Mavericks Conclude First Week of Practice
Oct 12, 2014 | Men's Basketball
OMAHA, Neb. -- The Omaha men's basketball team has completed its first official week of practice for the 2014-15 season, seeing its newcomers alongside its veterans on the court for the first time.
"We've been excited to blend our newcomers with our veteran players this week," 10th-year head coach Derrin Hansen said. "The newcomers have really picked up the pace in practice, and now we'll need that on a consistent basis.
"Our returners are also closing in on mid-season form. They've retained some things from last year, and now they're teaching the younger players. One of the most promising things we've seen is that practice has been competitive. Our energy has been high, and we're settling into a routine."
Four returning starters highlight UNO's roster, led by the senior duo of guard CJ Carter, who was a preseason All-Summit pick, and senior forward Mike Rostampour. Junior guards Devin Patterson and Marcus Tyus also started last season.
"Mike and CJ are giving us great senior leadership," head coach Derrin Hansen said. "They're vocal, and they're also leading by example. They go hard in practice, they know what to do and when to be there, and then they're helping other players get there as well. We need that leadership from them this year, and they've produced."
Three Mavericks who redshirted last season -- redshirt freshman forward Rylan Murry, junior forward Jake White and junior guard Kyler Erickson -- will also factor into Omaha's mix. White, who played on Wichita State's 2013 Final Four team, was sidelined in his first year with the Mavericks after suffering an ACL injury in practice last October. After being cleared last month, White has made steady progress in preparation for 2014-15.
"It's been a year since Jake's injury, and the most important thing we've seen in this first week is that he has confidence in his knee,” Hansen said “He doesn't shy away from physical contact, and he's playing the same way he played before the injury."
Redshirt freshman forward Daniel Meyer, who began his career in 2013-14 at Wright State, was recently granted a hardship waiver by the NCAA and can now play immediately for the Mavericks.
"We're thankful that the waiver was granted for Daniel so he didn't lose an entire year of eligibility," Hansen said. "We appreciate the work put in by our compliance department, the support of our administration and Wright State's cooperation as well. All parties were supportive of Daniel, and now he can contribute to our team this year.
"At 6-9, 245 pounds, Daniel has brought a sense of physical play to the floor," Hansen added. "We need him to guard, rebound and defend the low block for us, and he's also given us some tools offensively so far."
The Mavericks' group of six newcomers is heavy on transfers to Omaha. In addition to Meyer, junior forward Randy Reed comes from St. Louis Community College, while junior guard Tim Smallwood spent two seasons at Murray State College. Sophomore guard Alex Allbery, who began his career playing baseball at St. Thomas, will sit out this season due to NCAA transfer rules.
Finally, the roster includes two true freshmen, with forward Tre'Shawn Thurman from Omaha Central and guard Devin Newsome from Shawnee Mission South in Shawnee, Kan.
"Tre'Shawn and Randy Reed have brought us some significant size at the wing that we haven't had,” Hansen said. “They've both done a good job for us at the four, and along those same lines, we've been encouraged by what we've seen from Rylan Murry as well.
"After seeing what our entire team has brought to the court this first week, we're feeling very encouraged heading into this final year of Division I reclassification. We have some depth on our roster that will give our team confidence, and that will ultimately set us up for success.”
Omaha opens the 2014-15 season on Sunday, Nov. 16, hosting Central Arkansas at Ralston Arena at 4 p.m.
"We've been excited to blend our newcomers with our veteran players this week," 10th-year head coach Derrin Hansen said. "The newcomers have really picked up the pace in practice, and now we'll need that on a consistent basis.
"Our returners are also closing in on mid-season form. They've retained some things from last year, and now they're teaching the younger players. One of the most promising things we've seen is that practice has been competitive. Our energy has been high, and we're settling into a routine."
Four returning starters highlight UNO's roster, led by the senior duo of guard CJ Carter, who was a preseason All-Summit pick, and senior forward Mike Rostampour. Junior guards Devin Patterson and Marcus Tyus also started last season.
"Mike and CJ are giving us great senior leadership," head coach Derrin Hansen said. "They're vocal, and they're also leading by example. They go hard in practice, they know what to do and when to be there, and then they're helping other players get there as well. We need that leadership from them this year, and they've produced."
Three Mavericks who redshirted last season -- redshirt freshman forward Rylan Murry, junior forward Jake White and junior guard Kyler Erickson -- will also factor into Omaha's mix. White, who played on Wichita State's 2013 Final Four team, was sidelined in his first year with the Mavericks after suffering an ACL injury in practice last October. After being cleared last month, White has made steady progress in preparation for 2014-15.
"It's been a year since Jake's injury, and the most important thing we've seen in this first week is that he has confidence in his knee,” Hansen said “He doesn't shy away from physical contact, and he's playing the same way he played before the injury."
Redshirt freshman forward Daniel Meyer, who began his career in 2013-14 at Wright State, was recently granted a hardship waiver by the NCAA and can now play immediately for the Mavericks.
"We're thankful that the waiver was granted for Daniel so he didn't lose an entire year of eligibility," Hansen said. "We appreciate the work put in by our compliance department, the support of our administration and Wright State's cooperation as well. All parties were supportive of Daniel, and now he can contribute to our team this year.
"At 6-9, 245 pounds, Daniel has brought a sense of physical play to the floor," Hansen added. "We need him to guard, rebound and defend the low block for us, and he's also given us some tools offensively so far."
The Mavericks' group of six newcomers is heavy on transfers to Omaha. In addition to Meyer, junior forward Randy Reed comes from St. Louis Community College, while junior guard Tim Smallwood spent two seasons at Murray State College. Sophomore guard Alex Allbery, who began his career playing baseball at St. Thomas, will sit out this season due to NCAA transfer rules.
Finally, the roster includes two true freshmen, with forward Tre'Shawn Thurman from Omaha Central and guard Devin Newsome from Shawnee Mission South in Shawnee, Kan.
"Tre'Shawn and Randy Reed have brought us some significant size at the wing that we haven't had,” Hansen said. “They've both done a good job for us at the four, and along those same lines, we've been encouraged by what we've seen from Rylan Murry as well.
"After seeing what our entire team has brought to the court this first week, we're feeling very encouraged heading into this final year of Division I reclassification. We have some depth on our roster that will give our team confidence, and that will ultimately set us up for success.”
Omaha opens the 2014-15 season on Sunday, Nov. 16, hosting Central Arkansas at Ralston Arena at 4 p.m.
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