11/1/07: EOU Mens Basketball Preview

November 1, 2007

Synopsis
23 wins, most in school history; 12 conference wins, most in school history; runners-up in the Cascade Conference Tournament; defeated a ranked opponent five times last season; and still somehow a snub from the national tournament.


The 2007-2008 squad will try to put that snub behind them, and already have a great start to their season. Eastern was voted second in the preseason conference coaches poll behind defending champion Warner Pacific and tied with Oregon Tech, ranked 9th in the nation by the Victory Sports Network, and 19th by the NAIA. An off-season business trip to Costa Rica, where Eastern went undefeated against Costa Rican competition, didn't hurt either.


Last season seemed to be just the groundbreaking for big things to come. Over the past two seasons EOU has a record of 40-19 compared to the two seasons before that, 17-35. Last year's roster featured only two seniors and had a starting line-up that included three sophomores, a junior, and a senior. The Mountaineers also had five players’ average double figures in points per game, the only school in the conference to stake that claim.


Key Losses
The Mountaineers lose three players from last season's success, two to graduation, Derek Brown and Vernon Cropper; and one for personal reasons, Tanner McIntosh.


Brown led the team and conference in blocks per game, and was a starter. Brown was also named to the Cascade Conference All-Defensive Team. Cropper made arguably the most impact of any player off the bench. Playing in 30 games and averaging 5 points a game and shooting 55 percent from the field. Cropper was also named a NAIA Scholar Athlete.


McIntosh maybe the largest loss to the team, no pun intended since he was one of the tallest players on the court. McIntosh played in all 31 games, scoring double digits in 18 of them, and was second in points per game.


Back Court
Senior Mark Carollo and junior Jeremy Templeton look to lead the back court this season again. Despite missing six games last season to injury, Mark Carollo led the Mounties in points per game. Templeton did well in his first season as floor general leading the team in assists at 4.36, good enough for third in the conference.


Senior Nick Finley returns this season after a stellar junior year. Finley made an appearance in all 31 games, and was fifth in the conference in steals at 1.68 per game. Junior Neil Fryer will be exciting crowds again this season at Quinn Coliseum. Fryer was the only player to average in double digits off the bench last season. He played in all 31 games.


Front Court
Junior Paul Carollo will try and match his success from last year after being named to the All-Cascade Conference team. Paul Carollo led the conference in rebounds at 8.93 per game, nearly a double more than anyone else on EOU. Paul Carollo also averaged 10.77 points per game, and had 14 double doubles last season.


Schedule
The out of conference schedule has few highlights other than the tilts with the Montana schools; trips to Montana Tech and Montana Western early in the season, followed by the annual Quinn Classic, which features those two schools and the College of Idaho. A trip to Caldwell for the ACI Golden Rule Shootout squares Eastern off with Westminster of Utah and Willamette.


The non-conference schedule is just a warm-up for the Cascade Conference, which looks to be one the nation's elite for another year. Eastern opens the conference schedule with Southern Oregon in La Grande, November 30. The three games with the largest preseason implications in La Grande are December 1 Oregon Tech, January 8 College of Idaho, and January 25 Warner Pacific.


Coach's Outlook
"Our summer trip to Costa Rica has really helped us get a jump start going into the season. We are much further along with our system than we have been in past years. Our returners have done a nice job of continuing to progress, while our newcomers are developing as we go."


"How successful we are this season will depend on our ability to be disciplined defensively and if we can mature in the area of leadership. If we can become better in those two areas, then we will have a chance to have a special year." - Head Coach Ryan Looney