And this is Tate Unruh now.
This is Tate Unruh then...
Whether it was his record-tying eight 3-pointers in Branson’s Blue and Gold championship victory over Clever in 2008 , or pulling his weight in the Pirates’ Class 5 quarterfinal run last season, Unruh became a bonafide star amongst the Ozarks’ — and the state’s — elite.
Or maybe you know him for his size. Admittedly as a freshman, Unruh was 5-foot-5 and barely 100 pounds. He sprouted to 6-2 and 155 pounds, but still, many doubted his ability play at college basketball’s highest level.
Well, that’s where Northern Colorado comes in. Now, I’m sure few of you are familiar with the Bears, members of the Big Sky Conference and the lesser known of the state’s four D-I basketball programs. (Maybe it’s tied with Denver?) recruited Unruh and are redshirting him this season. But that hasn’t stopped Unruh from experiencing the D-I routines, taking a part of ESPN’s 24-hour college hoops marathon and being a vital practice player for a team that has the highest RPI of any Colorado university (8-2, 107).
Unruh has agreed to share a few of his thoughts with us throughout the season and let us know what it’s like in Greeley, Col. and what it’s like to be a Division I basketball player.