i was asked by a media buddy to answer some questions about smu. they apply to ok state and others going forward also.
MY QUESTIONS FOR YOU
1. With the loss of sophomores James Akinjo and Josh LeBlanc, exactly how does that affect Georgetown on either side of the ball?
2. SMU beat the Hoyas in Washington, D.C., last year. Has this been a game the Hoyas have circled?
3. Who will Patrick Ewing rely on with Akinjo and LeBlanc both no longer on the team?
4. If there's an X-factor for the Hoyas, who would he be, and why?
1) LeBlanc was in the dog house, having minutes truncated since last season. He seemed to be in periodic conflict with HC Ewing and the staff on the court. As a staff they were coaching him hard, and he seemed a tad resistant. His energy and effort will be sorely missed, as will an ability to get under foes' skin.
Defensively he can guard multiple positions (3/4/5). Offensively he thrived on stick backs and fast break buckets, plus shots (few and far between...teams dared him to shoot). Without him, and possibley two other guys embroiled in controversy (Galen Alexander and Myron Gardner), the wing/four position really has one guy - Jamorko Pickett. That hurts.
Akinjo's departure is lessened by the presence of grad transfer (UCF) Terrell Allen. He's not the offensive player Akinjo can be, but he's a better game manager, feeds the post and seems to be more effective in pressing. Akinjo leaving is a big blow, as he was the unquestioned point guard, faults and all.
Offensively the Hoyas must account for around 14 ppg and 5/6 apg from Akinjo. James' decision making, particularly at 'star time' was suspect, but he did contribute heavily. Guys like Allen and Pickett MUST score more. Same for Omer Yurtseven, the senior center and best player. Mac McClung wants to shoot a alot, and must now, but cannot be as inefficient/streaky as he's been. Which means back up pivot Qudus Wahab has to really help with rebounding and being a presence, thereby allowing Yurtseven and others to concentrate more on offense.
Pressing can only happen now in spurts. The Hoyas haven't shown zone this season, and should consider playing it to conserve energy, at the least.
2) There were a number of disappointing losses last year, of which SMU was one. With the current personnel issues, they are surely focusing on those presently.
3) See #1, but Leblanc will be replaced by Wahab off bench and way more minutes for Pickett, who must be accountable. The pros fashion Jamorko a possible future pro (so does he). We will see. If Alexander and Gardner are not available, the Hoyas don't really have other wing options.
Akinjo is immediately replaced by Allen. There are no other PG's on the team, given McClung and Blair being kind of one trick pony's - they want to put up shots, not make plays for others. Akinjo didn't make plays for others enough, but he was capable. As a squad, if they don't now ball share, they are done.
4) Has been and still is Pickett. I call him Enigma Man b/c he doesn't want to use his superpowers to be a super hero. He's long, has some shooting skill, can drive going right. But literally disappears. There is no room for disappearance now. .
MY QUESTIONS FOR YOU
1. With the loss of sophomores James Akinjo and Josh LeBlanc, exactly how does that affect Georgetown on either side of the ball?
2. SMU beat the Hoyas in Washington, D.C., last year. Has this been a game the Hoyas have circled?
3. Who will Patrick Ewing rely on with Akinjo and LeBlanc both no longer on the team?
4. If there's an X-factor for the Hoyas, who would he be, and why?
1) LeBlanc was in the dog house, having minutes truncated since last season. He seemed to be in periodic conflict with HC Ewing and the staff on the court. As a staff they were coaching him hard, and he seemed a tad resistant. His energy and effort will be sorely missed, as will an ability to get under foes' skin.
Defensively he can guard multiple positions (3/4/5). Offensively he thrived on stick backs and fast break buckets, plus shots (few and far between...teams dared him to shoot). Without him, and possibley two other guys embroiled in controversy (Galen Alexander and Myron Gardner), the wing/four position really has one guy - Jamorko Pickett. That hurts.
Akinjo's departure is lessened by the presence of grad transfer (UCF) Terrell Allen. He's not the offensive player Akinjo can be, but he's a better game manager, feeds the post and seems to be more effective in pressing. Akinjo leaving is a big blow, as he was the unquestioned point guard, faults and all.
Offensively the Hoyas must account for around 14 ppg and 5/6 apg from Akinjo. James' decision making, particularly at 'star time' was suspect, but he did contribute heavily. Guys like Allen and Pickett MUST score more. Same for Omer Yurtseven, the senior center and best player. Mac McClung wants to shoot a alot, and must now, but cannot be as inefficient/streaky as he's been. Which means back up pivot Qudus Wahab has to really help with rebounding and being a presence, thereby allowing Yurtseven and others to concentrate more on offense.
Pressing can only happen now in spurts. The Hoyas haven't shown zone this season, and should consider playing it to conserve energy, at the least.
2) There were a number of disappointing losses last year, of which SMU was one. With the current personnel issues, they are surely focusing on those presently.
3) See #1, but Leblanc will be replaced by Wahab off bench and way more minutes for Pickett, who must be accountable. The pros fashion Jamorko a possible future pro (so does he). We will see. If Alexander and Gardner are not available, the Hoyas don't really have other wing options.
Akinjo is immediately replaced by Allen. There are no other PG's on the team, given McClung and Blair being kind of one trick pony's - they want to put up shots, not make plays for others. Akinjo didn't make plays for others enough, but he was capable. As a squad, if they don't now ball share, they are done.
4) Has been and still is Pickett. I call him Enigma Man b/c he doesn't want to use his superpowers to be a super hero. He's long, has some shooting skill, can drive going right. But literally disappears. There is no room for disappearance now. .
