2006-07 Men's Basketball Season Preview

Fast-paced Red Hawks take the floor

- (10/31/2006)

    With just one player on the roster standing at over 6-foot-4, the Simpson University men's basketball team will rest its hopes on team speed and athleticism.  First-year Head Coach Josh Binderup has been stressing 3-point shooting and the transition game from day one.  To some onlookers it may seem more like a track meet than a basketball game. 

    Another aspect of the approach is the ability to run mass substituitions.  With so many similar players who are capable of running the floor and hitting the long ball, Coach Binderup will run up to fifteen guys deep.  At times, it may look like a hockey line-change, but it will definitely keep the opposition guessing and trying to keep up.

    "We are going to try and put up 100-plus points a game," says Binderup.  "We have to shoot and run extremely well.  It should be fun to watch."

     If the Red Hawks are able to execute the game plan, it certainly will be far from boring.  Fans may be more inclined to get whiplash from keeping up with the action than watching a slow, defensive 50-point struggle.   Shooting the long-range ball will be the biggest weapon for Simpson and they have plenty of ammo to do it.  Junior Markise Morrison (6'3", Vallejo) is the top returner after averaging fourteen points a game last season.
     
     Simpson will be tested early in the year as they play one of the toughest preseason schedules around, including the opener November 1st at NCAA DI UC Davis.  The Red Hawks will remain on the road as they are in a series of top tournaments in November at Walla Walla, Oregon Tech, and Southern Oregon. 

      Coach Binderup and the Red Hawks hope to keep your eyes on the ball.  If they can, then opponents better watch out, because it is going to be hard to keep up. 

POINT GUARDS
    The point guard position will be vital to the Red Hawks success as they try to push the ball up and down the floor.  Coach Binderup will platoon a pair of freshman, JC transfer Daniel Eoff, and occasionally returners Rich Mitchell and Derek Sloan.  The group is extremely quick, athletic, and can also pose a long-range threat.

GUARDS
    The Red Hawks are loaded at the guard position.  Coach Binderup will likely run them in shifts to wear out the opponents.  Returner Markise Morrison (14 PPG) is the most known commodity, but Christian Ostrom (double-digit average at Puget Sound), Rich Mitchell (career high 20 pt vs. Sac State), and newcomer Micah Eppler (16 PPG in HS) are all very dangerous from anywhere on the court.  Simpson will likely be the quickest and fittest team on the floor as they push the tempo with this athletic group.

FORWARDS
   What the Red Hawks lack in size, they make up for in athleticism and heart.  Newcomers Erick Jamerson (6'4") and Tramaine Ellison (6'6") provide the most physical presence, but all four forwards can run the floor and shoot the mid-range jumper.