3 Lute Olson Nominees – Why Not 4?

(St. Louis, MO) – Valley fans are both proud and angry about Monday’s announcement of the pre-season watch list for the Lute Olson award. That prestigious honor is given to an outstanding guard that has been in their current program at least two years.

Freshmen and transfers are not eligible.

Two Wichita State guards, Fred VanVleet and Ron Baker join the MVC’s returning leading scorer D. J. Balentine (Evansville) on the watch list. Those three all deserve that kind of pre-season notoriety.

VanVleet and Baker were finalists for the award last season. The WSU seniors have been a part of the historic successful run for Gregg Marshall’s team. Baker averaged almost 15 points and VanVleet almost 14 for the Shockers.

Balentine was the Valley’s leading scorer a year ago and has accumulated 1,750 points in his Evansville career. The Purple Aces were winners of the last year’s College Insider.com Tournament.

But what about Southern Illinois’ Anthony Beane? The four year Saluki star averaged 16.1 ppg last year, nailing 48 three-point baskets and converting 81% of his free throws. He has been a stellar performer and student athlete in all four of Barry Hinson’s seasons in Carbondale, but unfortunately did not make the pre-season watch list.

No Ohio Valley guards were named to the Olson watch list.

Do Good