Mutka: VU’s Capobianco roots ex-IU teammates

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Indiana's Bobby Capobianco, left, and Northwestern's John Shurna reach for a rebound in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the opening round of the Big Ten conference tournament in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 11, 2010. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Updated: January 20, 2012 8:21AM

VALPARAISO — Indiana University was never like this for Bobby Capobianco. Sitting out his transfer year at Valparaiso, he’s enjoying new-found freedom, something he missed in a rigidly defined role with the Hoosiers.

The 6-9 junior from Loveland, Ohio considers himself a skilled player who can spin out turnaround jumpers and shoot 3-pointers. At IU he chafed in a one-dimensional role: a banger who averaged a fraction less than 11 fouls per 40 minutes.

At IU he started five games in his freshman year, but his minutes dwindled significantly last season. Tom Pritchard and Derek Elston were already nibbling away and incoming recruit Cody Zeller, Indiana’s reigning Mr. Basketball, made it obvious that he would have to go elsewhere to become a prime-time player in his last two years.

Under first-year coach Bryce Drew he’s been liberated, but bears no resentment toward former coach Tom Crean. In an interview before practice. he described his relationship with the IU skipper as positive.

“We had a long conversation after the season and he laid it on the line,” Capobianco said. “I always knew he would give me straight answers.”

To complete the amicable divorce, the formidable 250-pound athlete has added a hint of menace with a dark mustache and beard, He still keeps in touch with his former teammates.

Capobianco applauds their dramatic turnaround, which includes victories over North Carolina State and Kentucky. Indiana’s unbeaten status doesn’t surprise him.

“We spent two or three years working our butts off,” he said. “We were the hardest working team in the nation. It’s really paid off and I’m happy the guys are seeing results.”

Capobianco dates Margo Andrews, an IU student who lives in Valparaiso and gave him a heads up into what makes this Porter County community tick.

Before ruling out Evansville and Appalachian State, he knew VU was a successful mid-major. A helpful re: ESPN still recycles Drew’s dramatic shot which spurred a trip to the NCAA regional semifinals in 1993.

A big plus: Valparaiso agreed to transfer all his credits from IU. Drew sealed the deal by assuring Capobianco of an expanded role.

“Bobby’s working on his perimeter game, shooting threes,” said Drew, who will use him at the four and five spots. “He’s been a great asset (already) and brings a lot of experience with him. Our fans will really enjoy him next year.”

Academically, Capobianco is also a good fit. The sports communication major’s 3.5 GPA is part of the package. So is enjoying basketball again.

“I had lost that love of the game,” he said of his IU experience. “I had worked too hard with college basketball as my goal.”

It doesn’t matter whether his playing time is 10 minutes or 35. What does matter?

“I want to be an impact player,” he said. “To make a difference.”

In practice he already is, banging with 6-8 Kevin Van Wijk and 7-1 Hrovje Vucic on the defensive end, then switching to the No. 4 spot to battle 6-7 players Ryan Broekhoff and Richie Edwards on offense.

“I can guard a guy significantly bigger than I am, then create a mismatch at the offensive end,” he said. “Being accustomed to the physical Big Ten brings a different dynamic to practice.”

Capobianco has no illusions about significant minutes in the No. 3 spot, but also rotates there on the scout team.

“I’m usually chasing Ben (Boggs, 6-4),” he said. “Practice never stagnates here. You have to be pretty flexible.”

Athletics is a priority in the Capobianco family. His mother, Barbara (nee Brackman) was an All-American who helped Vanderbilt win its first WNIT title in 1984. She still ranks in the program’s top 10 for career (1,631) and single-season (639) points. His father, Bob Sr., played quarterback and tailback for the Commodores.

“They met the first day at Vanderbilt, moving into the dorms,” said Capobianco, who considers them super-supportive.

Because of Loveland’s proximity he is already penciling them in for every home game when he becomes eligible.

His younger sister, Chrissie, completes the athletic picture. She’s a senior who excels at volleyball.

Next season, VU’s roster will be virtually intact, which excites Capobianco. But that’s another story.

“I can’t look too far ahead because we have an extremely talented team now,” he said. “We have a lot of things we can accomplish.”

Congratulations are in order for Gary native George Taliaferro, an Indiana University lifer who received the Big Ten’s Dungy-Thompson Humanitarian Award for community service.

Hard to believe, but IU football was once relevant thanks to the Roosevelt alum. In 1945 he led the Hoosiers to their only unbeaten season (9-0-1).

On his way to All-American honors he played halfback, quarterback and defensive back, then was the first African-American to be drafted by the NFL where he played for five pro teams, including the Eagles, Cowboys and Baltimore Colts.

His IU teammates included Pete Pihos (Eagles), Bob Ravensberg (Chicago Cardinals), Ted Kluszewski and former Hobart High football coach Russ Deal.

Taliaferro and Pihos were inducted into the College Hall of Fame and Kluszewski starred with the Cincinnati Reds. The slugging first baseman peaked in the 1950s with 40-plus home runs three years in a row. He led the league with 49 in 1954.

After football Taliaferro served as a special assistant to IU president John Ryan for 10 years.