Atlanta – In addition to being named the “most outstanding player” of the Atlanta Regional, Louisiana State forward Tyrus Thomas should have received a second award – perhaps from nearby Georgia Tech’s school of engineering. For defying the laws of gravity.
Thomas, a 6-foot-9 freshman, soared so high Saturday in LSU’s 70-60 overtime victory, he almost needed help from an air traffic controller. Landing became a challenge.
Thomas, who finished with 21 points and 13 rebounds, hurt his right leg in OT when he came down wrong after trying to block a shot.
And in the first half, Thomas unintentionally came down on the top of Brad Buckman’s head.
Buckman, a Texas senior, is 6-8.
“(Thomas) is a tremendous athlete,” Buckman said. “For a freshman, he has a tremendous upside. He’s going to be good, man.”
All four of Thomas’ field goals in the first half were dunks. He finished with three blocked shots but altered several more.
“When you have an athlete like Tyrus Thomas, he can make plays like that throughout the game,” LSU coach John Brady said. “Not only does he help our team, he can demoralize the other team.
“His athletic team is something you don’t coach; that’s something you recruit,” Brady said. “He’s energized our team throughout the team with plays like that.”
LSU outscored Texas 18-8 in the five-minute overtime period.
“We have the mentality that we’re not going to lose,” Thomas said.
Guards’ game?
College basketball is supposed to be a guards’ game, but joining LSU’s Thomas on the all-regional team were LSU forward Glen Davis, Texas forwards LaMarcus Aldridge and P.J. Tucker, and Duke forward Shelden Williams.
Taking pride
LSU players and coaches hope the program’s trip to the Final Four will offer an emotional release to those still suffering from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
“I hope this gives them some motivation, some uplifting, a good feeling about their state,” Davis said. “People are recuperating (from Katrina). I wanted them to feel good about their state.”
“If we’ve helped our state in some way and uplifted people, we’re humbled by that,” Brady added.
