coreyschucky
11-08-2004, 01:08 PM
From CBSSPORTSLINE.COM
Mid-Continent Conference preview
By Tony Mejia
SportsLine.com Staff Writer
Stock Chart
Team Stock
1. Oral Roberts
2. Valparaiso
3. Oakland
4. IUPUI
5. UMKC
6. Chicago State
7. Southern Utah
8. Western Illinois
9. Centenary
If the common belief is true that freshmen becoming sophomores causes instant improvement, we think you'd better become familiar with what's about to happen in Tulsa.
From the conference that brought you Valparaiso, meet Oral Roberts. No, not the evangelist, just the basketball team that plays for the university he founded.
Ken Tutt and Caleb Green were the first freshmen from the same school to make a D-I all-conference team since the 1930s. They were among the country's highest-scoring duos, and obviously kings of the freshman class, combining for almost 38 a game and scoffing at the notion freshmen need a period to break in.
Most actually do, but this pair was an exception.
Scott Sutton, the son of Oklahoma State's Eddie, has a team in place that can be an NCAA Tournament spoiler.
Veteran point guard Luke Spencer-Gardner returns after red-shirting last season with a knee injury. Highly touted junior college power forward Larry Owens and Texas Tech transfer Mickey Michalec join the arsenal, which also features a pass-first lead guard in Jonathan Bluitt.
Forget just winning this conference or participating in the NCAAs for the first time in over two decades. Oral Roberts is allowed to dream bigger. How about winning a game in the tournament? How about pulling a Bryce Drew or two and reaching the Sweet 16?
In late December, Oral Roberts has the opportunity to gain national attention.
The Golden Eagles will play in the Rainbow Classic featuring UAB, USC and Georgetown, among others, and then travel to Indiana for a New Year's Eve statement game. Strong performances would open the eyes of those not reading this and merit Top 25 consideration entering conference play.
Oral Roberts
Top three: PF Caleb Green, SG Ken Tutt, PG Luke Spencer-Gardner.
On the rise: You might say there aren't enough balls to go around, but with Spencer-Gardner and Bluitt running things, count on the hot hands staying happy. Sutton has an embarrassment of riches, so keeping everyone focused will be tough. He's ready for the challenge, just like his team will be.
Valparaiso
Top three: F Dan Oppland, G/F Miguel Ali Berdiel, C Kenny Harris.
On the rise: The Crusaders aren't about to let ORU wrestle away control of their conference without a fight. Homer Drew got the team back into the NCAAs in his first year back and has the services of back-to-back strong recruiting classes to supplement veteran standouts Oppland and Berdiel.
Oakland
Top three: F/G Rawle Marshall, PF Cortney Scott, PG DeMarcus Ishmeal.
On the rise: Despite a potent starting lineup and the presence of high-scoring guard Mike Helms (23 ppg), the Golden Grizzlies crumbled at the end of the conference season, dropping all the way to seventh. Helms is gone, but the team might be better if Marshall and Scott produce with their increased touches. It will be up to Ishmeal to get them the ball and provide leadership.
IUPUI
Top three: G Akeem Clark, G/F Brandon Cole, G Johnny Miller.
On the decline: Although four starters return, Ron Hunter will be tasked with replacing frontcourt presence Odell Bradley, whose physicality gave the Jaguars an important variable from their fast-breaking style. Also gone is leader Matt Crenshaw, but Clark and Cole do represent a strong nucleus to build around.
UMKC
Top three: F Mike English, F Brandon Lipsey, C Carlton Aaron.
On the decline: Michael Watson, the league's all-time leading scorer, graduated without leading the Kangaroos to their first NCAA appearance. Four starters do return, but it's hard to believe the team will be better without such a great player. Transfers Quinton Day (USC) and Tim Blackwell (Creighton) will try to help fill his shoes when they gain eligibility during the second semester.
Chicago State
Top three: G Craig Franklin, G Tony Weeden, C Deji Akindele.
