At least that’s the hope. Tilmon averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds per 40 minutes last year, but that’s the catch: He only played 24 minutes per game while leading the SEC in fouls. He fouled out 10 times and played fewer than 20 minutes in seven of 31 games. If Tilmon’s mind and foul line are clear, the Tigers know he’s as good as any big man on the schedule. “We just want to have him out there as much as we can,” guard Dru Smith said.
Martin considers junior transfer Dru Smith the team’s “glue guy” — and means it as the ultimate compliment.