Saluqis feature three super sophomores

Southwest Tennessee head coach Verties Sails, Jr. was happy to see his team enter the national rankings this week at No. 18. He'll be far happier to see them stay there.

"You know what you've got to do to keep it—you've got to keep winning," Sails said. "It's far more important where you're ranked in March."

To hang on to that ranking, the Saluqis will lean heavily on Lester Hudson. The sophomore is averaging 16.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game to go with about three assists and two steals a night. Division One recruiters are keeping an eye on him at this point.

"He's got a lot of interest," Sails said. "But he's got a lot of work to do in the classroom. It's gonna be a wait and see situation. He might have to come back a semester or so."

The academic situation may be somewhat slowing the recruiting process for Hudson. But recruiters that make their way to see him play might notice a few of his teammates as well.

"Moraye Ivy is a 6-5 wing player," Sails said. "He's averaging 13.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, leads the team in steals with 48. He's getting some interest. He ought to get a whole lot more than he's getting. Talent wise, I think he might be one of the top 15 or 20 players in the country. He is not getting the type of interest I think he ought to get."

If the Saluquis can continue to improve on a 14-and-3 record and Ivy can keep putting up numbers, he should get the attention of recruiters.

In addition to that duo, Anthony Pigram signed with Tennessee State back in November. He is the team's second leading scorer at 14.2 a game and also averages about 2.5 steals while missing only two free throws so far this season.