Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Loofe makes an impact with energy, physicality and work ethic early in his Blue Raider Career
1/10/2024 6:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball
The center has earned CUSA Freshman of the Week honors four times prior to the start of CUSA play
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Head Coach Nick McDevitt's scouting report on Chris Loofe coming out of Link Year Prep was as long as the 6-foot-11 center is tall. And it was clear on why McDevitt thought Loofe could be an impact player for the Blue Raiders.
"He had legitimate size, he had talent and he had the want-to and the work ethic to get really good," McDevitt said. "Rarely do you see that combination of things in a young man and they not turn out to be pretty good."
Even with those expectations, however, McDevitt could not have predicted how quickly the Leander, Texas native has made himself a prominent part of the MTSU rotation heading into the start of Conference USA play this week.
Loofe's play time in a product of not only necessity, brought on by fellow center Josh Ogundele's season-ending injury, but also from the production the Blue Raiders have gotten from the center, who's grown comfortable both in the Blue Raiders' system and with the physicality of the college game early in his post-secondary career. Since the start of December, the freshman big man is checking in for nearly 20 minutes a night off the bench while averaging 6.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.
Listed at a lean 220 pounds, Loofe said his biggest adjustment coming in from his year of prep school was learning the physicality of the college game, how to use his body in the paint after being able to finish over most of his competition in the prep ranks.
"There's a lot of kids, well, I say kids, but they're really adults," Loofe said. "They're old, they've been in the weight room for a while. That was probably the biggest change I had to make was playing physical."
With the help of fellow Jared Coleman-Jones and Elias King, both of whom Loofe said took him under their wings shortly after his arrival in Murfreesboro, Loofe quickly acclimated to the system, which got him on the court early. His first few apperances as a Blue Raider, McDevitt noted, were typical for the freshman player.
"Early in your freshman year, when you're out there with the veterans, you're just trying not to screw up," McDevitt said. "You're not really trying to look to make plays. You're looking to not make a mistake. As the season rolls on, you start to see those kind of guys look to make plays, whether that be on the offensive or defensive end of the floor."
That mistake-free play shows up on the stat sheet. Loofe's 11 total turnovers rank near the bottom of the team among those who regularly play and rank below both his fellow center's season totals in that category. With 10 assists on the year, he's found a way to get his teammates involved from the five.
But perhaps most impressive is Loofe's ability to make an impact in the paint on both ends of the court early, shooting 57.1 percent from the field, the second-best mark on the team, and leading the Blue Raiders with 13 blocks this season. McDevitt pointed out how Loofe has felt more comfortable being a rim protector, aggressive chasing both blocks and ball screen coverage as his minutes have increased. Offensively, McDevitt said, Loofe is starting to look for his shot more inside, particularly when teams don't double.
That growth and humility to put in the work, McDevitt said, has earned Loofe the trust of not only the coaching staff, but also the trust of his teammates.
"You just know what you're going to get from him," McDevitt said. "(Loofe) rarely plays outside of himself. He knows who he is. His teammates don't get caught off guard with errant shots or trying this kind of pass or bad defensive rotations. He kind of stays in his lane and works hard and plays hard and our guys like playing with him."
At 6-foot-11, Loofe already has the height to compete with the best of Conference USA at center this season. And his continued growth will be needed for Middle Tennessee to improve their fortunes in the second half of the year. For the time being, though, Loofe is focused on doing what he knows he can to help the team win.
"Just bringing a lot of energy and effort," Loofe said. "Block shots and rebound, finish at the rim when I can and help my teammates as much as I can."
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"He had legitimate size, he had talent and he had the want-to and the work ethic to get really good," McDevitt said. "Rarely do you see that combination of things in a young man and they not turn out to be pretty good."
Even with those expectations, however, McDevitt could not have predicted how quickly the Leander, Texas native has made himself a prominent part of the MTSU rotation heading into the start of Conference USA play this week.
Loofe's play time in a product of not only necessity, brought on by fellow center Josh Ogundele's season-ending injury, but also from the production the Blue Raiders have gotten from the center, who's grown comfortable both in the Blue Raiders' system and with the physicality of the college game early in his post-secondary career. Since the start of December, the freshman big man is checking in for nearly 20 minutes a night off the bench while averaging 6.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.
Listed at a lean 220 pounds, Loofe said his biggest adjustment coming in from his year of prep school was learning the physicality of the college game, how to use his body in the paint after being able to finish over most of his competition in the prep ranks.
"There's a lot of kids, well, I say kids, but they're really adults," Loofe said. "They're old, they've been in the weight room for a while. That was probably the biggest change I had to make was playing physical."
With the help of fellow Jared Coleman-Jones and Elias King, both of whom Loofe said took him under their wings shortly after his arrival in Murfreesboro, Loofe quickly acclimated to the system, which got him on the court early. His first few apperances as a Blue Raider, McDevitt noted, were typical for the freshman player.
"Early in your freshman year, when you're out there with the veterans, you're just trying not to screw up," McDevitt said. "You're not really trying to look to make plays. You're looking to not make a mistake. As the season rolls on, you start to see those kind of guys look to make plays, whether that be on the offensive or defensive end of the floor."
That mistake-free play shows up on the stat sheet. Loofe's 11 total turnovers rank near the bottom of the team among those who regularly play and rank below both his fellow center's season totals in that category. With 10 assists on the year, he's found a way to get his teammates involved from the five.
But perhaps most impressive is Loofe's ability to make an impact in the paint on both ends of the court early, shooting 57.1 percent from the field, the second-best mark on the team, and leading the Blue Raiders with 13 blocks this season. McDevitt pointed out how Loofe has felt more comfortable being a rim protector, aggressive chasing both blocks and ball screen coverage as his minutes have increased. Offensively, McDevitt said, Loofe is starting to look for his shot more inside, particularly when teams don't double.
That growth and humility to put in the work, McDevitt said, has earned Loofe the trust of not only the coaching staff, but also the trust of his teammates.
"You just know what you're going to get from him," McDevitt said. "(Loofe) rarely plays outside of himself. He knows who he is. His teammates don't get caught off guard with errant shots or trying this kind of pass or bad defensive rotations. He kind of stays in his lane and works hard and plays hard and our guys like playing with him."
At 6-foot-11, Loofe already has the height to compete with the best of Conference USA at center this season. And his continued growth will be needed for Middle Tennessee to improve their fortunes in the second half of the year. For the time being, though, Loofe is focused on doing what he knows he can to help the team win.
"Just bringing a lot of energy and effort," Loofe said. "Block shots and rebound, finish at the rim when I can and help my teammates as much as I can."
Follow the Blue Raiders
Follow Middle Tennessee Men's Basketball on social media on Facebook (//MTMensBasketball), Twitter (@MT_MBB) and Instagram (@mt_mbb
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