Udoh considers OU, OSU after leaving Michigan

By Brandon Chatmon
Published: May 16, 2008

Oklahoma and Oklahoma State are both in the running to land former Edmond Santa Fe basketball standout Ekpe Udoh, who is transferring from Michigan following his sophomore season.

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"I didn't feel I utilized my skills in the system (Michigan coach) John Beilein was running," Udoh said. "And I wanted to get closer to home."

A 6-10, 240-pound power forward, Udoh led the Big Ten in blocks with 2.87 per game for the Wolverines last year. He started 24 games for Michigan as a sophomore, averaging six points and five rebounds per game.

A member of the Big Ten all-defensive team, Udoh visited OU and OSU in early May. Kansas State, Baylor, Texas A&M, Arkansas are also among the schools Udoh is considering. He plans to make a decision in early June and, under NCAA transfer rules, would have to sit out a year at his new school.

Udoh is good friends with former Santa Fe teammate and OSU guard Obi Muonelo, and likes the thought of playing with his high school teammate in college.

"It would be fun to play with him again," said Udoh, who averaged 15.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and 4.6 blocks per game as a senior at Santa Fe. "We've played (together) our whole lives but it has to be what's best for me."

During his visit with new Cowboy coach Travis Ford, Udoh said he watched film and got a feel for how he might fit in OSU's new offensive attack.

"He showed me his offense and what he does," Udoh said of Ford. "He's really excited to be there (in Stillwater) and he's real passionate about the game."

OU's will also receive strong consideration from Udoh because of Jeff Capel, the rest of the Sooners coaching staff and Udoh's belief that he's likely to see the ball more in Norman.

"I love that staff," Udoh said. "They developed Longar Longar into, maybe, a NBA player. They go inside-out (offensively)."

While he would prefer to stay in-state, Udoh isn't leaning toward any school and wouldn't rule out going out of state, saying: "If the situation isn't right around here, I'll have to saddle up and go back out (of state) again."

