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) /

3 of 5

Wright State Jaylon Hall will play heavy minutes at Morehead State Basketball (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Several Key Veterans

Claude started 19 games as a true freshman and averaged 9.5 points and 6.4 rebounds. His 60% shooting percentage was the Eagles’ best mark. At 6’8 he will likely spell Broome in the post or at times the two big men could play side-by-side in the Eagle frontcourt.

Transfer Jaylon Hall scored 752 points during his three-year career at Wright State. Last season the 6’5 Hall averaged 9.4 points per game while converting 44% of his shots from deep. The Raiders tied for first in the Horizon League.

L.J. Bryan was Broome’s primary backup last season and made 57% of his shots. The 6’9 Bryan can be physical in the post. Forward Jaylen Sebree played in 25 games and averaged 2.4 points per game. Julius Dixon and Drew Thelwell saw some extended time last season.

Beyond those players, there isn’t a lot of proven talent on the Morehead bench. Julius Dixon and Drew Thelwell played limited minutes last season. Other newcomers include Tucson Redding, freshmen Braden May and Chris Cole.

Spradlin will be challenged by his inexperienced bench, but the nucleus of Claude, Hall, and Bryan should buy their untested players some time to get acclimated. Bryan and Claude are primarily post-players and Hall is the only proven perimeter backup, so the Potter and Cooper will have to play heavy minutes for the Eagles to succeed.