Nov. 22, 2007

CONCORD, CA - The Colonels strong play against Cal caught the eyes of all 7,370 in attendance at the Haas Pavilion as they played the Golden Bears closer than expected, and one of those spectators was longtime basketball coach Eric Musselman.

"We got back to the hotel that night, and my phone rang with a strange number, so I answered it and it was him (Musselman)," said head coach J.P. Piper. "He complemented our team on their hard work against Cal, and we chatted about the game and our team."

To say the least, Piper was surprised by the call, but that didn't stop him from talking with Musselman for over a half and hour about basketball. They exchanged contact information, and Musselman agreed to come speak with the team at Tuesday's practice.

"I was very impressed with the offensive spacing and the Princeton offense principles that Nicholls used against Cal," said Musselman. "Nicholls defense was what really caught my eye in how they defended Cal's dominant post players (DeVon Hardin and Ryan Anderson) that are some of the best in the college game. They (Nicholls) just play unselfish basketball and play the game the way it is suppose to be played."

Musselman's pedigree includes several stops as an assistant coach with four NBA franchises while serving as the head coach of the Golden State Warriors and most recently with the Sacramento Kings. Musselman was also a prominent player for the University of San Diego as he led the Toreros to a 24-6 record in 1986-87, and to the NCAA tournament where USD fell to Auburn 62-61 in the first round. The 24-6 finish was and still is the best in school history.

His late father Bill Musselman was a 29-year coaching veteran that included head positions for the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Bill was also dominant on the college level experiencing success at Ashland University and the University of Minnesota. His last appearance on the college level was at South Alabama where he led the Jaguars to the 1997 Sun Belt Championship and an appearance in the NCAA tournament. Bill left that job to get back into the NBA as an assistant with the Portland Trail Blazers.

"He didn't just come in and talk X's and O's with us and our team, he talked about life and how to overcome mistakes," said Piper. "The guys really responded to what he had to say."

Piper scheduled practice Tuesday around Musselman's visit, and when he walked through the gym doors of Monta Vista High in Danville, Calif. where the Colonels were practicing, he started offering pointers to coaches and players.

"He talked to us about knowing your role on the team, and playing it to the best of your ability. He also told us about some of the mistakes he has made, and advised us to be smart and careful in life," said junior Ryan Bathie.

"All of us were amazed that he took time out of his life to come talk to us, and it really meant a lot to all of us," said sophomore Michael Czepil. "One of the things that I really got out of it was that he told us not to be scared when playing bigger schools, and when we walk out of the locker room before every game, we all must believe that we can win."

The Colonels will be back in action at St. Mary's on Saturday to conclude their non-conference tour of California. Game time locally is set for 3 p.m.

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