The Scouting Report: Tulane Green Wave

Record: 7-7 (0-1 American)
Head Coach: Ed Conroy
Kenpom Rating: 197

The Green Wave have dropped three of their last four games including a loss in Memphis Tuesday night in their American Athletic Conference opener. Despite having a two-point lead over the Tigers at halftime, Tulane was outscored by 14 in the second half as the Green Wave finished the night with a 35.3 field goal percentage to go along with 17 turnovers. The loss to Memphis came after a 59-40 victory against Southern Miss in which Tulane clamped down on defense, allowing just 19 points in the first half.

Tulane has one victory this season over a team with a winning record. In late November, sophomore Dylan Osetkowski scored a layup with 16 seconds left to give the Green Wave a 60-59 victory over Stephen F. Austin (7-5), which is currently rated No. 144 in the country in KenPom. Senior Louis Dabney led the way with 13 points as the Green Wave overcame a 13-point halftime deficit.

Statistically, head coach Ed Conroy's squad has struggled offensively, ranking in the bottom third of the country in all major offensive categories including points per game (67.6), field goal percentage (42.4), 3-point percentage (30.8), turnovers per game (14.4) and assists per game (12.2).

On the other side of the ball, the Green Wave have done well, allowing 66.4 points per game which ranks 85th in the country.

Last season, Tulane was a guard-dominated team with three players who could fill up the scoring column in any game.  But Jay Hook's graduation and Jonathan Stark's decision to transfer to Murray State has left Conroy with a different style of offense this year, playing more through the versatile Osetkowski. The sophomore is one of three players averaging more than 30 minutes per game and double-digit scoring for the Green Wave.

Key Players

#0 Louis Dabney, Senior, Guard (6-3, 210): 13.2 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.4 APG, 34.6% FG, 33.3% 3PT
The keys to the offense are now in Dabney's hands with the departures of Hook and Stark, though Dabney has hit a bit of a cold streak in his last three games. After scoring in double figures in 10 of his first 11 games, the senior has missed the mark in three straight games, going 9-for-29 from the field. Dabney is looking to break out of his shooting slump with the arrival of conference play, and if the Green Wave want any chance of upsetting the Huskies, they are going to need him to return to form.

#13 Malik Morgan, Redshirt Junior, Guard (6-4, 205): 11.6 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.8 APG, 47.3% FG, 35.7% 3PT
After seeing a dip in minutes from his freshman to sophomore year, Morgan decided to transfer from LSU and is already making an impact on the court. The redshirt junior guard has adjusted well to Conroy's offense and has started to pick up the slack with Dabney struggling. Morgan has now scored in double figures in four straight games including an 18-point performance in the loss to Memphis.

#21 Dylan Osetkowski, Sophomore, Forward (6-8, 245): 10.4 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 48.2% FG, 2-14 3PT
One of the more versatile players on this Tulane team, Osetkowski has made big strides in his sophomore season, seeing a giant leap in minutes, points and rebounds. The 6-foot-8-inch forward can play in the post and away from the basket, but there is a good chance he may struggle going against much more athletic UConn players. Ostekowski has scored in double figures eight times this season, pulled down at least 10 rebounds seven times and has recorded five dobule-doubles.

#22 Jernard Jarreau, Senior, Forward (6-10, 235): 7.8 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.5 BPG, 46.7% FG, 4-11 3PT
A graduate transfer from Washington, Jarreau is still trying to find his role with his new team.  After averaging just five points in his final season at UW, the 6-foot-10-inch forward has proven that he has the ability to fill up the scoring column with Tulane but has yet to do it on a consistent basis. Jarreau is shooting well from the floor, but Conroy is still looking for him to be more aggressive. He has scored in double figures five times this season.

#5 Cameron Reynolds, Sophomore, Forward (6-7, 215): 7.2 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 37.1% FG, 9-31 3PT
Reynolds missed the first four games of the season and is struggling to find consistency on offense. However, with Dabney slumping, the sophomore swingman has scored in double figures in two straight games, including 15 points in the loss to Memphis.

Head Coach Ed Conroy

Conroy is in his sixth season with Tulane, where he has compiled a 87-88 record. The 48 year old has had just one winning season in his six years as the Green Wave head coach, going 20-15 in 2012-13. Before Tulane, he was the head coach at The Citadel for four years, compiling a 49-76 record with one winning season. Conroy has spent time as an assistant coach at North Carolina State, VMI, Furman, Tulsa, Tennessee and Coastal Carolina. Overall, he holds a 136-164 record as a head basketball coach.