Wes Washpun Providing a Boost Off the Bench

By Nick Gary
On Press Row Intern
After a quick start to this season, the 2014-2015 UNI mens basketball team has
drawn comparisons to the 2009-2010 team that reached the Sweet 16.
The two teams are similar in they rely on balanced scoring and both go deep on the
bench, often playing 10 or 11 guys in any particular game. Even further, only one
player on either team averaged at least 30 minutes per game, and that was NCAA
Tournament hero, Ali Farokhmanesh. Combining the two rosters, 18 of 26 players
averaged at least 10 minutes per game, with nine players on this years team
averaging at least 15 minutes per game.
Loaded with the most talent hes had in four years, if not since hes taken over at
UNI, head coach Ben Jacobson had to decide who he was going to bring off the
bench. Someone would have to sacrifice starting roles, similar to Kerwin Dunham,
Jake Koch, and two-time MVC Sixth-Man of the Year Award winner, Lucas ORear
before them.
Last season, Wes Washpun led the team in assists, steals, ranked third on the team
in rebounds, and was ready to take on a bigger role. Washpun, who transferred from
Tennessee after his freshman season to be closer to his family, came to UNI because
of his relationship with Coach Jacobson and the rest of the staff. It was their

relationship and the belief in his coach that made him OK with coming off the bench
this season, but did admit he was disappointed at first.
I was pretty upset when he first told me, but after talking to coach, I realized that it
was best for the team, Washpun said. It worked out because everyone trusts him
and his decisions.
Conventional wisdom says that when a player who started most of last season
begins the next year on the bench, his role has been reduced. Thats not the case
for Washpun. Because of his lightning quickness and incredible leaping abilities,
Jacobson saw him as the perfect candidate to be the energizer off the bench, and
the decision has paid dividends.
Along with Paul Jesperson and Nate Buss, Washpun has led a bench that is among
the best in the country. Against South Dakota State last week, they contributed 45
points in a 74-63 victory over the Jackrabbits. At VCU, Washpun had the best game
of his career, scoring 27 points.
Washpun is currently on pace for arguably the best season by a sixth-man in the
Missouri Valley since they created the MVC Sixth Man Award in 1997, and looks to
be the first recipient of the award at UNI since ORear in 2010. He is currently
averaging 25.1 minutes, 11.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.7
blocks per game, all of which rank top three on the team. However, Washpun is not
focused on the award, or any individual accolades for that matter.
Its always good to be recognized for your efforts, he said. But, honestly Im more
focused on the team success and as long as the team does well, individual awards
dont matter as much.
The biggest difference from last season is Washpuns increased confidence in his
jump shot. It was a clear weakness for Washpun that he has turned into a strength
this season.
Similar to the unselfishness he showed in his willingness to come off the bench,
Washpun refuses to take full credit for his improved play.
I attribute my success has to my off-season preparation, he said. However, most
of the credit goes to my teammates and coaches for putting me in a position to be
successful.
By sacrificing for the team, Washpun has received an increased role and has
become the most exciting player on the court. Unselfishness is important for any
good team to become great, and if Washpun and the rest of the bench keep
contributing they way they are, this years team will have a chance to compete with
2009-2010 as the best team in school history.