Cinco de Starters-o: Lamar Cardinals

by:Evan Hilbert12/03/08
As Beisner told you before the K-State game, we used to do these capsules before each game, informing our massive audience (Beisner's dad, Broseph, and like 1500 angry UT fans) of UK's opposition. It never really carried over to this site, mainly because I hated the name of the feature. Beisner, peach that he is, resurrected the column and nominated yours truly to write it before each game. I think that's bad news for all of us. Whatta guy! He also cleverly devised the title, which he claims is "Spanish for '5 starters' or something." I can't wait to see how many of you correct his translation of 'five starters' in Spanish. Really. The comments section is going to be awesome. You'll also notice that Beisner snagged K-State and WVU, and now I'm stuck with Lamar. Coincidentally, Stuck with Lamar  was the title of Tomlin's first best-selling novel. It was later made into a major motion picture. ... Wow, that was quite the introduction. I promise not to do that each time. Alas, your Lamar Cardinals: #12 Brandon McThay, 5'11'', G, Senior 2008-09 Stats: 16.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.2 apg Brandon McThay McThay, predestined to be a Cardinal from birth (his father's name is Lamar), is having his best season as a collegian. A juco transfer, McThay averaged only 6 points a game last season. He was second on the team in 3-point percentage a year ago, and that has carried over to this season, though McThay is hardly one dimensional. He went for 26 is Lamar's win over Lyon College last week, and figures to be a pesky defender on the ball, something the Cats do not want to see while being captivated in point guard purgatory. McThay is apt to turn the ball over, though, and he struggled a bit against Rice. He is also a bit shaky from the line, so let's harass the crap out of this guy. #14 Kenny Dawkins, 5'9'', G, Senior 2008-09 Stats: 17.0 ppg, 4.4 apg, 3.4 rbg, 2.4 spg

Kenny DawkinsDawkins, adorned with a "Together We Ball" tattoo on his left shoulder (Mosley has the same one), was both an All-SLC first-teamer as well as the conference newcomer of the year. Another guard adept in thievery, Dawkins led the team in FT percentage last season, shooting over 83%. Judging by his statistics, Dawkins is from the same ilk as his backcourt mate, as he also has the propensity to turn the ball over. He dropped 29 on UL Lafayette, but he struggled against both Rice and Denver. If we are successful in turning them over, which we could be, they'll struggle initiating an offense, as they seem fairly perimeter oriented.

#15 Ashton Hall, 6'6'', F, Junior 2008-09 Stats: 4.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.4 bpg Ashton Hall Initially a Tulsa signee, Hall patiently sat out a year as a redshirt, admirably waited his turn, then transferred. Hall has had trouble getting on track this season, after seeing only limited minutes a year ago. Probably some sort of swing man type, Hall projects to be adequately cancelled out by Ramon Harris. His name also sounds like a girls preparatory academy. Nevertheless, Hall is o-for-season from beyond the arc, though he's only taken five triples. Apparently, Hall is nursing a hamstring injury, and according to commenter "JiffyGames" on the Beaumont-Enterprise's website, "Ashton didn't miss games due to injury in high school, but he's been hurt since before he ever set foot on campus, at Lamar....from car wrecks to hamstrings. No one knows if he can play college ball yet." Well, that settles it. #44 Tristan Worrell, 6'7'', F, Senior 2008-09 Stats: 10.6 ppg, 5.8 rbg, 2 apg Tristan Worrell A McDonald's All-American nominee in high school, Worrell began playing at a junior college before transferring to Lamar last year. He struggled a year ago, but his stats have been up this season, including a respectable 15 and 8 outing against Denver. Worrell's a very aggressive player in the post, often described as a "tone setter." He's big, weighing in at 240 pounds, and active on the offensive glass. Keeping him off the boards will be imperative, as well as the utilization of quickness against Worrell, as he is apparently somewhat slow-footed. I'm partially making that last part up.  #40 Jay Brown, 6'7'', F, Senior 2008-09 Stats: 16 ppg, 9.8 rpg Jay Brown Another big, active post player, Brown looks entirely too much like Renaldo Balkman. Brown, like Balkman, is not afraid to step outside and take a three. Contrary to Balkman, however, Brown has made threes. He represents a solid complement to the backcourt, as he is able to score from all over the floor, and he is a tremendous rebounder. He pulled down 18 boards to go with his 22 points in a monster game against Rice. Brown did not play in the Cardinals latest game due to injury, and I don't know his exact status because there exists no Lamar Sports Radio. I've seen no indication that he won't play, so expect to see him on the floor tomorrow night. Key Reserves: Coy Custer, 6'10'', C: It has been my personal experience that basketball players named Coy are extremely heady, great passers,defensive stalwarts, record-setting rebounders, solid ball-handlers, and quicker than expected shaggy-haired creeps. Mr. Custer serves as no exception. Anthony Miles, 5'11', G: Another scorer in the backcourt, Miles has gone for double digits twice this season, including 14 in his first game as a collegian, and a 15 and 11 effort in Lamar's most previous outing. Middle name: Gillespie. Probable nickname: Boobie. Skyler Williams, 6'2'', G: Registered 7 steals in the season's first game. Got beat mercilessly in middle school for being named "Skyler." Lamar marks the third consecutive undefeated UK opponent...the Cardinals has averaged just over 80 points a game, while giving up only 59...Lamar is very experienced, starting four seniors and a junior...this begins a difficult stretch for the Cardinals, who face Louisville Monday, ending a four game stretch in 6 days...UK will play Miami, who just fell victim to Ohio State after losing Jack McClinton, on Saturday...this took entirely too long...I am deathly afraid of this team

Discuss This Article

Comments have moved.

Join the conversation and talk about this article and all things Kentucky Sports in the new KSR Message Board.

KSBoard

2024-03-28