Tulsa World: Wheatley ready for season debut

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Wheatley ready for season debut
Senior missed first four games after a self-reported NCAA violation.

TU forward Bishop Wheatley (center) watches the Golden Hurricane's game against Arkansas-Little Rock from the bench as he sits out TU's first four games because of a self-reported NCAA violation that happened in 2006. MICHAEL WYKE / Tulsa World

By ERIC BAILEY World Sports Writer
Published: 11/24/2009 2:21 AM
Last Modified: 11/24/2009 7:08 AM

"Free Bishop" signs could have been hot sellers at recent University of Tulsa basketball games.

Bishop Wheatley has had to sit out the Golden Hurricane's first four games this year because of a self-reported NCAA violation that happened in 2006. Add on his one-game suspension from a hard foul in last year's Conference USA Tournament, Wheatley has missed five of the program's last eight contests.

Wheatley will make his season debut in Tuesday's game against Loyola Marymount. Game time is 7 p.m. at the Reynolds Center.

Doug Wojcik shouted during a recent TU practice that "Bishop gets out of jail" this week.

The fifth-year coach has been impressed with his fifth-year senior's attitude. It's not only the current situation. Injuries like a broken foot and hand injury have sidelined Wheatley during his career.

"He never complains about anything," said Wojcik, who vehemently fought both suspensions. "He's taken it all in stride, just like he's taken every one of his injuries in stride. He's had quite a few of them."

"I know it seems like so much goes on," Wheatley says with a smile. "I don't know. I'm a high-spirited guy and try to look at the positives in everything."

Wheatley followed his freshman season with a redshirt year in 2006-07. He appeared in two exhibition games — totaling 12 minutes of action — prior to that second season. NCAA legislation doesn't allow non-freshman the chance to appear in exhibition games and then redshirt.

"A lot of people don't know the rule," Wojcik said. "I certainly don't think the punishment fits the crime, but it is what it is. We abided by it and we're moving on."

The penalization was that Wheatley had to miss the first four games of his remaining three seasons. TU chose to wait until this year and Wheatley has known this was coming for the past two years.

"It's been tough (sitting out)," Wheatley said. "Everybody wants to play and get in. I've been looking forward to my last year and getting to play with Jerome (Jordan) and Ben (Uzoh)."

Instead of sulking, Wheatley has been concentrating on workouts.

"I've treated practice like my games," he said. "I'm taking shots and getting my confidence going.

"It's good to see people like Shane (Heirman), Bryson (Pope) and Donte (Medder) get more time. It's good for them and they're playing well right now."

Wheatley was asked what improvements he had developed in his game during the offseason.

"I think scoring," he said. "I've been shooting the ball well in practice. Hopefully it carries over into the game."

Wheatley admitted that he's anxious for his first basket this season.

"I'm going to try to get him an easy one and get him going," Uzoh said. "I can't wait."

Eric Bailey 581-8391
eric.bailey@tulsaworld.com By ERIC BAILEY World Sports Writer

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GoldenDriller1, Out of Town (11/24/2009 7:21:12 AM)

It will be good to see Bishop on the floor. I am sure it will strengthen the team in point production, defense and rebounds.

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