On the rise: One of last season's feel-good stories was the resurgence of this program, which has long been the laughingstock of Division I despite the opportunities their market should offer. Coach Kevin Jones didn't win a single game in an interim role his first year, but racked up 12 last season by preaching discipline and really getting his players to respond. Franklin leads a superb backcourt.
Southern Utah
Top three: F DeAngelo Newsom, G Jason Baker, G Curtis Lincoln.
On the rise: The loss of strong forward David Palmer hurts, but the team can feed Newsom in the post and remain productive. Improvement will depend heavily on the play of Lincoln, a JC transfer who would give the Thunderbirds another option to complement Baker's perimeter touch.
Western Illinois
Top three: PG T.J. Gray, F Will Lewis, F Eulis Baez.
On the rise: Derek Thomas went 3-25 in his first season, winning only once in league play. Expect improvement with Gray, an emerging sophomore point guard, teaming with Florida International transfer Baez, who should be the Leathernecks' anchor in the post.
Centenary
Top three: F Chad Maclies, G Tyrone Hamilton, F/G Curtis Tillman.
On the decline: The Gents had their moment in the sun last season, challenging for the league title and finishing tied for second. This year won't be as memorable. Four starters are gone, with standout point guard Adrian Wisniewski the biggest loss. Kevin Johnson will rebuild with newcomers.
Accolades
First team
F -- Caleb Green, Oral Roberts
F -- Dan Oppland, Valparaiso
F -- Cortney Scott, Oakland
G/F -- Rawle Marshall, Oakland
G -- Ken Tutt, Oral Roberts
Second team
F -- Mike English, UMKC
F -- DeAngelo Newsom, Southern Utah
F/G -- Ali Berdiel, Valparaiso
G -- Akeem Clark, IUPUI
G -- Craig Franklin, Chicago State
Player of the year
Ken Tutt, Oral Roberts
Newcomer of the year
Curtis Lincoln, Southern Utah
Breakthrough player
Kenny Harris, Valparaiso
Mid-Continent Conference preview
By Tony Mejia
SportsLine.com Staff Writer
Stock Chart
Team Stock
1. Oral Roberts
2. Valparaiso
3. Oakland
4. IUPUI
5. UMKC
6. Chicago State
7. Southern Utah
8. Western Illinois
9. Centenary
If the common belief is true that freshmen becoming sophomores causes instant improvement, we think you'd better become familiar with what's about to happen in Tulsa.
From the conference that brought you Valparaiso, meet Oral Roberts. No, not the evangelist, just the basketball team that plays for the university he founded.
Ken Tutt and Caleb Green were the first freshmen from the same school to make a D-I all-conference team since the 1930s. They were among the country's highest-scoring duos, and obviously kings of the freshman class, combining for almost 38 a game and scoffing at the notion freshmen need a period to break in.
Most actually do, but this pair was an exception.
Scott Sutton, the son of Oklahoma State's Eddie, has a team in place that can be an NCAA Tournament spoiler.
Veteran point guard Luke Spencer-Gardner returns after red-shirting last season with a knee injury. Highly touted junior college power forward Larry Owens and Texas Tech transfer Mickey Michalec join the arsenal, which also features a pass-first lead guard in Jonathan Bluitt.
Forget just winning this conference or participating in the NCAAs for the first time in over two decades. Oral Roberts is allowed to dream bigger. How about winning a game in the tournament? How about pulling a Bryce Drew or two and reaching the Sweet 16?
In late December, Oral Roberts has the opportunity to gain national attention.
The Golden Eagles will play in the Rainbow Classic featuring UAB, USC and Georgetown, among others, and then travel to Indiana for a New Year's Eve statement game. Strong performances would open the eyes of those not reading this and merit Top 25 consideration entering conference play.
Oral Roberts
Top three: PF Caleb Green, SG Ken Tutt, PG Luke Spencer-Gardner.
