It’s been well over a month since Tulane’s football season came to yet another disappointing end. After finishing a mere 3-9 (1-7 American), the Green Wave and their fans are in serious need of something positive.
Switching gears to the 2015-16 basketball season, Tulane finds itself in a deep hole after a 7-10 start. Now, head coach Ed Conroy and the Green Wave must find a way to overcome an 0-4 record in American Athletic Conference play in order to give their fans that much-needed sigh of relief.
A sluggish start has Tulane currently positioned 10th in the conference, looking down at only the USF Bulls (3-14, 0-4). All hope is not lost though, as conference play is still young and there is time for a rebound (no pun intended). However, if the Green Wave are to reverse their early season misfortunes, they must improve in several vital areas.
Tulane is currently shooting just above 60 percent from the free throw line and a dismal 41.7 percent from the field – two numbers that must go up if it is to compete in a conference that houses teams such as SMU (15-0, 4-0), Cincinnati (12-5, 2-2), and UConn (11-4, 2-1).
The Green Wave, though, will be granted a prime opportunity to give these numbers a makeover when it takes on South Florida this upcoming Tuesday night, Jan. 11. The Bulls, like the Green Wave, are winless in the AAC, and are turning the ball over an average of nearly 15 times per game. Tulane will have the chance to capitalize on mistakes and earn its first conference win of the season.
Moving forward to USF and beyond, Tulane features several players who will be key components in turning their season around.
Senior guard Louis Dabney has had his name called consistently this season, and rightfully so. Dabney leads the team in points scored (218) and points per game (12.9) as well as made free throws (62) and three-pointers (28). Hopefully continuing to be the productive player he has proven to be, Dabney is paired with another senior, guard Malik Morgan, who leads the team with 45 assists.
It’s these two that need to step up their game and improve Tulane’s ability to score in the second half of the season, as the Green Wave currently rank 307th nationally in scoring (66.3 points per game). On the defensive side of the ball, sophomore Dylan Osetkowski must also maintain his level of play. Osetkowski currently has a team-leading 154 rebounds and 22 steals.
Being the No. 10 in the AAC tournament this spring would be a huge letdown; this team, like all others, wants to roar into the postseason, instead of limp. If they are to deliver some haymakers down the stretch, then the Green Wave must not be phased by their 0-4 conference start and use this adversity to strengthen themselves for a potential late run.
It all begins when they hit the road and head to Tampa to take on USF on Jan. 12., where tip off is set for 7:00 p.m. ET.
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