state tourneys.
As a Coyote, he has led the team to a 70-57 record, playing a pivotal role in the 2009-10 campaign when USD was the Great West Conference regular and postseason tournament champions. As a result, he helped USD earn its first ever Division I postseason appearance (CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament; 89-78 loss to Creighton). He was also on the floor for head coach Dave Boots' 600 career-win.
Krogman has always been true to the Coyote program, since deciding on USD early in his senior year.
“I have a lot of respect for Louie,” said Boots, who is USD’s all-time wins leader with a 493-214 mark in 24 seasons. “He came into this situation knowing we would be in that transition all the way through his career. He was going to play under that situation. He didn’t hesitate,” said Boots.
Krogman has always believed USD was the right fit for him.
“It is where I wanted to be,” said Krogman,
who was Academic All-Great West a year ago. “Being in transition was part of
the reason for coming here,” said Krogman. “With the
transition, I knew we would travel a lot. I love to travel,” he said.
His choice of USD may have surprised some because one of
South Dakota’s most celebrated prep performers, wouldn't have the opportunity
to showcase his skills in an NCAA Tourney game.
For Boots, that says a lot about Krogman.
“A lot of guys might not do that and he did. I have a lot of
respect and admiration for that,” said Boots. “He made a real commitment to
playing in South Dakota – his home state. I think he has had a really good
career. This is a place he has wanted to be and we loved having him,” said
Boots.
As a true freshman, he was put into the starting line-up and churned out a respectable 12.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game in leading USD to a 20-9 record. During his sophomore season, he had various injury issues and accepted a role as USD's first player off the bench. He was the GWC Sixth Man of the Year, after scoring 9.8 points with 2.0 assists and 2.2 rebounds each game for the 22-10 Coyotes. That was the Coyote team that won the GWC regular season and tournament titles.
A year ago, Krogman earned second team All-GWC honors after averaging 14.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists in an 18-15 season which included an upset of the top seed in the tournament and the heart-breaking overtime loss in the finals.
“All through his career he has been such an easy kid to coach. He never questions anything we ask him to do and believes in our coaches just as we all believe in him,” said Boots."
As he wraps up his career, Krogman knows his Coyotes will not finish in last place, where many had them pegged to finish.
In this career finale, Krogman will be focused on one final winning effort.
It might be a little like his high school final when White River won a title before a statewide audience. Minus the championship, he will try to make his Coyote farewell memorable by leading USD to his 1,200th win all-time, albeit before a statewide televised audience on Midco.
And, that final act seems right for which Krogman to star.
Coyote Guard Tandem Leaving Mark --Together, Coyote senior men's basketball guards Charlie Westbrook and Louie Krogman have a combined 135 double-figure games, six games of 30 or more points (three each) and 44 games of 20 points or better. Between them they have led the team in scoring 53 times. Over the last six games, the pair has scored more than 20 points a combined 10 times (Krogman, 6; Westbrook, 4). In four of those games, both Westbrook and Krogman have scored 20 points. Also each of the two guards have tied or set a career-high in points with Krogman scoring 37 and Westbrook, 35. They have made a combined 40-of-85 from long distance, or a warm .471 percent. The two seniors have a combined 957 points (Westbrook, 503; Krogman, 454) and with big efforts vs. Oakland might reach 1,000.
Westbrook Close to 1K -- As Westbrook, who leads the team at 18.6 ppg., wraps up his career Saturday, he needs just 12 points to hit 1,000 for his career. Coming off a career-best 35 points, Westbrook will look to add to his 47 double-digit scoring games in his two seasons in Vermillion. He has scored 20 points or more on 20 occasions and led USD in scoring 24 times. He has broken the 30-point mark three times.
Rico Says Goodbye -- A third Coyote senior will also finish his career on Saturday. Rico Andreotti, who sits eighth all-time with 68 career blocks, has had a workmanlike career in Coyoteland with 376 career boards. His most memorable performance may be the 18-rebound effort vs. NDSU earlier this season and of course, his big dunk in the final moments of USD's 72-68 win over rival SDSU at the DakotaDome.
Comments
Post a Comment