The University of Tennessee at Martin men's 2001-02 Skyhawk basketball team had a part in every single high point of the teams existence since entering the Ohio Valley Conference in 1992. The schedule was enough to get the Skyhawks ranked among the top 20 teams in the nation for strength of schedule. The Skyhawk's 13 wins tied a school record for the most wins in a single season since joining the OVC in 1992. The Skyhawks also finished second in the league in blocks, fourth in defensive rebounds, third in offensive rebounds, No.1 in assist to turnover ratio, and No.1 in steals. With the loss of six seniors off of last years squad the remaining players will have to step up and fill the void. "The main goal of this years team is to finish in the top four in the conference, host the first round in the tournament, and get to Nashville. From there, go to the NCAA tournament. This will take leadership from all of the team not just one individual," states Campbell. This shouldn't be a problem as Coach Bret Campbell and his staff hit the junior college circuit and came back with 6-6 center David Wilkerson from Washington D.C.; 6-6 forward J.C. Howe from Roy, Utah; and 6-2 sharpshooter Earl Bullock from Lineville, Ala. "I expect these players to effect the team immediately by starting or helping us off the bench." stated Campbell.
Campbell also picked up freshman Aaron Ferrell, Fulton, Ky.; Logan Mooneyham, Memphis, Tenn.; and Raymond Davis, Clarksville, Tenn. Add the seven newcomers to the roster that already includes 6-6 Joey Walker, 6-5 Okechi Egbe, 6-4 Jeremy Kelly, 6-6 Michael Flowers, 6-9 Kenan Aseric and guards Jon Roos, Brooks Smith and Marcus Hill and it you realize that we have the depth to run and gun this season. With the loss of six seniors the void for floor leader needs to be filled for the Skyhawks to be successful. The men for the job will be the team as a whole including returning seniors Okechi Egbe and Joey Walker. Okechi enters his senior year as one of the OVC's premier athletes. As a junior he saw action in all 28 games and finished third on the team with a 46 percent mark from the field. As a sophomore he broke the school's record for the most points in a game when he blew up for 44 against Bethel. Fellow senior Joey Walker played in all 28 games and led the team with a .576 field goal percentage. Joey scored a career high 24 points last season against Southeast Missouri. He also scored in double figures on 10 separate occasions. If last Sunday was any indication of how the team is going to play this season, than hopes should be high for the Skyhawk faithful as the SkyHawks jumped all over Sports Reach with a 106 - 72 stomping. Why is this suppose to make us excited you ask? Sports Reach defeated Tennessee State by three in an earlier match up between the two. This is sort of funny seeing as how the OVC mistakenly ranked the TSU squad to finish ahead of UTM in the OVC. How does that song go? "R-E-S-P-E-C-T." "Not many people have high expectations of our program this season but that will be our motivation," Campbell said. If that was any indication of the motivation that you speak of coach, we are looking forward to a surprising season. Come out and support the men's basketball team on Monday Nov.25 at 7 p.m.