2008-2009 Record: 25-11, 12-4 C-USA (2nd)
Key Losses: Ray Reese (10.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg)
Key Returners: Jerome Jordan (13.8 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 2.5 bpg), Ben Uzoh (14.0 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 3.6 apg)
Newcomers: Kodi Maduka, Bryson Pope
Jerome Jordan could be a lottery pick come June.(photo credit: SlamOnline)
Doug Wojcik has done a fantastic job rebuilding the Tulsa basketball program in his four seasons at the helm. After winning just 11 games his first season, Tulsa has reached a national post-season tournament the past two seasons. In '07-'08, it was the CBI (which they won). Last season, it was the NIT. With a roster that returns four starters and will be loaded with upperclassmen, it will be NCAA or bust this season for the Golden Hurricane.
The star of this team is senior center Jerome Jordan. Jordan might be the best big man in the country that you've never seen play, and could be picked as high as the lottery come June. After a slow start to the '08-'09 season, Jordan came on very strong in conference play, averaging over 17 ppg against C-USA opponents. While his offensive repertoire is still fairly raw - he doesn't have great footwork and his body is still developing the strength needs to compete in the post - the seven-footer did show some improvement, developing a solid groundwork to improve upon. A lot of his moves are a bit mechanical (and until he puts on some extra strength, it is going to be tough for him to be a dominant low post scorer), but he has developed a consistent righty hook and turn-around jumper. Offensively, he is still probably going to be the most dangerous hitting the glass and cutting to the rim. Defensively is where he will make his mark. While his shotblocking numbers did drop a bit in his junior season (from 3.7 bpg to 2.5 bpg), a lot of that had to do with teams challenging him less.
Joining Jordan in the starting front court will be fellow senior Bishop Wheatley. Wheatley, who started 31 games last season, is a 6'6" forward. While he is not much to talk about offensively (4.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg), what Wheatley provides the Golden Hurricane is defense, energy, and a motor that doesn't quit. Wheatley is a valuable piece for Wojcik because he can play either the three or the four spot. Also seeing minutes up front will be 6'7" sophomore Joe Richard, 6'10" sophomore Stephen Idlet, and 6'10" freshman Kodi Maduka. Richard and Idlet will both be counted on for by Wojcik to provide depth, defense, and fouls. Idlet is probably further along at this point, especially on the offensive end, than Richard, and could be a nice compliment to the athletic Jordan along their front line. Maduka has some promise, as he is a long 6'10" and athletic. But coming off of a broken ankle, which sidelined him from much of his senior season, he will struggle to see time; especially since he is listed at just 210 lb.
Their back court is going to be very good this year. It starts with Ben Uzoh. Uzoh is an intriguing player. He is a point guard, but he isn't your prototypical point guard. Uzoh is a strong 6'3" and looks to score, but he isn't a great play maker and has a less-than-desirable assist-to-turnover ratio. Uzoh is an excellent rebounder and defender, however. Wojcik will also have the option of going to freshman point guard Donte Medder. Medder is a bit of an under-the-radar recruit, but a lot of good things are expected from him. Where he excels is his court savvy - he is an excellent passer and a smart player. While he has shown the ability to get to the rim, he isn't an overly impressive scorer or shooter. He should be a nice change of pace, and I would expect that he and Uzoh will also share the back court at times.
Starting alongside Uzoh will probably be 6'2" junior Glenn Andrews and/or 6'3" junior Justin Hurtt, depending on how big Wojcik wants to play. Andrews began last season as the starter, but never could find the scoring touch that allowed him to average 7.9 ppg in 15 mpg as a freshman (he shot 31.6% from the floor and 25.2% from deep despite taking 122 three-balls during his sophomore year). Hurtt is much more of a pure shooter than Andrews, and Tulsa will be counting on his range to help keep the floor spread. Don't be surprised to see freshman Bryson Pope, a strong 6'6" wing, to get some minutes as well.
Outlook: Tulsa is probably the best team in C-USA this season. While it is tough to anoint them the favorite in the pre-season, it is not unreasonable to predict them making a run through the conference and unseating Memphis. Seeing as the conference will be a bit stronger overall than it has been since the Big East raids, Tulsa should be able to earn themselves an at-large bid if they don't win the automatic bid. The Golden Hurricanes have a golden opportunity few teams on the bubble will have late in the season - a chance to beat a potential top ten team on the road (Duke) in February. Win or lose in Durham, I still think this is the year Tulsa makes a return trip to the NCAA's.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment