Metro East Sun

Jeremiah Tilmon hopes to put his experience to work for him this season.

After averaging 8 points and fouling out 10 times his freshmen year, the Missouri big man hopes meditation will calm his nerves and pad his production.

“Whenever I get unfocused, I’m remembering those little cues to bring myself back in,” he told the Belleville News-Democrat.

The bruising 6-foot-10 sophomore knows more is expected and needed from him this season. The Tigers went 11-1 last season when he scored in double figures.

It all starts with the East St. Louis High grad keeping his emotions in check.

“Because he plays hard and he competes and plays a physical brand, I call fouls on him in practice, even when he doesn’t foul,” Coach Cuonzo Martin told the News-Democrat. “If he’s looking too hard it’s a foul.”

Early on, Tilmon’s teammates are encouraged by how he has handled the situation.

“He’s still the aggressive Jeremiah that we all know and love, and I don’t think that will ever change,” forward Jontay Porter said. “The main thing that’s improved is his mental strength.”

With Tilmon and Porter on the floor together, point guard Jordan Geist raves that the Tigers have the biggest bigs in the country and Martin continually reminds Tilmon no one should stop him when he’s near the hoop.

Tilmon's new mental approach helps him with his fouling problem, and he is more conscious of his surroundings and where he needs to be, he said.