Published: November 03, 2009 09:58 pm      

Eagles hoping experience pays off

OC returns four starters from last year’s NAIA National tourney team

Jason Taylor admits he was a bit surprised last season. After a disappointing 2007-08 campaign, the Oklahoma Christian University mens’ basketball team climbed back into the national spotlight with a berth in the NAIA National Tournament. But that season of promise came to an abrupt end as the Eagles were bounced in the first round of the tournament.

But getting back to the NAIA tournament won’t cut it for Taylor and Eagles. With four returning starters and a deep bench, they’re expecting much more this season.

“We overcame some injuries and last year we were just going into the tournament seeing what would happen, but this year we have more expectations for ourselves,” Taylor said.

“We were excited to just get a bid to play there and we were too satisfied with that, so this year it’s going to be different,” senior guard Jeff Crocker said.

The Eagles, who were picked No. 16 in the NAIA Coaches Preseason Poll, also expect to battle for the Sooner Athletic Conference title, after finishing third a year ago. OC is again slated third in conference, finishing behind Oklahoma Baptist University and defending conference champion Rogers State University.

“If we compete for the Sooner Conference championship, everything else will take care of itself,” OC coach Dan Hays said. “We’re just a deeper bunch, we’re more committed, we’ve had a taste of the national exposure and I think these guys are hungry to jump up there with the elite.”

After a monster junior campaign, Taylor will look to carry the load for the Eagles again this season. Last year the Edmond North product poured in 23.6 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, and earned NAIA All-America and SAC Player of the Year honors.

Joining Taylor in the paint will be former junior college standout Andre Vaughn. The 6-foot-5 forward missed almost all of last season after tearing an ACL in the second game, but should soon be back in the starting lineup.

“He’s not 100 percent back yet, but he’s getting close,” Hays said. “He’s probably not ready to be in the starting lineup yet, but he’ll get some significant minutes.”

Senior forwards Jon Jonsson and Michael Hill should also see plenty of minutes. The pair split time at power forward after Vaughn went down with the knee injury.

The Eagles’ backcourt will again be in good hands with Crocker leading the way. The three-year starter, who was an All-SAC Third Team pick as a sophomore, averaged 11.9 points and 5.5 assists per game last season and will get some help at the point from redshirt freshman Devan White.

Also returning in the backcourt is senior David Jackson. The sharpshooter hit 42 percent from 3-pont range and has impressed Hays with his steady improvement.

The team will also look to junior Chad Endres and White for help in the backcourt. Endres, who averaged 5.7 points per game as a reserve, gives the Eagles experience, while the versatile White adds plenty of athleticism.

“He’s someone who everyone will know about shortly,” Hays said. “He’s just a tremendous talent and he can play anywhere from point to small forward for us.”

The thought of getting White out on the court is also exciting for Crocker, who played with the OC newcomer as a kid in Texas.

“I know Devan really well, I’ve played with him since third grade,” Crocker said. “On the court, he knows what I’m going to do and I know what he’s going to do. He’s definitely going to help because he’s so athletic and can shoot.”

Hays signed three freshman this year, but said Edmond North product Eric Randall will redshirt this year with three senior big men on the roster.

OC kicks off the season Saturday when it hosts Houston Tillotson (Texas) for homecoming. The Lady Eagles will tip off at 1 p.m. with the mens’ game to follow.