Everybody needs a roster in hand when watching the first exhibition game this year. There are so many variables with NCAA waivers and injuries that no one can tell who will start.
About the only thing certain is that Coach Haith will find room in the starting lineup for Martins Igbanu. Other teams are already saying " Is he still at Tulsa?" This could be the year he should make one of the first two All-Conference teams. Teams had to double him last year to stop him and his practice against Manny Ugboh will certainly help.
Ugboh should be a starter, maybe for his size alone. Massive player 6' 11" who will intimidate the opponents like no one we have had in a while. Limited some offensively but will dunk on you if close to the basket.
Horne should be a three, based on his performance last year. Turned into a deadly shooter and became instant offense at times.
Joiner is one of our best shooters but must have been told last year not to shoot as he passed up tons of open shots (only to make several when forced to shoot at the shot clock) If he gets to the 2G position where I think he belongs, he will be tough.
Isaiah Hill needs to be the point guard. Will make some freshman mistakes but has played with this level players in the summers. Nice shooter.. Decent handler. Need to see more on how he passes the ball.
Brandon Rachal could surprise when the lights come on. a big guard or small forward, has good skills but hasn't had this type competition in a while. Was highly rated in high school. Could work his way into starting lineup sometime during year.
Haith likes Korita in starting lineup and then pulls him at 15:00 mark. This may continue. I have been waiting 3 years for his shooting to return to high school percentages, even free throws and maybe this is the year. Makes the whole team play better.
Keyshawn Embery-Simpson...... should know in a couple of months is he gets a waiver. The NCAA is never kind to Tulsa for some reason and that concerns me. But in high school he was Oklahoma's top player in my opinion and would get a lot of time at the two if ready to play this year.
Reggie Jones is a big question mark. Has D-1 experience and good all around skills and should get a lot of minutes as well. Has seen the system a whole year so ready to go.
Josh Early the big freshman from KC is a real steal. Great rebounder, good shooter, etc, Not surprised if he gets a lot of good minutes this year.
Darien Jackson goes to the hole better than anyone on the team and if he can develop just a little better percentage on his outside shot, will be hard to keep off the court.
George Christopoulos is a savvy walk-on guard who possesses Euro skills and will not hurt us at all when he is on the court. Not like most walk-ons, this kid could start on some D-1 teams at a lower level.
Simon Falokun has been plagued with injuries since he arrived. I hope he can improve more this year but I doubt he plays a lot with the new inside talent arriving. He has nice skills but just needs time.
Curtis Haywood is a shooter deluxe but has to sit this year. I think a great transfer from GA Tech. A year watching the system should really help.
So this year I can't really say who I think should start and I never agree with Haith anyway on his starters. I just hope this year that he can decide who should play before losing a few early games trying to find out. As you know , I hate that 5 in 5 out substitution that ruins our momentum in early games.
I suspect that a few of these guys will become instant stars and solidify their positions for more playing time. I just can't tell you who at this time. They are so many close in skill levels . KES' waiver determination will make a difference for sure. Injuries may determine playing time as well.
I haven't seen the early schedule, but this is certainly the year to have as easy a schedule as possible early on. These guys need confidence to develop chemistry.
I will add one point that I am very impressed with the new assistant coaches, Kwanza and Jerry Wainwright. There is a lot of time spent on defense and it really looks good at this point.
About the only thing certain is that Coach Haith will find room in the starting lineup for Martins Igbanu. Other teams are already saying " Is he still at Tulsa?" This could be the year he should make one of the first two All-Conference teams. Teams had to double him last year to stop him and his practice against Manny Ugboh will certainly help.
Ugboh should be a starter, maybe for his size alone. Massive player 6' 11" who will intimidate the opponents like no one we have had in a while. Limited some offensively but will dunk on you if close to the basket.
Horne should be a three, based on his performance last year. Turned into a deadly shooter and became instant offense at times.
Joiner is one of our best shooters but must have been told last year not to shoot as he passed up tons of open shots (only to make several when forced to shoot at the shot clock) If he gets to the 2G position where I think he belongs, he will be tough.
Isaiah Hill needs to be the point guard. Will make some freshman mistakes but has played with this level players in the summers. Nice shooter.. Decent handler. Need to see more on how he passes the ball.
Brandon Rachal could surprise when the lights come on. a big guard or small forward, has good skills but hasn't had this type competition in a while. Was highly rated in high school. Could work his way into starting lineup sometime during year.
Haith likes Korita in starting lineup and then pulls him at 15:00 mark. This may continue. I have been waiting 3 years for his shooting to return to high school percentages, even free throws and maybe this is the year. Makes the whole team play better.
Keyshawn Embery-Simpson...... should know in a couple of months is he gets a waiver. The NCAA is never kind to Tulsa for some reason and that concerns me. But in high school he was Oklahoma's top player in my opinion and would get a lot of time at the two if ready to play this year.
Reggie Jones is a big question mark. Has D-1 experience and good all around skills and should get a lot of minutes as well. Has seen the system a whole year so ready to go.
Josh Early the big freshman from KC is a real steal. Great rebounder, good shooter, etc, Not surprised if he gets a lot of good minutes this year.
Darien Jackson goes to the hole better than anyone on the team and if he can develop just a little better percentage on his outside shot, will be hard to keep off the court.
George Christopoulos is a savvy walk-on guard who possesses Euro skills and will not hurt us at all when he is on the court. Not like most walk-ons, this kid could start on some D-1 teams at a lower level.
Simon Falokun has been plagued with injuries since he arrived. I hope he can improve more this year but I doubt he plays a lot with the new inside talent arriving. He has nice skills but just needs time.
Curtis Haywood is a shooter deluxe but has to sit this year. I think a great transfer from GA Tech. A year watching the system should really help.
So this year I can't really say who I think should start and I never agree with Haith anyway on his starters. I just hope this year that he can decide who should play before losing a few early games trying to find out. As you know , I hate that 5 in 5 out substitution that ruins our momentum in early games.
I suspect that a few of these guys will become instant stars and solidify their positions for more playing time. I just can't tell you who at this time. They are so many close in skill levels . KES' waiver determination will make a difference for sure. Injuries may determine playing time as well.
I haven't seen the early schedule, but this is certainly the year to have as easy a schedule as possible early on. These guys need confidence to develop chemistry.
I will add one point that I am very impressed with the new assistant coaches, Kwanza and Jerry Wainwright. There is a lot of time spent on defense and it really looks good at this point.
Last edited:
