Still searching for its first win, Ram Up enters this year’s The Basketball Tournament feeling confident and ready.
This will be Team Ram Up’s third year in The Basketball Tournament. In the first matchup, it went up against a seasoned veteran in the LA Cheaters and came up short. Last year, the team went against Team Arkansas and could not find its rhythm. This year. Ram Up will face Mass Street, the University of Kansas alumni team, and one of the best in the tournament.
It’s a new look Rams, with only two players from last year’s team returning, but one that is capable of shaking things up in the Wichita region.
For more TBT team profiles, click here.
Current Roster:
- Andy Ogide (Ole Miss & Colorado State)
- Carlbe Ervin (Kansas State)
- DeAngelo Riley (Ole Miss)
- DJ Cooper (Ohio)
- Greg Smith (Colorado State)
- Joel Scott (Colorado State)
- Joseph Palmer (Colorado State)
- Kendle Moore (Colorado State & Missouri State)
- Larry Plummer (Missouri Valley College)
- Patrick Cartier (Colorado State)
- Rob Upshaw III (Washington)
- Terrico White (Ole Miss)
- TK Edogi (Tulsa & Iona)
Coaching Staff:
- Ben Morgan (Assistant Coach)
- Delmar Johnson (Assistant Coach)
- Derrick Stevens (GM, Head Coach)
- Jason Smith (Assistant Coach)
Region: Wichita
All-time Record: 0-2
First Matchup: vs. Mass Street (July 20 at 8 p.m. on TBT Live)
Team MVP: Larry Plummer
Larry Plummer has been an active member of The Basketball League. Playing for Kokomo, he has some vital attributes. He has solid size for a guard and does it all. Plummer will be a menace to his defender and keep him on his toes. He has a strong pace but sees the court. He creates a shot for himself but doesn’t force it. Plummer can score from anywhere and will likely be the offensive weapon for this team. Currently, he shoots 3-pointers at a 43.4% clip, but that isn’t his go-to, and he is a productive free-throw shooter. He isn’t selfish and will be a vital part of this team. The one issue is that if he has an off night offensively, someone else will need to step up.
Make-or-break Player: TK Edogi
TK Edogi was a key offensive player for his last two teams overseas. He was a real contributor as a rebounder on both ends of the floor. This is where he will be a massive key for Ram Up. Edogi is a battler and, with his size, will face most players on the floor. Using his size, Edogi can get to the rim in different ways and could be a true show-stopper, depending on guard play. No surprise if you see alley-oops to this bouncy player or, more importantly, dunks off the rim. There will be opportunities for Edogi to shine and, with the right balance, put together an impressive highlight reel for TBT. Don’t get too comfortable guarding him. He is known to pull up for a 3-pointer here and there.
Team Outlook
Team Ram Up has a balanced build. With the different skill sets, ages, and talents, it will be interesting to see how they mesh. This team has a difficult matchup, but anyone can win any day. The scoring is set to be more focused on the mid-range rather than a bunch of sharpshooters. The younger guys will have to get used to the new rules and the physicality that the more veteran players will have become accustomed to. The basketball played in TBT is physical, so they will need to be ready for that as well.
Something to watch for is a potential third-round matchup against Team Colorado, the Colorado alumni team. Everyone loves an instate rivalry game, so this would be must must-watch TV. They have an uphill battle, and hopefully, for Ram Up, they won’t be a one-and-done once again.