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Comments

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That is, unless, Ford coaches the style he used at UMass. Good coaches recruit good players and then taylor their playing style to fit their talent into it.
Zach, Perkins - May 22, 2008 10:11 AM
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I'd have to say the way he plays OU is probably the better fit given their persistence on defense and the fact that OU is more talented inside. But OSU has Obi. I wouldn't count on Ford's style. Ford said he wants a fast paced high scoring type of game and even with Obi, that's not the way Udoh plays. When you say because of Ford you're making a grave mistake. He doesn't put the emphasis on defense that Capel does and that's where Udoh is at his best. To top it off, Capel would also like to score more next year. He wants to play hard-nosed in your face defense and then run the transition where if Udoh's open, he's getting the ball and he's going to throw it down. That's what should put OU on top, but you never know...Obi might be enough to lore Udoh to OSU and he's a good player, I just feel that his talents would be put to better use at OU.
Zach, Perkins - May 22, 2008 10:09 AM
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He says OU is on top.
nunya, Guthrie - May 20, 2008 11:11 PM
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Hey Lou, Michigan was courting Ekbe from his Junior year at Santa Fe, Kelvin and Sutton got on him late into his Senior year, so thats why he left out of state. I think he is going to OSU, because of Obi and coach Ford.
Kim, Nichols Hills - May 20, 2008 9:02 PM
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Thiz thred bloes
Roger, Keller - May 20, 2008 1:01 PM
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A Chris in Plano! Screw you, no wait you live in Texas that means you screw your family members! I live in D.C. and I am writing this from Seattle, Washington. I travel very frequently. What I'm saying is I can speak about the difference between the campus at OU,OSU,UT at Austin, UT at Corpus Cristi, UDUB, Georgetown, Maryland. Hell I could tell you about some universities overseas! So talking about my grammer and me being an a raised Okie doesn't bother me, just concentrate on not letting your neighbors build cults in your backyard. That mess never happens in the east coast.
Byron, Suitland - May 19, 2008 11:41 PM
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Josh, your a moron and most live in Texas. Jay, what makes you think Michigan is that much better then OU or OSU? I went to OSU, but know that OU has some great programs. Do you want to get into that with us on this board?
Jacob, Kansas - May 19, 2008 2:33 PM
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I love you folks arguing about whose second rate school is better. If the guy was interested at all in his education, he would have stayed at Michigan.
Jay, Oklahoma City - May 19, 2008 2:15 PM
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I am new to the state of Oklahoma, and in the past year I have been to both Norman & Stillwater. I really don't understand why OU fans bash on OSU for being in Stillwater, there is nothing exiting going on in Norman. OU does have some nice facilities, but the construction going on at OSU is impressive.
In regards to Udoh, I think the last two years were kind of a blimp for OSU basketball. I always heard a lot more (and saw a lot more success) coming from OSU in basketball than OU. Football was the only major sport I ever heard much about for OU.
kr, Tempe - May 19, 2008 1:08 PM
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i just got a text message from obi munelo saying that he and udoh were rooming together this fall in stillwater so..... go cowboys!
justin, Oklahoma City - May 19, 2008 12:27 PM
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Okies really need to stick together here folks. anyone with half a brain knows that OK State will always be the runt of the litter when compared to OU. You're the red headed step child of the state so to speak. But some civility maybe?? I mean why run down any city in the state when the rest of the country just thinks you're nothing but a bunch of meth addicts dodging tornados anyway.
josh, The Woodlands - May 19, 2008 12:06 PM
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Sooners saying they have better basketball support and a better arena is like saying OSU has a better football team. Both are way off the mark. You Sooners should really get out more, Norman and it's campus is not the nicest in the country. Neither is OSU's, but I never thought it in the first place. Bunch of morons here.
Jacob, Kansas - May 19, 2008 12:04 PM
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wut is wrong with his kommint??? U guyz R All mean 2 eachother. Go Pokes!
Barney, poppycock - May 19, 2008 8:51 AM
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Didn't proof read?? How about spell checking? Can anyone spell or use proper grammer anymore?????
Chris, Plano - May 18, 2008 10:22 PM
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didn't proof read, I meant; "beacuse I moved from Okc to Washington D.C."
Byron, Suitland - May 18, 2008 8:19 PM
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Ah the basketball guro finally has his word, Udoh can't shoot three's the way Kevin Pittsnogle could and in John Beline's system this is important. Udoh is an inside post player which he was recruited for under Tommy Amaker. At first the kid wants to get out of the state and now Oklahoma is close to NCAA title contention and OSU has a new head coach so now comming home makes a little since. And I've been to Stillwater and Norman. I'll take Norman and I know about expensive gas caused I moved out of OKC to D.C.
Byron, Suitland - May 18, 2008 8:18 PM
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Fellow Cowboy fans. You are missing the sooners fans point. The majority of sooner fans think of Norman as "fancy". When you compare the trailer parks in SE OKC to Norman, Norman looks much better. Most have never even been to Stillwater. Gas is too expensive.
Shawn, Albuquerque - May 18, 2008 10:07 AM
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Blake-Don't forget the gaudy Indian casinos out on the interstate for everybody to see!
Patrick, Edmond - May 17, 2008 7:40 PM
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It always cracks me up to hear UofO people talking down Stillwater as if Norman is some great thing! Norman? What do they have on Stillwater? Oh yeah, Sooner Mall is there I forgot.
Blake, Leslie - May 17, 2008 6:55 PM
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So John is that what you do every day? Dress up a pig before you go to work? Your still a pig regardless. LMAO
Fred, stillwater - May 17, 2008 7:44 AM
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Dwayne, that was funny about the GED but John does have a VERY valid point...it will always be OSU. I say go for the education and playing time at OU.
Greg, Panama City, Panama - May 17, 2008 7:43 AM
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These little spats are so funny. Hey, Aggie fans...your facilities might be Madison Square Garden in midtown Manhattan, but unfortunately, Stillwater is not midtown Manhattan. You can dress up a pig, but it is still a pig. Have a nice day.
John, Destin - May 17, 2008 6:15 AM
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Lou, Yukon - May 17, 2008 12:42 AM
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I only have one question, why did this guy go out of state rather than play for an oklahoma team, either ou, osu or whoever, but he didn't and got 'no' playing time or not 'his' style, Hey BB is big time and no time to be considered a super player, this guy is not. Too bad, somebody will waste a scholarship and he will jump and the NBA and fail.

