DaytonDailyNews.com

OXFORD — Miami University basketball coach Charlie Coles doesn't expect freshman Julian Mavunga to be a new Tim Pollitz.

Not entirely. At least not yet.

"In some ways, we've gotten a little bit of that back," Coles said, referring to the loss of Pollitz and the way he could post up and find his way to the basket as well as anyone in school history. "Though I don't think (Mavunga), right off the bat, is as clever as Tim."

That will take time and a willingness to learn for the 6-foot-8, 255-pound true freshman from Indianapolis.

As for the sheer talent, the variety of tools needed to challenge for a spot in the RedHawks' starting lineup at power forward, Mavunga has arrived fully locked and loaded.

"Offensively, I was all over the place in high school," he said. "I posted up, and as I progressed, my coach moved me around. I got some ball-handling skills, I was able to drive. I was in the post 60 percent of the time, on the perimeter 40 percent of the time."

"He's strong," Coles said. "He commands a lot of space inside, he drives the ball well to the basket and he shoots all right. We expect him to do a lot of work inside. We're really excited about the fact that he can take up space inside and really score."

As a senior at Brownsburg High School, Mavunga averaged 19.8 points per game and shot 49 percent from 3-point range. He also contributed 10 rebounds and four blocked shots per contest.

"Oh, definitely," Coles said when asked if Mavunga was in the running for a spot in the RedHawks' starting lineup. "If he keeps the same attitude and keeps working hard, oh, definitely."

Mavunga wasn't able to show much during Miami's first week of practice.

"He's coming off a knee injury," Coles said. "He hurt it in high school. He was out the first week of practice. He's been back almost a week now. He's stepped right in and is doing a pretty good job."

Defense is Mavunga's main challenge.

"The focus on defense is the biggest transition from high school," he said. "High school players aren't so quick. It's an adjustment.

"I guarded the perimeter a lot, even though I was the biggest player on the team," he noted. "I also guarded the post."

"There are times in practice I have to chase around Michael Bramos," Mavunga pointed out. "Trying to contain him is difficult, but it will prepare me for other people I'll have to guard this season. Bramos is the real deal. I learned that fact."

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2197 or pconrad@coxohio.com.