Nov. 4, 2007

It was a complete 180 degree change for Justin Orr when he transferred from Murrary State to Ohio. Murrary State, where Orr played for two years, has an enrollment of roughly 10,000 and is a quiet reserved campus. Orr knew it would be a challenge to get used to the large campus and bustling activity of Ohio.

Despite these differences, Orr feels playing basketball here was the right decision.

"I was worried about the time I would have to sit out but knew I could push through that. If I worked hard and developed my game and toughness, basketball would take care of itself," Orr said.  "I knew I needed to focus on my schoolwork," he added.

Orr credits his smooth transition to Tim O'Shea who took him in when he transferred. Also helping with the transition was Bubba Walther. Orr and Walther are both from Cincinnati, playing for LaSalle and Moeller high schools, respectively. 

Since a lot of Cincinnati basketball players go on to play in the MAC, Orr feels the competition carries over.

Over the years, Orr's parents and coaches have been his main source of inspiration and support. He recalls his parents being at almost every game and encouraging him at every stage of his life. His dad and uncle were particularly inspirational to him as coaches.

Orr also credits his Murray State coach Mick Cronin [now at Cincinnati] and O'Shea with helping him become a stronger player and take his basketball talent to the next level. He thinks of himself as a great creator, being able to make plays off the dribble. He also sees his strength in his mid-range shooting ability.

He considers his greatest basketball memory to be his trip to the NCAA Tournament with Murray State in 2005.

However, Orr is an unselfish player who lets the game come to him. As long as Orr can develop his communication abilities with his players and coaches, he believes he can take his basketball skills pretty far. He'll go as far as he can but wants to get his degree in Communications to fall back on.

He evaluates his playing by how he communicates with his team.

"I make sure I get my team involved first."

Orr sees great things ahead for the Bobcats this season.

"We play hard every day and we're going all the way. If we keep working hard, we've got a good chance."

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Orr's profile was written by Caitlin Graham, a sophomre journalism/public relations major at Ohio University from Cincinnati.