Lou, Yukon - May 17, 2008 12:41 AM
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Hey Bentonville, get your GED and wake up. Every school on the list has better facilities than you guys.
Dwayne, Broken Arrow - May 16, 2008 11:51 PM
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Hey Bentonville, get your GED and wake up. Every school on the list has better facilities than you guys.
Dwayne, Broken Arrow - May 16, 2008 11:51 PM
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Come to OU! The other schools can't compete with the facilities, coaches, and most importantly we have the best Athletic Director in all of College Sports. More importantly, you will graduate and get an outstanding education.
Todd, Bentonville - May 16, 2008 9:07 PM


and $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$4
woody, moore - May 16, 2008 10:51 PM
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I think OSU offered him but he wanted to go out of state so he went to Michigan he did at one point think about going to prep school after high school.
Brandon, edmond - May 16, 2008 10:01 PM
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Todd, OU's coaches and AD are competitive, but the Lloyd Noble Center and other supporting facilities do not compare very well with Gallagher-Iba and the new construction at OSU or any of the basketball facilities at Arkansas. K-State's arena is a dump and they have had their one good year out of the last fifteen. They will go back to their subpar ways after Beasley is gone. Is Udoh that good to get this excited?
I think OSU passed on him when he was in high school or else didn't have a scholarship for him. Someone else may know more about this.
Jerry, Pond Creek - May 16, 2008 9:34 PM
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Don't be too sure about that! Kansas State is a great school and much better in basketball than OU.
Katie, Oklahoma City - May 16, 2008 9:10 PM
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Come to OU! The other schools can't compete with the facilities, coaches, and most importantly we have the best Athletic Director in all of College Sports. More importantly, you will graduate and get an outstanding education.
Todd, Bentonville - May 16, 2008 9:07 PM
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I had no idea OU was recruiting him. He'd be great at either school, hope to see him stay in state.
nunya, Guthrie - May 16, 2008 8:06 PM
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I don't think those were typos, Cody. I think it was a severe lack of basic spelling. Nice try though, protecting your own. How noble.
Kurt, Midtown OKC - May 16, 2008 7:40 PM
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OU only has one scholarship available and it looks like if Moose qualifies they won't have any. All things considered I would take Udoh over Moose. Moose had his chance and blew it. If it comes down to either or I'm going with a 6'10" athletic big man that has shown he can play at the Division 1 level
Joshua - May 16, 2008 5:06 PM
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If he signs with OSU he is missing vital chromsomes
steve, sparks - May 16, 2008 5:04 PM
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Yes Brad, typos are a good thing to point out.
Cody, Norman - May 16, 2008 4:54 PM
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I had no idea OU was recruiting him. He'd be great at either school, hope to see him stay in state.
nunya, Guthrie - May 16, 2008 4:08 PM
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Would he be able to be on scholarship at OU? I thought they were full and were considering bringing Moose back if he qualifies? So does this shut the door on Moose or would Epps have to walk on IF he chose OU? Least the kid gets to transfer from Michigan to a good D1 program and hopefully pursue his NBA dream
Brandon, edmond - May 16, 2008 3:51 PM
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"BEET", "SONNERS"...NICE...
BRAD, MUSTANG - May 16, 2008 3:49 PM
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Brian, Okemah - May 16, 2008 3:39 PM
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He would not have too! The Griffins will be gone after next year.
Brian, Okemah - May 16, 2008 3:38 PM
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I dout he could beet out Griffins. We'll take him as a bench warmer. Go Sonners!
myers, Peir - May 16, 2008 3:34 PM
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It would be nice for an Oklahoma kid to come back to the state. It just shows once again that the grass isnt always greener.
matt, Moore - May 16, 2008 3:21 PM
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It would be a good pick-up for either program. He is a solid player.
Jacob, Kansas - May 16, 2008 3:13 PM
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