19. Kenneth Lofton Jr., Louisiana Tech
Like Aimaq, in an offseason defined by transfer movement, it’s slightly surprising that Lofton will continue to ply his trade at Louisiana Tech; after a relatively modest start to the season, the freshman forward rather quickly morphed into a dominant player on the post, the type that could have translated to a larger stage right away. No matter. Lofton will be excellent for Louisiana Tech again, and even more of a nightmare for opposing defenders, particularly at the Conference USA level. At 6-foot-7, Lofton is a true post big, in that the vast majority of his touches and scores come on designed post-up plays or offensive rebound putbacks. The next step in his development will require more face-ups, more ball-screener viability, more versatility. But even if Lofton is just what he was in the NIT last spring — when he put up 80 points and 37 rebounds (and shot 30-of-51 from the field) in four games, including a 27-point, 13-rebound, 10-of-13 clinic against Colorado State — he’ll be one of the most productive big men in college hoops. (La. Tech plays at Alabama Nov. 9. Heads up for that.)
Like Aimaq, in an offseason defined by transfer movement, it’s slightly surprising that Lofton will continue to ply his trade at Louisiana Tech; after a relatively modest start to the season, the freshman forward rather quickly morphed into a dominant player on the post, the type that could have translated to a larger stage right away. No matter. Lofton will be excellent for Louisiana Tech again, and even more of a nightmare for opposing defenders, particularly at the Conference USA level. At 6-foot-7, Lofton is a true post big, in that the vast majority of his touches and scores come on designed post-up plays or offensive rebound putbacks. The next step in his development will require more face-ups, more ball-screener viability, more versatility. But even if Lofton is just what he was in the NIT last spring — when he put up 80 points and 37 rebounds (and shot 30-of-51 from the field) in four games, including a 27-point, 13-rebound, 10-of-13 clinic against Colorado State — he’ll be one of the most productive big men in college hoops. (La. Tech plays at Alabama Nov. 9. Heads up for that.)
