Gloger makes presence felt

Steve Virgen

In the background of UC Irvine’s 73-62 loss to Western Michigan

Saturday, Anteater guard Jeff Gloger provided a glimpse of his

potential Saturday in the Sooner Invitational. With quickness,

penetration and solid defense, Gloger, a redshirt freshman on the UCI

men’s basketball team, made huge strides in regard to discovering his

role on the Anteaters.

“He’s a great athletic guard, rebounds well, and is quick,” UCI

Coach Pat Douglass said. “But he’s like all our point guards, who

need to learn on the job.”

Given the opportunity, Gloger delivered Saturday. Despite the

loss, he began to meet the expectations that were put before him this

past summer. With 12:05 left in the game against Western Michigan,

Gloger stepped in front of a pass, recorded a steal, raced down the

court and was fouled as he went up high for a scoring layup. Gloger

hit the free throw to bring the Anteaters to within, 48-47.

Gloger also grabbed an offensive rebound from a missed free throw

and was fouled on the put-back. One minute later, he grabbed a loose

ball and sped out on another breakaway. He was fouled on the lay-up,

and it appeared there was goaltending because a Western Michigan

player pulled down the rim.

Instead, Gloger hit both free throws.

Overall, Gloger scored nine points, on 2-of-3 shooting from the

field, recorded three steals and dished out two assists in about 17

minutes of playing time.

“I was just trying to come out and provide a spark,” Gloger said.

“Whatever the coach asks me to do, I try to do it the best I can. I

just want to do what I’m called upon to do.”

And, that’s provide momentum. On each of his steals and layups, he

brought his teammates on the bench to their feet. He was the spark.

That’s what he wanted to be when he prepared for this season.

Last year, Gloger, a Capistrano Valley High product, redshirted

the season.

He was one of four redshirts last year, which also included Ryan

Codi, Ross Schraeder and DeVaughn Peace.

At Capo Valley, Gloger earned All-South Coast League honors, as he

averaged 13.9 points per game and led the team in field-goal

percentage (58.1%). He was a McDonald’s All-American nominee who also

led Capo Valley in assists, steals and rebounds, playing and learning

under Coach Brian Mulligan, a former UCI player and son of former

Anteater head coach Bill Mulligan.

When he came to UCI, he discovered his first role would be a

redshirt. And, for Gloger, that was a good thing.

“I actually preferred to redshirt last year,” Gloger said. “It

gave me the opportunity to get stronger. Even now I’m still adjusting

to the speed and the level of college basketball. I don’t think I

would have done very well if I did play last year.”

In the upcoming games, Gloger said he plans to continue to deliver

a high energy brand of basketball.

“Regardless of when I come in I have to do what I’m called upon to

do,” said Gloger, who also said he was nervous to face No. 7 Oklahoma

but that was all a learning experience. “I’m still adapting to the

college level. Gradually, I will get the hang of it. Coach tells us

not to emphasize individual accomplishments for the betterment of the

team and I’m part of that role. I buy into that.”