Men's Basketball 11/17/2025 3:24:00 PM Jas Singh

Coach Ojanen Talks 2025 Season Outlook

Surprise, Ariz.- OUAZ Men's basketball returned to action this past week, in its second season under head coach Tyler Ojanen. I was fortunate enough to catch Coach Ojanen for a quick interview to discuss his second year under the helm and what to expect from a program that has been a powerhouse for a long time.

When asking Coach Ojanen about his expectations he details that they will continue to remain an all time high especially with a senior heavy led team.

"Our expectations are this is OUAZ Basketball. This is how they are doing things. This is how we defend, share the basketball, and rebound. We are going to cheer for one another and we are surely going to attack the weight room. We are going to define and say this is what its going to look like and this is who we are."

Following, the home opening win against Northern New Mexico, a new and improved frontcourt caught my eye. Bringing back guys like Jack Galiardi, but then being able to add guys with major size like Kyle Haslam, Malek Majak, and Max Mkpa have been vital. The team also has a handful of small forwards of elite size, like Weber State transfer Carter Gittens, defensive force Reggie Orr, and elite scorer DJ Jones. Coming off the bench, Senior returner Hunter Richardson can absolutely light it up from beyond the arc and defend any team's best player. With the size this team offers at almost every position, it becomes nearly automatic to have a strong rebounding team capable of defending in the paint.

"Yeah I do like the fact we are able to play big this year and I like that we can rebound the ball. We are trying to make a conscience effort of playing inside out and throwing the ball into the post. And its not just Max or Jack, its Max, its Jack, its Malek, its DJ , its Carter, its Reggie. I mean there is alot of guys in there that are big strong guys that we are trying to establish with like even Hunter Richardson. I just think we have a good core at the 3, 4, and 5 that we can play big. And we can really establish ourselves inside , defensively and rebounding the ball".

With a lot of familiar faces returning like Zeke Viuhkola, Hunter Richardson, Xavier Santacasa, Quinn Thorne, Jack Galiardi, Darrius Kendall, Reggie Orr, and then with all new faces who are some guys we should keep an eye on to make a mark this year?

"Yeah I think all of them right now I mean, we've been telling them that everyone is going to have to make some kind of contribution at some point and everyone's gotta stay ready. Everyone gotta stay ready and stay in the right mind frame. Going to Montana for six days and we have got games in four of those days and we got some guys that are sick…. At some point everyone is going to make a contribution, so I don't know if their is one guy you can single out its just our whole group gotta be ready you know".

For an NAIA team, being able to play in the same gym as a Division One program is significant. Now playing a team like Montana who is in the FCS in the Big Sky, what are your thoughts on a game like that and then the non-conference schedule as a whole?

"Yeah, I know Montana is a great program. They are picked to win the Big Sky his year. As we were going up to Montana to play in the Montana Tech tournament who is ranked #10 in the country… Montana Western is a team we beat last year, so they are probably excited to get us up there and so I asked the seniors. I left them to choose. I said, hey we have the chance to play the University of Montana, and I asked the seniors we are going to be up there for a while, but if you guys want to play this game we will do it. So I left it up to them, so hopefully we show up and do what we're supposed to do.."

A big part of this team's success moving forward will be improving on certain areas from last year. While at the same time competing in the GSAC which features several top teams like Arizona Christian, Masters, Hope International and Embry Riddle. Many of which include guys who have been at the division 1 level or have the talent to be there. Coach Ojanen said the goal remains the same and that is to compete and hang a GSAC title something the seniors really emphasized.

"The guys really stuck together last year and powered through alot of storms. For us it's been alot of defensive fundamentals and then rebounding the ball that that's been our main emphasis really is defense, defense, and rebounding defense and rebounding in the weight room. I can't leave out,Coach Sko our strength coach like he has made a nice commitment. We started lifting weights last spring four days a week and the guys are stuck with it and he has been here and they put on weight they've all put on strength. So I cannot go without mentioning Coach Sko and saying he's been really instrumental on just changing into transforming our guys's bodies. Yeah, I think our guys feel just as good as they do about trying to hang a GSAC championship you know that they got to pick their team goals last spring and I let them pick their own goals and they pick number 1 in the GSAC and GSAC champs so that's what we're swinging for".

