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By O.K. Davis
buddy@rustonleader.com
Daunting.
That's the best and most appropriate way to describe the task I under took recently to compile a starting lineup from all of the great names who have graced the Louisiana Tech University men's basketball roster through the years.
Mind you, that's coming up with only five players.
The cream of the Bulldogs' crop if you will.
As you will notice, my all-time Bulldogs' elite team is built heavy on sheer name recognition, all the better to give any opposing team one of those "deer in the headlights" feelings.
Once you scan down our list, you may be left mumbling,"dang, all of those guys played at Tech?"
They sure did and unless you've been spending too much time immersed in Bruce Jenner's reported gender transformation, they are names any savvy Bulldog fan will recognize and appreciate for their achievements.
Here they are:
MIKE GREEN (1969-73): The best men's hoopster ever to wear a Tech uniform. He was honored multiple times as an All-American and was chosen as the Associated Press national college division Player of the Year in 1973. The more the years pass, the more his name takes on an iconic meaning. The McComb, Miss., native is No. 1 all-time for scoring and rebounding in school history.
KARL MALONE (1982-85): If any muscle work is needed inside, I have a feeling the big man from Summerfield can take care of it. He led the 'Dogs in scoring three straight seasons (1982 through 1985), rebounding twice and was the leader of that great 1984-85 squad that won 29 games and reached the NCAA's Sweet Sixteen. The No. 2 ranked scorer in NBA history and a two-time MVP, Malone has been Tech's most decorated professional.
JACKIE MORELAND (1957-60): The No. 3 ranked rebounder for a Bulldogs' career led Tech for three consecutive seasons in that category, plus the same for scoring. He averaged 21.3 points a game in his career (second best in school history). The Minden native was an All-American at Minden High before becoming the focus of a national recruiting battle. He appeared locked up by North Carolina before deciding to play closer at home with the Bulldogs.
PAUL MILLSAP (2003-06): The former Grambling High All-American is the only player ever to lead the NCAA for three consecutive years in rebounding. He averaged 18.6 points and totaled 183 blocked shots during his career. While he began his professional career with the Utah Jazz, Millsap is now excelling with the Atlanta Hawks, where he was recently selected as an NBA All-Star for the second time.
MIKE MCCONATHY (1973-77): "Opie" is the No. 2 ranked scorer in Bulldogs' history and the only other player besides Green to reach the 2,000-point plateau. He still holds the Bulldogs' record for most points in a game with 47 and averaged 20.7 for his career (third best behind Green and Moreland). He is now the highly successful head coach at Northwestern State University.
With our starting five, it's packed with big men (6-10, 6-9, 6-8, 6-8), so much that one may ask, "so where's the point guard?" and "who brings the ball up court?"
No problem.
Green might be 6-10, but he was as nimble and sleight-of-hand as a seasoned point guard. Yes, he could guide this team up court and get them in a position to score if necessary.
And if not, those duties could be assigned to the athletic Millsap.
Or McConathy, who is our shooting guard and arguably the best ever to fulfill that role in the program's history.
Besides, with these talented Bulldogs, why even nit-pick about specified positions?
Let their talents play out and opponents beware.