Lucas Woodhouse has become one of the premier point guards in the Big South with just 13 starts.
Lucas Woodhouse hasn’t been the starter all season long, but he didn’t need to set the assist record for a single season during his Freshman campaign. With 8 assists last night against Campbell, Woodhouse passed Ryan Earl who set the previous record of 147 in 2002-03.
Woodhouse now has 155 assists on the year, despite only starting since January 19. On the year he is averaging 5.2 assists per game, but played 19 minutes or less in 13 of Longwood’s first 17 games.
In solely Big South play Woodhouse leads the conference averaging 7.3 assists per game and has 109 assists to just 55 turnovers. That ratio is the best of any player averaging more than 30 minutes in Big South play.
Remarkably, Woodhouse has played all 40 minutes in the Lancers last four games and the team is 3-1 in that span.
To put the team’s turnaround with Woodhouse in perspective, during the first match up with Campbell, he played just 18 minutes and had 3 points and 4 assists in a 10 point loss. With Woodhouse starting and playing all 40 minutes last night, he had 20 points, 8 assists and Longwood won by 13 points.
Woodhouse certainly has a very bright future in the blue and white, the only question that remains is… what took so long to start him?
Congrats to Lucas Woodhouse! A lot accomplished during a hectic time. The team is totally different now and he is playing every minute of every game. He is no joke and the best is yet to come. Longwood is very lucky to have him and the coaches know it and should!
Congrats also to Woodhouse on being only the third freshman in Big South history to reach 155 assists in a season! I certainly agree with your comments, but do the coaches really know how lucky they are to have him? I have not heard Coach Gillian publically uttered one word of praise for the freshman thus far this year. The closest he came was a few weeks back when he said the game is really “slowing down” for Woodhouse (sort of a pat on the back). They need to make it clear to Woodhouse and all Lancer fans that this is his team and he is the guy to run it through all the ups and downs of the season. He has a knack and it seems clear that he will make this team successful (if allowed to). However, If Nik Brown is going to come back at some point and Coach Gillian plans to restrict Woodhouses’ playing time and compromise his ability to lead this team, the team will undoubtedly suffer and I’m affraid it may force Lucas to go elsewhere (I’m sure there are more than a few teams that would be willing to give Woodhouse the keys without having to look over his shoulder)…that would be a disater for the team and for all the Lancer faithful.
Well said! I just do not see any way Nik Brown comes back and runs the point. The coaches cannot be that stupid. Nik will fit just fine in the 2 spot next year. That will give him a chance to shoot as he wishes, which we all know is what he likes to do. I really do believe the controversy is over in their eyes. All coaches, even the one that has been on Nik’s side, even sees the value and need for Lucas at point for the rest on his Longwood career. Best career choice they can make and it will produce handsomely for them!
Well put…I hope you are right.
I hope you’re right too. I’ll believe it when I see it.
Nik is actually a decent slasher when he decides to be, but seems to be in love with 18 footers and threes. I think the tricky situation is does Nik come off the bench or are you bumping someone currently in the starting five to the bench?
My favorite thing about Lucas is how much opposing team’s fans thinks he sucks. Then he drops about 10 dimes on them and quietly goes about his business.
This is high praise, but Lucas could easily shatter every point guard record here and become the premier PG in this conference. Lets hope the coaches stay the course. Obviously this team had no flow before Lucas took over.
Nik Brown has said himself, multiple times, that being a good PG is mainly about scoring. Which I couldn’t disagree with more. I do think there is a valuable spot for Nik on the squad, he’s still very young, but I don’t think that’s as the starting PG.
I’m glad we have Lucas. He’s fun to watch, a good kid, and exactly what this team needs in the short and long term.
I have no idea what took so long after seeing the glimpses, but sure glad that the change did come. Go Lancers!