On Saturday, March 1, the UIS Men’s Basketball team wrapped up their season with a tough 81-73 loss to the Rockhurst Hawks. Despite a strong performance filled with energy and ambition, the Prairie Stars were unable to secure a victory in their final game of the season.
Jack Weber, a standout forward for the team, recently sat down for an interview with The Observer to reflect on the season. Weber, who has made history by setting new records for both points and rebounds at UIS, offered insight into his motivation and how he plans to carry forward from the tough loss.
“My motivation for the future is to keep doing what I’m doing,” Weber said. “I expect greatness out of myself, and I really strive for that.” His drive to continually improve and push the limits of his performance is clear, both for himself and the team.
Weber also discussed the importance of support from his coach, Matt Brock, whose leadership has played a pivotal role throughout the season. “He wants us to try our best, and he’s been doing a good job with that. He’s been trying to get the best out of us,” Weber explained.
Even in the face of adversity, Coach Brock has been a constant source of motivation. “Coach always gave us life; even if we were down, even if we weren’t going to make the tournament, he would always ask, ‘What kind of people are we? Are we going to sit back and lose?’” Weber recalled. The team’s resilience in the face of such challenges speaks volumes about the character instilled in them by their coach.
Looking ahead, Weber remains optimistic about the future of the UIS Men’s Basketball program. “I think we’ve got a good team coming up, and if they keep staying at it every day and stay consistent, I think we’ll be just fine in this program,” he said confidently.
As the college basketball season shifts into March Madness mode, the Prairie Stars may have ended their season on a loss, but the lessons learned and the strong foundation set for the future leave them poised for success in the coming seasons. With players like Weber leading by example, the prospects for UIS Men’s Basketball remain bright.
Despite their season finale defeat, the Prairie Stars are already looking ahead, fueled by determination and a drive for greatness.
Video Interview by Braden Nuttall
