The Nevada Sagebrush

High expectations loom for Luuuuke

By: Lukas Eggen

Monday, November 16, 2009 - 11:17 PM

“You can’t worry about people’s expectations. You have to look at your own expectations and try to achieve those.” — Wolf Pack forward Luke Babbitt, who was named the Western Athletic Conference Preseason Player of the Year

Click to enlarge. Photo by Brian Bolton / Nevada Sagebrush.

During the 2008-09 season, no men’s basketball player made a bigger splash than forward Luke Babbitt. Throughout his freshman campaign, the Reno native led the Wolf Pack in both scoring (16.9 points) and rebounding (7.4) per game. Along with guard Armon Johnson, Babbitt became the focal point of the offense.

Because of these numbers, it didn’t take long for people to take notice. Babbitt was named the Western Athletic Conference Preseason Player of the Year.
“He’s a great all-around player,” Nevada forward Joey Shaw said. “And he got better and better after every game.”

Now, with a year under his belt, Babbitt is ready to take his game to the next level and emerge as the leader for the Wolf Pack.

“I learned a lot last season,” Babbitt said. “It’s a long season and the main thing I learned is you have to keep trying to get better throughout the year.”

With the Wolf Pack having begun its season Saturday night, players know Babbitt will play a crucial role in the team’s success this season.

“We need everyone to contribute,” Shaw said. “We expect Babbitt to come in and do his part, just like everyone else.”

Forward Dario Hunt said the team’s expectations of Babbitt are simple.

“We expect that he continues to improve and helps the team,” Hunt said.

First-year Wolf Pack head coach David Carter said the team will need Babbitt to play at a high level every game for the team to succeed.

“Last year, there were games where he played up and down, as freshmen do,” Carter said. “This season, it’s big for us that he has a solid year and is more consistent.” BBP_Babbitt_numbers

Despite the accolades and awards he has received, Babbitt said he worked hard to improve his game.

“I lifted a lot of weights and worked on my quickness and strength,” Babbitt said. “I also worked on my ball handling.”

And although he scored a game-high 26 points against Montana State on Saturday, Babbitt has already pinpointed areas of his game that needs work.

“I need to improve my defense, my ball handling and just doing the little things to help the team win,” Babbitt said.

And while Carter wants to get more players involved in scoring, he knows Babbitt will play a big role in the offense.

“Babbitt is a good shooter. Joey is a good shooter,” Carter said. “If they are open, I want them to take the shot.”

Perhaps the biggest thing Babbitt will be battling is expectations. Heading into this season, expectations for Babbitt are higher than ever after he was named one of 50 players on the preseason watch list for the John R. Wooden Award, which is given to the top player in college basketball.

Despite all of the hype, Babbitt isn’t letting the pressure get to him.

“You really can’t worry about people’s expectations,” Babbitt said. “You have to look at your own expectations and try to achieve those.”

While Babbitt will be seen as a leader this season, he said his role is no more important than anyone else’s on the team.

Luke’s Hot Start

➤ Luke Babbitt was named the Western Athletic Conference Preseason Player of the Year.
➤ Last season, Babbitt led the Wolf Pack in both scoring and rebounds per game.
➤ Babbitt was one of 50 players named to the preseason watch list for the John R. Wooden Award.

Lukas Eggen can be reached at leggen@nevadasagebrush.com.