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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY NOVEMBER 3.2014
PAGE 5B
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BIG12 NEW FACES
Conference teams counting on freshmen, transfers to make a difference
BLAIR SHEADE | @REALBLAIRSHEADY
OKLAHOMA STATE: ANTHONY HICKEY, SR., PG.
The Cowboys have a void at the point guard position after Marcus Smart left school for the NBA. Hickey started three seasons with Louisiana State in a tough Southeastern Conference. Hickey averaged eight points, three assists and three rebounds for LSU last season
"We did have that inexperience at the point guard spot until we've got [Hickey]." Oklahoma State coach Travis Ford said "When you're a three-year starter in the SEC, you immediately get that respect. You get that respect."
TEXAS: MYLES TURNER, FR., F
The No. 2 center in the 2014 recruiting class, Myles Turner, brings style to a physical Texas team Texas coach Rick Barnes said Turner will play forward because he has the shooting ability, and Turner's athletic ability will allow him to guard quicker players.
[Turner] wanted to be a part of the program where he could be a part of it but not necessarily him be the program." Barnes said. "[Turner's] got to go from one play to the next play I'm watching that happen with him, and I'm watching him get better every day with it"
TCU. TREY ZEIGLER, SR., G.
Zeigler transferred from Pittsburgh University. and Texas Christian University will be his third school in four years. Zeigler averaged four points, one assist and two rebounds. TCU coach Trent Johnson said Zeigler will start right away for the Horned Frogs. and Zeigler is one of the leaders on the team
[Zeigler] is a guy that can create for himself" Johnson said. "He's scorer, not a shooter. He's a guy that can create for himself and can create for others."
BAYLOR: JONATHAN MOTLEY, REDSHIRT FR. F
The Bears are looking to replace former center Corey Jefferson, who led Baylor in points (13) and rebounds (8) Motley will start this season as a redshirt freshman, and Baylor coach Scott Drew said Motley gained a lot of weight during the off-season and practiced against Jefferson last season "[Motley] has really improved his body." Drew said "As most coaches will tell you, that freshman year, if you redshirt and you're able to focus on academics, adjust to college socially, be able to understand time management, and at the same time, be able to go against Cory Jefferson and Isaiah Austin everyday in practice, that's really going to be beneficial"
IOWA STATE
Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg loves transfers. The past two seasons, a Cyclone has won the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year award, guard Will Clyburn (2013) and guard DeAndre Kane (2014). This season, Bryce Dejean-Jones transferred to Iowa State from UNLV. Dejean-Jones, who is the preseason Big 12 newcomer of the year, averaged 13 points, three rebounds and three assists for the Running Rebels.
IOWA STATE: BRYCE DEJEAN-JONES, SR., G.
He's a guy you can use all over the floor, and [Depean Jones] fits well with our group at this point." Holberg said. He's extremely athletic. He plays above the rim in transition."
KANSAS STATE: JUSTIN EDWARDS, REDSHIRT IP. G
Kansas State coach Bruce Weber took a page out of Iowa State's book and signed three transfer players this season Junior guard Justin Edwards transferred from Maine, and will be an instant starter according to Weber. Edwards averaged 17 points. five rebounds and three assists at Maine last season He is known for his aggressiveness and dunking ability
"I believe [Edwards] scored a thousand points [at Maine] in two years." Weber said. "He can get to the basket I promise you one thing, he'll have some dunks that will get on ESPN."
TEXAS TECH. DEVAUGNTAH WILLIAMS, JR., G.
Williams transferred from Missouri-West Plains, where he was the best junior college player in Missouri and a top-20 junior college player in the nation. He averaged 17 points and four assists for Missouri-West Plains last season. Williams will not start this season because senior guard Robert Turner will be the Red Raiders' most experienced player.
we have a lot of new faces." Texas Tech coach Tubby Smith said. "We have added some depth in the backcourt so that should help in the execution of the offense and trying to finalize games, where we can win some close games"
OKLAHOMA: KHADEEM LATTIN, FR.. G
The Sooners added two freshmen who will help an Oklahoma team that has a depleted bench. Lattin can help in the backcourt to give guards Buddy Hield and Jordan Woodard rest. Both freshmen will see a lot of playing time this season, according to Oklahoma coach Lon Kruger. In high school, Lattin averaged 15 points and 14 rebounds per game. As a guard, Lattin can guard the bigger men, and can play forward, as well
"Khadeem Lattin and Jamuni McNeace, two guys that are rangy and athletic." Kruger said. "They've got great upside.A lot of excitement about watching them grow and develop as young players."
WEST VIRGINIA: JONATHAN HOLTON, JR. F
Holton transferred from Palm Beach State Community College and had to sit out the 2013-14 season Holton averaged 17 points and 14 rebounds per game while at Palm Beach State. West Virginia will add another big man to the roster, and West Virginia coach Bob Huggins said Holton will battle for playing time against sophomore forward Devin Williams.
"I don't know that I've had many people who have the enthusiasm that [Holton] has on a day-to-day basis." Huggins said. "He's a guy that I think at some point in time we're going to have to tell him to go ahead and try to score more."