In the months leading up to 2003-2004 basketball season, many
wondered the following, “Who will replace Marque Perry?” referring
to the star senior guard for last season’s men’s basketball team at
Saint Louis University.
Others, who may have been a little more knowledgeable about SLU
basketball would note that Kenny Brown, the senior center who
graduated along with Perry last year, was also difficult to
replace.
The guard position featured highly touted Villanova transfer
Reggie Bryant, plus returnees Josh Fisher and Anthony Drejaj, so
fans were familiar with Perry’s potential replacements around the
perimeter, but Tom Frericks, a junior college transfer, was the
center not known by SLU fans.
Now, 17 games into this season, the big 6-feet-9-inch center for
the Billikens is seen as a vital ingredient in the Billikens’
recipe for success.
Entering Wednesday night’s battle with the University of North
Carolina-Charlotte, Frericks was third in Conference USA in field
goal percentage as well as the team’s leading rebounder at six
rebounds per contest.
As the season has progressed, Frericks continues to be
increasingly more effective, as he has scored in double figures in
each of the last five games, averaging 11.8 points per game during
that span, including his second double-double of the season
Saturday against East Carolina University, scoring 13 points and
corralling 12 rebounds for the Billikens in their victory.
“He’s huge on both ends,” said men’s basketball coach Brad
Soderberg after the win over ECU. “He’s my kind of post
player.”
Frericks, who came to SLU from Chipola Junior College in
Marianna, Fla., began his collegiate career at the University of
Alabama-Birmingham in 2000, one of SLU’s rivals in C-USA whom they
will visit on Saturday.
He averaged two points and two rebounds in 7.5 minutes per game.
Coincidentally, one of his top performances as a Blazer came
against the Billikens in a SLU victory in Birmingham on March 3,
2001.
One of Frericks’ most prominent characteristics is the intensity
with which he plays.
Part of that could be attributed to his background as a football
player in high school, where he was a two-time All State honoree in
both football and basketball playing for Greenwood High School in
his hometown of Bowling Green, Ky.
The toughness he displays has made him a force to be reckoned
with in battles for rebounds.
“If our opponents don’t block him off, he will at least get his
hand on the ball and if they block him off he might get his hand on
the ball as well,” Soderberg said.
Last Saturday, a 70-47 win against East Carolina, Frericks had
what may have been his most complete game of the season. SLU worked
the ball behind the Pirates big men, leading to 13 points for the
SLU center.
A good deal of those points also came on second chances with
Frericks cleaning the boards on both ends of the floor, collecting
13 rebounds in total.
Early in the season, Frericks occasionally struggled with foul
trouble and difficulty with recurring asthma. He often still picks
up early fouls, but Soderberg feels he has cut down on what he
called “silly” infractions and likes the possibilities of having
Frericks, and his unexpected scoring punch, down the stretch of
games, especially with the lineup of games the Billikens have
upcoming.
Likewise, as the season progresses and Frericks hits midseason
form, the asthma becomes less of a problem and Frericks becomes
more of a force.
Frericks now finds himself on the cusp of becoming one of SLU’s
prime-time players.
While the likes of Perry and Brown cannot be forgotten, if
Frericks continues with consistently solid contributions in the
middle, the stars of the past can certainly be pushed to the back
of Bills fan’s minds.
Tom Frericks
Career: Played at UAB as a freshman before transferring to
junior college last season, came to SLU this season.
Season Stats: leading team with more than six rebounds per
game.
Highlights: Scored in double figures for a five-game stretch
this season. Has two double-doubles on the season.
