Another Perspective on Luke

[Mr. Sand-Knit]

Wrong
Does not start for:
Nova
Xavier
Creighton
Butler
Seton hall
Georgetown

He could start for depaul, pc, st johns

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Wrong
Does not start for:
Nova
Xavier
Creighton
Butler
Seton hall
Georgetown

He could start for depaul, pc, st johns

While impossible to prove I think this is completely wrong. I personally would rather have Luke than Darryl Reynolds (Nova), Rashid Gaston (X), Tyler Wideman (Butler), and sophomore Jessie Govan (Georgetown). I would rather have Justin Patton (Creighton) and Angel Delgado (Hall). I think Jessie Govan might be better than Luke in future seasons.

I think you are suffering from backup center syndrome. Except our backup center isn't very good so you are using other team's centers.

Where Luke ranks in some statistical categories in the BE:
2P FGs: 4th
2P FG%: 3rd
Offensive rebounds: 2nd
Total Rebounds: 10th
Blocks: 5th
Rebounds per game: 8th
Blocks per game: 5th
Player Efficiency Rating: 3rd
True Shooting %: 5th
OR%: 2nd
Total Rebounding %: 4th
Block %: 3rd
Offensive Rating: 4th
Offensive Win Shares: 9th
Win Shares per 40: 7th
Defensive Plus/Minus: 9th

I think Luke, like many back to the basket centers, doesn't get properly appreciated. People see his size and assume he should just be dominating everybody. They don't see how much value he brings.

[tower912]

You see those stats and realize that he must be doing something right.   IMO, Luke's only real weakness is defending in space/lateral quickness.    He is a solid help defender in the paint.   He has good hands.   He shoots well.    He rebounds.    He is not a program changer.   He is a solid D1 center.   There is no shame in that.    We as fans sometimes get so caught up in the trivia and the nitpicking that we fail to see the big picture and keep a sense of perspective.      Luke is a good (not great) center who has represented MU well.   He  is fallible and makes mistakes like anyone.   Like all of us.     Quit holding him to an unreasonable standard.   

[MU82]

TAMU nailed it. We look at our own players and find faults. We don't see those same faults (or worse) in opposing players because we don't see them often enough and/or are not emotionally attached to the situation.

Therefore, those who see Luke's shortcomings and not his strengths convince themselves that he is the worst center in the history of mankind.

It's human nature, but it's also just as silly and inaccurate as those who were saying a year ago he had a great chance to be an NBA pro.

As tower said, Luke is a solid D1 center, nothing more and nothing less.

[brewcity77]

For years, we had the Gardner/Otule tandem. Luke isn't as good offensively as Gardner on offense and isn't as good defensively as Otule, but he's a better two way player than either. If you combined Gardner and Otule's best assets, you'd have an All-American. I think many thought that would be Luke, especially with how he played as a sophomore in conference games. He's our best center since Robert Jackson. No, he doesn't match Gardner offensively, but as a complete player, he's better.

[Hards Alumni]

Great line today by Luke.

[GGGG]

I can deal with the lack of offense.  His lack of ability on defense when the offense just waltzes down the lane over and over is maddening.

[brewcity77]

Luke played a decent first half despite the box score. Second half, not so much.

[tower912]

When he played defense, he got called for a foul.    The first one in particular was utter crap. 

[GGGG]

When he played defense, he got called for a foul.    The first one in particular was utter crap. 

The others weren't.  He needs to move his feet.

[MattyWarrior]

Out of position, no help on rim protection. What happened? Run some fricking plays

[tower912]

The others weren't.  He needs to move his feet.

Agreed.   I think it has been established that he lacks lateral quickness. 

[GGGG]

Agreed.   I think it has been established that he lacks lateral quickness. 

I also think he lacks awareness.  I don't know.  He's a solid guy who has improved, but he's just simply not good enough.

[Mr. Sand-Knit]

Brew u think fischer bettr than davante u are nuts.  Davante battled luke stands

[StillWarriors]

The others weren't.  He needs to move his feet.

He also doesn't seem to be able to just keep his arms straight up when defending inside. He almost always brings his arms down to go for the block, which is almost always promptly followed by a whistle.

[Clam Crowder]

I don't give s*** about these metrics to be honest. They are cool and I see the value in them but today...You tell me all these metrics and I look at the dude on the floor and I say bench him.

[brewcity77]

Brew u think fischer bettr than davante u are nuts.  Davante battled luke stands

Defensively, yes. As bad as Luke was in the second half, he's still on the whole better defensively. Offensively, Gardner was better, but Luke's more complete.

[tower912]

Brew u think fischer bettr than davante u are nuts.  Davante battled luke stands

Time has fogged your memory of 'avante's defense.

[ecompt]

Davante was slow as molasses on D but he was so strong and wide opponents could not push him around or bully him in the post. Luke gets physically abused by anyone taller than 6-8 or weighing more than 210.

[nyg]

Defensively, yes. As bad as Luke was in the second half, he's still on the whole better defensively. Offensively, Gardner was better, but Luke's more complete.

Only problem is that Luke is currently in super slump.
He has 4 points, 3 rebounds and had fouled out twice in last two games.
With this production, MU is in serious trouble unless he breaks this thing. 

[Jay Bee]

Only problem is that Luke is currently in super slump.
He has 4 points, 3 rebounds and had fouled out twice in last two games.
With this production, MU is in serious trouble unless he breaks this thing.

Our offensive production is NOT an issue.

Our defense is

[Class71]

Our offensive production is NOT an issue.

Our defense is

Correct.

No power forward or strong center results in what we saw today. Unfortunately I do not see solution from what has been demonstrated to date. Very unfortunate since we are a much better team than last year and are one player away from a very tough out. Still keeping the hope that someone in the front line will step up but it is looking a bit bleak.

[fjm]

Correct.

No power forward or strong center results in what we saw today. Unfortunately I do not see solution from what has been demonstrated to date. Very unfortunate since we are a much better team than last year and are one player away from a very tough out. Still keeping the hope that someone in the front line will step up but it is looking a bit bleak.

I will be the first to admit I'm a huge Wojo fan. And I agree with you. I'm hoping he gets into Hauser or KR's ear and asks them to be a defensive leader in the front court.

I love Luke, but his D just isn't there.

[Mr. Sand-Knit]

Our offensive production is NOT an issue.

Our defense is

Ive said the same, we are one of tge top scoring teams in the nation.  Luke doesnt play D and doesnt rebound.  We play 4 on 5 on defense.  Get him out play heldt

[willie warrior]

You see those stats and realize that he must be doing something right.   IMO, Luke's only real weakness is defending in space/lateral quickness.    He is a solid help defender in the paint.   He has good hands.   He shoots well.    He rebounds.    He is not a program changer.   He is a solid D1 center.   There is no shame in that.    We as fans sometimes get so caught up in the trivia and the nitpicking that we fail to see the big picture and keep a sense of perspective.      Luke is a good (not great) center who has represented MU well.   He  is fallible and makes mistakes like anyone.   Like all of us.     Quit holding him to an unreasonable standard.

Amen.