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Men's Basketball vs. Eastern Oregon on Friday

sweller

sweller

Active member
LA GRANDE, Ore. - In each of Ryan Looney's first four seasons the Eastern Oregon University Men's Basketball team has improved on the season prior.

In his first year Eastern finished just 4-22. In year two they jumped to 17-11. In 2006-2007 the Mounties were 23-8 and last year EOU won a school record 26 games, the first Cascade Conference Championship in almost four decades and advanced to the sweet sixteen of the NAIA National Tournament.

While they do have nine returners, including four starters, could the Mountaineer men really be thinking of taking another step forward?

According to Head Coach Ryan Looney the answer is yes, "This team could be the most talented group we have had. If our newcomers can blend with our returners early we may have a chance to return to the NAIA National Tournament."

0809mbxteamweb.jpg


Former All-Conference selections Jeremy Templeton, Neil Fryer and Paul Carollo (all of whom are seniors) along with junior big man Josh Landsverk return to the squad. Each spent all or most of last season in the starting line-up for the Mounties.

Looney and his staff have added a strong class of recruits to join an already veteran club. Sacramento State University transfer Kris Groce along with Spokane Community College alum Jordan Gregg, Bellevue Community College guard Steve Wiseley, Salt Lake Community College standout Dan Stafford and Mountain View High School's Sean Dart will "all have a chance to contribute" according to Looney.

Seniors Paul Carollo and Kris Groce were both named to the CCC Preseason All-Conference Team released Monday. Carollo averaged 9.5 points and 8.4 rebounds last season for the Mounties while Groce was good for 10.8 points per while playing in the Big Sky for Sacramento State.
 
One of the premier NAIA programs in the country.

I worked under Looney for a year and learned a TON. I think he is about one more season away from getting a better job (some low-majors have already knocked on his door).

Just two years ago EOU went into Cheney to take on Rodney Stuckey and EWU, and almost pulled it off. The Eagles have refused to schedule the boys of La Grande since then.

This year's team is about twice as talented as the 06-07 squad, though.

Jordan Gregg, Niel Fryer and Groce are BSC caliber players. Groce, in fact, was part of the BSC when he saw substantial PT at guard for Hornets of Sac St. three years back.

To put it mildly, the Mountaineers will be lil' tougher than Montana Tech and Rocky.

Look for my column this week on this topic.

-RC
 
I can promise that ISU is not overlooking this squad. If Idaho State does not come to play, they will be beaten at home.
 
this team is legit, this will be a real test for the Bengals.

I love Coaches willingness to play good teams early, it may not go his way all the time, but I think its way better than a cupcake schedule you see from alot of teams.

I hope the team shows up, our bigs have to step up BIGTIME, our guards need to play smart and take good shots and we NEED to get to the line EARLY.

I cant be there for this game, please if your local and can make, SHOW UP! in fact show up in FORCE!

BTW where are the fans of Mens Basketball on this board?

we have 2 posts about this game and BOTH are from folks NOT associated with our school, team, city or state.

the more threads, views etc. this board gets the better for the message board community and its sponsors and frankly its fun to read the view points of others
 
bengal cub, who do you see starting for us this game?

is Austin going to play?

how about Felix?

do you think Coach is still fiddling with rotations etc. or do you think we see his strategy for the season begin to show itself tonight?
 
I haven't heard anything new about Caspari, but Austin is back in the mix.

I don't have any clue who will start with the exception of Stucki. I think coach O'Brien will need to fiddle some more in the early season. This team can truly go 10-12 players deep and show a variety of different looks. I think Idaho State will struggled to find an identity early, but they will be ready to go by conference.

I don't think it matters who starts, but how they contribute. If they play team ball, they will be very good. If they play for stats and for individual accolades--this team could suffer.

Look for Morgan to make a push for BSC POY as stated earlier by Tuff. I think he is that good--even if O'Brien chooses to bring him off the bench. He can get to the basket at will.

I expect this team to be very good rebounding the ball and very obnoxious on defense.
 
I agree with you on the starting lineup, I think in some cases and certain programs the first 5 are often your best 5, with this group that's not necessarily the case.

sort of like the spurs or lakers

we really need the bigs to get Brock Lesnar Friday, they MUST play the kind of smart physical game they are capable of, or games like ASU, Wisconsin, Kansas State will eat us alive.

without the bigs progression and bigtime performance the guards will carry ENORMOUS weight, something while Coach may be confident in, probably doesn't want to see just yet

loved Demetrius Monroe in the Rocky Mountain game, hopefully that group will see more action this game, my guess is this rotation on Friday will tighten up significantly, maybe 8 or 9 deep, what do you think?
 
I love what Monroe brings to the table...he isn't flashy, but he picks up the garbage with hustle and grit. ISU doesn't need to get 20 points a game from Stein and Busma, but they need to be threats and they need to play smarter. I suspect that in time 8-9 deep will prove to be accurate, but remember O'Brien hasn't seen this team with Bay, Kilpatrick and Caspari all available. I am sure that those three will all be in the mix-add the two bigs, Stucki, Morgan, Carson and Baldwin and you are already pushing 9-10.

These are good problems to have, I hope that O'Brien can identify some RS kids to balance things out a bit.

I'd like to see what Skippy, VOTB, Clayton and Rollingrock have to say about things. I think they all understand the game more than I do.
 
Joe stated in the press conference for the media and folks not to get caught up in who starts, because it will depend on matchups and what he wants to do in a particular game.

ISUSID
 
Frank, do you think you could put audio and/or video of O'Brien's press conferences on the ISU website? I am sure many fans would be interested in that.
 
