Colorado University Athletics
Buffs' Siewert Ready To Assume Bigger Role
October 18, 2018 | Men's Basketball
BOULDER — In the wake of a season-ending knee injury to Colorado sophomore center Dallas Walton, Buffs junior forward Lucas Siewert is poised to take on a bigger role this season.
"Lucas' role becomes really paramount," head coach Tad Boyle said at CU's media day earlier this week. "He's really improved his low block game. He's getting better defensively. He looks like a legitimate Division I frontcourt player now."
There is no doubt Walton's injury is a major blow for the Buffs. The 7-footer from Arvada played in 30 games with 25 starts last year, averaging 5.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in just under 19 minutes per game. He was also a formidable force on defense, leading the team in blocks with 34.
But Siewert, Â the 6-foot-10, 230-pounder from Brazil, is confident he can fill the void and help the team be successful this season.
"(Walton) was a big presence in the paint," Siewert said. "I think I can fill that gap for him, just being as active as he was and just play my game and help the team win."
After averaging 12 minutes a game as a freshman, Siewert's role increased significantly last season. He saw action in 30 games, including one start, and averaged 6.8 points and 3.0 rebounds in just under 18 minutes per game. He led the team and was second in the Pac-12 in 3-point shooting percentage, hitting 30 of his 67 attempts from beyond the arc (44.8 percent).
Siewert caught fire towards the end of his sophomore campaign. Over the final 11 games of the season, he averaged 11.6 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. In CU's final five games of the season, he averaged 14 points and 5.2 rebounds per contest, scoring in double figures every game.
"I think with Lucas Siewert, you saw in the second half of the season last year him come into his own and start developing," Boyle said. "He's shooting the ball with unbelievable confidence. He shot 44 percent from 3 last year. Every time he shoots it he thinks it's going in.
Over the last 11 games, Siewert shot a team-best 50.6 percentage from the field, including an outstanding 18-for-35 from 3-point range.
Entering the new season, Siewert is looking to build off his strong finish to last season.
"That is something I have been thinking about a lot," Siewert said. "I need to start the season the way I finished last season or even better. I know that it is going to help the team a lot if I maintain those numbers."
Siewert is also excited to show the college basketball world how he has improved his game during the offseason.
"I have been working a lot on my post-up game," he said. "I think that is going to be a big key this year. I know I can play outside as well but I think if I add more of an inside game it is going to expand my outside game even more."
Boyle believes Siewert could be a factor for the in helping the team be successful this season.
"If you look at this team and say, 'Give me one one or two X-factors, Lucas Siewert is an X-factor for us," Boyle said.
Colorado will play its first game Nov. 3 in an home exhibition game against Colorado Mines at 4 p.m. The Buffs will open their regular season schedule at at home Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. against Drake.
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