Marty Simmons has always tried to produce the typical OVC-type squad since joining the league in 2021. The slow-paced, grind-it-out style of play with a defense focused on creating turnovers in the half-court has been a calling card for many teams in the conference, but he thinks it's time for a different look.
"Our guards, I think, bring a lot of speed and athleticism, and it's going to give us the ability to, I think, play at a better pace," said Simmons. "We've always tried to run off steals and misses, but this year I think we'd like to push the pace on makes as well and put more pressure on the defense…we've had to adjust a little bit."
With those adjustments came the need for a new crew to man the floor, and Simmons knew exactly which man to go for.
"I love Jaden Miller," said Simmons. "He's an awesome person, and he's probably the first true point guard we've had here at Eastern. Most of our other guys could score it and do some other things, and not that he can't, because he can, but he's really a pass first guy; he sees the floor in transition extremely well. I think he makes guys better, [and] has the ability to get in the paint, create opportunities for his teammates defensively and can really pressure and cause some havoc there, so we're excited about him."
Miller hails from the division II level at East Central University, where the 6'1 guard led DII in assists, averaging 8.3 per game while scoring 10.7 points for the Tigers and leading the team to a 15-14 record on the year. His creating and efficiency in the passing game project to improve the Panthers dismal 18.6% turnover rate (302nd nationally).
Anything But Mid College Basketball Podcast
"Really, I just enjoy being relentless," said Miller. "Playing through fatigue, all of that, and just really just making the right read, and still having to be an extension of coach. It's a big task, but I feel like I'm fit for it. I'm built for it. It's just going through all the reps and just gaining trust from all my guys. They're just pouring confidence back into me, so it just makes me want to play harder for them. I feel like it just really just comes with the reps. I've been a passer my whole life, so I just feel like it just comes natural."
In the scoring game, Simmons had an answer for that weakness too.
"Jalen Calloway played for a great program at Vincennes," he continued. "Really athletic and can score from all three levels. You know that he's played at a high level of junior college. He's had some success and brings athleticism and scoring to our team. Devin Davenport, kind of the same thing. Played at Missouri Valley…played for a really good coach there in Jim Boone, and can score from all three levels. He just handles the ball and has a knack for getting the ball in the basket, so I think those guys bring that scoring mentality to our basketball team."
While Davenport projects as the starter, Calloway, along with a slew of other talented guards, provide excellent competition in the backcourt to replace the production of Zion Fruster and Meechie White from a year ago. Markus Blackwell returns to take a larger chunk of minutes at the off guard along with JT Elder, who played some promising minutes in one game last year for the Panthers before falling to a season-ending injury.
"Marcus Blackwell was a freshman last year," he said. "Didn't play a lot early, but he really came on and did a lot of really good things the second half of the season. I think he shot over 40% from three, but he's a guy who's gotten stronger here since the season, and I think he's got a lot of confidence coming into the year … .then [there's] JT Elder. He just played the first half against Kentucky. That's it, but we really felt like he might have been one of our most versatile guys last year."
In the frontcourt, Simmons wasn't looking for a replacement from a year ago, he's looking for a new vision.
"We're super excited about Tanner [Vogel] as well," said Simmons. "The other seven footer I think we've had in the program was a guy named Kevin Duckworth…he was a heck of a player. Had a great NBA career with the Portland Trailblazers, so Tanner averaged a double-double down there at Faulkner, playing for a great coach, Scott Sanderson, so he's been coached. He's got a great skill set: he can shoot threes, he handles it, passes it. I look at him as one of our most talented players, just because of his size and his ability to do the things that I just talked about…he really wants to be a great player."
Vogel, standing at seven feet even, averaged 11.4 points and 10.0 assists per game as he led Faulkner State to the NAIA national tournament round of 16 whilst shooting 55.3% from the field. He anticipates to lead a frontcourt alongside DII transfer Demar Burton, who put up 9.3 points and 5.8 rebounds at Tiffin last season.
"Damar, he can play the four or the five, [and is] very athletic and very long," continued Simmons. "Did a lot of really good things at Tiffin. He's got a great attitude and is just one of our more athletic guys on the team, so there is a lot of competition on our team, but again, I think he's a great depth piece, one we certainly did not have last year."
