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Date Posted: 08:59:07 02/09/02 Sat
Author: Jon Ralston
Subject: Eli Kiedrowski

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Originally Published Friday, February 8, 2002
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Forward invests in Tigers' future

Kiedrowski digs into his own pocket to play his senior season at Pacific

By Bob Highfill

Record Staff Writer

SAN LUIS OBISPO -- Eli Kiedrowski put his money where his heart is.

The University of the Pacific's senior forward wanted to remain on the men's basketball team so much, he took out a loan to pay his tuition. The Tigers are glad he did. The Lodi High product has contributed solid minutes off the bench in relief of forward Mike Hahn.

Pacific (14-7, 6-5 Big West) will need more of the same when it plays Cal Poly (13-7, 7-5) at 7:05 p.m. today at Mott Gym.

"UOP ended up giving me a grant, and I had to take out a loan," Kiedrowski said. "Out of my five years, I'm going to have to pay back about $17,000, but with this education, that's not bad."

Something as trivial as a lack of funds wasn't going to prevent Kiedrowski from finishing his senior year with the Tigers.

"You can't keep me away from the game," Kiedrowski said. "I played three sports (in high school), and I was better at the other two. I love playing basketball. Wherever there's a ball on the court, I'm there."

Kiedrowski has been there for the Tigers since he led Lodi to consecutive San Joaquin Athletic Association championships in 1996 and '97. He turned down offers to play football and baseball elsewhere, and walked on the Tigers' basketball team. He redshirted his first year, then played in 13 games each his freshman and sophomore seasons. Last season, the 6-foot-6, 220-pounder found his niche.

"I really felt he came into his own," Pacific coach Bob Thomason said. "He filled a void for us as a passer and 3-point shooter and someone who could post-up smaller players and take bigger guys outside."

Kiedrowski played in 29 games and averaged 2.8 points and 2.4 rebounds. He shot 43 percent from the floor and 35 percent from 3-point range. Still, when the season was over, Kiedrowski wasn't certain about his future. The Tigers didn't have a scholarship to offer, and the grant that helped pay his tuition the previous four years had expired.

Kiedrowski discussed his options with his family.

"We talked about it, and I talked to coach, but with one year left, there's no way you can go anywhere else," Kiedrowski said. "I decided I was going to finish my career."

And Kiedrowski is making the most of his investment.

Kiedrowski has played in all 21 games and averages 2.5 points and 1.7 rebounds. In conference games, he's scoring 3.3 points with 1.8 rebounds per game. His shooting percentage has skyrocketed to 59.4 percent, which places him second on the team to Hahn (65 percent). His minutes are the same as last season, about 12 per game, but he appears much more comfortable on both ends of the court.

Kiedrowski scored a career-high 10 points against Cal State Fullerton on Jan. 26, then had eight points and seven rebounds against Cal State Northridge on Jan. 31. In the last five games, he is averaging five points and 2.6 rebounds.

"We talked several times because he wasn't able to do what we thought he could early in the season,' Thomason said. "But the last 10 games, I couldn't ask for more. I'm really happy for him. He's playing better, and he's making the team better."

Kiedrowski credits Thomason's father, Bob Sr., with helping him improve his shooting. Kiedrowski is 6-for-10 from 3-point range in conference games this season and 8-for-19 (42 percent) overall.

"He's the shot doctor," Kiedrowski said of Bob Thomason Sr., a former high school basketball coach. "When things aren't going well with my shot, he'll let me know. If it's flat, he'll tell me. He's been a great teacher for me."

And Kiedrowski, who dipped deep into his own pocket to fulfill his dream, has taught his coaches and teammates the meaning of commitment.

"He's sacrificed a lot to be here," Thomason said. "I hope the players appreciate that. I know I sure do."

Originally Published Saturday, February 9, 2002
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Men's College Basketball

Pacific at Cal Poly

* Time, place -- 7:05 p.m. today, Mott Gym (3,000)

* Broadcast -- Radio: KUYL (1280-AM), KFIV (1360-AM). Dave Rosselli play-by-play, Tod Bannister color commentary

* Coaches -- Pacific: Bob Thomason (14th season, 216-182); Cal Poly: Kevin Bromley (second season, 17-19)

* Records -- Pacific: 14-7, 6-5 Big West; Cal Poly: 13-7, 7-5

* Series -- Pacific leads 20-8

* Probable starters -- Pacific: G Demetrius Jackson, 5-10, jr., (13 ppg, 3.4 rpg); G Maurice McLemore, 6-2, sr., (9.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg); G David Bunts, 6-1, sr., (6.8 ppg, 1.3 rpg); F Mike Hahn, 6-7, sr., (8.8 ppg, 5 rpg); C Mike Preston, 6-9, sr., (9 ppg, 4.2 rpg); Cal Poly: G Jason Allen, 6-1, jr., (6.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg); G Eric Jackson, 6-4, so., (7.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg); F Brandon Beeson, 6-6, sr., (11.9 ppg, 6.7 rpg); F David Henry, 6-8, sr., (8.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg); C Varnie Dennis, 6-7, so., (15.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg)

* Notes -- Pacific was beaten at UC Santa Barbara 70-57 on Thursday due to its poor shooting: 36.7 percent from the field, 13.6 percent from 3-point range, and 52.6 percent from the free-throw line. The Tigers dropped into sixth place but are only one game out of third place. ... Cal Poly improved to 9-1 at home this season with a 77-65 win over Cal State Northridge on Thursday. The Mustangs scored 53 points in the second half, and guard Steve Geary came off the bench and tallied a game-high 19 points. Dennis had 18 points and nine rebounds. ... The Tigers are 1-5 on the road in conference, but have won their last four at Mott Gym. ... Pacific, whose regular-season conference championship hopes are all but gone, could move back into fourth place with a win today and a loss by Cal State Northridge, who's playing at UC Santa Barbara. "This is a big game because we can still finish higher and get a better seed for the tournament," Thomason said. "We need to play the way we do at home on the road." ... Thomason wants his players to establish a presence inside with Hahn and Preston early against the Mustangs . "They didn't get enough shots (Thursday) and their shooting percentages are too high not to get more shots.' Hahn has made 63 percent of his shots in conference play, and Preston has made 62 percent of his. They combined to go 5-for-10 from the floor and 6-for-12 from the line for 16 points on Thursday.

-- Bob Highfill

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