When you exceed even your own expectations, what do you do for an encore?
For Morehead State men's basketball coach Donnie Tyndall, you shoot for a repeat, and maybe more. Tyndall's five-year plan to resurrect MSU basketball culminated in 2009 with an Ohio Valley Conference Tournament title and an NCAA trip in just year three. Now revised plans include a return trip to the NCAA Tournament as a higher seed with the potential to advance beyond the first round.
But to get to that point, the Eagles must again win the OVC Tournament and this time, MSU won't be the surprise Cinderella team this season. Morehead State was chosen as the preseason favorite, along with Murray State, to win the OVC this season. The Eagles two biggest weapons were also honored by the Ohio Valley Conference, with junior center Kenneth Faried earning the Preseason Player of the Year and senior Maze Stallworth joining Faried on the Preseason All-Conference team.
“We are honored to be picked to finish first alongside Murray State, but it also means we won’t sneak up on anyone this year," Tyndall said. "The reality is that regardless of where we are picked, we have to work hard and win basketball games to make these predictions come true."
Tyndall will rely heavily on his experienced players to help prove the preseason predictions, and experience is something this Eagle team has in abundance, especially where it can be most critical. Morehead State's starting floor general will be fifth-year senior Brandon Shingles. Shingles, a 6-3 Albany, Ga. native, averaged just under four assists per game to lead MSU and 5.0 points per game last season.
“Brandon has great leadership ability and he’s talented,” Tyndall said. “I expect him to be one of the best if not the best point guard in the league.”
Behind Shingles will be two newcomers with tremendous potential in transfer Ty Proffitt and freshman Corey Clemens. Proffitt is a 6-4 local product from London, Ky. who spent a year at Notre Dame before transferring to MSU.
"Ty adds a dimension to our team. He has great basketball and court awareness and can play the point or be a two-guard," Tyndall said.
Clemens, the freshman from New Castle, Ind. is also a combo guard who impressed Tyndall in fall workouts with the range of his shot and his toughness. The 6-2 Clemens averaged 19.2 points and 3.1 assists as a senior at New Castle Chrysler High.
Nashville, Tenn. native Demonte Harper is penciled in as the starter at the shooting guard slot, but Harper is unselfish with the basketball and can play the role of set-up man or playmaker. The 6-4 junior was second in assists last season behind Shingles and was one of four Eagles to average double-digit scoring with 10.6 points per game.
“Demonte is coming off a great sophomore season and he worked hard and built his body up during the summer. I believe he is a legitimate All-OVC candidate,” Tyndall said.
Terrance Hill, a 6-1 Columbus, Ga. native made an impression on Tyndall during the offseason with his work ethic and has carved out playing time behind Harper.
“Terrance may have made the biggest jump and is one of our most improved players, Tyndall said. “He’s more mature and will earn minutes in our rotation.”
Newcomers Aaron Williams and Rashad Hosea both add depth in the guard position. Williams, a 5-10 redshirt freshman played at Dupon Manual High School in Louisville, Ky. Hosea is a redshirt sophomore from Detroit, Mich. Where h played at Cody High School.
Also earning playing time at two-guard will be junior John Lamb. A 6-1 Indianola, Iowa native, Lamb can be a sharpshooter when needed.
“John is a great shooter and experienced player who gives us quality depth. He can be very effective for us against zone defenses,” Tyndall said.
Top-notch shooters are key to Tyndall’s offensive plan and one of MSU’s best shooters will start at small forward. OVC Preseason All-Conference selection Maze Stallworth, an Elizabethtown, Ky. native, led the Eagles in perimeter shooting with 38 percent accuracy last year. The 6-4 senior set team 3-point records, draining 87 shots from long range to averaged 12.1 points per game.
“Maze is a three-year starter and will be a 1,000-point scorer at Morehead State. In my opinion he is the best shooter in the OVC,” Tyndall said.
Lawrenceville, Ga. native Sam Goodman is the Eagles most impressive newcomer because of his work ethic and receptiveness to coaching, according to Tyndall. Listed as a guard because of his 6-2 size, Goodman’s athletic ability will allow him to play small forward behind Stallworth.
Sophomore forward Steve Peterson, hit one of the biggest shots in MSU history when his jumper from the wing with 1.6 seconds left in double overtime lifted the Eagles into the NCAA Tournament. A 6-5 native of Columbus, Ga., Tyndall has Peterson playing both forward positions and compares his offseason to that of his high school teammate Hill.
“Like Hill, Steve has made a tremendous jump. He’s gotten a lot stronger and is a very versatile player,” Tyndall said.
Senior forward Les Simmons returns to the team after sitting out the 2008-09 season. A 6-7 talented forward from Mountainville, N.Y., Simmons has the potential to have a strong senior campaign.
“We hope Les can continue to show maturity and growth. If he does, he can be a solid player for us,” Tyndall said.
David Terrell, a 6-5 transfer from Midland Community College is arguably Morehead State’s most talented newcomer. Tyndall notes that the forward from Houston, Texas may have the opportunity to impact the team once his conditioning improves.
Another newcomer who may impact the team once he gets into shape is freshman Jamel Marshall. A native of Orlando, Fla., Marshall originally signed with Florida International before a change in coaching resulted in an opportunity for Marshall to join Tyndall’s team at Morehead. A 6-5 forward/center, Marshall gives MSU added strength and depth along the front line.
Speaking of front line impact players, perhaps no player’s impact was felt more last season than Faried. The Preseason OVC Player of the Year is the nation’s returning leading rebounder. He averaged 13.9 points and 13.0 rebounds per game. Faried has garnered national attention as a center, including earning the distinction as a potential NBA Prospect.
“Kenneth is one of the Top 20 centers in college basketball and the leading returning rebounder. With his improved strength and weight he is a viable OVC Player of the Year candidate,” Tyndall said.
International newcomer Jason Beharie, a 6-9 freshman from London, England will also contribute at the five slot. Tyndall calls him a skilled center who will be a nice OVC player as his strength and conditioning improves. He also noted that Beharie has transitioned well to the more physical American game.
Morehead State will face a tough test to open the season when they head just one hour west to face Kentucky in Rupp Arena in what will be John Calapari’s first regular season game as coach of the Wildcats. That game will be broadcast on ESPNU.
“Playing at UK is huge for us for in-state recruiting. We get the chance to play in legendary Rupp Arena and face a Top Five team on national television,” Tyndall said.
Other non-conference games include facing Utah State, Cal State-Fullerton, and Weber State at the Utah State Tournament and a home schedule that includes Kent State, ETSU and Louisiana-Monroe.
“The rest of our non-conference slate features some great mid-major programs,” Tyndall said. “This is the best home schedule since I’ve been coach here.”
Once OVC play starts on Dec. 3, the Eagles don’t waste much time before playing at the other preseason #1, Murray State on Dec. 5.
“Murray will be one of the teams to beat with what they return and the success they’ve had,” Tyndall said. “Austin Peay could win it again and I believe Eastern Illinois will be the surprise team this year.”
Tyndall believes there are four or five teams with a legitimate chance to win the league title, including Morehead State.
“This is the deepest and most balanced the league has been since I’ve been here,” Tyndall said.
A deep league will make defending the OVC title difficult, but with one championship ring, Tyndall’s expectations and goals for his team are high and include a return trip in year four.
