Newsfeed
Printer-Friendly ModeCenter of Attention
SVSU player leads all Division II schools in rebounding
January 21, 2008 —
If you asked Mike Zuiderveen what it's like to lead the nation in rebounding, you're answer might not be what you'd expect.
"It doesn't strike me as that big of a deal," said the Cardinals' 6-foot-9-inch center. "Sure, it's exciting, but I try not to think about that sort of thing."
Through Saturday, the senior from Kalamazoo is averaging a double-double on the season, leading the nation in total rebounds with 212, and in average, with 13.3 boards per game. He rounds off his box score with 11.6 points per game.
While Zuiderveen's season is arguably one of the better individual showings in recent history for the Cardinals, their record doesn't fully reflect his success. First-year head coach Frankie Smith lauded his center's work ethic and selflessness.
"If you ask Mike if he could lead the nation in rebounding and be 6-9 on the season, or be 10-2 and have four boards per game, he'd take 10-2," Smith said. "He's pure heart. He brings it every day, in practice and in games. He's the best team player I've ever coached."
Zuiderveen's start was something unexpected for the nation's leading rebounder. Attending Kalamazoo Christian High School, Zuiderveen never played organized basketball until he tried out for the Comets his senior year. He didn't make the team.
After graduation, he took a year off, then went to Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Trying out for its basketball team, Zuiderveen again came up short.
"I thought [the competition] was going to be a joke," Zuiderveen said. "But that was kind of an eye opener for me, in terms of life."
With a newfound determination, Zuiderveen hit the gym, working on his strength and footwork, and made the team his second year at KVCC. Due to injuries and the ineligibility of other players on the team, Zuiderveen finally got a chance to shine.
"[Former SVSU head coach] Jamie Matthews saw me play, and I rebounded the ball well," Zuiderveen said. "And he asked me to come out to Saginaw Valley."
But, as in his previous stops, things didn't come easily to Zuiderveen at SVSU.
"The transition was kind of tough. We had all new guys that year, but to be honest, our team chemistry was great. I started every game that year, but I still didn't manage to be very productive.
"Last year was much of the same deal. I started half the games, and again only averaged about 12 minutes, three points and three boards."
Coming into the season, Zuiderveen averaged less than five points and five rebounds in time with the Cardinals. This season, not only has he averaged over 10 points per game, but he's posted double-digit rebounding games 11 times, setting a career high with 18 rebounds against Dec. 29 against Hillsdale, and he topped that performance by pulling down 21 boards last Thursday in a loss to Northwood. He rounded out the weekend with a 19-point, 15- rebound performance in the Cardinals' 73-62 victory over Tiffin.
Smith praised Zuiderveen's improvement not just on the glass, but also in his overall game.
"He's vastly improved his free throw percentage. He's up to 63 percent from around 40 last season. He's also slowed down in the post, and that's helped his offense."
Likewise, Zuiderveen praised his coach for giving him the confidence to succeed.
"This staff has a lot to do with building my confidence. Jamie taught me a lot of things on the court, and I'm thankful for that," Zuiderveen said. "But this year, I'm less worried about pushing my guy out of the paint, and more about checking my man and getting the ball off the rim.
"Basketball is all about confidence. It's all about playing through your mistakes. I've been in this league for two years now, and I know there's no one who can out-rebound me."