Mid-major master: Emmenecker powers Drake from point

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By Steve Batterson | Friday, March 21, 2008 |

** FILE ** Drake's Adam Emmenecker (15) fights for a rebound with Bradley's Matt Salley (22) during the second half of a college basketball game in this Feb. 19, 2008 file photo, in Des Moines, Iowa. Emmenecker was named the Missouri Valley Conference basketball player of the year on Tuesday, March 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

An ability to study the situation and reach an informed conclusion paid off for Adam Emmenecker in the classroom and on the basketball court.

The Drake senior has mastered four majors throughout his college career, but it took the 6-foot-1 point guard time to realize his potential on the floor.

This year’s most valuable player in the Missouri Valley Conference — a player who has led the 14th-ranked Bulldogs to the NCAA Tournament field for the first time in 37 years — almost gave up the sport three years ago.

“At that point, I really questioned if I would ever see the floor,” said Emmenecker, whose most extensive action in 12 games as a freshman was a 6-minute stint against Western Illinois. “I played so little. I didn’t know if things would ever work out, but I had played sports all my life and in the end, that brought me back.”

Emmenecker saw his role increase each season, although he played behind starting point guard Al Stewart the past two years.

He entered his senior season with 64 career assists and 57 points, making only two starts in the 58 games he had played for the Bulldogs.

That makes Emmenecker one of most improbable players to earn most valuable player honors in the conference.

He earned his with his consistency and leadership on the court that allowed Drake to go from an afterthought to the forefront of the conference race during a 28-4 season.

Emmenecker has started every game for the Bulldogs and although he averages 8.5 points heading into Friday’s 11:30 a.m. game against Western Kentucky, he leads the Missouri Valley with 199 assists. He leads Drake with 52 steals and an 82.6-percent touch at the free-throw line.

“After three losing seasons and not having the opportunity I thought I might have in my first three years, this has been a lot of fun,” Emmenecker said.

“It’s the people I’m around, the coaches, the team, that’s made it that way. We have so many good people who are just fun to be around, who like playing an unselfish game. That’s made the difference.”

First-year coach Keno Davis credits Emmenecker with being the difference.

“I’m not sure how he’s been able to do what he’s done. He goes from being not really recruited as a basketball player in high school to being an MVP in a conference like the Missouri Valley,” Davis said. “The four starters around him fit his style of play and he’s smart enough to make it work.”

Making intelligent decisions never has been an issue for Emmenecker, who has made plenty while balancing basketball with the books.

He enrolled at Drake with plans to earn a double major in finance and management. Over time, he added business and entrepreneurial majors, a minor in economics and a concentration in insurance.

“I figured I was going to be here four years, so why not look at other classes that I was interested in and could help me later in life? Things all came together and ultimately, that will be my career,” said Emmenecker, who has already accepted an offer to join Principal Financial Services of Des Moines once he graduates.

For now, though, his energies are centered on extending his basketball career.

“People don’t believe we’re as good as our record or that we’re better than the teams we’ve beaten. That’s fine. We’ll just keep doing what we’ve been doing and see where it takes us,” Emmenecker said.

Steve Batterson can be contacted at (563) 383-2290 or sbatterson@qctimes.com.