BEAUMONT, Texas – The first Lamar University squad to feel the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the men's basketball team, stepped on the court last Wednesday for their first official practice of the season. The Cardinals return to the hardwood for the first time since having their postseason run at the Southland Conference Championships cut short after the nationwide cancellation of conference tournaments. Big Red had advanced to the second round of the championships for a second consecutive season following an impressive 21-point victory over rival McNeese in the opening round.
 
The Cardinals entered their second week of practice Monday afternoon. Although the Cardinals took their first step in preparation for the 2020-21 season Wednesday, the team is still dealing with the overall adversity from the virus. The schedule for the upcoming season has not yet been released.
 
While fans are still waiting on the official schedule, LamarCardinals.com would like to continue the breakdown of the men's basketball team. Today LamarCardinals.com will look at the LU centers.
 
Quick Facts:
 
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 2/0
Starters Returning/Lost: 1/0
Newcomers: 0

Top Returner:
Avery Sullivan. The Pflugerville native really came into his own last season setting career highs in every statistical category. Sullivan went from being a little used reserve to consistent double-double man fighting for All-Southland Conference honors.  
 
Key Stats::
Price proved last season that he wasn't afraid to have Sullivan and Muoka on the court at the same time giving the Red and White one of the more formidable one-two low post punches in the Southland. The Sullivan-Muoka duo combined to average 15.5 points, 12.7 rebounds and nearly three blocked shots per game.

Noteworthy:
In any other year, sophomore David Muoka would've been listed as the top returner at this position but it just so happens that his rookie season coincided with Sullivan's breakout year. A native of Hong Kong, Muoka only got stronger as the season wore on gaining the confidence of his coaches to earn more playing time. He rewarded head coach Tic Price and his staff with improved scoring and rebound numbers while maintaining his status as one of the league's top shot blockers.
 
The Storyline
The Cardinals have plenty of reason to be excited about the low post. LU returns two very talented players each with different strengths. Not only did Sullivan set career highs in every statistical category as a junior, those career highs were set before the midpoint of the season. Sullivan averaged 12.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game in 2019-20 while recording 12 double-doubles. Sullivan has played in 75 games during his career with all 32 of his starts coming last season.
 
"The good thing about Muoka and Sullivan is that we were able to play them together for the majority of the year, so that gave us real good size inside," said Price. "Avery has worked really hard over the past couple of years to change his body. He's a young man with a really high basketball IQ.
 
"When we recruited Avery one of the things, we really liked was we felt that he had a really high ceiling. We were pleasantly surprised with how much he accomplished a year ago, but we knew he had it in him. Sometimes all a guy needs is a chance. We needed him to step up last year and he did just that," added Price.
 
Not to take anything away from Sullivan's defense, but what Sullivan brings to the offense Muoka brings that same presence to the defensive end of the floor. Muoka finished third in the conference averaging 1.8 blocks per contest as a freshman. He recorded 10 games of at least three blocks. While serving to alter shots in the low post all season, Muoka came off the bench to average 3.2 points and pull down 4.5 rebounds per game before being moved into the starting lineup. As the season wore on, Muoka's offense began to catch up with his defense. Muoka worked hard in the weight room during the offseason adding bulk to his 6-10 frame.
 
"He helps elevate our defense because people know he's back there," said Price. "David is long and rangy and he has perfect timing on his shot blocking ability. We certainly hope he continues to improve, and he's shown that so far early on in practice. I feel he's improved offensively too around the rim.
 
As a freshman, Muoka recorded 58 rejections last season which listed him seventh on the school's all-time season records list.