OKLAHOMA CITY (Nov. 9, 2017) – There's no sugarcoating it: Oklahoma Christian men's basketball has fallen upon hard times, having endured four straight losing seasons for the first time in the program's proud history.

Few in NCAA Division II or the Heartland Conference seem to expect much from the Eagles during the 2017-18 season, either – and that's just the way second-year OC coach Cory Cole likes it. The way Cole sees it, the Eagles have absolutely no pressure on them, which should allow them to focus on the little things that make the difference between winning and losing.

"I always remind this team that it's still 0-0," Cole said. "Our potential is still to be determined. There's never any pressure, even when you're the favorite. You're hunted, but there's no pressure. These guys, we go out every game and call it the Super Bowl, because it's your biggest game. If we just take care of the game in front of us, we're going to be fine at the end of the day.

"Last year, I got ahead of the schedule, and you put too much pressure and expectation. It's just really day-to-day play, that singular focus. That way the guys don't get too far in front."

OC – which will open its season Friday against Texas A&M-Commerce in Wichita, Kan. – went 8-18 overall and 3-15 in Heartland play last season, a big reason why the Eagles were picked last in the preseason poll. But a closer look at last season's results show OC often kept games close against league opponents, but had trouble making the plays at the end. The Eagles went 3-8 in games decided by two possessions or less.

Thus, Cole's mantra this season: Finish.

"When it comes down to the last four minutes, what are you going to do?" Cole said. "Last year, we didn't finish. I didn't finish as a head coach. I didn't have my guys ready to finish in those situations. You really want to put those situations in play so that your guys get it."

Given a full off-season to recruit, Cole rebuilt his team from top to bottom. Only four players on OC's 16-man roster – guards Elijah Strickland, Jordan Box and Conner Johnson and forward Abel Rodriguez – saw the court for the Eagles last season. Cole looked for players who would give the Eagles versatility, not only by their ability to play different positions, but different styles of basketball that will allow the team to adapt to opponents.

"We can play a variety of ways," Cole said. "Whatever we can take advantage of, or what's rolling for us, is what we can do. We can definitely slow it down and pound the ball and play inside-out with our bigs. I want to take advantage of the opposition's weakness. We practice playing different styles. We have the talent to do it."

For four seasons, OC featured 7-foot All-America center John Moon in the middle, and knowing Moon's career was drawing to a close, Cole brought in 6-foot-11 center Miroslav Jaksic in 2016-17 as a redshirt player. After a year on the sidelines, Jaksic – a former NCAA Division I player at Grand Canyon – appears ready to blossom. A skilled, intelligent big man, Jaksic has tricky moves around the basket and the ability to step out and shoot midrange jumpers or fire the ball toward an open perimeter shooter.

Cole also has plenty of other options inside. Will Leinhard, a 6-foot-8 junior transfer from Oklahoma State, brings experience from practicing two seasons with a NCAA Division I-tournament team and is an outstanding screener. Freshman Larry Kuimi has big hands, an eagerness to rebound and a powerful presence inside, and Rodriguez has benefitted greatly from a season in Cole's system.

Junior-college transfer Roderick Smith is one of the team's energizers, one who consistently prowls the lane looking for a rebound to grab to start a fast break and who can defend all five positions. Transfer David Ogunwolu is "one of the best athletes on campus," Cole said, possessing tremendous leaping ability, and freshman Harrison Martin has good potential as he works to build strength and develop his game at the collegiate level.

On the wing, Strickland – the only four-year senior on OC's roster – will showcase his considerable shooting ability. The team's top returning scorer at 11.5 points per game and one of the Heartland's best outside shooters, Strickland will be asked to assume a heavier load on offense. Freshmen Derek Burgess II and Sebastien Davet (both of whom are 6-foot-5) also could see time at the small forward position, along with Smith and Rodriguez.

Junior guard Jordan Box (5.9 points per game last season) will focus primarily on the shooting guard position this season as the Eagles look to better utilize his ability to hit outside shots, drive to the basket and score in bunches. Davet, Burgess and Strickland also can step in to fill that role when Box is out of the game.

Cole is high on another transfer, junior point guard Charles Shaw, saying he possesses the basketball well, is strong at getting the ball to the right player and has an eagerness to play defense. Strickland, Johnson and freshman Travis Glover also could see time at the point.

Glover and Johnson, along with freshmen Kamren Evans and sophomore James Bagwell, also provide the Eagles strong competition in practice. Glover – whom Cole compares to 2017 senior Luis Lopez for his leadership abilities – will join Strickland and Box as this season's team captains.