Looking back with Cory Johnson

Crusader fan favorite Cory Johnson was gracious enough to take some time away from his studies, workouts, and weight sessions to answer some questions for Section EE about his time spent as a Valparaiso Crusader.  Before we get to the interview lets take a look at some of Cory's accomplishments during his playing time at VU.  In his first season as a Crusader, Johnson was named 2nd Team All Horizon League.  His 15.6 ppg and 5.8 rpg averages were both top ten in the league that year.  That season he scored in double digits in 28 of the 32 games he played.  This past season he averaged over 14 points and 4.4 rebounds per game while being assigned to defend the biggest baddest guys the opponents could throw at him (more on this later).

Cory had some monster scoring games while at Valpo.  During his junior year he put up 31 points against Detroit, had a 28 point 10 rebound effort against Butler, put up 26 points in a game against Arkansas Fort Smith, and had a real nice Wisconsin trip scoring 21 at Milwaukee and 20 more against Green Bay.  This past season Johnson put up 25 points at Toledo, had 33 points in the thriller against Oakland, and 26 points in a game against Youngstown State.  Lets get to the interview!


HC: What is going to be your fondest memory of your time here at Valpo?

CJ:   Valpo has been so great to me, I’m not sure I can narrow it down to anything specific. I’ve had the opportunity to meet some incredible people in and out of the community, get a great education and play the sport I love. 

HC: You were the fan favorite last year, what did it mean to you to have the fans chanting your name every game?

CJ:  COR-Y JOHN-SON…. COR-Y JOHN-SON haha! I am going to miss that! Stuff like that is what I think college basketball is all about. When fans are getting on their feet, yelling, cheering and enjoying the game of basketball, as a player it makes it that much more fun to compete. 

HC: What was the high point of last season? The low?

CJ:  This was a very exciting and interesting year, which provided many high points and like any season a few low. Winning twenty-three games and taking home two holiday tournament championships - a lot of great memories came out of it. One memorable win came in a shootout up in Oakland (MICHIGAN). I have never been to California, so I was excited to see them on the schedule. My parents are lucky I realized it was in Michigan before they booked a flight!

Another great win was against the Missouri Valley champs, Missouri State. Having Dickie V in the house was exciting and I even got in a quick game of one on one with him. What really threw me off was when a man with Dickie V came up to me after the game, complimented my play and congratulated us on the win. I’m not sure if anyone else noticed the legendary brainiac of sports, Howie Schwab in the ARC (Stump the Schwab – Google it!).

Cory celebrates with fans after a big win!

Finally, who can forget knocking off archenemy Butler at home in OT. Howard Little - I am still in love with you for making those shots!

For me the lowest point came in those trips up to Green Bay and Milwaukee in such a crucial time of the season. Being born in the Wisconsin, I was a little hurt on how the state treated me. I played terrible. In basketball, you have to have a short memory. Those are games I want to forget. I focus on the many positives we had this year!

 

HC: The fans were all pretty disappointed in the CIT bid; the performance on the court was equally disappointing against Iona.  Looking back, what happened that night?

CJ:   I don't think there is anything to be disappointed about getting a bid to the CIT tournament. Obviously, going to the NCAA or NIT tournament would have been a special experience, but most team’s goals at the beginning of the year are to make some sort of post season and we did that. I can guarantee A LOT of other teams would love to have been in the situation we were in. We lost to a good basketball team in Iona that won twenty-five games last year and ended up making it to the championship game of the CIT. 

HC:  What are your post Valpo aspirations?

CJ:   This next year, I am looking to continue playing basketball professionally, most likely in the European market. I signed with a German agent that also represents former Crusader Benjamin Fumey. Along with playing basketball professionally, I will be finishing the Valpo MBA program remotely through the Internet. Being able to come back next May, walk across the stage and shake President Heckler’s hand for the second time is something I am looking forward to. 

HC:  Any good stories you can share about Homer?

Dancin' Homer?

CJ:   One of my favorite Homer stories that I actually shared during the banquet this year took place at my first Valpo basketball game. Like any new experience, you never really know exactly what to expect and I was excited to see how Coach Homer went about business on game days. Walking into to the locker room just before tipoff to the sight of Coach Homer Drew and fellow teammate Brandon McPherson breaking it down (dancing) to the pre-game tunes was definitely not what I expected. It was absolutely hysterical! Right then, Assistant Coach Luke Gore looked at me and said, ‘little bit different than anywhere else you been, huh?’ I laughed and told him ‘I picked the right place.’ 

HC:  How is Bryce going to do as the headman? Should we as fans expect to see anything different then what we saw when Homer was head coach (faster pace, different types of defense)?

CJ:   I think it’s great that Bryce has been given this opportunity to follow in his father’s footsteps. His has had a phenomenal work ethic his whole life. That shows through his successes. Bryce means a lot to this school as a person and former player. Now that I am now a officially a full time Valpo fan, I can’t wait to watch the Crusaders take the court next season under Coach Bryce’s leadership.

I think the coaches have done a great job in the past of building the style of play around the personnel. The last two years we have been one of the highest scoring teams in the conference. I am a big fan of giving the players the freedom to get up and down the court and make plays. 

HC:  Most nights you had to play out of position and defend guy who were bigger and stronger.  Most of the time you did quite well.  Was it frustrating to have to do that on a nightly basis?  Who was the toughest assignment defensively for you?

CJ4 playing defense on JuJuan Johnson

CJ:  Throughout my career, I have been assigned to guard some beastly guys like Greg Oden, Cole Aldrich, Blake Griffin, Eli Holman and Dexter Pittman. Being undersized, I tried to be active, move my feet, make them take a tough shot and hope that it didn’t go in. It typically would not turn out good for me if I got in a wrestling match with guys these. The toughest guy I remember guarding was David Hoskins. He was a 6’5” four man for K-State who was strong and relentless at attacking the basket. 

HC:  Anything else you'd like to add about your time at Valpo?

CJ:  Thanks for having me!

Thank you Cory for your time and cooperation in answering these questions.  We (the fans) appreciated everything you did on the court and in our community!  

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