Bucknell's Brian Werner Appears On ESPN.com Chat Session

Feb. 14, 2002

Brian Werner: (2:00 PM ET ) Hi this is Brian I will be glad to answer your questions for the next hour.

Terell, East Orange, NJ: I know Boakai because I'm from East Orange also, and i was just wondering how is your game compared to his game compared to different playing styles. Do you two complement each other well?

Brian Werner: (2:02 PM ET ) Boakai is a very explosive player where I am more perimeter oriented. We both bring a unique aspect to our team.

Calvin, Lburg: Whats the best part about playing at such a small division 1 school?

Brian Werner: (2:03 PM ET ) The best part is that the community gets to know us and see us around the community, which is good for support.

East Coast Fan Stuck on the Left Coast: Who is the toughest player you have been matched up against this year both in the Patriot League and outside the conference?

Brian Werner: (2:05 PM ET ) I feel that Doctor from American and the entire front court from HC are my toughest league opponent and outside the conference I would say BB Waldon from South Florida.

jesse, Hicksville, LI: Coming from LI as well, do you feel that Long Island players are starting to contripute more to division I basketball?

Brian Werner: (2:07 PM ET ) I think that is the case it is great to play against people in college that I have played against in high school such as the Spatola brothers from Army, Joel Suarez from Hofstra just to name a few.

John, New York: What do you think your chances are in the Patriot League Tournament?

Brian Werner: (2:09 PM ET ) I think if we begin to gel together more as a team we could be one of the best teams in the league when the tournament comes around. The league is very wide open this year so don't count anyone out!

Joseph Mastrocovi (Rockville Centre, NY)e: Who is the best pure three point shooter you have ever played with?

Brian Werner: (2:10 PM ET ) Besides you... I would have to say Danny Blankenship.

Bill, Minneapolis: What can you tell us about the new arena being built?

Brian Werner: (2:11 PM ET ) We are all very excited about the new arena. I think that this will greatly help recruiting and have a very positive effect on the athletic program.

Matt, Madison, WI: Will you be sad to see Davis Gym go?

Brian Werner: (2:13 PM ET ) Davis Gym has great tradition. It will be still standing although we will not be playing in it. I enjoyed playing it thus far but am also looking forward to playing in a new facility.

Chuck, San Francisco: Hi Brian. Playing at a small school, what are your options for after graduation? Are you hoping to play basketball professionally somewhere, or will you look to do something else with your degree?

Brian Werner: (2:16 PM ET ) I do not plan on playing professionally. There are people on our team who will have the opportunity to do so. Being a management major I hope to have several options when I graduate.

brenny: Who is the best half court shooter ever?

Brian Werner: (2:16 PM ET ) I am the best half court shooter.

Brian Werner: (2:17 PM ET ) I showed my half court skills last season against Lehigh in an over time victory.

Dan (Harrisburg): How is Antario Glover progressing? Just how athletic is he?

Brian Werner: (2:18 PM ET ) Antario is a spark plug for us off of the bench. He is a great athlete and a great defender. He played exceptionally well last game vs American.

Matt, Madison, WI: Do you have many problems balancing your demanding basketball schedule with your academic studies?

Brian Werner: (2:21 PM ET ) It is difficult during this time of year because of the amount of traveling we are doing. It is important to get into a routine of books and basketball. We all seem to find a way to manage it.

Jason Janego (New York): Hi Brian. I played 4 years at BU in the early 90's, and will definitely miss Davis Gym. At that time we had a big rivalry with Holy Cross. Who do you guys consider to be your biggest rival now? (and give my best to Coach T)

Brian Werner: (2:23 PM ET ) Since Holy Cross has been putting together some very talented teams lately I wiould say they are up there on our list of who we would like to beat. With the league being so even we must take every opponent seriously.

Sean(Garden City): Hey Bri, just wondering what your feelings are on your high school coach, Mr. Basil....I am really interested.

Brian Werner: (2:25 PM ET ) Coach Baisle was a great coach in High School and he is now coaching at Farmingdale. He brings great enthusiasm to the game.

Bill, Minneapolis: Speaking of the League tournament, you mentioned the team could win it if it "gelled". What does it have to do to gel more?

Brian Werner: (2:28 PM ET ) Once we get everyone playing with confidence this will help. Also this is the first time this year that everyone has been healthy. Hopefully our team will remain healthy throughout the rest of the season and post season.

Joseph Mastrocovi (Muirfield Road): If the Patriot League were the NBA, who would you compare yourself to?

Brian Werner: (2:29 PM ET ) I would have to say Dirk from Dallas

Carmen, Lewisburg, Pa.: Which team in the league to you guys like to beat up on the most, and which team in the league might be a real darkhorse in the upcoming tournament?

