CARBONDALE (WSIL) -- Every week we'll take a closer look at a different Saluki with Coach Bryan Mullins giving us some analysis and insight.
Let's visit with Lance Jones. As a freshman, Jones started 26 of 32 games and averaged 9 points a game for the Salukis. Down the stretch he became a key contributor.
Coach Mullins was impressed with Jones last season and likes the effort he has seen this summer and up to this point.
"Lance just got better throughout the year and that is just a tribute to him because he continued to work every day at practice," Mullins said. "He stayed after every day at practice and he saw it pay off second half of the Valley season. Statistically second half of the Valley season he was one of the better guards in the league. Not freshmen, not sophomores, not juniors, just one of the better guards. With Lance, it is continuing to take the next step in terms of being able to make the right decisions at the right times and also defensively, to start to be the head of our defense and I think that will come with experience but he's done a great job communicating this summer and this fall with the guys and taking that leadership approach a little more serious and I think after you've been through a season everyone feels a little more comfortable in the program and we have high expectations for Lance and again he hasn't had that sense or feeling that he has arrived in any way. Marcus, Lance, Trent, all those guys are hungry as ever to continue to get better and to continue to take this program to another level."
