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Catching Up With Big Ten Tournament Star Luke Recker
March 14, 2008
bigten.org: Luke, we appreciate you taking the time to respond to some fan questions. We asked people reading our blog to e-mail us Thursday with some questions and we are glad you had time to answer them all. Recker: Thanks for the opportunity! Q: You were a good student in college, while also excelling on the basketball court. Do you have any tips or superstitions (perhaps a lucky study outfit) that could help soon-to-be college basketball players prepare for the rigor of Big Ten academics and athletics? Thanks. Keep up the great work in Spain!! Frank Riccard (Jason), Las Vegas, Nev. A: Frank Riccard, do you think KFC is still open??? I think the most important thing for incoming student-athletes is time management. College athletics can seem like a full time job at times, so it's important to make time for studying. Sometimes, athletes can get distracted and forget the real reason they are there...to earn a degree! Generally I am not a very superstitious person, but I do have a pair of lucky socks that I like to rock! Q: Are you playing overseas right now? How is that going? Are you married? :) Kristen, Dekalb, Ill. A: Yes, I am currently playing in Bilbao, Spain. My team is called Iurbentia Bilbao Basket, which is in the ACB, the top division in Spain. This is my sixth professional season, fifth in Europe, and third in Spain. I also spent two seasons in Italy. The experience has been incredible and I wouldn't change it for anything! Yes, I am married to a wonderful woman named Megan, who I met during my senior year at the University of Iowa. We are going on five years of marriage and are expecting our first child this summer!! Q: Luke, I have two questions. 1) What similarities/differences did you see between Coach Knight and Coach Alford? 2) Do you keep in contact with any of your former teammates at Indiana/Arizona/Iowa?
Thad Barker, North Liberty, Iowa A: Coach Alford ran his program at Iowa very similar to how Coach Knight ran his at IU. For instance, they had a lot of the same philosophies in regards to defense. Also, Coach Knight is the master of motion offense and we tried to implement the same principles at Iowa. At times, Iowa's practices felt eerily similar to those I experienced at IU!! There were some differences as well. Coach Alford liked to run offensive sets that flowed into motion, whereas Knight liked to stick with motion. Both are terrific coaches and I feel very lucky to have been the only player to play for both of them. I do stay in contact with many of my former teammates. My best friends still today are some of my teammates from Iowa. Jason Smith was the best man in my wedding and Dean Oliver and Duez Henderson were groomsmen. I try to catch up with Reggie Evans every now and then. Also, I still keep in good touch with Jared Reiner and have played against him here in Europe. I talk less frequently with my teammates from IU and Arizona, but I have played against AJ Guyton and Andre Patterson over here. We always have a good time reminiscing about the old days! Q: Luke, do you have a favorite memory from playing with the Hawks? T. Johnson, Des Moines A: I love the University of Iowa and have so many fond memories of my time there. However, the one that takes the cake, would have to be the Big Ten Tournament in 2002. While we fell short against OSU, the two buzzer beaters were highlights of my college career. Also, my first game against IU in Carver was a great memory as well. Q: What do think about Bob Knight's mid-season exit? Ben A: I have the utmost respect for Coach Knight, and I think he has earned the right to retire whenever he wants. I think he felt it was the best time to hand over the program to Pat. He had an amazing career and I wish him luck in the media. Q: Luke, I want you to know that you ruined my spring break in 2002 when you hit the shot to beat my Hoosiers. That was your second game-winner in two days. Now for my question...you ever thought about coming back and going into broadcasting when you are done playing? J.P., B-Town A: Sorry about that! I would love to get into broadcasting after I hang up the shoes. I love the game of basketball and can't imagine my life without it. Broadcasting would be a perfect way to stay connected to the game. Do you know of anyone hiring in a few years?!?! Q: Are you content with playing overseas in the European leagues and being a star over there or would you rather come back to the States and play a certain role for a team in the NBA? Good luck! Monty, Indianapolis A: I am absolutely content with my career in Europe. I have had numerous opportunities to return to the U.S. and try my hand at the NBA, but I have chosen to accept guaranteed contracts in Europe over a gamble that I would end up on an NBA roster. To be honest, I don't think I would be satisfied being the 13th, 14th, or 15th guy on an NBA bench that never sees the floor. Personally, I find it much more gratifying playing and being a difference-maker for my team. And the Sangria in Spain (or pasta in Italy) isn't bad either! bigten.org: Luke, thanks again for checking in with us. You certainly made some memories at the Big Ten Tournament. Best of luck with your career in Spain and certainly with fatherhood as well. Recker: Thanks again! I enjoyed it and I always enjoyed my time playing in the Big Ten Conference. |
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