Udoh considers OU, OSU after leaving Michigan
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44
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.
"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."
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.
Todd, Bentonville - May 16, 2008 9:07 PM
and $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$4
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.