On the rise: You might say there aren't enough balls to go around, but with Spencer-Gardner and Bluitt running things, count on the hot hands staying happy. Sutton has an embarrassment of riches, so keeping everyone focused will be tough. He's ready for the challenge, just like his team will be.
Valparaiso
Top three: F Dan Oppland, G/F Miguel Ali Berdiel, C Kenny Harris.
On the rise: The Crusaders aren't about to let ORU wrestle away control of their conference without a fight. Homer Drew got the team back into the NCAAs in his first year back and has the services of back-to-back strong recruiting classes to supplement veteran standouts Oppland and Berdiel.
Oakland
Top three: F/G Rawle Marshall, PF Cortney Scott, PG DeMarcus Ishmeal.
On the rise: Despite a potent starting lineup and the presence of high-scoring guard Mike Helms (23 ppg), the Golden Grizzlies crumbled at the end of the conference season, dropping all the way to seventh. Helms is gone, but the team might be better if Marshall and Scott produce with their increased touches. It will be up to Ishmeal to get them the ball and provide leadership.
IUPUI
Top three: G Akeem Clark, G/F Brandon Cole, G Johnny Miller.
On the decline: Although four starters return, Ron Hunter will be tasked with replacing frontcourt presence Odell Bradley, whose physicality gave the Jaguars an important variable from their fast-breaking style. Also gone is leader Matt Crenshaw, but Clark and Cole do represent a strong nucleus to build around.
UMKC
Top three: F Mike English, F Brandon Lipsey, C Carlton Aaron.
On the decline: Michael Watson, the league's all-time leading scorer, graduated without leading the Kangaroos to their first NCAA appearance. Four starters do return, but it's hard to believe the team will be better without such a great player. Transfers Quinton Day (USC) and Tim Blackwell (Creighton) will try to help fill his shoes when they gain eligibility during the second semester.
Chicago State
Top three: G Craig Franklin, G Tony Weeden, C Deji Akindele.
On the rise: One of last season's feel-good stories was the resurgence of this program, which has long been the laughingstock of Division I despite the opportunities their market should offer. Coach Kevin Jones didn't win a single game in an interim role his first year, but racked up 12 last season by preaching discipline and really getting his players to respond. Franklin leads a superb backcourt.
Southern Utah
Top three: F DeAngelo Newsom, G Jason Baker, G Curtis Lincoln.
On the rise: The loss of strong forward David Palmer hurts, but the team can feed Newsom in the post and remain productive. Improvement will depend heavily on the play of Lincoln, a JC transfer who would give the Thunderbirds another option to complement Baker's perimeter touch.
Western Illinois
Top three: PG T.J. Gray, F Will Lewis, F Eulis Baez.
On the rise: Derek Thomas went 3-25 in his first season, winning only once in league play. Expect improvement with Gray, an emerging sophomore point guard, teaming with Florida International transfer Baez, who should be the Leathernecks' anchor in the post.
Centenary
Top three: F Chad Maclies, G Tyrone Hamilton, F/G Curtis Tillman.
On the decline: The Gents had their moment in the sun last season, challenging for the league title and finishing tied for second. This year won't be as memorable. Four starters are gone, with standout point guard Adrian Wisniewski the biggest loss. Kevin Johnson will rebuild with newcomers.
Accolades
First team
F -- Caleb Green, Oral Roberts
F -- Dan Oppland, Valparaiso
F -- Cortney Scott, Oakland
G/F -- Rawle Marshall, Oakland
G -- Ken Tutt, Oral Roberts
Second team
F -- Mike English, UMKC
F -- DeAngelo Newsom, Southern Utah
F/G -- Ali Berdiel, Valparaiso
G -- Akeem Clark, IUPUI
G -- Craig Franklin, Chicago State
Player of the year
Ken Tutt, Oral Roberts
Newcomer of the year
Curtis Lincoln, Southern Utah
Breakthrough player
Kenny Harris, Valparaiso