It’s hard to believe, but college basketball season is here. This week, we’ll preview Michigan’s 19 junior college teams.

By Patrick Hayes

At a glance

• Coach: Antoine Joubert, fifth season
• Last year: 26-5, 16-2 MCCAA
• Conference: Michigan Community College Athletic Association
• Key losses: Anthony Welch, Assad Robinson, Njoku Ugochukwu, Clavontae Brown
• Key additions: (freshmen) Jamie Pearson, Chibunna Ukanda, Marshaun Lundy, Justin Jarvis, Lorenzo Geeter, James Racicot, Daemar Thomas, Jamertis Wade; (sophomores) Brandan Robinson, Carlos Eubanks, Darius Stevens, Richard Hill
• Team website
• Oakland C.C. news on BallinMichigan

Overview

Oakland was the second best JUCO team in Michigan last season. Unfortunately, because they were the second best team in the Eastern Conference and Michigan sends only one team from each conference to nationals, they missed out on a chance at the national tournament. It’s a shame, too, because they had the talent to compete for a national tite.

Strengths

Aaron Hayes was great as a freshman last season. At 6-foot-3 and filled out, he has prototypical Division I size for a guard. He’s a good ball-handler, strong finisher, great defensive player and if he improves his shot selection a bit to get those percentages up — 38 percent from the field and 32 percent from three — he’ll undoubtedly be one of, if not the, top guards in the state. He has the shooting ability to be a really high efficiency guard if that outside shot is more consistent this season. Hayes led the team in scoring at 15.2 points per game, and with more efficient shooting, he’ll easily threaten 20 points per game or more this season.

Along with Hayes, Oakland also brings back James Chappell, who averaged 12.9 points per game (second on team) last season. The team also will work several freshmen and transfers into the lineup. Oakland has had good success in recent years getting immediate production from newcomers, so expect that to continue.

Weaknesses

The team loses some scoring on the wings in Welch and Robinson and a solid backup guard in Brown, but Ugochukwu is by far the biggest loss here. Arguably the top defensive big man in the state last season, Ugochukwu, who is now playing at University of Detroit, was a major force protecting the rim and anchoring Oakland’s defense last season. He moved well for a big man, finished well around the basket and, although the team does have some size in its freshman class, it will be hard to replicate the defensive presence Ugochukwu had last season. He allowed the guards to pressure the ball more with him back to protect against penetration. His loss could certainly hurt Oakland’s defense.

Circle these dates …

• Jan. 16 and Feb. 13 — Henry Ford finished in third in the conference last season and looks to close the gap on the teams that finished in front of them, including Oakland.
• Jan. 19 and Feb. 16 — Oakland’s only two conference losses last season were close ones to Mott. OCC will try to end that streak this season.

Outlook

Oakland dropped its season-opener to Kalamazoo Valley, so the team might not be as dominant as last season. Oakland has way too much talent not to be in the conference title conversation by the end of the season, though.

Previously

• Alpena needs to replace talented foursome from last season
• Sophomore Larry Taylor leads an improving Jackson C.C. program into season
• Delta loses All-American Jody Hill in quest for third straight district final four
• Kellogg’s Darius Holman among state’s top returning players
• Wayne County returns two big-time scorers
• New coach hoping to lead Lake Michigan to more success
• Mix of new and old talent should help Kalamazoo Valley improve
• Schoolcraft has to replace four key players, including star Karl Moore
• Large group of transfers should offset Glen Oaks’ loss of Karvel Anderson
• Henry Ford looking to replace Eastern Michigan-bound James Still
• Patrick Ferrell will anchor solid Macomb lineup
• Muskegon has to replace nearly entire team from last season
• Mid-Michigan C.C. features team of all freshmen
• Kirtland has to replace John Edwards, Stavros Schizas
• St. Clair returns top scorer Johnnie Mills
• Talented freshman class should keep GRCC in contention

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