Published: March 25, 2008 04:51 pm      

Sosanya, a true rarity

Four-year players at Division II are rare

The Central Oklahoma men’s basketball program has had its share of great players come in and out of Hamilton Field House. But it is very rare at the Division II level to get a four-year player, especially one with the ability of freshmen forward Michael Sosanya.

The 6-6 forward, who won two state titles at Bishop McGuinness, has been the Bronchos biggest surprise, already being named the Lone Star Conference North Division’s Freshmen of the Year.

“We didn’t know he was as skilled as he was. We knew he was a good player, but it’s a big transition coming in from high school, playing against seniors and juniors in college. But in the first game of the season he had a double-double,” assistant coach Roland Ware said. “It was shocking.”

Now the Bronchos are 28-5, and preparing to play No. 10-ranked Augusta State in its first Elite Eight game since 1992, led by another four-year player in Sam Belt.

Like Belt in 2004, Sosanya isn’t your typical Division II freshmen. At 6-6, 240, Sosanya has the size and strength, and the upside to become one of the best in UCO’s history.

“I think if not next year, then by his junior year, he will be dominate,” Ware said. “Much like Coach Evans and myself when we came to the University of Oklahoma, Mike came into a great situation. He’s surrounded by good upperclassmen, Sam Belt, John Neal, Lance Harper, David Thomas ... that takes a lot of pressure off of him. We don’t expect him to have a great performance every night. But to get a player like him for four years is a gift. He already averages a point every minute he plays.”

The road has not been the easiest for Sosanya. He had a hard time adjusting to the speed of the college game, and according to Ware, still needs to get his footwork down in order to be successful in the long run.

“It’s been hard, but I know my role, I know that if I’m in the game, I need to put points up, play hard, and get rebounds. If I don’t do that, I don’t play,” Sosanya said. “The biggest thing is to play defense. I feel like if we can shut people down on defense, we have the scorers to beat anyone we face”

The coaches believe this is not the most talented squad they’ve had at UCO. But it’s the players ability to play their roles, and play as a team that has been the difference.

“Me and Coach Evans have talked about that a lot recently. We have guys that have accepted their role, and one great player in Sam Belt. We have several guys that are capable of hitting the big shot, but the difference this year, is the team doesn’t care who it is that takes it,” Ware said. “In the come-from-behind win against Tarleton State, Sam had two assists in the final minute. He had one to Michael, and one to Eric Cazenave for the game winner. It’s that unselfishness that builds other players confidence.”

And the Bronchos are riding that confidence and a nine-game winning streak to Springfield, Mass., as they play Augusta State at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the MassMutual Center.

“I really didn’t know we would be this good when I first came here. It’s all about the team here. I don’t think we had the most talent in the LSC, but we won the LSC North title, and the LSC tournament, because we play as a team. That’s ultimately going to lead us to the national title,” Sosanya said.