ETSU's Hubbard Earns His Way to Center For Bucs

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – The Tommy Hubbard experiment begins today.

Hubbard is expected to take the floor as East Tennessee State University’s starting center when the Buccaneers officially open up their 2008-09 season by taking on Temple at 3 p.m. in Charleston, S.C., at the Charleston Classic basketball tournament.

Hubbard worked hard during the offseason to earn the right to be part of ETSU’s (19-13, 11-5 Atlantic Sun Conference in 2007-08) starting five. He added muscle weight, improved his conditioning and refined his inside game. The extra effort and minor tweaks and changes paid off. Hubbard’s muscular frame is now chiseled, while a hard, clear look in his eyes simply says, “I’m ready.”

In addition, Hubbard has earned the full support of his teammates and Bucs coach Murry Bartow.

“It’s already [a] positive. There’s nothing negative about it,” ETSU senior forward Kevin Tiggs said. “As long as we keep winning games, there ain’t too much negative about it you can say.

“It’s fun. I know he’s got my back, and I know I got his.”

Considering that the Buccaneers’ only other legitimate options at the center position are unproven freshmen – 6-foot-8 Isiah Brown; 6-foot-11 Seth Coy – the hard-working, all-hustle Hubbard currently appears to be the best bet for an ETSU squad hoping to turn its main liability last season – defense – into an asset.

Here’s the thing, though: Hubbard stands 6-foot-4. In a height war, Hubbard would lose out to three-fourths of ETSU’s starting five, including 6-foot-6 freshman point guard Adam Sollazzo.

And the initial battle in the paint between the Bucs and Owls (21-13, 11-5 Atlantic 10) should look downright odd, when Hubbard attempts to fend off post-up moves by Sergio Olmos, Temple’s 7-foot senior center.

Six-foot-four guards are slowly becoming a rarity in college basketball.

As for 6-4 centers? Well, they’re almost unheard of.

But despite the significant height disadvantage and mountainous challenge Hubbard is about to face, the ETSU sophomore said he’s confident hard work, devotion and hustle can overcome a size issue he has no control over.

“I worked hard during the offseason. [It seems] like it kind of paid off and the coaches actually realize [it]. It shows that the coaches have trust in me, and that I have what it takes to help the team as best as I can” said Hubbard, who averaged 0.6 points and 1.2 rebounds in 24 games – three starts – for the Bucs last season.

Hubbard pulled down seven rebounds and scored nine points on 4-of-8 shooting in ETSU’s 100-73 home exhibition win over Mars Hill on Nov. 8.

An elbow bruise hindered Hubbard during practice this week. But according to Bartow, Hubbard visited a doctor on Tuesday and has been cleared to play.

“It’s something that’s been an ongoing deal, and it does concern us,” Bartow said.

“He’s still in some pain; still hurts. But he’s our guy, and he’s ready to roll.”

Much like the unexpected decision by Bartow to insert Sollazzo into the Bucs’ starting lineup – ETSU senior point guard and preseason starter Jocolby Davis is expected to miss at least the first month of play due to a wrist injury – Hubbard’s promotion was part reward, part necessity.

Where Sollazzo is inadvertently benefitting from the midseason departure last year of then-sophomore point guard Dequan Twilley, Hubbard is now expected to see increased playing time and exposure because of another lost Buc.

Then-sophomore Blake Mishler, a 6-foot-8 center/forward, also left ETSU midway through last season. Mishler transferred to Illinois State, creating a major void on the Bucs’ depth chart. Now, Hubbard is being asked to help fill out the empty space in the center.

“Each game is going to be a ride,” Hubbard said. “I’m looking forward to it. So let’s get it rolling.”

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