Issue date: 11/13/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Jim Moldenhauer / Daily Vidette Photo Editor Senior guard Champ Oguchi is looking to take on a key role after sitting out all of last season. He had 18 points in the Redbirds' preseason game.

If there is one player on the Redbird men's basketball team most anxious to start the 2008-09 season, it certainly appears to be senior Champ Oguchi.

The 6-foot-6 shooting guard transferred from the University of Oregon after three seasons with the Ducks and had to sit out a year via NCAA transfer policies.

After watching the ISU basketball team go 25-10 last season, Oguchi has been anxious to hit the hardwood as a Redbird.

"I'm very hungry to get on the court," Oguchi said. "It was fun watching those guys [last year's team] play and watching them compete. At the same time, I wanted to be out there with those guys competing and playing. I'm itching to get back out on the court and it's going to be a great experience."

Oguchi's eagerness to play with the 'Birds was evident in Tuesday's exhibition contest against Illinois-Springfield. Oguchi started a bit timid, but settled down in the second half - eventually ending with 18 points off of four three-pointers.

"It's been a long time since I got out there and made a couple shots in competition," Oguchi said after seeing action for the first time in 19 months. "The first half, I had the freshman jitters. Once those wore off I felt pretty comfortable out there again."

Oguchi brings a polished resume to the Illinois State basketball team. At Oregon, Oguchi was part of an Elite-Eight run in the NCAA Tournament.

In his sophomore year with the Ducks, Oguchi made 14 three-pointers in the Pac-10 Tournament for the tournament record. An injury set Oguchi backwards and his junior season wasn't quite as successful as his sophomore season.

"Champ was a highly recruited player out of high school...then he had really an outstanding sophomore year and then his junior year, he got hurt and things didn't work out," ISU head coach Tim Jankovich said.

"I think he has a lot to prove. He is very hungry and he has worked very hard as long as he has been here. He has his chance and hopefully he is in for a great year."

Oguchi was a fan of Jankovich's system and felt a fresh start with the Redbirds was the medicine he needed.

Continued...

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