03-22-2020, 03:21 PM
MARATHON MAN
Most of America missed it, but tucked into the small print last Sunday was one of the most remarkable performances of the season -- Arkansas-Little Rock point guard Zack Graber (17) played all 65 minutes of the Trojans' five-overtime, 118-115 loss to Florida International.
No, it wasn't a record for minutes played. The NCAA doesn't keep records in that category, but we do know that Bobby Austin of Cincinnati played 73 minutes in a seven-overtime game between the Bearcats and Bradley in 1981. But we here at The Minutes pride ourselves on going the full Forde every time out, and we've been humbled by Mr. Graber's endless effort.
"It was just one of those deals where you feel like you can't come out," Graber said. "You've just got to play through being tired. There were a couple times I wanted to [come out], but with the situation we were in I wanted to stay in, try to make some plays and help us win.
"Coach [Steve Shields] asked me a couple times, 'You feel OK? Do I need to get you a quick one?' I told him, 'No, I'm all right. I'm going to play through it,'" Graber said.
Graber is accustomed to spending an inordinate amount of time on the court. The son of the principal at Salina South High School in Salina, Kan., he had a key to the gym and was your classic gym rat. He was there at all hours refining his game and mimicking his childhood hero, Kansas point guard Jacque Vaughn.
After two seasons at Coffeyville Community College, Graber came to UALR -- and he hasn't left the court much since. The five-OT extravaganza was his sixth game playing 40 or more.
Graber dished out a career-high 13 assists in the game while taking only four shots -- not out of character for a pass-first point guard. In fact, he's taken two or fewer shots in 13 of the Trojans' 22 games this season.
While he's never tried to wear out his shooting arm, he's put a lot of wear and tear on his legs. Even after playing 65 minutes on Jan. 30, Graber came back to play 37 last Thursday in a win over South Alabama and 35 more Saturday in a win over New Orleans.
"I felt like I could have (gone) another 30 minutes (against Florida International)," Graber said. "It was one of those days where you're in a zone and you feel like you can go forever. But the next morning was a little rough."
Most of America missed it, but tucked into the small print last Sunday was one of the most remarkable performances of the season -- Arkansas-Little Rock point guard Zack Graber (17) played all 65 minutes of the Trojans' five-overtime, 118-115 loss to Florida International.
No, it wasn't a record for minutes played. The NCAA doesn't keep records in that category, but we do know that Bobby Austin of Cincinnati played 73 minutes in a seven-overtime game between the Bearcats and Bradley in 1981. But we here at The Minutes pride ourselves on going the full Forde every time out, and we've been humbled by Mr. Graber's endless effort.
"It was just one of those deals where you feel like you can't come out," Graber said. "You've just got to play through being tired. There were a couple times I wanted to [come out], but with the situation we were in I wanted to stay in, try to make some plays and help us win.
"Coach [Steve Shields] asked me a couple times, 'You feel OK? Do I need to get you a quick one?' I told him, 'No, I'm all right. I'm going to play through it,'" Graber said.
Graber is accustomed to spending an inordinate amount of time on the court. The son of the principal at Salina South High School in Salina, Kan., he had a key to the gym and was your classic gym rat. He was there at all hours refining his game and mimicking his childhood hero, Kansas point guard Jacque Vaughn.
After two seasons at Coffeyville Community College, Graber came to UALR -- and he hasn't left the court much since. The five-OT extravaganza was his sixth game playing 40 or more.
Graber dished out a career-high 13 assists in the game while taking only four shots -- not out of character for a pass-first point guard. In fact, he's taken two or fewer shots in 13 of the Trojans' 22 games this season.
While he's never tried to wear out his shooting arm, he's put a lot of wear and tear on his legs. Even after playing 65 minutes on Jan. 30, Graber came back to play 37 last Thursday in a win over South Alabama and 35 more Saturday in a win over New Orleans.
"I felt like I could have (gone) another 30 minutes (against Florida International)," Graber said. "It was one of those days where you're in a zone and you feel like you can go forever. But the next morning was a little rough."