With a team that has many seniors, I asked Coach Ojanen to discuss the player development aspects he may focus on for the younger players who are the future of the program. I specifically asked him which details he wants the younger players to focus on as they transition from the AAU and high school games to the college game.

"Yeah, player development for us is number one, For them it is the weight room right that's what it will always be. They've had to lift four days a week and we've had try to get them to get up physically to the college game get their body ready for that. Number two has just been defensive fundamental development 90% of the game is played without the ball in your hand and so 50% of the game is played on defense.It's really getting their defensive fundamentals up to the college level, really been honing it on that. to the college level, really been honing in on that.. "We do a lot and so I'm just trying to teach him how to how to get open and catch the ball how to handle the physicality and then their shooting footwork and shooting mechanics".

With such a stretched out season, being college basketball. I asked Coach what are some things he does to motivate this group in the dog days of December and January where a lot of the players are without their family and friends due to travel and practices?

"Recruit the right guys that are internally motivated that they don't need me to walk in every day and try to motivate them. So I feel like our seven seniors have that, they see the light at the end of the tunnel and they show up every day with a pretty good edge right now. So those those seven guys are really carrying the banner you know. Player motivated teams are much better than coach motivated teams.."

With an exciting group of players, the coaching staff is no different. Coach Barnes and Coach Davis are also playing huge roles while sharing a long time relationship with one another.

"So all three of us have known each other for 25 years. One of our assistants Kip Barnes he was my coach in college and then Pruileu Davis was my teammate. So all three of us have a familiarity with one another. All three of us have a belief in the fundamentals and the foundations of what we're doing and all three of us have a good continuity and in friendships and only care about one another To have a coach Barnes and coach Davis, their heart for to help kids this is genuine and so that's what I really liked about them. I played for Coach Barnes and he cared about me as a player and he still cares about these guys a ton. Coach Davis cares about investing in these men and so that's that's the number one thing we're trying to do".

As we wrap up this season preview, it's clear that Coach Ojanen and his staff have built a group with strong chemistry, depth, and belief on both sides of the ball. The blend of returning standouts and determined new talent brings a fresh level of competition and energy to this year's team. There's a real excitement around how this group will step up, grow together, and make their mark,. We are looking forward to seeing the work they've put in translate onto the court.

A special thank you to Coach Ojanen for taking the time to speak with me and share his insight. We appreciate his leadership, dedication, and vision—and we can't wait to watch this team compete.

You can follow this squad all season long at ouazspirit.com or on our socials on Instagram (@ouazspirit) and X (@OUAZSpirit).

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Players Mentioned

#20 Jack Galiardi: F; 6' 7"; Senior

#3 Darrius Kendall: G; 5' 9"; Senior

#10 Reggie Orr: G; 6' 3"; Senior

#13 Hunter Richardson: F; 6' 3"; Senior

#2 Quinn Thorne: G; 5' 11"; Junior

#23 Zeke Viuhkola: F; 6' 3"; Senior

#32 Kyle Haslam: F/C; 6' 6"; Junior

#0 DJ Jones: F; 6' 5"; Junior

#30 Carter Gittens: F; 6' 5"; Redshirt Sophomore

#4 Xavier Santacasa: G; 5' 10"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#20 Jack Galiardi
: 6' 7"; Senior
: F

#3 Darrius Kendall
: 5' 9"; Senior
: G

#10 Reggie Orr
: 6' 3"; Senior
: G

#13 Hunter Richardson
: 6' 3"; Senior
: F

#2 Quinn Thorne
: 5' 11"; Junior
: G

#23 Zeke Viuhkola
: 6' 3"; Senior
: F

#32 Kyle Haslam
: 6' 6"; Junior
: F/C

#0 DJ Jones
: 6' 5"; Junior
: F

#30 Carter Gittens
: 6' 5"; Redshirt Sophomore
: F

#4 Xavier Santacasa
: 5' 10"; Senior
: G