Saturday, February 12, 2000
Miami's Allendorf solid in middle
Senior has grown into post position
BY JOHN FAY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Rich Allendorf was not what you would call an impact player when he arrived at Miami University. He wasn't strong enough or quick enough to compete at the Division I level.
But that was OK with MU coach Charlie Coles.
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BG at MIAMI
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• When: Noon today
• Where: Millett Hall (9,200)
• Records: MU 11-10, 7-6 Mid-American Conference; BG 17-6, 9-4
• TV: None
• Radio: WCKY-AM (1360), WMOH-AM (1450), WFMG-FM (101.3)
BY THE NUMBERS
• 9: Number of 3-point field goals Miami attempted against Akron Wednesdy, fewest since last March 3
• 20: Number of points Dave Esterkamp scored in the first half of BG's victory over Buffalo on Wednesday
• 5-6: Bowling Green's record on the road this year
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“Half the kids we recruit aren't going to play much as freshmen and sophomores,” he said. “But if they develop, they can help us as juniors and seniors. We have to be patient, and the players and their par ents have to be patient.”
In Allendorf's case, patience has paid off.
He'll be in the starting lineup today at noon when Miami takes on Bowling Green in a Mid-American Conference game at Millett Hall.
Allendorf had his best game at Miami Wednesday, scoring 12 points, grabbing six rebounds and blocking two shots in the RedHawks' 71-60 victory over Akron.
“The Akron game was something to build on,” Allen dorf said. “Now, I'm going to concentrate on playing well against Bowling Green. It will be a challenge. (BG center) Len Matela is good player.”
Allendorf, a 6-foot-10 center from St. Xavier High, gives Miami a presence in the middle. He has several post moves.
“Rich has concentrated on his technique,” Coles said. “Technique is the big thing. The two best post players I've ever seen were Adrian Dantley and Mark Aguirre. And they weren't but 6-3 or 6-4. But they used their legs and rear end. Everyone used to develop post moves. You don't see that as much.
“But Rich has done that.”
In his first two seasons at Miami, Allendorf worked on improving his physique and conditioning. He's gone from 275 pounds to 250 and has added considerable muscle.
Allendorf was recruited to play at Miami by Coles.
“When I first came back to Miami, I went down to see him play,” Coles said. “He hit 11 of 12 shots. He made his free throws. I said, "I kind of like him. We're going to recruit him.' There weren't any votes. It was on me.
“That's why I think I'm tough on Rich. I was the one who brought him in.”
Allendorf scored a total of 17 points as a freshman and seven points as sophomore.
This season, he's averaging 3.3 points and 3.2 rebounds a game. He leads the team in field-goal percentage at 53.2 and blocked shots with 17.
Allendorf will be hard pressed to repeat his Akron performance against Bowling Green. The Falcons held Miami's inside players to two field goals in nine attempts in BG's 68-63 victory Jan.19.
“They're very good in the post,” Coles said. “They're good with their hands.”
Bowling Green is 17-6 overall and 9-4 in the MAC. The Falcons, who are in third place in the MAC East behind Kent (11-3) and Akron (10-4), have a 2-4 record in conference games on the road.
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