Posted 11/17/05
Mark Gossens is a junior forward on the UW-Platteville basketball team. He earned all-conference honors last year while helping the Pioneers capture the 2004-05 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship. He leads the Pioneers into the new season Friday at the Pioneer Tip-Off Tournament. UWP plays Simpson (Iowa) Friday at 7 p.m. Washington (Mo.) faces Robert Morris of Chicago in the first game at 5 p.m. The consolation game is Saturday at 5 p.m., followed by the championship contest.
As the only returning all-conference player, do you feel the need to step up the leadership role this season?
"Yes, since we lost two good leaders in Brad (Reitzner) and Brandon (Temperly) last year and we also have quite a few new freshman that we need to get ready as fast as possible."
Do you lead more by being more vocal or by example?
"I more lead by example than vocally."
What are your strengths as a player, and what do you have to work on?
"My strengths would probably be my defense and my rebounding with a need to work on my post offense."
The Pioneers already have a game under their belts, playing at UW-Milwaukee last Tuesday. How was that experience and were you surprised that you played pretty even to an NCAA Sweet 16 team?
"It was a great learning experience as was our exhibition game last year (against the Wisconsin Badgers). We expect to be able to play with everyone if we do all the little things right and play our game."
UW-Platteville faces another set of tough teams this weekend in the tip-off tournament. How excited are you to get the season going?
"Very excited to get started, playing the games is the best part of the season and that is when all the hard work the team has put in throughout the preseason and offseason shows. It also never hurts to start the season with good competition that is good year in and year out."
Interview by SID Paul Erickson