TU's Jordan is New Conference Block King

Originally Published: Feb 11, 2010 12:15 PM CDT

Bobby Lewis
Oklahoma Sports Reporter

TULSA, Oklahoma -- When Tulsa senior Jerome Jordan pinned Southern Miss guard Maurice Bolden’s shot against the backboard in the first half Wednesday night, the center stepped into the Conference USA history books as the all-time leader in career blocked shots.

“It was a good feeling,” smiled Jordan during post game interviews. “(It’s from) hard work and trying to be a defensive presence in the paint.”

The home crowd roared in approval as the seven-footer walked to the bench during the next timeout, and the quiet, easy-going kid from Jamaica smiled and nodded back. Jordan has rejected 315 shots in a Golden Hurricane uniform, 49 more than former TU standout Michael Ruffin, and one more than former East Carolina shot threat, Moussa Badiane. Badiane held the record since 2005.

“I didn’t make a big enough deal about it in the locker room as I should have,” admitted Tulsa head coach Doug Wojcik. “Hopefully it sticks for a long time.”

Jordan has blocked multiple shots in 16-of-24 games this season for a total of 63 swats. The only game this season that Jordan has failed to block a shot in was a 72-47 season-opening win against St. Mary’s.

Conference USA coaches selected Jordan as the 2010 Preseason Player of the Year, after making the conference’s first team last season as a sophomore. He is a two-time conference All-Defensive Team selection.

Defense is his specialty, but Jordan is averaging more points per game this year than at any point in his collegiate career. After Wednesday’s offensive explosion late in the second-half, the senior is averaging 15.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game.