The Lions will host Santa Clara tonight in their final West Coast Conference game of the season and it will be the final home game for a slew of senior Lions, including starters Drew Viney and LaRon Armstead.
Drew Viney is the most naturally talented offensive player I've seen in a Lions uniform in the six years I've been a fan. He only played three years in an LMU jersey, having started his collegiate career at the University of Oregon, but still ranks as one of the greatest players in program history. Drew recently became just the 13th Lion to score more than 1,000 career points while pulling down more than 500 rebounds.
Drew has an unbelievable and diverse offensive game. Able to play both inside and outside the paint, he has moves that are typically only seen at the professional level, from his fadeaway jumper to his pump-fake to his patience and footwork around the rim. He is the type of player capable of exploding for 30 points on any given night.
Unfortunately, Drew's time at LMU has been sprinkled with injury (an off-season foot surgery, a battle with migraines), so I don't think we as fans ever got to see him consistently play to his full potential. He had moments of absolute pure greatness, and moments where he shied away from the spotlight. That's why thinking about a Lion season without Drew is so disappointing and scary. He will undoubtedly leave an unfillable hole.
LaRon Armstead has always been a crowd favorite, and he deserved it. Every interaction I've had with him both during my time covering the team and since I just got the impression that he is one of the nicest guys. Furthermore, he has had, what would have been to many, a somewhat frustrating career as a Lion.
Many have blocked the 2008-09 season from their memories, but that was the year a freshman named LaRon Armstead poured his heart and soul into a team that ended up finishing just 3-28. Vernon Teel and Jarred DuBois seemed to be the face of the struggling program, but when Teel went down with a broken foot LaRon stepped up big, even playing back-to-back games of 40 minutes when the team, with an ever-shrinking roster, needed him to. I'll never forget the team's game at LMU, when LaRon went for 18 points again the No. 12 ranked team. Even Bruins fans were buzzing about the kid.
But then things got more difficult for LaRon, and his minutes diminished dramatically with the arrival of Drew Viney, Larry Davis and others to the team the following two years. I remember talking to Coach Good about him, and how he respected LaRon so much and felt bad that there didn't seem to be a consistent spot for him in the lineup.
That's why I'm so glad he got to have another coming out party this season, and reinserted himself into the starting lineup. Despite being the odd one out of the lineup for the better part of the past two seasons, LaRon continued to work hard and help the team when asked. He deserved this years starting spot more than anybody. He will graduate ranking in the top-25 of games played as a Lion.
Tim Diederichs will most likely appear in his final game as a Lion tonight. Tim is the longest tenured player on the team, and consistently worked hard to improve. Even when not appearing in games, Tim was an asset to the team with his positive attitude and motivation from the bench. Drew always liked playing with Tim for the simple reason that he focused on fundamentals, boxing out, setting screen, etc.
Walk-ons Kelsey Chine and Daniel Latimer will also be honored at tonight's Senior Night ceremony. Like Tim, Daniel has been an exceptionally positive figure on the bench. Also seems like an extremly nice guy every time I interacted with him. Kelsey approached Coach Good concerning a walk-on spot when he arrived at LMU. I remember Coach Good telling me how impressed he was with the kid, who played high school ball with Jarred. I wish them both the best.
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