Tulsa Basketball Accustomed to Championships and NCAA Tournament Appearances
9/10/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Sept. 10, 2004
Tulsa, Oklahoma - In the last 24 years, Tulsa basketball has become synonymous with success. Winning over 500 games, capturing eight conference titles, winning five conference postseason tournament championships, advancing to the NCAA Tournament 13 times, the NIT five seasons and winning the NIT Championship twice.
Since 1994, Tulsa basketball has advanced to the NCAA Tournament eight times, the NCAA's "Sweet Sixteen" three times, the "Elite Eight" once, has an 11-8 NCAA Tournament record, won the 2001 NIT title, had five first-place league finishes and won the conference tournament twice.
The 2003-04 season did not live up to the success that Tulsa basketball fans have become accustomed to expect. Thus, the Hurricane vowed to return Tulsa basketball to the riches the program has enjoyed in the past, and they went to work quickly to do just that.
"At the conclusion of last season, everyone on this team -- players and coaches -- vowed that we'd do everything humanly possible to prevent a losing season from happening again," said Head Coach John Phillips. "At that point, we collaborated on things that needed work, not only as a team but individually as well."
"My number one goal heading into this season is that we'll be a team that plays together and functions as a cohesive unit," Phillips added.
Despite a 9-20 record last year, expectations for a return to winning basketball and NCAA Tournament appearances is on the horizon. After losing a senior class that won 108 games, Hurricane basketball had an extremely young squad in 2003-04, as only two players had more than one year's experience on the collegiate level.
However, in 2004-05, Tulsa returns eight lettermen, four starters, two double-figure scorers and the team's top three rebounders. All eight returning letterwinners averaged double-digit minutes, as well as each one earning at least two starting assignments. The Hurricane also has two red-shirt players who are expected to lend immediate help to the lineup.
Tulsa returns over 65 percent of its scoring output and nearly 90-percent of its rebounding from last season. Tulsa's nine returning players also shot 47-percent from field goal range a year ago, a percentage that would rank among the top-5 for Hurricane teams in the last 15 seasons.
Versatility and a year's experience will be two strengths that the 2004-05 Hurricane possesses.
Leading the way is senior swingman Jarius Glenn. The 6'6" enforcer was a defensive stopper for the Hurricane and averaged 12.6 points, second on the team, and a team-leading 6.1 rebounds last year.
He is joined by fellow returning starters Guilherme Teichmann and Anthony Price in the frontcourt. At 6'9", Teichmann has the ability to play inside and outside with equal success. He scored at a 6.1 clip and was second in rebounding with a 6.0 average. Price, a 6'8" strong man with a good shooting touch around the basket, averaged 10.5 points and 5.3 rebounds.
Junior Seneca Collins, a 6'4" guard, has shown moments of brilliance and the knack for knocking down the three-pointer in his first two seasons. As Tulsa's fourth returning starter, Collins started 17 games a year ago and averaged 7.5 points while connecting on 36-percent of his shots from three-point range.
In addition to Collins, returning to the backcourt is junior Chris Wallace (6'2") and senior Kyle Blankenship (6'0"). Wallace and Blankenship saw valuable minutes at the point guard position.
Red-shirt freshman Brett McDade (6'0") is an extremely athletic player, who along with newcomer Deion James (6'1") gives the Hurricane more depth, shooting ability and athleticism at the guard position
In the frontcourt, Teichmann, Price and Glenn are joined by returning 6'10" big men, Brian Cardwell and Charles Ramsdell, both sophomores, as well as senior red-shirt Oswaldo Gonzalez (6'9") and newcomer Vernell Davis, who stands six-feet, eight-inches tall.
