First-yearphenomenonhelpingCavsregainwinningways

by Jennifer Kietur assistant perspectives editor

The recruiting process is never a guarantee. Despite the fact that coaches evaluate all of the avail- able talent, they do not know exactly what they will get from a particular player come regular season.

In TimAnderlonis, a first-year forward, Coach John Dzik got everything he wanted and a whole lot more.

Anderlonis has already been recognized twice for his skills by being named Pennsylvania Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week. ·'It is nice to be recognized but it isn't fair to just give it to me. The team has a lot to do with it and they should get the recognition, too. We play together. That's what counts," Anderlonis said.

The basketball team is happy for him and they joke around about it. Overall, they just want Anderlonis to keep helping them out.

Anderlonis chose Cabrini because of tradition. '·Cabrini has always been good in basketball in the past. This was a good choice and it is close to home too," Anderlonis said.

"The most difficult thing to adjust to this year is trying to fit in on the team and have the players accept me. since I am the only freshman on the team," Anderlonis said.

Anderlonis was flattered to be chosen for varsity this year as a first-year student. "It gets awkward at times because it is hard to know your position as a player," he said. However, the team has accepted him as one of their own and have no problem with the age difference.

"The basketball program at Cabrini is fun to be in and Dzik is a great coach. It is fun to play under him," Anderlonis said.

Anderlonis is a criminal justice major and hopes to have a government job when he gets out of school. "I either want to be a United States marshall or customs officer," Anderlonis said.

Besides practicing every night and having games three times a week, Anderlonis maintained a 3.7 GPA last semester. He says this semester is harder because his time has to be divided between school, basketball and a social life.

"It is rewarding when you keep up," Anderlonis said.

His main goal is winning the PAC and currently the goal is attainable. Right now, the Cavaliers are 7-2, which places them in first place in the PAC.

"Next month is going to be hard because of the PAC games," Anderlonis said. "We want to keep winning because the more wins you get, the more times you get to host games at home during the PAC playoffs."

Until last year, Anderlonis attended Monsignor Bonner High School. ''The transition from high school to college was difficult because you don't know what to expect. After a while you gel used to it," Anderlonis said.

Anderlonis has partly filled the shoes of Billy Carr, a graduate of the class of 1996. Not only do they share the same number, 32, but both attended Bonner, play the same position and are good out- side shooters.

When Dzik recruited Anderlonis, he knew he was a good player. However, Anderlonis has exceeded expectations in terms of quality of play. "He has made the transition from high school to college much easier then I expected," Dzik said. As far as Anderlonis being as great a player as Billy Carr was, Dzik is not sure.

"It is hard to say. It is a good goal to be as great a player as Carr, but Billy and Tim are different players," Dzik said. "I think he will measure up to Billy, but it is a lot to expect from a freshman who has only played 15 games. I knew Tim was a good player, but I wasn't looking for another Billy Carr. Instead, I hope Tim Anderlonis lives up to everything Tim Anderlonis can be."

Anderlonis has started in every game, quite an accomplishment for a first-year student.

As far as Anderlonis having the same number as Carr, "It is a coincidence. Tim knew of Billy's success. If Tim wants to mirror Billy's success. that's fine. or if he wants to surpass bis skills, that is great too. But as far as the number goes, 32 has always been good in our line-up," Dzik said.

Anderlonis said there is a significance to him that they both have the same number. "He was such a great player. It's a standard to try to live up to," Anderlonis said.

...