Friday, February 18, 2000
Xavier's fortunes tied to Frey's consistency
Soph forward still working to find form
BY MICHAEL PERRY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Kevin Frey shoots over UC's Kenyon Martin.
(AP photo)
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Fact: When Kevin Frey scores in double figures, Xavier is 8-0. When the sophomore forward scores fewer than 10 points, the Musketeers are 8-8.
“I guess I need to score more,” Frey said. “I know I need to play more consistent. My year personally? It's been up and down. It hasn't been the year I wanted. But hopefully it will turn out positive.”
Frey is coming off the second-most productive game of his Xavier career. He scored 20 points Tuesday night against Duquesne, 18 of which came after his head was cut open by Duquesne center Simon Ogunlesi.
His career high was 29 points at Central Michigan earlier this season. Frey also has scored in double figures against Cincinnati, St.Mary's, Princeton, Toledo, Rhode Island and Fordham. Only three of his double-figure games have come in the last 13.
In the 95-66 victory over Duquesne, he was 8-of-13 from the field, 4-of-4 from the foul line and also had nine rebounds.
“When he doesn't become enamored with his 3-point shot and he's more flirtatious with the other parts of his game and realizes there are other ways to score, then he's a better offensive player,” coach Skip Prosser said.
“One of the best things about his line the other night was that he had 20 points, and not one 3 was attempted.”
Prosser, who calls Frey “gifted offensively,” is not saying he doesn't want Frey taking 3-pointers. Frey practices his outside shot a lot, and Prosser knows that.
“I just don't want him thinking his whole offensive identity is tied to that,” Prosser said.
Frey is averaging 9.1 points and 5.1 rebounds. He is shooting 41 percent from the field, 23.5 percent from 3-point range (8-of-34) and an Atlantic 10 Conference-leading 85.2 percent from the foul line.
Teammate Lloyd Price said he can tell in the first five minutes when Frey is about to have a big night.
“He goes to the boards hard,” Price said. “It's a differ ent Kevin. That goes for everybody on the team. If everybody would just play to their potential, we could have a successful ending to the year. He makes a big difference. If he continues to play well, we'll continue to win.”
Frey and Prosser both wonder why Frey can't play the same every game.
Frey said it's a matter of concentration.
“I talk to him; all the different coaches talk to him,” Prosser said. “It's something we constantly think about.”
After watching film of the Duquesne game. Frey noticed he was more active. He said that after games, he doesn't worry about his point total.
“I go into every game feeling good,” Frey said. “When it comes to scoring, I'm real patient. If I don't score, I don't really care. If I have to force a shot, I'd rather pass it off and let somebody else take a better shot.”
Said Prosser: “When he's doing the other things, guarding and rebounding, it's usually a good sign. We can't afford to have anybody go up and down. From now on, all bets are off. We've got to play consistently every night out.”
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