Oluoch set to maintain varsity squad for KBF premier league

Africa Nazarene University (ANU) men's basketball side, Wolfpacks, have gained promotion to the top tier Kenyan league after finishing as runners up in the Kenya Basketball Federation division one.

As they shift their focus to top division, head coach Mike Oluoch says he will use his varsity students to do duty even at this level, adding that those who have completed their courses are free to look for greener pastures. 

"The premier league us a different ball game all together. We have at least two weeks to prepare before the season begins. There is a programme I have been working on, we used part of it in training last week while preparing for Game Four in the division one final and it is looking good. The players trained well and we will be fine tuning it ahead of the new season," said Oluoch.

Titans crowned KBF division one champions

In addition to the top teams that will definitely present a hurdle for the newbies, Wolfpacks will have varsity derbies within the league to content with. 

Kenyatta University Pirates, University of Nairobi Terror, Strathmore Blades, division one champions Zetech Titans are the other Kenya University Sports Association (KUSA) sides in the top tier. 

However, unlike most of these teams that have bolstered their squads with non-students to be just as competitive in the premier, Oluoch maintains that he will be using his varsity squad. 

"This level of basketball is more aggressive there is alot of contact in it so we have to be smart, quick, think outside the box and be more agile. 

Two players graduated and I have to release them. I believe that the graduates have to pave way for the freshmen so unless they do not want to, they are free to move on. That chance will be taken up by the newbies. We will win some and lose some but that way we give a chance to other players to grow in the game," Oluoch added.