Northern Colorado was the youngest team in the Big Sky last season, and by the end of the season had just one upperclassmen on the roster. That player was Mike Proctor, who seemed to be just as important for the intangible things as he was for the tangible things to the Northern Colorado team.
First, the tangible. He was easily the best rebounder on the team and one of the best in the conference at 6.8 boards per game. He had a stellar 22.9 DR% last season, which was the best mark in the Big Sky. He did the dirty work on the glass that the team needed.
Offensively, he had some struggles from the free throw line this year, but he was still a pretty solid and efficient offensive player. He shot an excellent 62% from the field, and did get to the line frequently. He was a solid passer for a big man, and looked to get guys involved and get them shots. He would surprise at times with his ability to get his own shot.
Of course, the things that Northern Colorado and BJ Hill will miss the most will probably be the things that don't show up in the box scores. Defensively, he was very vocal in making sure that everyone was set, or that someone knew a screen was coming. These are things that young teams and young players struggle with, but he always set the tone in this regard. I am sure this message will be carried through in future years. Proctor was the leader of the team, and you could tell that he always left everything he had on the court. He did not have great athleticism, but he made the most out of what he had, and became a very good college basketball player. Once again, his example of leadership and hard work will set the tone for the program, as they try to take the next step.
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