Latest Scoop by Dave Kinworthy

As I anticipated a close match-up between Northern Kentucky and UM-St. Louis in the men's game last week, I could not help thinking, is this going to be like season in a slaughter? The answer was a resounding no!

I have never in my three-plus years at UM-St. Louis seen the men's basketball team play at such a high intensity before.

What can you say about a team that is winning? Winning does wonders to your reputation and if this does not surprise you, nothing will. The men's basketball team is off to an incredible start at 12-8 overall and 7-7 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference midway through the year.

Last year at this time, I could not wait to get the season over with. All of the pain and agony is finally over; no more losing seasons. I welcome all of those victories with open arms.

During the game, I did not realize it, but the men were playing against the third-ranked team in the GLVC and a team that boasts an overall record of 19-3 and 11-2 in the GLVC.

Last year, I would not even have wanted to go to the game, but this year, something is different in the atmosphere. The vibes that you see head coach Mark Bernsen give out to his players is nothing but instrumental to the program and its upward approach.

It may appear at first as though Bernsen just likes to yell at games, but it all has a point. The yelling is releasing the compassion that he has for the game. He is very noble in his efforts to bring a winning tradition to UM-St. Louis when it comes to basketball.

Bernsen exemplifies what every coach should be like: compassionate and dedicated to the sport he coaches. It is his positive attitude towards the players when they are excelling that keeps them playing to the level of which they are capable. Any coach can get on an athlete who is doing badly, but the key is to acknowledge that player whenever he or she does something good as well.

With the men's basketball team excelling this season, the hopes and glimpses of what Bernsen could have recruiting-wise for next season could propel this team into the millennium with a tremendous jolt.

A winning team always has an edge because it is in unison with and has the backing of the fans and spectators.

It is now time to start coming to the men's and women's basketball games, fellow UM-St. Louis students. The teams are in the final stretch before they head into the GLVC tournament, and every win is essential for the two clubs. It is our duty as students to make opponents hear us from the stands, and to yell at those blind referees every time they miss a call. It is what makes being a spectator fun.

Let's give the Rivermen and Riverwomen the crowd that they deserve at every home game. Their record reflects that they care about winning; so should our attendance.