Having a roster full of newcomers and high expectations is a rare thing in college basketball, but that’s exactly what Morehead State coach Donnie Tyndall faces as he enters year five at his alma mater.
That fifth year begins Thursday night with an exhibition game against Centre College. Admission to the exhibition is $9 for a general admission ticket and tip-off is at 7 p.m.
The Eagles, who were picked second in the Ohio Valley Conference preseason poll, return five players off of last year’s team and have nine new faces. But among those returnees is a core of players who have been instrumental in returning MSU to prominence within the OVC and making the Eagle program one of the most recognizable mid-majors over the past three years.
Coming off of a record-breaking season, Tyndall whose teams have improved each season he’s been at MSU, faces the daunting task of matching or bettering last year’s record number of conference wins (15) and second best overall wins (24). The top spot on Tyndall’s to do list however has more to do with postseason play. He’d like to return the Eagles to the NCAA Tournament with the intent of winning a game in the big dance.
Tyndall’s high expectations come from a quick glance at the 2010-11 MSU roster. Dominating center Kenneth Faried returns for his senior season as Tyndall’s big-time rebounder and energetic fan favorite. The reigning OVC Player of the Year and two-time OVC Defensive Player of the Year, Faried flirted with the NBA in the spring before returning to Morehead State with the intention of bringing another OVC title to MSU.
Faried’s return makes the paint a very difficult place for MSU’s opponents on both ends of the floor, but after being short a true power forward last season, Tyndall has made sure Faried won’t be alone in the post. Miami (Ohio) transfer Drew Kelly is a physical, big-bodied talent that is slated to be the starter in the four position once he completes his transfer year in residency as prescribed by the NCAA. Kelly, a 6-7, 225-pound sophomore can play the four or five position and will both compliment and substitute for Faried.
“Drew is a physically tough player who’s a good rebounder and a good passer and he will allow us to do some things with Kenneth that we haven’t done in the past,” Tyndall said.
Junior college transfer Romaric Lasme will also see significant time in the four position. Not as physical as Kelly, Lasme is a 6-7, 215-pound junior out of Laramie County Community College who is long, athletic and has strong shot-blocking tendencies. He is still improving his skill set and adjusting to Tyndall’s system, but will be able to contribute immediately.
Tyndall’s other options in the post include a trio of freshmen. Arthur McMillan, a 6-6, 235-pound freshman has the talent and size to play immediately, but must adjust mentally and physically to the rigors of the college game. Dionte Ferguson is another player Tyndall expects will develop into a nice player and has good potential, but is a raw talent. A freshman, Ferguson is 6-7, 215 pounds and can play in either post postion. Shannon Williams is the third post player in the 2010 recruiting class. A 6-8, 230-pound freshman, Williams will add much-needed depth to the Eagles front line.
Outside of Faried, the core of returnees are all guards, which will prompt Tyndall to run a three-guard system in order to get his most experienced, best players on the floor for the majority of the minutes. All four returning guards have starting experience and two of the four are versatile enough to play any of the three guard positions.
Leading that class is senior Demonte Harper. A preseason All-Conference selection, Harper is a 6-4, 185 pound, talented guard who will be Tyndall’s go-to perimeter player. Harper will be the Eagles’ starting point guard, but expect to see him play some shooting guard and some three-guard. He is the most versatile offensive player MSU has and is a legitimate scoring threat from off the dribble or as a bull-eye perimeter shooter. As a four-year player in Tyndall’s system and a four-year teammate of Faried’s, Harper has a sixth sense about the Eagle offensive game and personnel, so he can be creative in his ball distribution to create opportunities for other players.
“Demonte is battle-tested and he’s really embraced the [point guard] position more than in the past, Tyndall said.”
Fellow senior Sam Goodman will start at the three-guard slot. A 6-2, 185 pound guard, Goodman’s athleticism allows him to leap and defend both quick guards and larger forwards. MSU’s best perimeter defender, Goodman has improved significantly over last season. His jumping ability makes him an exciting offensive player, especially in his ability to chase down offensive rebounds and create second chances.
“Sam has really improved, he’s a great offensive rebounder and our best perimeter defender,” Tyndall said.
Juniors Terrance Hill and Ty Proffitt will share time at the two guard position, but look for the 6-4, 200-pound Proffitt to serve as a utility guard, much like Harper. A natural shooter, Proffitt is a heady player who can run the point as a true floor general or play the three guard.
“Ty can play some point, but we want him to play off the ball too. We also need his leadership ability on the court,” Tyndall said.
Hill is a 6-1, 170-pound athletic sharpshooter who has developed into a threat to drive the ball. He also adds a tenacious defense, pressuring the ball.
“Terrance might be the most improved player in the OVC, he’s shooting the ball with a lot of confidence and driving now,” Tyndall said. “He’s also a guy that really pressures the ball.”
Along with Harper and Proffitt, expect transfer Lamont Austin to see significant time at the point guard position. A 6-0, 175-pound junior, Austin was recruited by Tyndall to play the point and can be good in defensive pressure as well, where he’s skilled at guarding off the dribble. Fellow freshman Reggie Williams is a combo guard and has the potential to play the point guard or shooting guard. He can drive and shoot, much in the same mold as Harper, and if he has the right mindset, he has the makings of a true scorer. Kevin Gray will come off the bench to provide a scoring spark. Arguably the Eagles’ best shooter, Gray is a 5-10, 175-pound freshman.
The final player on the 2010-11 Eagle rosters is walk-on Taylor Maze. A product of nearby Bath County High School, Maze is rehabbing from knee surgery and is expected to red-shirt this season.
“This is the deepest team we’ve had during my time at Morehead State,” Tyndall said. “I like our athleticism and I think our press and pressure defense will wear people down.”
The Eagles will have their hands full with a tough schedule that includes several successful mid-major programs and a talented Ohio Valley Conference.
“We’ve got Ohio State and Florida, OSU is a preseason Top 20 and Florida is preseason #16,” Tyndall said. “Northern Iowa was a Sweet 16 participant, Kent State was an NIT participant that won the MAC regular season and is picked to do so again and Ball State is picked to win the other side of the MAC.
“The OVC is the deepest it’s been in years, you look at EKU that went to the post season last year, Murray State won an NCAA Tournament game and we went to the post season. The other top teams, Eastern Illinois and Austin Peay will be tough too.”
Despite the tough schedule, Tyndall likes the way his team is shaping up, mostly in their character.
"I really like that our best player is very humble and I think that trickles down,” Tyndall said. “We’re aggressive but unselfish and our players care as much about the assists as scoring buckets.”
That’s a team trait that will serve the Eagles well, turning a crop of new faces, past successes and high expectations into another winning season and championship run.
