With the 2018 regular season coming to an end Saturday afternoon, the Warhawks look to take the 2018 Sun Belt Championship by storm. And this year’s team has just the tools to do it.
Junior forward Travis Munnings will need to play like he’s done all year. Munnings took charge this season, bringing in an average of 16.3 points and tallying 7.3 boards per game,to lead the Warhawks in both categories. Munnings also lead the team in minutes played this year, playing an average of 34.3 minutes per game. It’s safe to say ULM will look to Travis to continue the dominant play in the tournament and into the 2019 season.
With ULM’s four-man senior class, the Warhawks will lose big time players this season. Sam McDaniel, finished the season with an impressive 15.4 points and 5.6 boards per game. His explosive drives to the basket and his dangerous three-point ability was the spark that turned the Warhawks season around. McDaniel hit six shots from beyond the arc in two games this season to energize his team going forward.
Forward Marvin Jean-Pierre will also be hanging up his ULM jersey this year. He was good for 10.4 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. His board total was third overall on the team, only behind Munnings and McDaniel. Jean-Pierre’s drive was unmatched on the court this season, as he fought for rebounds and loose balls like nobody else.
Seniors Jordon Harris and Lance Richards will also be leaving the Warhawks this season. Harris averaged 9.7 points per game to lead the bench in scoring. While Richards brought a confidence and positivity to the entire team.
But everything, from McDaniel’s scoring abilities to Jean-Pierre’s all-around hustle and drive, to Harris’s outstanding bench production and Richard’s leadership and positivity, will need to be on display as the Warhawks look to do damage in the Sun Belt Championship.
Freshman guard Michael Ertle made a huge statement this year when he showed that he can put up numbers as a freshman. He averaged 11.3 points and finished third in total assists on the team with 62.
Ertle and Munnings both shot lights out, hitting over 45% of their shots and combining for a total of 771 points. This production from the underclassman is exactly what ULM needs going forward. The future of Warhawk basketball looks bright in the hands of these two.
The Warhawks will play in the Sun Belt Championship starting Wednesday, March 7, in New Orleans, LA. They are currently sitting as the fifth seed in the conference.