Men's Basketball 10/11/2022 9:30:00 AM Chris Brannick

UCO Picked Second In Preseason Polls

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Central Oklahoma was picked second in both the MIAA Preseason Coaches' Poll and the league's preseason media poll, it was announced Tuesday.

READ THE MIAA RELEASE HERE

League commissioner Mike Racy announced both polls at the onset of MIAA Basketball Media Day, presented by Seigfreid Bingham, at the College Basketball Experience.

Central Oklahoma finished the 2021-22 season 24-7 and won the first MIAA regular season basketball championship since joining the league 10 years ago. The Bronchos posted an 18-4 record in league play. The conference win total is tied for the fifth-best mark by any team in league history.

"We're excited to get back on the floor and play again," UCO head men's basketball coach Bob Hoffman said. "The guys that are back are looking to be better than we were last year and we feel good about some new pieces we brought in. It's a tough league that demands a lot but we're excited to get started."

Central Oklahoma returns fifth-year seniors point guard Callen Haydon and forward Camryn Givens, as well as third-year sophomore Jaden Wells, who won the NCAA statistical championship for free-throw percentage a year ago.

Haydon dished out 182 assists last season. That was the most in the MIAA and ranked No. 7 in the country. He also landed at No. 4 on Central's single season list. Haydon has 306 career assists at UCO in two seasons with the Bronchos.

Givens hit the 1,000-point mark for his career in the MIAA Basketball Championship semifinals last season and looks to climb the list at UCO this winter.

Wells already has 145 career made 3-pointers. His 89 makes from deep last season put him No. 10 in school history for one season.

The Bronchos also bring back Jalyn Turner, Austin Fenton, Preston Aymond and Danquez Dawsey. All saw regular minutes last season including in the NCAA national tournament.

Newcomers Curtis Haywood, Tre'Veon Ellis, Luke Haasl and Ben Averitt will look to get in the mix this season.

Central Oklahoma begins the 2022-23 season in November. UCO will play Mary (N.D.) and Northwestern Oklahoma State in Billings, North Dakota before making its home debut. UCO hosts Barclay College and Kansas Christian and will then make a trip way out west for the Hawaii Thanksgiving Classic.

The Bronchos also have one more non-conference game nestled between Christmas and New Year's Eve after opening its 22-game MIAA schedule.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#23 Preston Aymond: F; 6' 7"; Sophomore

#3 Danquez Dawsey: G; 6' 2"; Sophomore

#32 Austin Fenton: F; 6' 8"; Sophomore

#33 Camryn Givens: F; 6' 6"; Senior

#14 Callen Haydon: G; 5' 11"; Senior

#10 Jalyn Turner: F; 6' 6"; Junior

#2 Jaden Wells: G; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#0 Curtis Haywood: G; 6' 5"; Senior

#5 Tre'Veon Ellis: G; 6' 1"; Senior

#11 Luke Haasl: F; 6' 10"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#23 Preston Aymond
: 6' 7"; Sophomore
: F

#3 Danquez Dawsey
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: G

#32 Austin Fenton
: 6' 8"; Sophomore
: F

#33 Camryn Givens
: 6' 6"; Senior
: F

#14 Callen Haydon
: 5' 11"; Senior
: G

#10 Jalyn Turner
: 6' 6"; Junior
: F

#2 Jaden Wells
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: G

#0 Curtis Haywood
: 6' 5"; Senior
: G

#5 Tre'Veon Ellis
: 6' 1"; Senior
: G

#11 Luke Haasl
: 6' 10"; Sophomore
: F