Ferris State Men's Basketball Adds Two Talented Transfer Players
Note: Online photos courtesy Oakland University & Tim Fuller (Oakland CC Athletics)
Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's basketball program has announced the recent addition of two transfer players who will join the Bulldog squad for the 2013-14 campaign.
FSU has added a NCAA Division I transfer guard in Matt Poches (Hartland) from Oakland University along with junior college transfer guard/forward James Chappell (Detroit/Southwestern), who spent the past two seasons at Oakland Community College. Both will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.
"We're excited about the addition of both Matt and James and believe they'll fit in well with our returning talent this coming year," said FSU head coach Bill Sall. "We have a good young nucleus coming back and these two will be integral pieces as we continue to compete for championships on a yearly basis."
A native of Hartland, Mich., Poches made one start in 2012-13 for Oakland University and played in 31 games. The 6-foot-4 guard averaged 8.8 minutes and 2.3 points per game. Poches played in 20 games as a freshman, making one start, tallying eight assists, seven points and 15 rebounds during the 2011-12 season.
This past year, he posted a pair of double-figure scoring contests as the Golden Grizzlies recorded a 16-17 overall record and 10-6 mark in the Summit League under head coach Greg Kampe, including a career-best 17 points against Rochester (Dec. 6) along with 10 points on the road at Alabama (Jan. 5).
"Matt will provide us with a lot of versatility at the offensive end and has the size to get to the basket," said Sall. "He's a good finisher, has the ability to create and a good student. We think he'll come in and be a huge asset in terms of providing us with additional options both offensively and defensively."
A two-sport standout in football and basketball at the prep level, Poches was a Detroit News Dream Team honoree as a prep senior for head coach Frank Leppek. He garnered all-state honors in his final three seasons of high school hoops and was chosen as the team's Offensive Player of the Year and team MVP his final campaign. He once posted a double-double on the prep level with 40 points and 13 boards.
The four-time all-conference honoree also earned all-state recognition and was an all-league selection on the gridirion as a wide receiver. In addition, he was an honor roll student throughout his prep career at Hartland. Poches also played AAU basketball for the Michigan Mustangs.
Meanwhile, Chappell saw action in 30 games for Oakland Community College in 2012-13 and tallied 11.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists per contest. He shot nearly 50% from the floor and 54% behind the three-point stripe while starting all 30 contests for head coach Antoine Joubert's team.
Chappell was an all-tournament team selected as Oakland CC reached the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) District 10 title contest. The squad finished with a 23-9 overall record and placed third in the competitive Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA) Eastern Conference with a 13-5 mark. The 6-5 Chappell picked up All-MCCAA Eastern Conference Second Team accolades.
As a prep standout, Chappell was a Associated Press Class B All-State selection in his final season at Detroit Southwestern High School and an All-Detroit Public School League (PSL) pick. He also was a standout prep football player and participated in the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association All-Star game as a wide receiver.
"We recruited James out of high school and he is coming off two successful years at Oakland Commmunity College," Sall said. "He can play a variety of positions and is a tremendous athlete and shot blocker. We're pleased he's joined our program."
Ferris State wrapped up the 2012-13 season with a 14-13 overall record and the Bulldogs reached the GLIAC Postseason Tournament for the eighth time in the last nine years, which ranks as one of the conference's top showings over the past decade. FSU also posted an impressive 10-1 mark at home in league regular-season action at Jim Wink Arena.
This year represented the 12th consecutive year in which the Bulldogs have won 10 or more games under Sall after the program had not done so in the four years prior to his arrial.
FSU has won four league championships and twice reached the NCAA Division II Sweet Sixteen in his tenure.