TU's basketball team cites 'inexperience'

(Tulsa-AP) -- Tulsa men's basketball players say inexperience is holding the team down. Senior Jason Parker says the team's youth makes it unable to close out games. The Golden

Wednesday, January 14th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Tulsa-AP) -- Tulsa men's basketball players say inexperience is holding the team down.

Senior Jason Parker says the team's youth makes it unable to close out games.

The Golden Hurricane has four regular players 6-foot-8 or taller, but only one played Division One basketball last year. One is a junior college transfer, and two are freshmen.

A big problem for this 5-and-8 team has been rebounding. On the offensive glass, the players are giving up 2.7 more rebounds per game than they're grabbing.

Coach John Phillips says the men realize if they play a little better, they can beat anyone.

No opponent has beaten the Golden Hurricane by more than nine points.

The team's goal is to win the Western Athletic Conference.