Frank is right about the starting line ups... Coach will change depending on opponents personnel and who is practicing well. What will make or brake this team is leadership. Last year that's what frustrated coach more than anything..... no one would step up and take the challenge... he would have to get heated in practices then sometimes someone would say something. Guys weren't holding each other accountable. I know that there are a few guys this year that can lead this team vocally and by example. This team can be very dangerous... They can really win the Big Sky this year i think. I would even say that this team can win 2 of 3 or even all three of the BYU, Utah and Utah State game. We have the talent and athleticism. Play defense and execute on offense and win the boards they will be in all three of those games and in every game in the Big Sky. It would be awesome if we could get around 5,000+ fans a game when we move back to Holt for the rest of the Year and bring the Conference tournament here to Pocatello..
 
I'm almost positive that our starting 5 for EOU will be as follows: 1- Bay 2- Morgan 3- Stucki 4- Monroe 5- Steijn. This will be a good team and they will play D all year long, but I agree with baller, who hasw said if they want to push for a conference title and win some of these OOC games, they MUST score, meaning 70+. I think Kal Bay is fantastic, and hope Amorrow just does his thing on the wing, busting people off the dribble. I am nervous but confident for Friday, and if we can hold them to around 60, we'll win, but I'm not expecting anything by 10+...
 
awesome feedback! I was thinking the exact same thing, whether they start or not, I think that group gets tons of PT

Friday is daunting if we let down at all, how many games does EOU have under their belt?
 
protege said:
awesome feedback! I was thinking the exact same thing, whether they start or not, I think that group gets tons of PT

Friday is daunting if we let down at all, how many games does EOU have under their belt?
Click to expand...

Based on information from EOU site, they will have played 4 games coming into Friday's game. Their website doesn't have their most recent game v. LCSC on 11/8, but EOU was 3-0 going into that game, having thumped Montana Tech 88-61.

I'm not so concerned as to what EOU brings to the table as much as I'm with ISU. Sounds like EOU is a very strong NAIA program with a few D-1 drop downs to make another serious run towards a NAIA title. That said, ISU's depth and overall athleticism will come into play Friday night.

I am cautiously optimistic with the 08-09 ISU MBB. The depth on this team is one of the deepest, if not the deepest, since I've been following ISU in the mid-90's. A couple of items of potential concern (IMHO):

1. Someone mentioned it earlier, but I'm curious to see how well the team plays together with mix of new and returning players. Because of the versatility of the roster, it'll be interesting to see which players shuffle in/out of the rotation due to match ups, and to see which players remain on the court regardless of who ISU is playing. Continuity and getting used to each teammate will take time, but I think they'll be better come conference play.

2. Because of the depth, minutes are going to be a hot commodity. Whomever plays/practices well is going to earn minutes. What could happen is players start looking over to the bench if/when they make a TO or ill-advised shot or whatever and begin to wonder if Coach is going to substitute for him because there won't be much of a drop off with the guys coming off the bench. I don't want to see ISU playing tentatively for fear of making a mistake. Play hard, play under control, play with passion.

3. Which player(s) is/are going to assert themselves as being the go-to-guy when ISU needs a bucket with the game on the line? ISU has had several of these types of go-to-guys in previous years (i.e. Potter, Green, Sweetwyne, Poole) that everybody in the building knew who was going to get the ball and take the last shot. Who is going to be that guy this year? Stucki? Morgan? Carson? Bay? Busma? Stein? It will be interesting to see as the season progresses who will step forward. It might not be just one guy, but a couple of options Coach believes he can go to based on match up. I'm leaning towards Morgan and/or Carson because of their ability to get to the rim or drive and dish to big down low or out to the perimeter for a 3-PT. However, I've seen both of them get a little out of control and not make the right play (but damn... can both get to the rack or what?)

4. Will the bigs play big this year? There's a lot of bodies (and fouls) to go around, but I expect this group to defend the lane and block/alter shots, rebound, and develop a low post scoring threat whether it be by one body or by committee. Against Rocky Mountain, I thought Tatum gave good energy and minutes in the first half, yet didn't see the court in the 2nd half because of Monroe playing well. The combo of Stein and Busma should pose a threat in the low post, but because many European post players have a reputation of wanting the ball facing the basket as opposed to wanting the ball with their backs to the basket, can either (or both) along with Caspari and other bigs control the boards and score down low?

This team has a tremendous opportunity ahead of them. As long as they defend on a consistent basis, Coach O'Brien's crew will be in a lot of games, even in games where they will experience cold shooting nights. I also think they have got to learn to trust each other and believe in each other to get the job done. If they come together as a group, play hard, have one or two players step up to take the big shots late, control the low post, and defend, ISU has as good as a shot as any other BSC team to content for a conference title.

From "We've got to name the court" in Reed Gym and soon to be in Holt Arena, this is John Clayton, BengalDen.com :D
 
I like the comments on the need for leadership. With so many upperclassmen, hopefully there will be one or more players who really step up! And our big men need to play BIG!

GO BENGALS
 
The two unquestionable leaders of this team are Stucki and Morgan... Just watch how they get after and lead the others during the game Friday night. How sweet would it be if we could get close to 4,000 for the 1st game in Reed? Everyone niieds to be there and be loud, the weather will be fine outside, and Highland's football semifinal game isn't til 9 p.m.
 
IT'S GAME DAY !!

Good article here on tonight's contest:

http://www.idahostatejournal.com/articles/2008/11/14/sports/local/2.txt
 
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