Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
John Brown men have to replace key pieces
The John Brown University men’s basketball team enjoyed a banner season in 2018-19.
The Golden Eagles went 23-11 overall and 15-7 in the Sooner Athletic Conference, finishing second in the league and earning an atlarge berth in the NAIA Division I Men’s Basketball National Championships.
Led by All-Americans Jake Caudle and Josh Bowling, it was the most successful season so far under coach Jason Beschta.
But Caudle (16.5 points per game) and Bowling (15.9 ppg) have graduated and the Golden Eagles will have to replace their production as they try and earn their way back to the national tournament this season.
“I feel good about where we are,” said Beschta, who’s entering his sixth season. “There’s a lot of question marks but they’re good ones. Every year for us, our expectation is we’re going to develop and guys are going to make jumps. Jake did it. Bowling did it. We just need a couple of guys to make those jumps.”
The 2019-20 Golden Eagles opened their season against Crowley’s Ridge College at Bill George Arena in the world famous Toilet
“I feel good about where we are. There’s a lot of question marks but they’re good ones. Every year for us, our expectation is we’re going to develop and guys are going to make jumps.”
— John Brown University men’s basketball coach Jason Beschta
Paper Game on Nov. 2.
While JBU does have several returners, there will be lots of new faces as well as the Golden Eagles try and find the right mix on the court.
“I think we’ve got a chance to be really good defensively right off the bat,” Beschta said. “That’s been a trademark for us. The question is how are we going to score? We’re making up a lot of points. I don’t know if we’ll be able to do it with a stud or two, but I think we’ll do it by committee. We have a lot of guys that are capable on any given night. We have the look of having some depth but I don’t know yet.”
JBU will depend on seasoned juniors Rokas Grabliauskas (8.9 ppg), Densier Carnes (6.9 ppg) and senior post Quintin Bailey (5.7), who all played large roles on last year’s team. Sophomore guards Luke Harper (5.9) and Ira Perrier — the team’s best defender — also played a lot last year.
The Golden Eagles also will have several newcomers enter the mix for playing time.
WOMEN
There’s no doubt that the John Brown women’s basketball team will have a different look to it this season.
That’s inevitable when you lose an All-American like Baily Cameron, who rewrote numerous records in her fouryear career, including the scoring mark.
“I expect this group — compared to what people think — we’re going to be overachievers,” said head coach Jeff Soderquist, who’s entering his 23rd season at the helm of the women’s basketball program. “I think we’ll be better defensively We’re really going to get after people defensively and look a little different offensively. I think we’re going to surprise some people. My expectations are high of this team.
“We’re not going to have the glamour of an All-American like Baily, but we’re going to outwork the people we play.”
The Golden Eagles, who went 17-13 overall and 13-9 in the Sooner Athletic Conference last season, opened their season against Crowley’s Ridge College on Nov. 2.
The biggest challenge for JBU will be replacing the offensive production lost off of last year’s team.
John Brown senior Jordan Martin is the team’s top returning scorer at 7.7 points per game, while junior point guard Taylor Fergen averaged 7.4 points and is the team’s leading returning rebounder at 5.4 boards per contest.
Senior forward Ally Teague of Berryville, senior guard Sara Williams also return, as do sophomores Marta Matamala and Maddie Altman, who both significant playing time as freshmen.
JBU has four freshman on the roster and they’re all expected to help in some way.
“I like all four of them,” Soderquist said. “They’re coachable. They’re eager. They’re working hard. I think it’s a good freshman class.”
“I expect this group — compared to what people think — we’re going to be overachievers.”
— John Brown University women’s basketball coach Jeff Soderquist