Throughout a 2-4 start that included losses to Hampton, Arkansas-Little Rock and Oral Roberts, Tulsa's lack of consistent offensive production from senior guards Rod Earls and Brett McDade proved to be contagious.

During the Golden Hurricane's current four-game winning streak, the improved offensive performance of Earls and McDade has had a carryover effect.

"Right now, we're maybe playing the best basketball since I've been here as far as defense, rebounding and offense," Tulsa coach Doug Wojcik told the Tulsa World.

Defense and rebounding have been keys for Tulsa's overall progress in three seasons under Wojcik, but offense has often prevented the Golden Hurricane from getting over the hump in winnable games.

When Tulsa shot .508 from the field and .542 from 3-point range in an 89-51 win over Southeast Missouri State on Dec. 22, it was the first time the Golden Hurricane had shot over 50 percent in three consecutive games under Wojcik.

In addition to leading Conference USA in 3-point shooting percentage (.393), Tulsa has had at least four players score in double-figures in each of its past three games, including five double-figure scorers in two of those games. Overall, Tulsa has shot .558 from the field (96-172) and .544 from three-point range (31-57) in those three games.

Even though Tulsa (6-4) will face much tougher competition when its conference schedule kicks in at Central Florida on Jan. 12, the Golden Hurricane's recent offensive improvement could be a hint of better things to come after a rough start.

"Our numbers are looking a lot better," Wojcik said, "and consequently, confidence is high."

KEY EARLY-SEASON CONFERENCE GAME: at UCF, Jan. 12 -- UCF and Tulsa are two of the teams trying to challenge for the second spot in C-USA behind Memphis and improve their postseason stock. In a conference with so much parity games like this can make a big difference in the long run.

LAST YEAR'S CONFERENCE RECORD: 9-7, tied for fourth in Conference USA.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "He's challenged us to get better because he wants us to get better as individuals as much as a team. ... We learned so much from the losses, as far as who we are as people and teammates, which will help us in the future." -- Tulsa senior forward Calvin Walls on coach Doug Wojcik's challenge to the Golden Hurricane's seniors.

In the offseason, Tulsa coach Doug Wojcik expressed concern about the point because senior Brett McDade is not a pure point guard and sophomore Mark Hill still had a lot to prove after playing in all 31 games and starting 10 last season. Hill started the season opener but had six turnovers in 19 minutes and moved to the bench role for the next two games before leaving the team. That left a combination of McDade and true freshman Glen Andrews at the point, with mixed results early in the season. However, McDade has moved past his early struggles by averaging 12.7 points, 4.7 assists and 2.3 rebounds per game over the past three games.

"It's amazing in the change of the team's play due to Brett's play," Wojcik said. "Brett McDade is playing the best overall basketball of his career."

PLAYER ROTATION: Usual Starters -- G Brett McDade, G Ben Uzoh, G Rod Earls, F Sam Mitchell, F Jerome Jordan. Key Subs -- G Glen Andrews, F Ray Reese, F Calvin Walls, F Bishop Wheatley.

GAME REVIEW: Tulsa 90, Texas Pan American 61

Tulsa 75, Charlotte 63

Tulsa 89, Southeast Missouri State 51

GAME PREVIEW: vs. Mississippi Valley State, Sunday, Dec. 30

at Colorado, Monday, Jan. 7

at UCF, Saturday, Jan. 12

IN FOCUS: UCF has size and experience in the post in Stanley Billups and Kenrick Zondervan, but Tulsa has talent and length in the post with sophomore Jerome Jordan. What Jordan lacks in strength and experience, he'll have to make up by playing smart, tough and consistent.

ROSTER REPORT: Tulsa's current four-game winning streak started with a 65-52 win over Central Arkansas on Dec. 9. In that game, sophomore guard Ben Uzoh carried the Golden Hurricane with a career-high 28 points and eight field goals, while the other four starters combined for only seven field goals. Uzoh's average is down to 14 points per game over the past three games, but that has more to do with Tulsa's improved scoring balance.

"I'm a total team player, and I'll do whatever it takes," Uzoh, who still leads Tulsa with a squad-best 16.1 points per game, told the Tulsa World. "If I have to carry the load, I'll do so. If I have to rebound or be an animal on defense, I'll do that."

In addition to McDade's recent offensive progress, Tulsa is also getting more help from senior guard Rod Earls, who led the Golden Hurricane with 11.2 points per game in 2006-2007 but struggled early in the season. After scoring 4.4 points per game over a five-game stretch and settling for only two points against Central Arkansas, Earls has since averaged 13.7 points per game.

Sophomore forward Bishop Wheatley redshirted last season and missed four of Tulsa's first six games this season. Since his return on Dec. 9 against Central Arkansas, he has produced 5.8 points and 6.8 rebounds in the past four games and has added another dimension to Tulsa's depth.