2006 Men's Basketball Season Outlook

October 2 , 2006

Courtesy: Tim Mollerstrom

The Eastern Oregon Men’s Basketball team saw a big turnaround in the 2005-06 season.  Last years 17-11 record was the program’s best record since 1969.  Head Coach Ryan Looney is hoping for similar improvements this season. 

 

“Our peers have recognized us as one of the top teams in the Cascade Collegiate Conference,” Looney said.  “The Cascade Conference is as competitive of an NAIA conference as there is in the country.  Game day is going to be a battle each night.”

 

The Mountaineers return three starters from last year’s team.  Senior Derek Brown (Spokane, Wash.), Junior Mark Carollo (Hermiston, Ore.) and Sophomore Tanner McIntosh (Imbler, Ore.) anchor a strong group of returning players.

 

“If we are going to experience some success this season, then these three will be a big reason why,” Looney said.  “They are great people and possess outstanding work habits.”

 

Adding depth to the Mountaineer lineup will be sophomores Neil Fryer (Bremerton, Wash.), Paul Carollo (Hermiston, Ore.), Jeremy Templeton (Spokane, Wash.), and senior Kyle Janke (Spokane, Wash.).

 

“These individuals all gained valuable experience a year ago and continued to make strides over the summer,” Looney said.  “They will all have a chance to contribute to our success this season.”

 

Even with all these returning players, Looney was able to add five new faces to the team.  Red shirt senior Vernon Cropper (Portland, Ore.) is joined by a pair of junior college transfers in juniors Nick Finley (Creswell, Ore.) and Dan Blanchard (Bothell, Wash.) and two freshmen in Josh Landsverk (Spokane, Wash.) and Thomas McCarthy (Prineville, Ore.).

 

“The five newcomers have done a nice job of learning our offensive system,” Looney said.  “If they can continue to develop quickly, they will add immediate help to our program.”

 

With last year’s wins over #5 Warner Pacific, and the teams first win over Oregon Tech in eleven years and first win at Albertson College in eight years, Looney has reason to be excited.  “It’s great to have a group of student-athletes that have all gained valuable experience in this conference,” Looney said.  “We have an opportunity to do some special things this season if we can continue to progress rapidly.”

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