2010 Preview: Transfers and Freshmen

There are a lot of new faces on the hardwood this season for the Golden Hurricane. Meet the players who hope to make a name for themselves this year in Conference USA.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:00 pm

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Oct 24, 2010 11:15 PM CDT

Bobby Lewis
Oklahoma Sports Reporter

TULSA, Oklahoma – The Golden Hurricane men’s basketball team has seven newcomers this season. Three players, Scottie Haralson, Kodi Maduka and D.J. Magley, are eligible after redshirting a year ago. Four freshmen join the mix, ready to contribute immediately.

Haralson played in the Final Four with the University of Connecticut two years ago.

Magley transferred from Western Kentucky. The duo is going to be relied upon heavily this season to make up for the loss of three starters.

“We’ve bonded very well,” said Haralson. “We have a lot of personality on the team. A lot of jokers. We get along well. We have a lot of chemistry.”

Haralson is a 3-point specialist and head coach Doug Wojcik called Magley the team’s top post defender. His 6-foot-9, 270 pound frame will help keep defenders occupied on offense as well. The inside-out potential between those two has other players salivating.

“We’re going to have a pretty balanced attack,” said center Steven Idlet. “We’ll be a lot more versatile than we were last year.”

Magley and Haralson bring prior college experience to the team this season, but the four true freshmen are rookies in every sense of the word. Despite their lack of college minutes, Wojcik expects big things from the talented quartet of guards Jordan Clarkson (San Antonio, TX), Ladarrius Whitehead (Lee’s Summit, MO), and Tim Peete (Memphis, TN), and center Blondy Baruti (Mesa, AZ).

“Maybe the most advanced freshmen we've had. In fact, the most advanced,” said Wojcik. "(They) listen and learn very well. (They're) competitive, care, watch tape and get in and shoot."

Wojcik expects Clarkson and Peete to play major roles this season. Both averaged over 15 points and six rebounds per game as seniors in high school. Peete even posted six assists per game.

Baruti and Whitehead could help spell Idlet and Joe Richard in the post. Magley and Haralson will fight for spots in the starting lineup this season.

The Golden Hurricane begins its season at home on November 1st.

For more on Tulsa’s 2010 outlook:
2010 Team Preview
Tulsa’s Ready for C-USA Title run

Tulsa’s Best Player
Justin Hurtt

TU’s Biggest Departures:
Jerome Jordan/Ben Uzoh

Top Three Games from 2009:
A blowout, a comeback and a nail-biter

Bottom Three Games from 2009:
Coming 10/28

Three games to look forward to in 2010:
Coming 10/29