DARREN DUPONT
Sports Writer

The Huskies men’s basketball team continues to be one of the best teams in the country but guard Tim Hollman is just happy to be back playing the game he loves.

The Huskies have won 11 of their last 12 games and sit in third place in Canada West with two games in hand on second place Trinity Western.

“It’s been good,” explains Huskies third year guard Tim Hollman. “We came into camp with everyone competing for a spot.

“We had a good pre-season. Our toughest two games came in the first two games when we played UBC, the number two team in the country, and we kind of got a rude awakening our first game. Then we ended up beating them [in the second game] and went on a little bit of a run and have been playing good ball of late.”

A year ago the Huskies were national champions for the first time in team history and, while many thought they would be hard-pressed to reach that level again, this year’s edition of the Huskies have proved capable of playing at an elite level.

“I think [the Huskies] had lots of leaders that carried over from last year that helped continue this tradition they had,” said Hollman.

“Then we brought in three or four new guys, myself and a couple of other players, and I think it was an easy transition with three of us having already played before with the Huskies and under [interim head coach] Barry Rawlyk. We just gelled with the players and everyone gets along so it’s a good situation for everyone.”

Hollman was a freshmen on the Huskies in the 2006 season and was with the team through his sophomore season before taking a step back in 2008.

“I didn’t play too much my first year and my second year. I was a rotation guy off the bench,” explains the Saskatoon product. “My third year I decided to step away from basketball and pursue other things.

“I think it got to a point where it’s a big commitment… I just felt that it wasn’t something that I wanted to continue to do. I knew I would come back, I just thought maybe a break would be good for me.”

A break was just what Hollman needed. He rejoined the club this year with a renewed appreciation for the game.

“I think I appreciate what we’re doing. I have a better understanding of what we’re doing and how this is some of the best years in my life and my athletic career and I cherish those a little more and have a better understanding of that,” said Hollman.

“I missed being around the guys definitely; the camaraderie and just playing. I love the game and I didn’t realize how much I would miss it until I didn’t have it everyday.”

Hollman was a key member of the city and provincial champion Holy Cross Crusaders in his senior year in high school, where now Huskies interim head coach Rawlyk was the head coach. Hollman can see some similarities between that team and this year’s edition of the Huskies.

“[They’re similar] as far as guys being really close and trusting each other and along those lines especially with Barry at the head of the ship it feels very similar to playing back in high school.”

Hollman enjoyed a great start to the season before a knee injury took him out of the line up for an extended period. Now, back in the line up, Hollman is continuing to contribute coming off the bench and is happy to take advantage of every opportunity he gets.

“I have had to be positive off the bench, because other guys have stepped up and played well and we’ve been winning so I’ve been battling to get back into the rotation. Where I’m sitting right now is [I am] getting some minutes here and there and trying to work my way back in.”

In his second stint with the Huskies, Hollman is having fun playing varsity basketball again and feels this team is capable of doing great things.

“I think this time around we’re all one team, there’s not a big difference in age and nobody sees it that way. We’re all playing for the same goal and we’re all working towards the same thing and it doesn’t matter if you’re first year or fifth year.”

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image: Pete Yee