Saint Louis Basketball: Analyzing newcomers on the 2020-21 roster
Martan Linssen
As fans at his previous two schools have called him, the German Hammer, or Thor, adds even more depth to the Billikens’ frontcourt. At 6’8″ 255lbs, Linssen is a traditional back to the basket big who can grab boards with the best of them. He also has a sweet little mid-range jumper he can pull out when a defender gets a little too relaxed on him.
The redshirt junior has spent time at Valparaiso and UNC-Wilmington before graduating last spring and transferring to SLU. He is immediately eligible and has two years of eligibility remaining—a unique asset.
What he does best is defend, and that is what will earn him his time in Travis Ford’s rotation. Even with his offensive upside, when Linssen folds into the defensive scheme is when Ford is going to trust him.
Last season, frontcourt depth was a problem for the Bills. While Hasahn French and Jimmy Bell Jr were both very capable, they were both prone to foul trouble. After those two, no one could genuinely play in the paint like them on the offense. Often leading to the Bills going small or to one big sets to avoid fouling ether guy out. Linssen will get immediate time in the rotation as a spell for both big men as his game is, essentially, “plug-and-play” on this roster… all things considered.
The addition of Linssen will give the Billikens the depth to play the style of game that works for them the most. Physical play. Adding him gives the Bills at the very least 5 extra fouls a game, and (more likely) a quality contributor.
Andre Lorentsson
On the one hand, the Billikens added a traditional big who happens to be European. On the other, they added the modern euro forward. In this Swedish forward, SLU thinks they’ve found a diamond in the rough.
After spending time on the recruiting bus tour of Europe, assistant coach Ford Stuen found this sharpshooting 6’8″ big man. After a visit to Chaifetz Arena, the prep senior committed. While he was getting interest from schools like Davidson, SLU was first in the door and got the commitment early.
Lorentsson is a shooter, a spot-up, off-ball shooter. An asset SLU has desperately needed in recent years (and may have in volume this season). While he’s shown an aptitude as a decent perimeter and passer, he is a bit of a one-trick pony. He also doesn’t yet exhibit the toughness or grit that has become standard in the Saint Louis lineup. A learned skill for many.
Which is fine in all honesty, the Bills have the resources to wait on a guy to develop a few tools before they are desperately needed. In the meantime, he may be valuable in situational play or in particular sets.