Perimeter needs key Middle Tennessee recruiting
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The Blue Raiders will be looking to replace three senior guards, including four-year starter Tommy Gunn, a two-time, first-team All-Sun Belt Conference performer and the No. 3 all-time leading scorer in school history. Middle Tennessee also lost point guard Keith Connor and wing Marcus Robinson from this season’s 17-12 squad.
“We feel good about our returning players, but we know the spring additions have to be very good players that can impact our program, not only next year, but the year after when we host the conference tournament (2005-06),” Davis said. “This class is very important to us because of the quality perimeter players we lost. We feel very good about the players we are involved with and look forward to six-to-eight official visits in the upcoming weeks.”
Replacing the trio of perimeter players will be no easy task, particularly Gunn, who is the program’s only two-time All-SBC performer, a two-time All-SBC Tournament selection, the No. 3 scorer in school history (1,528 points), and No. 2 on the all-time steals list (156).
“When you are trying to replace Tommy Gunn, a two-time, first-team all-league player and the third all-time scorer in this school’s history, that’s a big part of our team we have to replace,” Davis said. “We also lose two senior perimeter players in Marcus Robinson and Keith Connor, who played very good minutes. Perimeter needs are a priority in our spring recruiting.”
Middle Tennessee used one of its three available scholarships on Steve Thomas, a 6-foot-8 transfer from the University of Georgia, last fall. Thomas, Georgia’s leading rebounder as a junior, will become eligible upon the completion of the fall 2004 semester, and he will bolster what should be an experienced front-line.
The Blue Raiders return four front-line players who saw action in 17 games or more, and also will welcome the return of Darrio Scott, (6-6, 225), who suffered a broken foot that ended his season after 10 games in 2003-04. Freshmen Alex Weekes (6-8) and Kyle Young (6-10) combined for 29 starts during their rookie campaigns, while versatile front-line player Michael Cuffee (6-5) was one of the most consistent players in the Sun Belt. Cuffee averaged 12.3 points and a team-best 5.8 rebounds. Freshman Keith Christmas saw action in 17 games.
“We feel a big reason our team started playing a lot better at the end was our young guys around the goal really came on,” Davis said. “I think you are going to see Alex, Kyle and Keith make a ton of progress in the weight room and conditioning over the summer months. We also get Darrio Scott back, and he has his work cut out in trying to get his body back the way it was before the injury. There’s also the addition of Steve Thomas, so we feel good about our front-line guys, but they have to continue making progress.”