Nonconference Review - Tulsa World (1-4-2007)

[ORUTerry]

Nonconference Review:

by MIKE BROWN World Sports Writer

1/4/2007

Positive development: Adam Liberty seemed more comfortable as the team's floor leader at the Brigham Young Holiday Classic. The 6-foot-2 junior struggled in all phases during the first 11 games, his first action since transferring from Wichita State in 2005. ORU coach Scott Sutton anticipates improvement in all areas as Liberty's readjustment continues. Liberty still has fewer assists than turnovers, but his ratio was 10:5 in three games last weekend.

Area of concern: Depth. ORU has 11 men available, but redshirt freshmen Darren Jordan and Sylvester Spicer have scant experience and sophomore Ben Haynes is a walk-on. Thus, the Eagles are effectively eight deep when at full strength. After Liberty, they are thin at point guard. Ken Tutt and Kelvin Sango can fill in, but playing the point tends to curtail Tutt's offense, and the Eagles can seldom afford that.

Mid-Con player to watch: Shawn King started playing basketball only five years ago, but the 6-foot-10 junior transfer leads the Mid-Con with 30 blocked shots in his first Divi sion I season. He played his best offensive game last Saturday, scoring 11 points in a 90-58 blitz of Liberty. Sutton needs King to improve as a second low-post scoring option to relieve pressure on Caleb Green.

One big question: Will a third scoring threat emerge to complement Green and Tutt? The Eagles are better when the superstar duo gets help. ORU is 2-5 when Tutt and Green combine to score 38 or more, but 5-2 when they score 37 or less. Marchello Vealy has been the most consistent third gun, averaging 8.6 points per game, and Moses Ehambe has made 17 of his last 36 from 3-point range after a 1-for-12 start.

The path to the postseason

NCAA: ORU has quality wins over Kansas and Seton Hall, but its 124 ratings percentage index (source: kenpom.com) won't be helped by the lower-rated teams the Eagles play in the Mid-Con. Thus, ORU will again have to win the conference tournament, which carries an automatic berth.

NIT: A 2006 rule change guarantees every conference regular-season champ a spot in the 32-team field. ORU is favored to win its third straight Mid-Con title.