It was expected that redshirt junior transfer Jeremiah Davis would be the starting shooting guard for the men's basketball team to begin the 2014-15 season.
That plan quickly changed however, when Davis suffered a right foot injury, sidelining him eight to 10 weeks.
With the void left behind by Davis' injury, no player's role will increase more than freshman Jeremie Tyler.
“[Tyler's a guy] who can score points for himself plus his teammates around him,” head coach James Whitford said. “I think he’s ready to have a great year.”
As a senior at Arsenal Tech High School in Indianapolis, Ind., Tyler averaged 16.2 points per game, while shooting 59 percent from the field and 42 percent from 3-point range. He ended his high school career with over 1,000 points and the school record for most 3-pointers in a career.
Whitford said Tyler has an ability to score the ball that he expects to translate well to the college game.
“He’s very offensive minded, and he’s a guy who brings real offensive power to the team, whether it’s starting or off the bench,” Whitford said.
Tyler was an Indiana All-Star and a second-team All-State selection as a senior. He helped lead Arsenal Tech to a 27-2 record and the school's first 4A state championship and a top-10 national ranking.
He said he feels his starting experience in high school will help him now that he has been thrust into a starting role. Tyler is confident that he has the skillset to perform well for the Cardinals.
Preseason practice has helped Tyler improve his ball handling and shooting, two vital skills needed at the guard position. Although the position remains the same, the jump from high school to college basketball can be tough for some players.
“It’s a little bit of pressure because the speed is different in college then it is in high school,” Tyler said.
Knowing college guards are faster and stronger, Tyler has adjusted by improving his physique, adding muscle and increasing his weight to 160 pounds.
Whitford said he expects Tyler to be ready for the season opener against Utah on Friday, and for the young guard to make an immediate impact.
Tyler just wants to play his game.
“I want to be very aggressive and let everything come to me,” Tyler said. “Don’t force anything and try to handle the pressure.”
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