Morehead State Basketball: 2021-22 preview and outlook for Eagles

Morehead State Basketball: 2021-22 season preview and outlook for Eagles

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 19: Johni Broome #4 of the Morehead State Eagles blocks a shot by Derek Culver #1 of the West Virginia Mountaineers in the first round game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 19, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/2021 Getty Images) /

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Morehead guard Skyelar Potter is a three-point threat (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/2021 Getty Images) /

Projected starting lineup

Morehead’s star Johni Broome is surrounded by a proven and productive starting lineup that can play defense and make threes.

Johni Broome – Center

The 6’10 Broome is a shot blocker and a throwback low post scorer. While he is working to improve his offensive arsenal out to the free throw line and off the bounce, his jump hooks (with both hands) and offensive stick backs would make Bill Russell smile. Not that anyone can compare to the Boston Celtic hall-of-famer, but that is the player Broome reminds me of.

He is mobile, has a nose for the ball, and is an outstanding shot blocker. He led the OVC with 56 rejections and alters far more shots than just those 56. The Florida native averaged 15 points per game against OVC competition (regular season and tournament) and was unstoppable in Evansville.

He collected three OVC Tournament double-doubles and was the Tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

Skyelar Potter – Guard

After two seasons at Wright State, Potter has prospered at Morehead State. The 6’3 guard averaged 12 points and 5.8 rebounds and landed on the OVC’s all-newcomer team. He is an outstanding three-point shooter who is good on the defensive end. Spradlin says he’s improving as a passer and will likely be looked upon to score a little more this season.

Ta’lon Cooper – Point Guard

Cooper was a super-sub for Spradlin last year. He started 11 early-season games, but ended up coming off the bench most of the season and led the team in assists (111) while making 39% of his shots from deep. During his two Morehead seasons he has accumulated 205 assists compared to 95 turnovers. Cooper averaged 8.2 points and 29 minutes per game. Becoming the team’s lead guard will not be a difficult transition.

Tray Hollowell – Guard

One of Spradlin’s three transfers, Hollowell came from Wofford where he averaged 11.1 points per game and he made 60 triples. Hollowell scored 799 points at Wofford and 2,000 points in high school. Spradlin believes in recruiting what he calls ‘championship DNA’ and Hollowell was a part of a Terriers team that won the SoCon Tournament (2019) and defeated Seton Hall in the NCAA Tournament.

The 6’3 Hollowell is a grad transfer that Spradlin says has many ‘championship habits.’

Jake Wolfe – Wing

Wolfe is used to playing OVC teams. While playing at Lipscomb, the Bisons routinely played numerous Ohio Valley teams. Three years ago Lipscomb won 29 games under head coach Casey Alexander, who is now at Belmont. Wolfe averaged 6.7 points per game last season.

Spradlin says Wolfe will play some ‘small ball four’ and describes the 6’5 junior as physically very strong and a very capable defender. Last year he recorded back-to-back 20-plus scoring performances against the OVC’s Southeast Missouri.