The Blue Tigers missed the Heartland Conference Postseason Tournament again in 2005-06 and have their sights focused on that event in 2006-07. Lincoln University has been close since the inception of the postseason tournament in 2002-03. Coming off an 8-19 overall mark in 2005-06 and 3-9 Heartland Conference record, the Blue Tigers want to prove they are better than a sixth place finish in the Heartland Conference. The Blue Tigers were slotted for sixth place in the seven team 2006-07 Heartland Conference Preseason Poll.
Lincoln University has not played in a postseason tournament since making the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Postseason Tournament in 1986-87.
Returning to the court for Lincoln University this season are seniors James Edwards (5-11, G), Jordan Rush (6-5, F), Taeshaud Jackson (6-8, F) and sophomore Marcus Warren (6-4, F). Bolstering the lineup of Blue Tigers is an influx of junior guards Sean Birdsong (6-4), Gregg Charles (6-2), Ralph Mata (6-2) and Tremaine Wilkerson (6-4). Also joining the 2006-07 Blue Tigers are senior Micah Lombard (6-7, F), junior Jared Boone (6-4, F) and sophomore Dionte Bing (6-6, F).
Jackson averaged 9.1 points-per-game and 5.8 rebounds-per-game in 2005-06. Rush scored 8.2 ppg and grabbed 4.7 rpg, Edwards added 4.5 ppg and 2.7 rpg, while Warren contributed 1.1 ppg and 0.9 rpg in an average seven minutes of play in 23 games.
Charles Terry (18-60 overall, 9-27 Heartland Conference) enters his fourth season at the helm of the Blue Tigers program yearning to lead a cohesive unit into the postseason.
For the Blue Tigers goal of postseason play to be attained they must find a way to win close games. In 2005-06 Lincoln University finished 4-7 (.363) in games decided by nine points or less. Since taking the reigns of the Blue Tigers program in 2003-04, Terry coached teams are 9-21 in games with a margin of nine points or less.
