COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - With a roster that features eight newcomers,
Tennessee Tech basketball fans can expect to see a brand new look
in 2008-09 when the Golden Eagles take the floor for their seventh
season under head coach Mike Sutton.
In addition to the faces on the floor, there will also be some new
looks inside Tech's home arena. The floor has undergone a facelift
featuring the new logo, and construction is nearing completion on a
spacious new basketball coaching complex.
There's plenty of "new" to get everybody anxious to have a
peek.
Fans will have their first chance to see the new team next Monday
(Nov. 10), when Tech hosts an exhibition game against Anderson
College. It's the second game of an exhibition doubleheader, with
the Tech women facing Tusculum at 5:30 p.m.
With all that is new, this year's Golden Eagles will also features
a few recognizable, seasoned returnees who will be the nucleus of
the team.
While Tech must replace graduated seniors Anthony Fisher, Amadi
McKenzie and Rashaud Nixon, fans who follow the squad can look
forward to the return of centers Daniel Northern and Ra'Shun
Bryant, and guards Will Barnes, Frank Davis and Zac Walker.
In addition to those five, the roster also includes returning
forwards Bassey Inameti and Alex Davis, both redshirts a year
ago.
Tech was 13-19 overall last year, and managed a 10-10 record in
Ohio Valley Conference play to finish fifth. This season, Sutton
and his squad are setting their sights on the same target as they
always seek, an OVC title.
"Our goal is the same as it is every year," Sutton said. "To
compete for the OVC championship and to be playing well for the
conference tournament and the NCAA berth that goes with it in
March."
To reach those goals will take contributions for an entire roster
of talent, but there appears to be enough for the Golden Eagles to
challenge.
The inside game has Northern Bryant, Inameti and Davis, plus
newcomers Tyler McDaniels and Kevin Murphy.
On the perimeter, the experience of Barnes, Davis and Walker will
stabilize a bevy of newcomers which includes Zach Bailey, Elijah
Cunningham Muhammed, Riley Hunley, Darnell Lindsay and Zach
Newton.
Northern, a 6-foot-9 senior, appears to be the likely go-to guy
after ranking first in the Ohio Valley Conference in both rebounds
and blocked shots last season. He averaged 12.8 points and 9.3
rebounds, and rejected 90 shots in 32 games.
Bryant is another option in the middle. The 6-9, 275-pound senior
began to open some eyes as a junior with impressive minutes in a
reserve role, and finished the year averaging 2.6 points and 2.2
rebounds. His contributions off the bench were much bigger than
that in several games, including nine points in a game against
Morehead State, and six points with seven rebounds in a contest
against Austin Peay.
Inameti spent his first season as a redshirt, developing his game
and adding to his strength, and is anxious to launch his Golden
Eagle career. Davis played eight games as a true freshman in
2006-07, then spent last season on the sidelines. His return to the
roster gives Sutton's staff added size and strength in the
paint.
Davis and Barnes spent lots of time playing in Tech's backcourt
last winter, and each should be a leader in their junior season.
Walker, meanwhile, returns after missing most of the last two years
due to injuries and could be among the best long-distance shooters
on the team..
Davis finished fourth on the team in scoring, averaging 9.0 points
per game, while leading the team in 3-pointers. An explosive
scorer, Davis is also an effective ball-handler, ranking third on
the team in assists with 64 last season.
Barnes began to blossom over the second half of the season, and
finished the year averaging 5.1 points per game and ranking second
on the team with 71 assists. He averaged in double digits during
the final month of the campaign.
Walker is a study in determination, and it will pay off for the
5-10 guard in his final season. After joining the team as a walk-on
and seeing limited playing time as a freshman, Walker missed nearly
all of the past two seasons with injuries. Undaunted, he has
continued to exhibit a healthy work ethic and is expecting to
challenge for playing time in the 2008-09 season.
Among the newcomers, juniors Darnell Lindsay and Elijah Cunningham
Muhammad are the most experienced, with two seasons each on the
junior college level.
Cunningham Muhammad is a point guard who helped South Suburban
finish the year ranked No. 5 nationally. Lindsay played two years
at Lincoln College and scored more than 800 career points.
Alfred Jones, a sophomore transfer who also comes from Lincoln,
will continue to be a teammate of Lindsay's. A 6-7 forward, his
strength is rebounding.
Freshmen Zach Bailey, Riley Hunley and Zach Newton are
ball-handlers who can add to Tech's backcourt options. Freshmen up
front are 6-8 Tyler McDaniels and 6-6 Kevin Murphy.
Tickets for the 2008-09 basketball season are on sale at the
Athletics Ticket Office in Eblen Center, or by calling (931)
372-3940. Tickets may also be purchased online at TTUsports.com.