'Roo Men's Basketball 2011-2012 Season Recap

The Austin College men's basketball team put together a strong season in 2011-2012, finishing the year with a 15-11 overall record, including an 11-5 mark in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play and earning their fifth straight trip to the conference tournament as the 2-seed out of the SCAC West. 

The 'Roos were led all season by senior forward Josh Saunders, who led the team with averages of 12.7 points and 6.5 rebounds per game and finished among the conference leaders in points, rebounds, blocked shots, steals and free throw percentage, and was second on the team with 59 assists. Saunders was named 1^st Team All-SCAC in recognition of his outstanding final season. 

First year forward Antoine Thompson had an immediate impact, finishing second on the team in scoring with 11.0 points and adding 4.3 rebounds per game despite coming off the bench all 26 games, and sophomore guards Ransom Okpala and Jordan Hancock each put together solid all around years, finishing third and fourth on the team in scoring, respectively. Both Okpala, who was among the conference leaders in free throw percentage, and Hancock, who led the team with 76 assists, were named Honorable Mention All-SCAC for their efforts. 

The 'Roos also got strong contributions from junior forwards Walter Phillips, who averaged 8.6 points and 4.1 rebounds per game, and Alen Michael, who stepped into a starting role this season and averaged 7.3 points and 6.2 rebounds while shooting 52.8% from the field for the year. Graduate student Greg Harrell, a two time 1^st Team All-SCAC wide receiver for the Kangaroo football team, started 24 games this season and quickly became one of the team's key contributors and top defensive players. 

Next season head coach Rodney Wecker will be forced to replace Saunders and Harrell, but the 'Roos return the bulk of their squad and look to be headed back to the SCAC tournament for a sixth straight season and challenge for the conference championship in 2012-2013.