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| INSIDE THE NUMBERS |
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2000-01 record: 27-7;
15-3 in WAC (Tied 1st)
Postseason: Lost to Kentucky 87-82 in second round of NCAA East Region.
RETURNING LEADERS
Points: Johnson 14.5
Rebs: Davis 6.7
Assists: Reed 4.1
FG: Davis 62.9%
3pt: Swanson 49.0%
FT: Johnson 82.5%
01-02 Stats:
Tulsa | WAC
KEY LOSSES
Greg Harrington | 13.0 ppg
Jack Ingram | 4.4 ppg
PROJECTED STARTERS
G | Antonio Reed | Senior
G | Da. Swanson | Senior
G | Jason Parker | Junior
F | Kevin Johnson | Senior
F | Charlie Davis | Senior
Player to Watch
Kevin Johnson
Senior Forward
One of four starting senior returning, he led the WAC in shooting last season.
DATE TO REMEMBER
When Kansas comes to town, you can bet the Reynolds Center will be rocking for the chance to upset Rock Chalk, Jayhawk.
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TULSA
GOLDEN HURRICANE
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Nearly everyone returns from a 27-win team that advanced to the second round of NCAAs, which gives you an idea why many are picking the Golden Hurricane to win the conference outright. A major loss for Tulsa are the statistics and leadership of guard Greg Harrington (13.0 ppg, 5.2 apg), an all-conference pick and the program's all-time winningest player. But head coach John Phillips is not without skill in the backcourt, where seniors Dante Swanson (11.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.4 apg, nation's best three-point shooter last season) and Antonio Reed (11.1 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 4.1 apg) combine for one of the country's best tandems. Kevin Johnson is a 6-8 senior forward and Tulsa's best inside threat, a smooth player who led the team in scoring last year with a 14.5 average. A number of freshmen will be asked to play reserve roles, but few if any will be asked to make a major contribution. One, guard Chris Wallace, should get some minutes off the bench. Another, Jarius Glenn, can act as a combo guard when needed. You have to look long and hard to find a weakness on this roster.
TOUGH ENOUGH..............................
They have again gone guard crazy at Tulsa. Swanson made nearly 50 percent of his 3s last season and Reed, who will handle the play-making responsibilities, made 41.2 percent. Jason Parker is a junior who made 40 percent from beyond the line. Harrington meant so much to the recent success of the program, but there is enough skill remaining to make Tulsa's three-guard attack potent as ever. Smaller than most, Tulsa features a collection of the WAC's best athletes.
TOUGH ENOUGH?..............................
It's not as if Tulsa doesn't have an inside game, certainly not when you consider how good Johnson is. But the Golden Hurricane has for some time given up something in the size department. The roster lists just four players at 6-8 and none taller. Senior forward Charlie Davis (6-7, 232) plays bigger on the boards and can offer some garbage points. There are a few freshmen (Aliou Keita and Anthony Price) for depth.
BOTTOM LINE..............................
Some believe this team is better than the one that advanced to the Elite Eight in 2000, better than the won that claimed an NIT title the following season, better than last year's 27-7 edition. It's tough to argue. Phillips has all the ingredients for a conference champion and top four seed (or better) in the NCAAs.
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