Andrew Force:
Future150 National Analyst. Covering High and Middle School basketball.
MEMPHIS, TN (Future150) -- Last season Louisiana Tech narrowly missed the NIT's Final Four.
Next season Louisiana Tech will make a run for 30 wins. How can Head Coach Michael White expect to maintain his recent run of success? Coach Michael White and the Bulldogs of Tech will have Jeremiah Martin on his team.
"My top five was Louisiana Tech, UT Chattanooga, Murray State, Memphis and Tennessee," said Martin. "My (high school) coach told me that Louisiana Tech is good with guards. And they pressure 94 feet."
Martin plays high school for Memphis Mitchell High School and Head Coach Faragi Phillips. For AAU, Martin ran with Coach Norton Hurd and Team Thad.
"This summer, Coach Hurd stayed hard on us," said Martin. "He always pushes us hard. He is always on us."
Martin will take his official visit to Louisiana Tech next weekend, which will enable him to get the royal treatment before he formally signs on in April.
"I think he will get everything he needs from them," said Coach Hurd. "I feel like he made a great decision. I told him this was one of his best choices."
Coach Hurd has great respect for the Louisiana Tech program and specifically Coach White.
Coach Hurd went on to say that he and Coach Mincy played high school ball against each other. He also stated that he has a ton of respect for Coach Mincy's basketball IQ and coaching abilities.
Breakdown
Martin comes to life when the ball is in his hands. His entire posture improves and the demeanor changes. Few guards can keep the slick ball handler from penetrating. The left-handed guard slithers into the lane with regularity.
When he does approach that critical final obstacle of rim-protecting bigs, Martin courageously attacks. The aggression of Martin makes him an elite finisher in traffic. The outside shot is decent, but his greatest skill is finishing against taller players.
His courageous play infuses teammates with bravery. Toughness displayed by Martin adds value to any program he joins.
"Jeremiah meant a lot to my program," said Coach Hurd. "He is tough. He does everything. He is versatile. He can play the one, the two. I think he could have gone to other (AAU) programs and started, but he stuck with it. I am just proud that everything came through for him. He has a great high school coach, Coach Phillips which lead Mitchell to the 2014 state championship."
Of course Martin will need to tack on some upper body strength. All high school players need to bulk up. Still, he is strong for his age and fears no one.
Program outlook
Louisiana Tech has a point guard signed in the Class of 2015, Derric Jean. If Martin plays off the ball he becomes the sixth shooting guard on the roster, by the time he arrives.
"He has a senior guard and a junior guard," said Martin. "He said the senior guard is going to the league and the junior guard might go too. I am going to play regardless, but if the junior guard goes I will play more."
The Bulldogs were recruiting him as a point guard. Louisiana Tech can use him as a point guard or shooting guard. His best position would probably be as the secondary ball handler.
Opposing teams will not be able to frighten him out of breaking a press. Traps will be split rather easily. He probably would be better off the ball though, because he creates so well with it. Once he darts into the lane he is looking to score. A pass-first point guard might suit the Tech program more.
The Bulldogs are 10-4 with an unblemished 7-0 home record. Their best wins are Morehead State and Southern Miss, but Coach White's bunch lost by just two points at the Carrier Dome.
Legendary
Until recently Louisiana Tech basketball was known for Karl Malone. Utah Jazz power forward Paul Milsap has started to wedge his way into the national consciousness.
Martin can now carve out his own name in Ruston, Louisiana.
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