From XU Media Relations Office re: Kenny Frease

[tirebyter]

“Xavier's Kenny Frease refocused” Kenny Frease watched from the bench as Xavier suffered a 101-96 double-overtime loss to Kansas State in an epic NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 showdown March 25. He played only 5 minutes because he wasn’t physically fit enough to keep up. In recent weeks, Frease has cut out 3 a.m. Big Macs, integrated daily salads into his diet, and dropped 22 pounds. He has honed hook shots and long balls, lingering in the gym some nights until 10 p.m. He has improved his agility and vertical jump in a six-week program with Ignition Athletic Performance Group in Mason, paid for out-of-pocket. It must be said that Frease’s activities are all voluntary and he has received no basketball instruction from coaches like Chris Mack or Pat Kelsey in keeping with NCAA offseason regulations. Frease, among other players, has chosen to take advantage of XU’s four-day-a-week summer strength and conditioning program headed by Matt Jennings, plus two days of optional yoga in Oakley. Frease said he has never felt better or more motivated. He has no doubt he will sustain his newfound ethic as he approaches his junior year – or, as he put it, his breakout college basketball season. “This last month and a half has been the hardest of my basketball career, but I feel a lot better about my game. I feel so much lighter on my feet and I’m getting stronger,” Frease said. “It’s like, ‘Look what you’ve done so far. Why would you waste it?’”

[Pierre Dracot]

A corollary (a proposition that follows with little or no proof), a "given," is that his first two years at Xavier were almost a complete waste due to lack of seriousness and effort. Question: Are people capable of changing that much (180 degrees)?

[finalfourorbust]

I think it was pathetic that he actually admitted to shooting no more than 50 free throws last off season after his performance at the free throw line the previous year. I think changing his attitude that much is unlikely. Frease and Gates of UC are traveling the same path so far. Hopefully our guy gets it.

[Thor in 204]

I think it was pathetic that he actually admitted to shooting no more than 50 free throws last off season after his performance at the free throw line the previous year. I think changing his attitude that much is unlikely. Frease and Gates of UC are traveling the same path so far. Hopefully our guy gets it.

I also hope that Kenny gets it, this year and over the long haul. Despite his past behavior, he may very well be a fairly typical young man who is going through natural maturation. Some exit adolescence later than others, and, as has been noted often, he probably has never been challenged to work hard on his game as much as he has been since his embarrassing year last year. I don't count young people out with regard to making major changes. If he doesn't, it won't be for lack of tremendous support from the coaches and the great resources at his disposal.

[Shadow]

I think it was pathetic that he actually admitted to shooting no more than 50 free throws last off season after his performance at the free throw line the previous year. I think changing his attitude that much is unlikely. Frease and Gates of UC are traveling the same path so far. Hopefully our guy gets it.

In your eyes. I think it's commendable that he can talk honestly about it.

[RoseyMuskie]

I think it was pathetic that he actually admitted to shooting no more than 50 free throws last off season after his performance at the free throw line the previous year. I think changing his attitude that much is unlikely. Frease and Gates of UC are traveling the same path so far. Hopefully our guy gets it.

In your eyes. I think it's commendable that he can talk honestly about it.

I'll give him credit that he owned up to that, and I'm starting to believe in him more now that he realizes he needs to put in the work, but only 50 free throws the entire summer! I played basketball with a few friends over the course of last summer and shot that many. Combine the fact that he was probably not working, was just living on campus, and all he needed to do was focus on basketball and all he shot was 50 free throws! I guess it was too much to ask for two hours (1 hour of lifting, one hour of shooting) of working out 5 days a week. Seriously, 10 hours of work a week and then do whatever you want! Talk about the life! Just being on campus I could tell Kenny wasn't into basketball like he should be, and that's why I've been harsh on him, but everyone who posts on this board now knows how pathetic his effort was last year.

Anyways, this summer it seems that Kenny is busting his tail and I'm excited to see him play. I'm glad he's changed his lifestyle and I'm fully supporting him. Go Kenny!

[muskieman]

I think it was pathetic that he actually admitted to shooting no more than 50 free throws last off season after his performance at the free throw line the previous year. I think changing his attitude that much is unlikely. Frease and Gates of UC are traveling the same path so far. Hopefully our guy gets it.

In your eyes. I think it's commendable that he can talk honestly about it.

I'll give him credit that he owned up to that, and I'm starting to believe in him more now that he realizes he needs to put in the work, but only 50 free throws the entire summer! I played basketball with a few friends over the course of last summer and shot that many. Combine the fact that he was probably not working, was just living on campus, and all he needed to do was focus on basketball and all he shot was 50 free throws! I guess it was too much to ask for two hours (1 hour of lifting, one hour of shooting) of working out 5 days a week. Seriously, 10 hours of work a week and then do whatever you want! Talk about the life! Just being on campus I could tell Kenny wasn't into basketball like he should be, and that's why I've been harsh on him, but everyone who posts on this board now knows how pathetic his effort was last year.

Anyways, this summer it seems that Kenny is busting his tail and I'm excited to see him play. I'm glad he's changed his lifestyle and I'm fully supporting him. Go Kenny!

10 hours doesn't sound like much compared to Tutus regiment. They do take summer classes. I would agree with Shadow. What is past is past, I look to the future and hope Kenny steps it up even more this summer.

[xufan2434]

The thing that Kenny has been missing his entire career so far is the competitive drive. I remember his frosh year when he head butted Yancy Gates and I thought that eventually this guy was gonna be a force and a beast that wouldn't back down to anyone...

Yeah, that was quickly outta my head after his freshman year and early soph.. If this is true then its great because lets face it, this team this year is only going to go as far as he takes em because there is no other true center.. I think great guards can carry a team but if Jamel and Kenny don't play focused and energized the whole year, then its going to be rough

[Anti-Homer]

The thing that Kenny has been missing his entire career so far is the competitive drive. I remember his frosh year when he head butted Yancy Gates and I thought that eventually this guy was gonna be a force and a beast that wouldn't back down to anyone...

Yeah, that was quickly outta my head after his freshman year and early soph.. If this is true then its great because lets face it, this team this year is only going to go as far as he takes em because there is no other true center.. I think great guards can carry a team but if Jamel and Kenny don't play focused and energized the whole year, then its going to be rough

This team will be in the NCAA tourney only if we adopt a Villonova-Marquette style offense this year.

[X Factor]

The thing that Kenny has been missing his entire career so far is the competitive drive. I remember his frosh year when he head butted Yancy Gates and I thought that eventually this guy was gonna be a force and a beast that wouldn't back down to anyone...

Yeah, that was quickly outta my head after his freshman year and early soph.. If this is true then its great because lets face it, this team this year is only going to go as far as he takes em because there is no other true center.. I think great guards can carry a team but if Jamel and Kenny don't play focused and energized the whole year, then its going to be rough

This team will be in the NCAA tourney only if we adopt a Villonova-Marquette style offense this year.

Why don't you hurry up and let Coach Mack and Coach Kelsey know about this. I'm sure they'll be happy to hear this awesome news.

Kenny will average about 12 and 8 this year. I have faith in Kenny.