After time at No. 1 nationally, Christopher Newport University men’s basketball team seeks big finish

It already has been a memorable season for Christopher Newport University’s men’s basketball team. The Captains’ ascension to No. 1 in NCAA Division III for three weeks is a big reason, but it is not the memory coach John Krikorian hopes lasts longest.

He considered that a double-edged sword, not just because it put a “target” on the Captains’ backs. Krikorian doesn’t deny the Captains can contend nationally, but believes the No. 1 designation came because they returned key players from last year’s Elite Eight team and started with nine consecutive wins as the preseason top three each lost.

“I think it was a little too soon with this group, to be honest with you, the result of years of [program] national success,” he said of the No. 1 ranking, which ended after a Dec. 13 home loss to Hampden-Sydney and a 77-76 loss at Virginia Wesleyan on a buzzer-beating basket Dec. 15. “We enjoyed the moment because it was a first in program history, and I think it was worth taking a moment to recognize and appreciate.

“I don’t think it was necessarily the result of what this particular team had done. I do think this team has the ability to really go after it by the end of the year, and it would be more meaningful.”

The Captains (14-2) are currently ranked No. 7 by d3hoops.com heading into a four-game trip that begins Saturday with a game in Pennsylvania at York and continues with a contest Wednesday at No. 1 Randolph-Macon.

Although the Captains “love playing in the Freeman Center,” Krikorian said his players look forward to the trip.

“You make great memories with the the travel and experience, and playing in hostile environments,” he said. “There’s a sense of unity when you’re on the road as a team, kind of ‘us against the world,’ that this particular group has embraced.”

Playing in hostile environments suits the Captains fine because they are ultracompetitive.

“Their competitive spirit is through the roof, and that makes it very challenging,” Krikorian said. “Every day at every practice, they all want to be successful and win all the time.

“Sometimes we have to settle them down and remind them that they’re not going to win it all today at a practice in December. But then, in games, they don’t flinch when they’re 10 or 15 points down — they keep competing.

“I like that because that’s kind of the way I am.”

Krikorian said the strength of the Captains is that they go at least 10 deep. There’s plenty of quality, starting with Norview High graduate Jahn Hines, a junior forward who has scored consistently and leads the Captains with a 16.8-per-game average.

Sophomore Ty Henderson has shown increased maturity at the point guard spot while averaging 9.5 points and making a team-high 29 3-pointers. Krikorian says senior Matt Brodie (10.7 ppg) epitomizes the Captains’ competitiveness with his relentless play on both ends of the floor.

Brodie and Hines are joined in double figures by Trey Barber and Rodney Graves, both averaging 10.6 points. Graves, a transfer from Medaille University in New York, has made numerous game-turning plays, including consecutive baskets with the outcome in the balance in a hard-fought 79-73 win over Brandeis on Monday.

Hines’ younger brother, freshman Collin Hines, emerged perhaps as the Captains’ defensive stopper in the game. The younger Hines was important in limiting Brandeis’ Toby Harris, who averaged 22.8 points, to just 16 points on 10 shots.

In all, it is a combination Krikorian calls “unique” and loves to coach.

“We’ve had games when we’ve missed a ton of free throws and we turn the ball over way more than any [CNU] teams I’ve had in the past,” said Krikorian, who has guided the Captains to 274 victories and two Final Fours in 12-plus seasons. “At times, our defense is not what we’re accustomed to.

“Then you look up at the scoreboard [following a win] against a quality team and go, ‘How did we do that?’ You realize the competitive will of the group seems to find a way, and we have scoring versatility throughout the roster as good as I’ve ever had.

“Our scoring ability and balance at over 81 points a game is just unique. Throw in their competitive spirit and tenacity, and I’d like to think we’ll be a pretty tough [NCAA Tournament] out.”