Anchorage Daily News

Before each game, UAA senior Luke Cooper studies opposing point guards like he's preparing for a midterm.

His hoops homework includes pouring over season statistics, watching game videos and scouting tendencies.

"You gotta know what they like do to and then figure out a plan on what you can do to shut them down," he said. "If you get to know your opponent like he's one of your teammates you're going to be very successful against them."

So far this season the 6-foot Aussie has put the knowledge to good use. Cooper has emerged as the most complete point guard in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference and spearheaded No. 14 UAA's 10-game winning streak.

The reigning first-team all-conference pick used to be just a grade-A passer. He's the career assist leader in GNAC and UAA history (704) and leads all of NCAA Division II this season at 8.9 per game.

Over the last season and a half, however, Cooper has added another equally important element to his game on the defensive end. No more an easy mark, Cooper has become a legitimate stopper.

Shutting down opposing point guards has been one of the keys to the Seawolves' current hot streak. In almost every game, Cooper has held his rival ball-handler below his season scoring average.

Consider his last three GNAC games:

• Against UAF, he held Keven Campbell to just two points on 1-of-7 shooting.

• At Saint Martin's, he limited defending GNAC scoring champ Lake Linton to five points, 14 under his average.

• At Western Oregon, he held Brad Krichevsky to 2-of-10 shooting and six points, nine below his average.

"We've played some really good point guards over the last month," UAA coach Rusty Osborne said. "It's been one after another for him.

"There's a lot of good guards in our league and so he's gonna have to step up every time we go out there because he's gonna play against somebody who's good."

And it doesn't get any easier for Cooper this week, not with GNAC teams Central Washington and Western Washington coming to town.

Central Washington has 6-foot Nate Jackson, who is third on his team in scoring at 13.2 per game, and Western Washington sports 6-1 Ira Graham, who leads the GNAC in scoring at 21.4 per game.

"They are very good players," Osborne said. "We're expecting Luke to have a good performance in order for us to get a win."

Cooper is looking forward to the challenge, more than anything because he has established a reputation as the toughest defensive point guard in the league.

But it didn't come overnight.

When Cooper arrived at UAA he was nothing more than a decoration on defense. In time, though, he worked to make guarding opponents one of the strengths of his game.

"It just sort of happened naturally. I came to the realization that if I could improve my defense it would help the team's overall success," Cooper said. "We're a defensive program and in this league you have to guard. You're not gonna win in this league by outscoring people."

Cooper credited UAA associate head coach Shane Rinner for beating the defense-first concept into his head.

"You gotta want to stop your opponent," Cooper said. "You gotta take it personal."

Find assistant sports editor Van Williams online at adn.com/contact/vwilliams or call 257-4335.

UAA BASKETBALL

At Wells Fargo Sports Complex

TODAY'S GAMES

5:30 p.m. -- No. 9 UAA women vs. Saint Martin's

7:30 p.m. -- No. 14 UAA men vs. Central Washington

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