The LSU men’s basketball team will open the 2005-2006 season with uncertainty at point guard after junior Tack Minor was suspended.
Minor started all 30 of the Tigers’ games last season, averaging 10.8 points, 4.6 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game.
In his absence, coach John Brady said redshirt freshman Garrett Temple, true freshman Ben Voogd and senior shooting guard Darrel Mitchell may all play at point guard.
“I’m just going to see how it works out in practice,” Brady said. “I don’t have anything in my mind right now about how it’s going to work. I’ll let them settle it in practice by who handles the position better.”
Sophomore center Glen “Big Baby” Davis said he believes Temple and Voogd will do good job while Minor is out.
“They are going to have to grow up fast,” Davis said. “They’re willing to learn and do what they’re supposed to do. As long as they are willing to learn and learn from their mistakes, the sky is the limit for them. They can perform, and that’s what they’re here for is to play basketball.”
Temple helped lead University High to the Class 2A state championship in 2004. He averaged 13.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 5.5 assists for the season.
Temple said he looks forward to the opportunity to play right away after sitting out last season as a redshirt.
Practicing against Minor, Mitchell, Antonio Hudson and Xavier Whipple last season has shortened his learning curve this season, Temple said.
“I have a year under my belt,” Temple said. “It’s not going to be like I’m a true freshman. I know the system, and I’ve seen it.”
Voogd was a three-time all-state performer at Siuslaw High School in Florence, Oregon, where he averaged 18 points, 8.5 assists and 7.1 rebounds his senior season.
“It’s a great opportunity for me,” Voogd said. “You hate to see a player like Tack be out, but it happened. I just have to play my role and try to do what I can out there.”
Mitchell said it is not a big deal if he has to play more point guard while Minor is out.
“If I have to do it, I’ll step up and do it. If not, I’ll just go back to my role as a shooting guard,” Mitchell said. “Both these guys just have to work hard in practice everyday, and hold the position down until Tack comes back.”
Minor was suspended by the University in June for the summer and fall semesters after violating an academic infraction of the University’s Code of Student Conduct.
Minor was scheduled to return after the fall semester on Dec. 10 against McNeese State University. But since the semester was extended a week because of Hurricane Katrina, Brady said he is uncertain about the exact time Minor will return.
Minor was given permission to attend the team photo session, and he appeared lean and in shape. But he was not allowed to participate in other media day activities.
Brady said he is not worried about Minor’s mental focus or conditioning, and said Minor told him he weighs 190 pounds after playing last season at 195.
“Tack’s one of the most resilient young people you’ll ever be around,” Brady said. “He can get emotional at a time or two, but afterward it’s gone and over with. He’s a little misunderstood by people. He did wrong, and he got in trouble, and he accepted the punishment. But he wants to be at LSU, and he is going to stay at LSU and we are going to do whatever we can to help him get better.”
Contact Clinton Duckworth at [email protected]