Published: May 21, 2008 12:07 pm         

Sooners on top of list for Udoh

After a two-year stint at the University of Michigan, former Edmond Santa Fe standout Ekpe Udoh may be ready to suit up for the Sooners in the future.

’OU is probably at the top, I really like their style, the big men gets the touches,’ Udoh said. ’I like the staff and get along with them all really well.’

Udoh said he would like to stay in Oklahoma, and is also considering Oklahoma State. Udoh said he likes the enthusiasm new OSU head coach Travis Ford brings to the program, and admits the thought of reuniting with former Santa Fe teammates, Obi Muonelo and Andy Shaw is intriguing, but said it is more important to find a good fit.

’They have slight advantage, it’s really about what’s best for me,’ Udoh said. ’I think Coach Ford will do a great job, but I’ve already seen what (Jeff) Capel has done at OU.’

While Udoh’s preference would be to stay close to home, he is also considering several out-of-state schools including Baylor, Arkansas, Wichita State and Missouri State. Udoh is scheduled to travel to Baylor today, and plans to visit a few other schools on his list.

Udoh said his decision to leave Ann Arbor was based on his desire to be closer to home, and his lack involvement in the Wolverines’ offense.

In his two seasons with Michigan, the 6-foot-10 power forward played for two head coaches, Tommy Amaker, who was fired after the 2006-07 season, and John Beilein, who took over the program last year. In the two seasons, Udoh averaged 5.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.

’It was just hard for me to adjust to their offense,’ Udoh said. ’It just wasn’t what I came to college to do.’

While Udoh was not an key part of the Wolverines’ offense, he did excel on the defensive side. In two seasons in Ann Arbor, Udoh averaged 2.4 blocks per game, and was selected to the Big 10 all-defensive team in 2007-08, after leading the conference with 92 blocked shots.

Central Oklahoma women’s basketball coach Guy Hardaker, who coached Udoh at Santa Fe was surprised to hear he left Michigan.

’He didn’t talk to me about it before, and then I picked up from airport and had two monster suitcases,’ Hardaker said. ’I thought he might transfer after his first year, but then last season, I thought everything would be good, he was leading league in blocked shots.’

Hardaker said Udoh has several options, but believes he could easily fit in at OU or OSU.

’OU might be a better fit because of the timing, with Blake (Griffin) probably leaving next year, but I know he loves to play with Obie (Muonelo) and (Andy) Shaw, so that wouldn’t surprise me if he went to OSU, especially with their more up-tempo style of game,’ Hardaker said.

Udoh said plans to make a decision by early June. Under NCAA transfer rules, he would be forced to sit out one season.

     

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