Hoops Is Here

Friday is the first day that NCAA teams came begin basketball practice, which means the season is right around the corner for both UCO's men and women.

Terry Evans' men will get a jump on the proceedings as the Bronchos have slated their first practice for 12:01 a.m. Friday morning. Now that's a team eager to get going! Guy Hardaker's women will wait until a normal time to get underway.

It should be an interesting year on the hardwood for both squads. Coach Evans returns a veteran team, led by All-American Dauntae Williams, and the Bronchos have lofty goals for the 2010-11 campaign. Coach Hardaker has senior star Ashley Beckley and a bunch of young, mostly untested, talent.

Both teams have enjoyed great success the last few years and that will no doubt continue this winter. I can't wait, it should be a lot of fun.

I'm all about making lists and have done so many times on this blog and the start of basketball season made me start thinking about all the great players I've seen come through UCO since I arrived just before the start of the 1987-88 season.

It didn't take me long to come up with my top 10 players from 1987-10, for both the men and women. Both lists will be in alphabetical order 'cause ranking them would have been far too difficult.

First the women.

• Ashley Beckley (2008-10) - Tough inside presence.
• Courtney Berry (1997-99) - Slick shooter, one of the most intense competitors ever.
• Lizzie Brenner (2006-09) - Simply a stud, if I can say that.
• Ton'Nea Cox (1991-93) - Never met a rebound she didn't like.
• Meghan Craig (2005-06) - Could hurt a team in many ways.
• Jana Flanagan (1992-93) - Great shooter, team leader.
• Laura Hamilton (2003, '05) - Smooth.
• Christy Heavin (1995-98) - Perhaps the most consistent player I've ever seen.
• Keri Smith (1999-02) - Not big or tall but was hard to stop inside.
• Cristina Yarbrough (2007-10) - Cat quick, defensive demon.

Now the men.

• Sam Belt (2005-08) - Did about everything and did it very well.
• Tyrone Hopkins (1996-97) - Played incredibly hard, great scorer and rebounder.
• Zoderick Green (1994-95) - One of the best shooters I've seen and also one of the best passers.
• James Morris (1991-93) - Underrated. A bull inside, despite lack of size.
• Joe Newton (1997-98) - Fun to watch, quicker than quick.
• Eddie Robinson (1998-99) - Hmmm, played in the NBA. Enuf said. Okay, can't resist one story . . . E-Rob once got a steal at halfcourt, bounced the ball off the backboard while leaving the floor at the free throw line and flushed down a one-handed jam that left Hamilton Field House in awe.
• Junie Sanders (1994-95) - Played waaay bigger than he was.
• Fred Tyler (1991-93) - Never looked like he was playing hard, but he was.
• Dauntae Williams (2010) - Amazingly versatile. Amazing player, glad I've got one more year to watch him.
• Alex Wright (1992-93) - Still the best all-around player I've seen at UCO and I will never understand why he didn't get a chance in the NBA. Could do it all.