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ULM Basketball Media Day Notebook: Ertel A Mainstay in Season of Change

ULM Basketball Media Day Notebook: Ertel A Mainstay in Season of Change

Men's Basketball Oct 21
By Paul Letlow, ULMWarhawks.com Online Columnist
 
MONROE, La. – Drive through the heart of ULM's campus, glance over at the front window of Schulze Cafeteria and you'll see a familiar image covering the front window.

There larger than life is Michael Ertel, one of the mainstays for the men's basketball program. Since arriving on campus three years ago from his home state of Indiana, the transplanted hoopster has found a second home as a ULM basketball player.

"I love it down here," Ertel said during ULM Basketball Media Day on Monday "I was able to come in here as a freshman and play a lot. As we kept on winning late in that freshman year, we got hot and more people started to come and knew who we were and who I was.

"Last year, we had a great home environment and everyone knew who we all were. I just love ULM and I'm glad I came here. I just want to have a good season for the school and win a lot of games."

In a transitional season for the ULM men, there's comfort in knowing Ertel is back to do his thing once again.

"He's our best player," ULM coach Keith Richard said. "He's a good player. I have no doubt that Mike's going to be a good player on this team and he needs to be."

The junior is ULM's leading returning scorer at 15.5 points per game and a mainstay for Warhawk fans who've followed the team the past two seasons. He drained 80 3-pointers while handing out 99 assists last season and earned All-Sun Belt Third-Team honors.

After sharing the spotlight with departed seniors Travis Munnings and Daishon Smith last season, Ertel will become an even bigger focal point in his third ULM campaign. 

"At times, even more than last year," Richard said. "Just because the scoring we had last year will be different this year. We're going to really need Mike, JD Williams and Tyree White to carry the load early on while these newcomers gain experience. There may be some nights we have to let Mike shoot it 20 times. That's happened a few times in practices where we were struggling offensively and we had to let him go."

With his even-keel demeanor, Ertel doesn't shy away from the increased offensive responsibility.

"I wouldn't say there's more pressure," Ertel said. "We lost Daishon and Travis from last year and I'll just need to continue to play like I have been. Naturally, I feel like more stuff will come my way because we don't have those other guys there.

"I'm just going to play and shoot the shots coach wants me to. Coach said it doesn't matter how many times I shoot, as long as I take good shots. If I'm making them, he doesn't care."

Just like his coach, Ertel is eager to see ULM's bigger lineup come together this season. Last year, ULM didn't have one player that weighed more than 200 pounds. Now, the Warhawks have a roster with seven players who range from 7-foot-1 to 6-7, and at least five who are listed at 200-plus pounds. A squad that averaged 6-4 in height in 2018-19 is lengthier at 6-6 in 2019-20.

"We're bigger but didn't necessarily get less athletic," Ertel said. "We've got some guys who are freak athletes."

ULM's schedule this season includes a trip to Butler, located in Ertel's hometown of Indianapolis. The road game just 15 minutes from his home is meaningful to him because family and friends will be able to see him play.

"Me and Coach Ryan Cross talked about it and he asked me if we went to Indiana, who would I want to play," Ertel said. "We could have played Indiana, Purdue or Butler or anybody close by. I said Butler, because I grew up going to all those camps and we had season tickets and I was at the National Championship Game when Gordon (Hayward) missed the half-court shot.

"They didn't really recruit me, but I was able to come to ULM. I love the decision I made. It's going to be great because this is the first time my entire family will be able to watch me play. I'm really grateful they did that for me."   

Back for more: Another key returnee is JD Williams, who dazzled with his breakaway dunks a year ago. While he was mending from offseason ankle surgery, Williams (12.2 ppg.) was also working to diversify his game too.

"Where he needs to go for us this year, he needs to put another layer of scoring in his half-court offense," Richard said. "The fast-break layups and alley-oops, he was very good at that. But we need him in the half-court offense more this year. He needs to be that second scorer who can score in the halfcourt. He's done really well at it so far." 

Williams said he's making progress across the board.

"My ankle is getting stronger," Williams said. "It's way better than it was. I feel like it's going to be stronger this year and help me take my game to a different level.

"I'm working to take what the defense gives me, whether it's an open shot or a drive or kick to my teammate."

After being overmatched at times as ULM's biggest inside player last year, senior Tyree White (6-8, 190) is making a successful transition to small forward. 

"He's doing a good job," Richard said. "He's not a natural three, but he's doing a good job out there."

Said White: "I feel like with me being on the wing, I have a better chance to be a playmaker for the team. I have great court vision as far as seeing my teammates off the ball. Me being on the wing, I have a better chance to get them open for shots."
 
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