Feb. 3, 2005
1. Right now, the team is 11-10 on the season. What does the team have to do in order to finish strong coming down the stretch?
RL - "We just need to play our game. It's all about us. We had a strong finish last year and can do it again this season."
2. The team is 10-2 at home and 1-8 on the road - what's the biggest difference you've seen from playing at home compared to playing on the road?
RL - "The biggest difference would be that we get to play in the same gym that we practice in every day and are used to at home. On the road, it's always a different atmosphere."
3. In your own opinion, what do you think about this season's results so far?
RL - "Overall, we've had a good season. We would like to get back some of those losses on the road, but we are still in position to finish strong and have a good record."
4. In your eyes, what do you believe is your role on the team?
RL - "I think my biggest role is to play good defense. I need to stop the opposing post players as well as help out my teammates around the basket if their man gets by them."
5. If you have to grade yourself on your performance during the season - how would you do it and why?
RL - "I know I could have played better. I started off this season pretty slow because I had been ill, but I am getting over that now and am starting to play more like I know I can play."
6. What's the biggest challenge you face every game at the center position?
RL - "It would be to body up the post players on the other team. It's very physical in the post, and I'm pretty thin, but I'm able to make up for that with my length."
7. How have you seen the team grow from the beginning of the season up to this point?
RL - "We have gotten smarter as the season went on. We are starting to cut down the dumb turnovers that we made earlier in the season."
8. What were your goals coming into the 2004-05 season, and are you close to achieving them?
RL - "My goals were just to give it my all and contribute to the team as much as I can. I was also hoping to have a 20-win season. We can't quite get there anymore, but we can still get pretty close."
9. When did you start playing basketball, and what has kept you playing all these years?
RL - "I started playing when I was really young. I don't remember exactly how old I was, but I remember my family teaching me to play at a young age. I would say that basketball is my family's favorite sport."
10. Who has had the greatest impact on your life and why?
RL - "I would say my parents because they always made sure that I would do the right thing in life, and they would always be there for me if I needed them."
1. What was the first car you drove after getting your license?
RL - "My first car was a 1993 Eagle Talon. It was really fun, but I think that I pretty much outgrew it. It was a small sports car."
2. What was your first thought about coming to the Valley to play for UTPA?
RL - "I was excited. I had never lived too far from home, but I was excited to see what it would be like to live in a different culture than the Midwest."
3. What is the first thing you pack before going on a road trip?
RL - "It would be my basketball shoes. All the other important things are packed for us so I don't need to worry about them."
4. What is the first job you've ever had?
RL - "In high school, I worked at a large arena in Sioux Falls, SD. It is just like the Dodge Arena down here. My job was to stock the concession and beer stands before the events that they had there. I had so much fun working there."
5. What is the first thing you do when you return from a long road trip?
RL - "Usually, I am too tired to do anything so I'll relax and maybe take a nap."
6. What was the last movie that you bought on DVD?
RL - "I bought Troy a few weeks ago. It's a good movie."
7. What was the last book you've read?
RL - "I don't remember. I don't have much time to read for fun. I do lots of reading for my classes right now."
8. What was the last meal that you cooked for someone else?
RL - "I'm not much of a cook so I don't trust myself to cook for anyone else."
9. What is the last thing you do before going to bed?
RL - "I set the alarm for the following morning."
10. What is the last thing you did before filling out this BroncBuster form?
RL - "I just got out of practice a little bit ago."
1. Television Show - That 70s Show or George Lopez?
RL- That 70s Show
2. Store Brand - American Eagle or Abercrombie & Fitch?
RL - Personally, I don't like either.
3. Style of Movie - Action or Comedy?
RL - Action
4. Cartoon Hero - Batman or Superman?
RL - Superman
5. Board Game - Monopoly or Clue?
RL - Monopoly
6. Breakfast Cereal - Fruity Pebbles or Cookie Crunch?
RL - Fruity Pebbles
7. Adventure - Running with the bulls or Swimming with the sharks?
RL - Running with the bulls
8. Vacation - Rome or Barcelona?
RL - Rome
9. Better Dancer - You or Big Al?
RL - Me
10. Your Position - Blocked Shot or Dunk?
RL - Dunk
1. The best advice that I ever received from somebody?
RL - To be sure to enjoy life while I'm still young.
2. The worst advice that I ever received from somebody?
RL - N/A
3. The best thing about being a center?
RL - Usually being the biggest person on the floor.
4. The worst thing about being a center?
RL - Sometimes it can get pretty physical.
5. The best moment of my UTPA Broncs' career?
RL - Beating Air Force at home last season.
6. The worst moment of my UTPA Broncs' career?
RL - Going 0-6 on the long road trip over the Christmas Break.
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