Pickens and Odum Championship Hearts

(St. Louis, MO) – Champions don’t always get the trophy or cut down the nets, but they do leave an impression. In the next couple of weeks two champions will finish their Missouri Valley Conference careers, but their memory will not soon be forgotten.

Indiana State’s Jake Odum and Missouri State’s Keith Pickens have taken very different routes to the conclusion of their college basketball careers. Odum has received many accolades, trophies and awards while Pickens has received multiple surgeries and months of rehabilitation, but both have left an imprint on their college programs.

Odum is a Terre Haute kid that stayed home and has made the most of his limited physical abilities. He will go down as one of the most prolific players in Sycamore history. His drive and will to win is legendary with his teammates, opponents, coaches and fans. Opposing teams aren’t intimidated by his raw talent, but deeply respect his ability to succeed.

Head Coach Greg Lansing told me before the season that Jake is a winner and he wouldn’t want anyone on his team more than Odum.

 

Tuesday, Lansing said Jake has flown under the radar nationally, but not in the Valley.

 

Pickens arrived in Springfield, Missouri as one of the most decorated players in the State of Missouri. ‘Pick’ was all-state, his team finished fourth in the Missouri large school classification and he was an explosive athlete coming out of Oakville High School. The Bears had scored a recruiting coup.

Sadly, injuries robbed Pickens of his high-flying abilities and limited his playing time. When his injuries mounted, Pickens decided to ‘retire’ after the 2013 season, but when his body started feeling better he chose to return this year as the best ‘walk on’ in Bears’ history.

Head Coach Paul Lusk was glad to have his veteran back in the fold, but knew he would have to use Pickens sparingly. The St. Louis senior has had some great moments this season, like 18 points against Drake, 15 rebounds against Alabama A&M and 10 boards against Illinois State, but more importantly Pickens has taught the ‘baby Bears’ how to play the game, how to endure and how to respect opportunities they’ve been afforded.

Coach Lusk told me that Pickens is fun to coach and that the former Oakville Tiger is greatly respected in the Bears’ locker room.

 

The teammates, fans and coaches will remember these two amazing basketball players that have done more than just make baskets, grab rebounds and hand out assists.

Odum and Pickens have trained the next generation of teammates to play and perform with character, tenacity, passion and endurance and their legacies in Terre Haute and Springfield are secure.

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