Louisiana Tech ready for a rebound

Call this Louisiana Tech squad 'Team Transformation' as there are more 'newcomers' than actual returnees for the upcoming 2008-2009 season. 'Team Unknown' also applies as probably only the LT coaching staff has any valid sense of what to expect from their crew.

Maybe such will earn this group of Bulldogs their own reality show on the TLC channel or Bravo or A&E -- especially so considering the level and subject matter to which a number of these channels and their new offerings have sunk. We actually believe a decent number of viewers would tune in to watch a basketball team/program evolve over the season but this seems more like the domain of ESPN. Plus, if this was ever to occur it would have to involve a much more 'nationally branded' coach and basketball program than Kerry Rupp and Louisiana Tech. The suits in the executive suites would insist on this. Still, going from a seven or eight player thoroughly undersized squad to one featuring a slew of transfers from big time conferences would make for a fascinating watch.

However, (oh are we going to be pay heavily for this), what television crew is going to spend months in Ruston? We will now don our fireproof suits and enter our below-ground bunker for self-preservation reasons. Now we do love Cajun and zydeco music but it's just that we spent three months in Ruston one weekend. Hey, even Wikipedia concurs: "The social life in Ruston is somewhat diverse. Primary activities involve finding something to do with Louisiana Tech."

Hey, maybe it was just us. What's that admonition -- if you're in a hole...quit digging.

So back to our regularly scheduled programming with hopefully no hard feelings.

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

Here are the four players dropped from the team at the conclusion of the spring semester: Dwayne Lathan, Brandon Mims, Drew Washington and Orren Tims. Lathan has moved on to Indiana State, Mims to Louisiana State University Shreveport and Washington to Oklahoma City. The next destination of Timms hasn't been announced.


RETURNEES

Adrian Rogers 6-7 220 Senior Forward - He received 18 starts last season but will be a fill-in reserve in 2008-2009.

Jonathon "J.C." Clark 6-0 185 Senior Guard - Clark averaged 9 ppg. and played around 31 minutes a contest but he'll be the backup point this go-around..

James Loe 5-11 180 Senior Guard - He'll be the backup to the backup at point guard.

Kyle Gibson 6-4 200 Junior Guard - Gibson impressed us last season not just because he was the best player on the team but due to his staying and playing within the scheme designed by Coach Kerry Rupp. It surely had to be tempting to play more individualistically and put up a greater numer of shots than he did but Gibson stayed very methodical and team-first in his approach.


RETURNEE REDSHIRTS

Magnum Rolle 6-11 225 Junior Forward - Rolle looks to be a starting forward for the Bulldogs but will it be the power one or more out on the open floor? His body indicates strong forward but his game and preference tilt more towards a wing spot. It appears he and former LSU Coach John Brady had a disagreement on his utilization, thus leading to his transfer from Baton Rouge. He's known for his shooting range but didn't necessarily rack up nice shooting percentages in his two seasons at LSU so developing shooting and overall consistency is the key to his improvement.

Kenneth Cooper 6-10 250 Junior Center - More effective as a defender than prospering at the other aspects of the game, Cooper finally solves the big man problem so apparent for Tech last season. Like with Rolle, it's near impossible to know what production to expect given that no one except the LA TECH coaches have seen them play but Cooper will be the starting center regardless.

Jamel White 6-2 175 Junior Guard - White departed from Nebraska after a suspension and some academic laxity but hopefully those concerns are in the past. He's a very athletic, all-around backcourter proficient at both producing points and garnering assists. Put him down as a definite starter in the backcourt.

Olu Ashaolu 6-6 220 Freshman Guard/Forward - He redshirted last season and has a rep as an high motor, inside bruiser but also a desire to play the three. Has he upgraded his outside shooting and his quickness in order to play on the perimeter?

It's unique because the smaller Ashaolu is more proficient in the paint whereas it appears the much taller Rolle prefers to face the basket from distance.

Add Kyle Gibson to this foursome and we believe that's the makeup of the LT starting five in 2008-2009.


NEWCOMERS

David Jackson 6-8 200 Junior Forward Arizona junior college - He played his freshman year at Idaho and put up some nice numbers (7.2 ppg). He can score inside and his long arms make him a decent shotblocker so he'll be in the mix for minutes at the power forward spot. It appears he is developing greater range on his shot and some minutes at small forward for him is a possibility.

Jamel Guyton 6-2 185 Junior Guard Texas Junior College - He was a shooter in the junior college ranks and looks to be a backup to Kyle Gibson early on.

Shawn Oliverson 6-11 250 Sophomore Center D-1 transfer - He was at Cornell as a freshman and appears to be at least somewhat of a project who will need time and reps for his development.

Brandon Gibson 6-6 210 Freshman Guard/Forward Florida high school - Don't expect to see this Gibson on the court much as he needs time to make the adjustment to D-1.

Josh Brown 6-4 180 Freshman Guard/Forward Louisiana high school - A scorer in high school, he's a likely redshirt.

Arrez Henderson 6-0 190 Freshman Guard Kentucky high school - Another kid who has talent at both scoring and passing. He won't see much playing time initially but will help down the road.

Juevol Myles 6-1 190 Freshman Guard - Out of Canada (a la Ashaolu), he's a point who may also redshirt.


THE LOUISIANA TECH ROSTER BY POSITION

Center

Kenneth Cooper - If he offers defense and rebounding then he's done his part. His offensive game is still unpolished and may or may not ever come around.

Shawn Oliverson - Rolle may be able to shift over to center to give Cooper a rest or in case of foul trouble but Oliverson should be able to get on court for at least five minutes a game next season.

Strong Forward

Magnum Rolle - Rupp would like to see Rolle be a '15 and 7 guy' this coming season. -- something that is achievable for him.

Adrian Rogers - We see Rogers even being behind Jackson in the playing rotation.

David Jackson - He will help out in a lot of ways and make sure the Bulldog effectiveness remains in case of foul trouble among the frontcourt starters.

Wing/Shooting Guard

Kyle Gibson - Gibson will finally be able to enjoy the benefits of being surrounded by good talent. His scoring may drop as a result but he's shown to be a better three-point marksman than with his overall shooting and his teammates in 2008-2009 should draw a lot of attention, leaving him open with even more inviting looks from outside.

Olu Ashaolu - So much has been written and said about this kid but all should be tempered until he gets the chance to play when it counts and gains experience.

Jamel Guyton - Like Kyle Gibson, this junior college transfer should really benefit from hanging around the three-point line and waiting for kickout passes when the frontcourters get double-teamed.

Brandon Gibson - Maybe or maybe not a 2008-2009 redshirt but he won't see a lot of time right away regardless.

Josh Brown - Gotta be a redshirt.

Point

Jonathan Clark - Clark didn't shoot well last year but won't even be looked at to eye the basket in the coming season -- just distribute the ball baby.

Jamel White - White will be a 30 minutes plus player, backed by Clark and Loe.

James Loe - Loe will be rarely seen on the court in 2008-2009 but he's a heady kid who gives his all.

Arrez Henderson - We see him as a redshirt in the coming season who possibly will help at both the point and two guard roles down the line.

Juevol Myles - His academic eligibility was still in question at the time of his signing so that may remain an issue. It's hard to believe he could come in and beat out Clark right away as the backup point so maybe Myles too will sit out the season.


SUMMARY

Getting this team to mesh will be job one for Rupp and his assistants but what should help in that regard is that four of these kids were able to practice and get familiarized with the system all last season as redshirts.

We see Tech as an upper division team this coming season -- if the newcomers sitting out last season contribute as expected. The starting five appears solid and there will be enough depth if Jackson and Guyton are able to help right away.