Eric Moreland (2009) TR/UTEP

Signed FAA – 05/2010

Eric Moreland – 6’9″, 200, RSFR, Missouri City, Tx (Hightower/Ocean Academy/UTEP)

Moreland seemed to come out of nowhere this past spring to sign a financial aid agreement with the Beavs.  He was considering Oregon and Arkansas when he decided to call Corvallis home.

He enrolled at UTEP for the 2010 Winter Term, and he planned on a red shirt year before playing for Tony Barbee this fall.  But Barbee was hired away by Auburn, and incoming coach Tim Floyd informed Moreland that he would not be used in the new system.  I’m not sure why, but, whatever the circumstances, Coach Rob seems to have found a skilled combo forward for our roster.  NCAA rules dictate a season of ineligibility due to transfer, but UTEP and OSU are working together to try to help Eric appeal for an exception due to his situation.  We’ll find out more on that soon.

There’s not much more than workout tape on Moreland.  But it looks pretty promising.  He seems to be a lot more comfortable shooting off the bounce,  but his perimeter shot works pretty well.  He has a good to great handle for his size, and he uses it to beat the bigs on the perimeter or to gain leverage against smaller players in the paint.  He has great length, and he appears to like finishing around the rim with either hand.  He can fill lanes in transition and finish with a flourish.  He can flash help or man up on the perimeter, and he gains good position for boards.

Moreland struggled at times to find his niche on a good Hightower (Missouri City, Tx) team during the 2008-09 season.  He only averaged about 6 ppg on 56% FG shooting, and his free throw shooting really suffered over that year.  But he found himself in an unusual situation after growing five inches between his junior and senior years.  He apparently really needed some bulk added to his new body.  Providence, Arkansas and Memphis were recruiting him before he signed on with UTEP.