Spring Break
The Daily OrangeNational | 'Tall skinny kid' Varnado is nation's leading shot blocker
By Matt Ehalt
Posted: 1/30/08, 11:19 PM EST Section: Sports
Varnado says his timing of when to jump to block the shots, along with his wingspan makes his difference. Having a wingspan of 7-foot-4 allows Varnado to block shots from various angles.
Varnado credits his work with Mississippi State assistant strength coach Richard Akins for helping him develop his timing and quickness this offseason, which in turn has made Varnado a better shot-blocker this season.
Akins described how he used many box drills to improve Varnado's footwork, along with squats to strength his lower body so he could be more explosive with his footwork.
"He needed to add weight and get stronger, and that's basically what we did with him," Akins said. "We put 20 to 25 pounds on him and made him stronger, and as he got stronger, he got more explosive. From our work this summer, I've seen differences in his ability to jump, his quickness of the floor and his ability to stay in the point and hold people out. He's a much better player."
Akins' comments are backed by some of the games Varnado has delivered this season. On three occasions, "Swat" has swatted 10 shots and recorded only the third triple-double in school history against Kentucky with 10 points, 12 rebounds and 10 blocks. Besides leading the nation in blocks, Varnado also leads his team in rebounds per game with 8.6.
Mississippi State head coach Rick Stansbury noted the difference between Varnado and former standout Dampier, stating that Dampier was 7-feet and 275 pounds, which is much bigger than Varnado.
"(Dampier) blocked with sheer strength and size, and that's not Jarvis' situation," Stansbury said. "He's got great timing and a quick jump. Through experience he's learned how to play with longer stretches and learned how to block shots and not foul."
As would be expected, the opposing SEC coaches have not noted Jarvis' performance. Heading into last week's crucial game against Mississippi, Rebels' head coach Andy Kennedy said his team needed to be observant of the fact that Varnado would be patrolling down low, and his team would have to make adjustments to that.
Varnado credits his work with Mississippi State assistant strength coach Richard Akins for helping him develop his timing and quickness this offseason, which in turn has made Varnado a better shot-blocker this season.
Akins described how he used many box drills to improve Varnado's footwork, along with squats to strength his lower body so he could be more explosive with his footwork.
"He needed to add weight and get stronger, and that's basically what we did with him," Akins said. "We put 20 to 25 pounds on him and made him stronger, and as he got stronger, he got more explosive. From our work this summer, I've seen differences in his ability to jump, his quickness of the floor and his ability to stay in the point and hold people out. He's a much better player."
Akins' comments are backed by some of the games Varnado has delivered this season. On three occasions, "Swat" has swatted 10 shots and recorded only the third triple-double in school history against Kentucky with 10 points, 12 rebounds and 10 blocks. Besides leading the nation in blocks, Varnado also leads his team in rebounds per game with 8.6.
Mississippi State head coach Rick Stansbury noted the difference between Varnado and former standout Dampier, stating that Dampier was 7-feet and 275 pounds, which is much bigger than Varnado.
"(Dampier) blocked with sheer strength and size, and that's not Jarvis' situation," Stansbury said. "He's got great timing and a quick jump. Through experience he's learned how to play with longer stretches and learned how to block shots and not foul."
As would be expected, the opposing SEC coaches have not noted Jarvis' performance. Heading into last week's crucial game against Mississippi, Rebels' head coach Andy Kennedy said his team needed to be observant of the fact that Varnado would be patrolling down low, and his team would have to make adjustments to that.
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