Big Night For Cem Dinc as Marshalltown Edges Iowa Lakes

(Bloomington, Ind.).  Former Hoosier Cem Dinc, who was told to "go rock JUCO" by  Indiana Coach Kelvin Sampson, is doing just that.  The 6-10, 250 pound center racked up his second double-double in only his third game back playing college ball as the Marshalltown Tigers eeked out an 82-77 road win over the Iowa Lakes Lakers Wednesday night.  Dinc poured in 25 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in the win.  He blocked two shots as well.

Dinc, facing double teams for the second game in a row and sometimes triple teams, scored at will.  Coach Bryn Brynjarrsson installed some new sets after the winter break to get the ball into the post and Dinc proved them worthwhile.  "It was an important win for our team," Dinc said, "it evened our league record and gave Coach his first conference win as head coach at Marshalltown.  We were really happy to get it for him."  Dinc wound up 11-15 from the field and 3-4 from the line.  He's now averaging 15.3 points and 11.3 rebounds per contest.

Dinc was already on some big-time college coaches' radar screens after leaving Indiana.  His numbers thus far show he's more than a blip.  Although Dinc declines to name a favorite among the teams offering him a scholarship next season, he's recently gotten calls from Miami (Fla.) and Boston College from the ACC and Notre Dame from the Big East.  He also drawing intense interest from Iowa State Cyclone Coach Greg McDermott who is looking to add size and strength to his roster next year.  "We're good buddies," says Dinc, "and, who knows, I might wind up there, but I really want to make sure wherever I go it's a good fit for the team and me."

I can think of at least one other team off the top of my head that could use a strong, athletic kid with good grades, three years of college eligibility and a willingness to bang bodies on the boards.  Take a guess, I bet you do, too.