He’s not too bad for a guy Coach Bill Carmody didn’t even have on his radar–Carmody didn’t consider him initially when recruiting. But Communication junior Juice, whose nickname comes from the idea that his jump shot is “100 percent pure”, has been a workhorse since his arrival in 2007. Expected to pick up the offense as a freshman starter immediately, he exceeded expectations. Thompson has been asked to step up his role as a leader and player, and has become a powerhouse with an average 13.1 points per game and 51 three-pointers this season.
Alex Marcotullio
Early into his first year, the Michigan native and Weinberg freshman made a splash against the ranked Notre Dame by scoring 13 points in a dramatic upset. Since then, he’s settled down, but that doesn’t mean the “Southpaw Sniper” is done with his work. Hailed as the future replacement of Craig Moore, the sharpshooter has proven his talent for shooting the long ball–almost 85 percent of his shots this season have come from beyond the arc. He says that the level of play in the Big Ten is much more challenging. “There’s a mental aspect that goes with that,” he says, “You’ve just got to stay focused.”
Want to eat as many as 6,000 calories a day and still be in Division-I athletic shape? For men’s basketball guards Alex Marcotullio and Michael “Juice” Thompson, well, that’s exactly what they do. Marcotullio, a key rookie in the resurging men’s basketball team and Thompson, the unquestioned leader at the point, dine on what most people would classify as a daily staple of unchecked gluttony. But for the lithe sharpshooters, there’s more work to be had than simply chowing down to your heart’s content. Here’s their advice for a high-power workout diet.
Calories are good
Athletes can’t cut back on the calories and still perform in top shape. Both Marcotullio and Thompson stress that the need to monitor their diets is key to performing as best as possible during the season.
If it’s fried, forget it
Besides the power bars and protein shakes that are stereotypical jock food, what they eat seems strangely familiar: PB&Js, yogurt, fruit, pasta, steaks, and chicken. It’s what you DON’T find in their diets that’s significant: no pizza, hamburgers, or unnecessary grease.
When you eat matters
A light breakfast of carbs and fruit, followed by a meal consisting of protein and carbs (chicken and pasta, for example) is typical fare during the season. It’s important to maintain an regimen to keep up muscle mass.
Moderate your intake
Portion control can be as taxing as two-a-days, and “the dorm food is buffet, so you have to maintain focus and not eat as much, since freshmen can gain a lot of weight,” Thompson says.
Indulge a bit
Thompson will splurge occasionally, but he says “I avoid it mostly, but I splurge at most once a week.” During these bouts of weakness, both have their sentimental havens. “Chipotle and BK,” says Marcotullio with a grin. For Thompson? “Chili’s and Buffalo Wild Wings.” But, just to cover his bases, he adds: “Mom’s cooking.”
Additional reporting provided by Colin Becht.