After a disappointing end to their season last year, the University of Central Oklahoma will enter the 2015-2016 season in optimistic fashion as they return 10 players from last year’s team. So far this year they’ve started with a (4-3) record, under new head coach Tom Hankins.
Look for senior forward Trai Jordan, sophomore guard Garen Wright, junior guard Cornell Neal, and junior guard Kendahl Amerson to have a big impact on this team offensively this year… Along with senior guard Seth Heckart, freshman guard Jordan London, and freshman guard Josh Holiday to also have a big impact both offensively and defensively for this years squad.
Kendahl, Cornell, and Garen seem to be the offensive leaders of this team averaging a combined 37.7 points per game, with Trai Jordan being the inside defensive an offensive presence, averaging 1.42 blocks and 8.6 points per game. Jarred Baristow is that experienced guy on the team who gives you all of the important parts of the game that don’t show up in stats. Doesn’t that remind you of someone? ( Andre Roberson, Kendrick Perkins, etc). Then again Neal isn’t so bad on defense either as he leads the team in steals (2.28 per game) as well as points (13.0).
The season is young and that is why they’ve lost three games. It just seems like a classic case of a team under a new coach with some new key-players trying to get used to playing together. Look for this team to grow and develop game-by-game and be a contender in the conference. The key component to Central Oklahoma competing for a title this year will be team chemistry, being able to use the advantage of having experience mixed with young talent on one team and being able to merge the multiple personalities on the team in the most positive way.
The Bronchos lost their conference opener against Missouri Southern State University 81-66 on Thursday, but look to bounce back against Pittsburg State University on Saturday, December 5 in Pittsburg, Kansas. They hope to improve their record to (5-3) on the year going into finals week.
Photo source: bronchosports.com
Great coverage for UCO! Should be in the the student newspaper!