Meikle coming on strong for Cal Poly

Luke Meikle has an advanced offensive game for a big man. By Owen Main

Cal Poly fans had to wait over 12 months. Luke Meikle had to wait more like 18. Cal Poly’s red-headed red-shirt sophomore didn’t play in an NCAA game for about a year and half — sitting out the 2014-15 season after transferring from Gonzaga. In street clothes next to fellow transfer Josh Martin and injured Taylor Sutlive and Zach Gordon, Meikle and co. could only watch as the Mustangs struggled to a 13-16 overall record (6-10 in the Big West).

For Cal Poly fans, Meikle has been worth the wait. The 6’9″ forward from the Seattle area has been able to showcase his mature offensive game of late, scoring in double figures in each of the Mustangs’ last four games. Meikle can break defenders down off the dribble, play with his back to the basket, or spot-up out to the three-point line. After averaging just seven points per game in Cal Poly’s first five games this season, he’s averaged 15.5 points in the last four games. His scoring average now is over 10 points per game, good enough for third on the team so far this season.

Meikle has done most of his damage as a substitute. Coming off the bench can be hard for some players, but Meikle said in a post-game interview before finals week that he is happy to accept whatever role he needs to play. He has been limited to 20 minutes per game so far, but that figures to go up as his production does, whether he starts or not.

Fellow Seattle-area transfer Josh Martin (Minnesota) should become eligible soon as well. Martin will also come off the bench and give Cal Poly maybe the best pair of reserve post players in the Big West.

Meikle’s biggest scoring games this year have been against two of Cal Poly’s best opponents — UCLA and St. Mary’s. In each of those games, he scored 18 points. He’s the kind of player who doesn’t have to dominate the ball, but can get his own shot when he needs to.

Meikle and the Mustangs face another tough Pac-12 test tomorrow night at the Galen Center against 8-2 USC. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00pm.