Brian Werner: (2:31 PM ET ) The dark horse in the tournament could be us. At this point Holy Cross and American are the favorites.

Devon (Boston): Lafayette claims to have the rowdiest fans with the "Zoo Crew", but where do you think is the toughest place to play?

Brian Werner: (2:33 PM ET ) All road games are tough in the league but for the toughest place to play I would have to say Holy Cross.

Kevin Flynn, RVC, NY: If Joe Mastrocovi where in the NBA, who would you compare him too????

Brian Werner: (2:33 PM ET ) Larry Bird

Dan (Harrisburg): What are your feelings on Bucknell offering scholarships like many League teams are now doing?

Brian Werner: (2:35 PM ET ) It would be a great idea for the school to award athletic scholarships. This would bring in more and higher quality players.

Chris(Arrandale): Did u ever play any other sports, like Lax?

Brian Werner: (2:36 PM ET ) In high school I played lacrosse and basketball. Growing up I played almost every sport.

Michael (East Rockaway): Would you say that you are back to 100% after your injuries yet, or no?

Brian Werner: (2:38 PM ET ) After a light week of practice I feel I am 100%. If it was a tough practice or after a game I still have pain in my left foot.

Jim W(RVC): Where did you learn your toughness inside...

Brian Werner: (2:40 PM ET ) I think growing up around my two brothers, uncle, and grubb has helped me play tough inside.

Ron, Hamilton: Brian, you mentioned that you think Bucknell should begin offering athletic scholarships? First, do you mean that currently there is NO financial assistance for student athletes? Second, wouldn't the inclusion of full athletic scholarships take away resources from players such as yourself (who, as your bio states, are on the honour roll).

Brian Werner: (2:43 PM ET ) Bucknell does not offer Merit based scholarships. All aid is need based. I feel that scholarships would increase our ability to recruit top notch players while not losing anything academically.

Brad Chicago: Who in your opinion will win the NCaa Title?

Brian Werner: (2:45 PM ET ) I would like to see Kansas win a national championship. It would be nice to see someone other than Duke.

Eddie(Tampa): I played with your teammate Davorin Skornik in high school. What's he like to have on the team?

Brian Werner: (2:46 PM ET ) Davorin has a great personality and sense of humor. He makes all of the inside players better each day in practice. it is tough shooting over the 7 footer.

Kevin, RVC, NY: Being a BU alum myself, do you think that if you made it to the big dance this year you would gain national recognition???

Brian Werner: (2:49 PM ET ) We have along way to go to get there, but that is our goal ever since the first day of practice. Bucknell hasn't been to the tournament in a while and would be great exposure for the program and school.

Brian Werner: (2:52 PM ET ) Bryan Bailey and Boakai have the talent to play over seas if that is what they choose to do after graduation.

Obones: Brian, after injuring your ankle earlier this season, how hard was it to watch from the bench, and do you feel it created an even stronger desire for your to want to get healthy and get back on the hardwood?

Brian Werner: (2:55 PM ET ) It is very difficult to see my teammates out there having fun while I had to sit. Having to sit out , I had a lot of extra energy and desire when returning.

Doug, Huntington West Virginia: Brian,

How has the atmosphere been in Davis Gym this season ? I hear that there has been a "crazy Bison fan" running around in Orange and Blue at games ? And I also heard that there were two guys disguised as the "Blues Brothers" running around on campus promoting games?

Brian Werner: (2:56 PM ET ) They have greatly incresed enthusiasm around campus. Keep up the good work.

Kyle (Atlanta): So Bri, give us a prediction. Will we see Bucknell in the Big dance... Yes or No?

Brian Werner: (2:58 PM ET ) Yeah we will be there so go out and buy some plane tickets and start filling in the brackets

Bill W(Beantown): how do you see the game at HC playing out next week. has coach put pressure to put some more points on the board

Brian Werner: (2:59 PM ET ) We are all looking forward to going to HC and getting a victory. The plan is for me to start scoring more...

CJ: What was the best performance of your career? (high-school and college)

Brian Werner: (3:03 PM ET ) I feel that my best performane of my career was against lehigh lst year here we won in overtime and came back from a 11 point deficit in 33 seconds.

Joseph Mastrocovi: Who is a better athlete, Chris Haunss or John Grubb?

Brian Werner: (3:03 PM ET ) Chris Haunss by far

Brian Werner: (3:04 PM ET ) Thank you for all of your questions and support of the Bison Athletics!!

Bucknell University Athletics

Bucknell's Brian Werner Appears On ESPN.com Chat Session

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