|
July 10th,
2006
By Joel
Welser
Broadcast Basketball
Oral
Roberts Golden Eagles
Overall Rank:
#125
Conference
Rank: #2 Mid-Con
2005-06:
21-12, 13-3, 1st (t)
2005-06
postseason: NCAA
 The
turnover is huge at
Oral Roberts, but the important names are the two big-time
players that are returning. With Caleb Green and Ken Tutt on
the floor, Coach Scott Sutton could have me running the point
and we’d manage to win a few Mid-Con games. Fortunately, the
long list of newcomers are considerably more talented than
myself and ORU will do more than just win a few games.
Who’s Out:
Bear with me, this is quite the list. Larry Owens was the do
everything, high scoring wing, Jonathan Bluitt the steady,
efficient point guard, Mickey Michalec the big starting center,
Chris Riouse the hot shooting sixth man, Eric Fowlkes the
back-up wing and even Andrew Meloy averaged over eight minutes
per contest.
Who’s In:
This list
will make ORU bigger in the backcourt and smaller in the
frontcourt, and possibly a little thin in the paint as well.
With all the perimeter loses due to graduation, the ORU staff
picked up a nice group to replace them. Adam Liberty, a
transfer from Wichita State, will be eligible this season and
should fill in immediately at the point. Two years ago, Liberty
started all 32 games for the Shockers, averaging 2.4 points and
2.9 assists. Jeremy Hazell and Kelvin Sango are expected to
make an impact on the wings this season. Hazell, a 6-3 shooting
guard, has a great outside shot and is athletic enough to drive
the lane. Sango, who played at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M last
season, averaged 14.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0
steals per contest during his only season in action at the
junior college level. Sango, although shorter, is a do
everything athletic wing in a similar mold of the departing
Owens. Justin Robinson, Dominique Gaines and redshirt freshman
Daren Jordan will add more depth the backcourt. The frontcourt
could have used another body, but the two newcomers ORU have
coming in are very talented. Shawn King, a junior college
transfer, will battle for a starting job. The 6-10 center is a
solid finisher and has the experience necessary to step in and
play immediately. Sylvester Spicer needed a redshirt season
last year to develop his game due to his limited basketball
experience, but this year he will be ready to contribute.
Spicer is a tough, athletic power forward who Coach Sutton will
need to fill in holes up front.
Who to Watch:
Green
will be a 20 and 10 guy and Tutt will continue to break down
defenses from the perimeter, yet there is some other talent
returning and a good season from Moses Ehambe, Yemi Ogunoye or
Marchello Vealy will greatly improve ORU’s chances at returning
to the NCAA Tournament. Ehambe is a hot shooting wing with a
fair share of athleticism as well. Ogunoye started 17 games
last season, but only averaged 2.8 points and 2.8 rebounds.
Vealy, a sophomore, is a versatile wing who is too talented to
leave on the bench too long.
Final
Projection:
It might take a
little while for these guys to learn everybody’s name, yet by
March we will be looking at an experienced, deep squad that
Mid-Con teams won’t want to see on their half of the bracket.
Another trip to the NCAAs won’t be surprising, but we are
predicting a close second place finish.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
none
Projected
Starting Five:
Adam Liberty,
Junior, Guard, DNP last season
Ken Tutt,
Senior, Guard, 14.2 points per game
Yemi Ogunoye,
Junior, Guard, 2.8 points per game
Caleb Green,
Senior, Forward, 20.8 points per game
Shawn King,
Junior, Center, DNP last season
|
