Beginning Monday, June 21st, 2004 CHN began unveiling 144 Team previews in 144 Days. CHN ranked the nations top 144 teams, and is unveiling one per day leading up until the opening day of the 2004-05 Season.

Bookmark the 144 Teams in 144 Days home page, and check back each day to see which team is previewed next.

#126 Tulsa Golden Hurricane

WAC

 2003-04: 9-20, 5-13, 9^th  

2003-04 postseason: none

By Joel Welser

Nobody in Tulsa can wait to get the 2004-2005 season underway.  That is the only way to put the misery of last year behind them.  Ninth place in the WAC is extremely disappointing to a program that has come to expect more from the Golen Hurricane.  Things could get better for head coach John Phillips, despite losing their leading scorer.

Who’s Out: Jason Parker led the team with nearly 17 points per game during his senior campaign.  He also led the squad with 2.9 assists per game.  Those numbers will not be easy to replace.  The good news is all other impact players are returning.  Little used Trevor Meier has decided to transfer and will not return to Tulsa. 

Who’s In: The Hurricane could use a true point guard to replace Parker.  Incoming freshman Deion James probably won’t be able to play as a starting point guard this year, but will be able to fill some minutes off the bench.  A couple junior college forwards also are coming into Tulsa.  The big news is that Yusuf Baker signed with Tulsa.  The 6-8 power forward had interest from many major programs but opted to ink with John Phillips and company.  The other Juco forward is 6-8 Vernell Davis.  Baker will most likely start immediately and Davis could see some minutes off the bench.

Who to Watch: Jarius Glenn is the returning leading scorer and rebounder.  The 6-6 senior is best playing the two or three spot.  He even had two assists per game last year, which is the most of any returning player.  Glenn shouldn’t be asked to do it all.  Somebody has to step up in order to dish to Glenn so he can do what he does best…scoring and rebounding. 

Projected Conference Rank: It won’t get any worse for the Golden Hurricane.  They will slowly pull it together and end with better then last years 5-13 conference record.  Seventh place in the WAC is decent, but not up to what the Tulsa fans have come to expect.

Projected Post-season Tournament: none

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