Nate Lubick is unassuming. Normally the Georgetown big man cuts a neutral figure during interviews, But due to the team’s disappointing finish against Florida Gulf Coast, his serene manner breaks noticeably when questioned on the end of the 2012-2013 season. Lubick’s not happy about it, and he has every right not to be.
“I’d be lying to you if I said I completely gotten over it,” said Lubick, “I don’t think I or Markel will completely gotten over it until we step foot on the court in Korea playing against Oregon. … We still have a sour taste in our mouths.”
As a four-year starter, Nate Lubick has become one of Georgetown’s more recognizable faces on the court. But with the loss of Otto Porter to the NBA, he’ll be stepping into an even more prominent role. Knowing this, Nate has set lofty personal goals and worked hard this summer.
“My goal coming into this season was to be in the best shape of my life. That is definitely true. I am in the best shape I’ve been in a long time. Everybody keeps asking if I lost any weight. I didn’t lose any weight, I’m just in really good shape,” Lubick said.
Lubick is the clear starting power forward on the team and, with an unproven Josh Smith now at center, will initially be the team’s main option down low, a fact he has prepared for.
“I worked on my shot a little bit, and I worked on everything. Being able to score in the post. I got to be somebody when we throw it down I need to be able to score in the post,” Lubick said.
Head Coach John Thompson III understands Lubick’s importance to the team as well. In Thompson’s opinion, getting the best out of his team means getting the best out of Lubick.
“It’s going to be a lot different because I think we’re going to depend on Nate for a lot more scoring punch on the blocks. Nate is a facilitator. Nate does a very good job of setting up his teammates and making the hustling plays in the past. This year, we’re going to go to him and he’s going to have to produce. I think you’re going to see Nate as a better player on the court this year than in the previous three years,” Thompson said.
Many questions have been raised over who would take over as the Hoyas’ star player following the departure of Otto Porter Jr. to the NBA. While Lubick is certainly considered a less complete player than Porter, he did shoot a team-leading 59 percent from the field and will be looked to increase his production in all facets of the game this year. Still, the big man is adamant that the responsibility of taking over for the Hilltop’s favorite Wizard falls not on his shoulders, but the whole team’s.
“There is not one person who is going to be able to fill in for Otto. There is not one person who is going to fill in for Greg [Whittington] … everybody talks about how we are going to be during the Big East season without Greg. Well we didn’t play with Greg during the Big East season last year. And we did a pretty good job and we came out on top for that. … We are going to be fine moving forward,” Lubick said.
While Lubick might play coy on his role in this team, he can’t hide his confidence about the strength and playing ability of the team this season.
“In years past we have been really young. Everybody has talked about how young we are. That is not the case this year,” said Lubick, “We are a veteran team that is a veteran-led team. Our younger guys are guys who have experience. We got Juniors and Seniors who are going to be carrying the majority of the load with D’Vauntes and some of the younger guys stepping up big as well.”
