Air Force center Noonan doesn't have to rely on his height
Air Force freshman forward Trevor Noonan always has been tall for his age.
But growing up, he wasn't permitted to rely only on his size on the basketball court.
"I thought it was important for all the kids that I coached that they develop ball skills and a perimeter game and an inside game," said Trevor's father, Jim, who coached his son at Legacy High School in Broomfield. "I think it's very important for kids to be well-rounded and have multiple ways to attack people."
That philosophy helped Noonan, now 6-foot-9, develop into the kind of big man Air Force coach Jeff Reynolds covets - one out of the Nick Welch mold who can play facing the basket, pass well, handle the ball and make 3-pointers in addition to banging inside.
As a high school senior, Noonan averaged 13.5 rebounds and 4.5 blocked shots but also helped bring the ball up the floor against presses because he was one of the better ball-handlers and could deftly pass out of double teams.
"I think (the Air Force) offense utilizes his skills to the maximum potential," Jim Noonan said.
Heading into tonight's game at San Diego State, Noonan has played in four of the Falcons' eight Mountain West Conference games, in part because he has been slowed by a position change.
Noonan was moved to center at the start of the season when sophomore Phillip Brown was ineligible. But he switched back to forward when Brown returned, forward Derek Brooks got hurt and freshman Sammy Schafer progressed faster than expected at center.
While changing positions was an adjustment, Noonan said this week he's feeling more comfortable.
It showed Tuesday when Noonan logged 13 minutes against BYU - his most since Dec. 22 - and scored five points and grabbed two rebounds. Noonan had all five of his points in just more than 5 minutes late in the first half to help Air Force shrink a 13-point BYU lead to four at the half.
"He played well," said Reynolds, who noted that Noonan now needs to improve his foot speed and strength so he can play better defense.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
1. AIR FORCE'S FRESHMEN
The Falcons' first-year players have shown potential and given fans hope for the future. But for as much as they now are playing, they have to produce more on offense if Air Force is to win a game. In Mountain West Conference play, the freshmen are shooting 25-of-69 from the floor (36.2 percent), including 3-of-26 from 3-point range (11.5 percent) and 17-of-37 from the free-throw line (45.9 percent).
2. PACE OF THE GAME
Air Force is facing perhaps the deepest and most athletic team in the conference in San Diego State. "They just come at you in waves," Air Force coach Jeff Reynolds said." If the Aztecs force a fast tempo, start to score in transition and get the Cox Arena crowd involved, they could blow the Falcons off the court.
3. THE AZTECS' FOCUS
This has the makings of a trap game for San Diego State. The Aztecs are coming off a 68-66 overtime victory at UNLV and face Utah - the team they are tied with for first place in the MWC - on Wednesday. Lodged in the middle is tonight's game against a team on a nine-game losing streak.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"We are looking forward to an Air Force team that will be hopping mad to get their first league victory. I know what it's like to have that added stress where you haven't won and there's a sense of desperation and that can be good if you channel it the right way."
- San Diego State coach Steve Fisher.
NOTE TO QUOTE
Air Force used its third different starting lineup for Tuesday's game against BYU, giving three freshmen their first career starts. This is the first season since 2001-02 that Air Force has used more than two starting lineups - and in 2001-02 the Falcons used just three. Reynolds said Friday he likely would not decide upon a starting lineup until after today's walk-through.
