Men’s basketball wraps up season

The season is now over for basketball, but many students were left wondering if head men's basketball coach Andy Carrier is wrapping up his time here at Ottawa.

Carrier expressed that he wants to remain at OU for years to come.

"I have no plans to quit coaching anytime soon," Carrier said. "With the continued support of the university I have many good years left in me."

This season, Carrier broke the records for most wins in OU basketball history.

"I am very proud," he said. "Mainly because I had the opportunity to get to know and work with Coach Bill Frear when I first came to OU and I know what kind of man he was. Beyond his great coaching abilities, he was a man of character and really cared about the student athletes on and off the court."

But Carrier also thanks the students who have made it possible.

"I am very grateful for all the great student athletes I have had the privilege to coach and all of the assistant coaches that have played a large role in our success," he said. "I am proud of all them and the successful people they have become since graduating from OU."

The boys will be starting next season off with familiar faces and new recruits. Carrier says the team and probably will have five to nine new members.

With a year under their belt, the young team has high hopes for next season.

"Our goals for next year are the same for every year and include upholding OU Basketball traditions on and off the court such as: being committed in the classroom and to earning a degree, representing ourselves, our team and our school with class win or lose and winning the KCAC Championship and qualifying for the NAIA National Tournament," Carrier said.

Along with Carrier's goals, some of the men have team building opinions for next years season as well.

"I think we need to be more together as a team," freshman Chase Dipple said. "We also need more teamwork on the court."

Working as a team is something many of the players seem to have in mind for next season.

"As a team we probably need to learn our roles better and use more teamwork skills," freshman Corey Smith said. "We also need to bond together more and minimize our turnovers."

Carrier continues to say that in the off season he encourages players to focus in on classroom responsibilities first, but also would like the team to lift weights to get stronger and find some time to get into the gym and work on their skills and play.

"Personally I think I need to be in better shape," Dipple said. "Being in shape is the main key for me to go hard the whole game." ?
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