Know Your Opponent: UL Monroe Warhawks

Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks
Monroe, Louisiana
Sun Belt Conference
2013-14 season: 10-17 (7-11 Sun Belt, 7th)
Head coach: Keith Richard, 5th season

The Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks two games this season have been a contrast in competition. In their season opener against UAB, the Warhawks defeated the Blazers, 74-65. The contest was a close matchup throughout, as ULM shot 42 percent, while UAB shot 41 percent. The Warhawks also had 40 rebounds, while UAB had 35. Four starters had double figures for ULM.

However, the opposition’s talent level dropped off significantly in Monday’s game against Champion Baptist College, where the Warhawks defeated the Tigers 106-39. Champion was far from one against UL-Monore; the Tigers didn’t have a player that scored in double digits. The Warhawks had major contributions from the bench, as forward Jamaal Samuel led the team with 18 points and guard Mack Foster had 13.

Key Player

Tylor Ongwae
Senior
Forward
6’7, 205 pounds

While UL-Monroe has shown multiple players can score this season, the one constant on the team is Ongwae. Tuesday, the senior was voted Sun Belt Player of the Week. In the two games this season, Ongwae have averaged 17 points per game and 7 rebounds per game.

Last season Ongwae had a strong season, averaging 17.5 ppg, as well as leading the team in free throw percentage (.764) and scoring a career-high 27 points in home games against Louisiana-Lafayette and Georgia State. Ongwae was also second on the team in rebounds (5.8), three pointers made (27) , blocks (19) and steals (30). After filling up the stat column last season, the senior earned 2013-14 NABC All-District Second Team and 2013-14 All-Sun Belt Third Team awards.

How they fare against Florida

The Gators are starting to get their numbers back with the return of forward Chris Walker Friday night. This will help a team whose front court has taken a hit with an injury to Dorian Finney-Smith, who missed the Gators’ game against Miami hairline fractures in his left index and middle fingers. Currently the projected starting lineup has Jacob Kurtz starting alongside Jon Horford for Friday, however, that may change by game time. The Gators play in the Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament next week, and may want to get their rotations prepared by starting Walker.

If Monday’s game against Miami was a good early season test for the Gators, Friday’s game UL-Monroe will be a poor one. While the Gators are still not at full speed, they should run away with this contest. The Warhawks have had scoring from different players, but the points were also put up against completion that pales in comparison to Florida. The team will not be able to keep up with the speed or skill of Florida, and Walker should have a big night against the big men of ULM. Horford stepped up big against Miami, scoring 17 points and showing his long-range ability. If the center can continue shooting well, either ULM will have to step out and defend, leaving opportunities for players to get open looks near the basket.

Florida’s guards should play well against the Warhawks. Eli Carter has proven to be the slasher that the Gators have been looking for, and Michael Frazier II may have more three-point opportunities with Florida’s improved ball rotations. Kasey Hill had a rough night offensively against Miami, but should bounce back in a convincing win for the Gators.

Ryan Randall
From Melbourne, Florida, Ryan has lived in Florida since he was three, becoming a sports fan around that age. His passion for journalism rivals his love of sports. Shortly out of high school he covered prep and community sports for his hometown paper in Brevard Country, before moving to Gainesville, where he covered the Gators in the pros as well as prep sports for a few publications. A Telecommunications major at UF, Ryan now interns at Gator Country and ecstatic to showcase his talents for the publication. When not working on stories, Ryan enjoys playing basketball, music, as well as art. Follow Ryan at @_RyanRandall_