Kevin Reinhardt is NKU’s top returnee

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - During the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament last March, Northern Kentucky University displayed poise, clutch shooting, excellent defense and an ability to pull off victories when it was considered a big underdog.

The result was a trip to the championship game of the GLVC Tournament. NKU - which entered the GLVC Tournament seeded sixth - posted wins against third-seeded Indianapolis and second-seeded Southern Illinois at Edwardsville before falling to Southern Indiana.

NKU head coach Dave Bezold, whose team fell one win shy of earning a trip to the NCAA Division II Tournament, believes the late-season run will carry over to the 2005-06 campaign.

“We played very well at the GLVC Tournament, and I think our returning players now understand what it takes to succeed in that type of atmosphere,” said Bezold, whose team finished with a 14-15 record. “We lost several very good seniors from last season, but we return some good players, plus we added some talented newcomers who are going to really help us.”

NKU must replace leading scorer Mike Kelsey (16.0 points per game) and four other starters, but Bezold’s recruiting class and the returning letterwinners give the Norse a solid nucleus to build around.

The top returning player is 6-foot-4 junior forward Kevin Reinhardt, an outstanding leaper who averaged 8.4 ppg last season. Reinhardt is at his best when going to the basket, but he has also developed a solid mid-range jumper. He is also an exciting dunker, and Bezold expects the former Campbell County High School star to be a key this season.

“Kevin has proven he can score going to the basket, and we will need him to provide us with a lot of offense this year,” Bezold said.

Sophomore forward Harrison Morton averaged 7.9 ppg and could also be a major factor. Morton, who specializes in going strong to the basket, scored in double figures eight times last season.

Junior guard/forward Kevin Schappell (3.3 ppg) had an outstanding offseason at the Deveroes Summer League in Cincinnati. Schappell averaged more than 20 points per game during the summer, and he is also an effective rebounder on the offensive glass.

Travis Rasso will be a factor inside

Returning letterwinner Travis Rasso will also challenge for significant playing time inside. Rasso, a 6-8 post player, averaged 2.1 ppg and 3.0 rpg as a freshman.

Three transfers - center Gavin Ludgood, guard Aaron Smith and forward Vincent Humphrey - figure to make immediate impacts. Ludgood, a 6-8, 235-pound transfer from Division I Florida Atlantic and former prep standout in Arkansas, should give NKU a powerful presence in the post.

Smith, a 6-3 guard, is a long-range shooting specialist who averaged 14 ppg in junior college. Humphrey, a 6-4 wing player who spent last season at Valparaiso, is a versatile performer who can pass, rebound and score.

“We need those three players to come in and give us quality minutes,” Bezold said. “Gavin is very strong inside and can score, so he will help us in the post. Aaron Smith is a tremendous outside shooter who will help us replace Kelsey’s perimeter scoring.

“Vincent Humphrey is a good athlete who can play several positions. He does a lot of things on the basketball floor that help a team be successful.”

Freshman guard Mike Kimmey averaged 21 ppg at Sycamore High School last season and could start in the backcourt. Billy Finnell, a former prep standout at Purcell Marian High School in Cincinnati, could also contend for time at the point.

Freshman David McFarland, a former prep standout at Boone County High School, has impressed Bezold and will challenge for significant playing time. Sophomore guard Mark Hawkins (2.4 ppg) could also be a factor this season.

“We will have a lot of youth in the backcourt, but there is talent,” Bezold said. “We lost four key senior guards from last season, so the newcomers are going to have to learn in a hurry.”

NKU will play exhibition games against Xavier (Nov. 5) and Cincinnati (Nov. 12) before beginning the regular season against NCAA Division II powerhouse Findlay in the John L. Griffin/Lions Club Classic on Nov. 18.

Findlay, a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, advanced to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight last season.

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