Ohio Valley Conference report

SportsLine Report
March 12, 2000

In the Paint

The Skyhawks were picked to finish last in the OVC race in a preseason poll of coaches and sports information directors, and they surely raised some eyebrows, especially early in the season.

After a tortuous early-season schedule, the Skyhawks upset OVC champion Southeast Missouri State, Eastern Illinois and Tennessee State, then went on the road and beat Morehead and Eastern Kentucky. They were 5-2 at that point, then lost six straight.

When the season ended, the Skyhawks were 10-19 overall (after a 2-8 start) and seventh in the OVC with a 7-11 record.

Not bad for a young team and a first-year coach, Bret Campbell. This team seems to be on the right track after a rebuilding season.

A Glance at 2001

With all but one player returning, the future looks bright at Tennessee-Martin. Bret Campbell, hired last March, was able to land some good recruits despite limited time to find them. With a year of coaching under his belt, a bunch of good players coming back, and another recruiting year, Campbell could have the Skyhawks soaring higher next season.

They won't be ready for a run at the OVC title, but at least they're headed in the right direction.

The Coach

After spending seven season as the top assistant at Austin Peay, Bret Campbell made the most of his first season as a head coach. Campbell, who also spent seven seasons as an assistant under Joe Dean Jr. at Birmingham Southern and Central Florida, is a good recruiter and a good bench coach. He's shown he can recruit. In one season, Campbell started transforming the Skyhawks into a quick, athletic team that is suited for the OVC battles.

Who'll Be Back

Four starters return for the Skyhawks, led by junior post player Byron Benton, sophomore post guard Andrae Betts and freshman swingman Okechi Egbe. Benton, a JC transfer, was a hit in his first season, ranking 12th in the OVC in scoring (14.3) and 19th in rebounding (4.9). Betts, a two-year starter, is a solid point guard who led the league in steals (2.55) and was sixth in assists (4.31).

Egbe was the OVC's freshman of the year.

Who's Gone

Steve Jordan, a 6-3 swingman, was the only senior on the Skyhawks' roster, and he was only a part-time starter early in the season.