Men Poised for Title Run
November 2, 2007
WEATHERFORD, Okla. – There is little doubt that the Southwestern Oklahoma State University men’s basketball team has muscled its way into territory previously reserved for just a select few. The Bulldogs enter the season as one of only a handful of teams that can be considered a threat at winning the Lone Star Conference Championship and advancing onward to the NCAA Division II National Tournament.
Head coach Todd Thurman knows of the high expectations on his team after last year’s 17-10 breakthrough season that included a 10-0 start, a visit into the NCAA Top 25, and several 100-point games. SWOSU was picked third in the LSC North Pre-season poll and were just a few votes shy of second place.
“This year’s team will have to earn its spot,” Thurman said. “What’s past is past. This is a conference that has a number of teams worthy of going to the NCAA Tournament. We feel we’re better, but I’m sure everyone else has improved as well.”
SWOSU’s hope of greater achievements in 2007-2008 will hinge on just how fast Thurman can blend his returning core with what promises to be an exciting and talented class of newcomers.
“We have four key returning players. They will be a critical part of our team, but maybe even more important will be the leadership they can give,” Thurman said. “We may have some growing pains early, but luckily they have been down this road before and know what it takes to win in this league.”
Headlining the list of returners is the LSC North Newcomer-of-the-Year Nate Perry. The 6-5, forward returns for his final season after leading the team in five categories a year ago: points (13.7 ppg.), rebounds (6.5 ppg.), field goal percentage (.597), blocks (15) and steals (53). Perry had five double-doubles and scored over 20 points five times last year.
Back also are sharpshooter Clarke Hale and swingman Jose Garcia. Hale, a 6-2 junior, scored 20 or more points four different times with his best effort coming against Cameron with 25. His free throw percentage of 87.8% was the best in the Lone Star Conference.
Garcia, a 6-5 forward, finished his sophomore season averaging 10.2 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. He had a season-high 20 points in win against Texas A&M-Commerce and finished with a double-double (11 points and 10 rebounds) in win against Tarleton State.
Rounding out the returners is scrappy defender Abdullah Lawal who typically drew the opponents’ top scorer. Lawal, a 6-2 guard, finished seventh in the LSC in steals last year despite playing on average 15 minutes a game.
Joining the four returners are six new players that will give the Bulldogs a different look and allow Thurman multiple of options both on offense and defense.
Trevor Guy, Jordan Frosch, Brandon Nichols and Dusan Rasdojicic will give the Bulldogs the necessary size and strength to better defend and rebound in the post; areas in which the undersized squad of a year ago needed improvement.
SWOSU will also feature two new players in the backcourt – Tanner Hazelbaker and Kendall Smith – both longtime gym rats who have an exceptionally high basketball I.Q.
SWOSU will open the season at home Wednesday, Nov. 7 in an exhibition game against longtime rival Northwestern Oklahoma State University. The Bulldogs then travel to play Oral Roberts University, an NCAA Tournament Team from a year ago, on Friday, Nov. 9.
The regular season begins at home Thursday, Nov. 15 against defending NAIA Champion Oklahoma City University.
New to the schedule this year will be the first-ever SWOSU Athletic Association Thanksgiving Classic. The two-day, eight-team tournament will feature two men’s and two women’s games on Friday, Nov. 23 and Saturday, Nov. 24.
The SWOSU men play New Mexico Highlands on the first night of the classic while the Central Oklahoma men play Southwest Baptist, the 2005-06 Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association Champions, earlier in the afternoon. SWOSU and UCO will then switch opponents on the next day with the Bulldogs meeting SWBU and UCO playing Highlands.