Forum › Forum › Lehigh Sports › Lehigh Men’s Basketball › …and now playing Point Guard ________
This topic contains 9 replies, has 1 voice, and was last updated by LU65 14 years, 8 months ago.
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April 26, 2010 at 12:47 pm #2049
Prentice Small
Year / MPG / PPG / FG% / A-TO Ratio / Steals per Game
Freshman / 15.4 / 4.0 / .330 / 1.04 / .5
Sophomore / 20.5 / 5.5 / .303 / 1.98 / 1.0
Junior / 8.5 / 1.6 / .356 / 2.45 / .3Like his fellow upperclassman and senior-to-be, Rob Keefer, Prentice’s numbers have gone south and need to rebound – as do Keefer’s – if we have thoughts of repeating as champs in 2010-11. But, what about our little guy and aspiring journalist? Is he about to write his own story at the point next year? He is, no doubt, the fastest guy on the team and when he plays under control he’s quite a weapon to have in your arsenal. But, is he ready for prime time?
While Prentice appeared in 31 games last year, his playing time was curtailed – big time – once the PL regular season began. It was not uncommon to see him get double-digit minutes during OOC play but that was seldom the case once league and tournament play rolled-around. In fact, in his 16 Patriot League and post-season game experiences in the recently completed campaign, he broke the 10 minute barrier on just three occasions. Does he have the stamina to go the distance? Does he fully grasp the offense? Is he a leader? Curiously, Prentice has become a very one-dimensional player in terms of shot selection. It’s down, thru and around the lane – my 5’8′ height be damned. The last three-point shot he attempted was back on March 4th of ’09. Not once in his junior campaign did he let it fly from deep. As a freshman, he put up 36 and hit for eight; as a sophomore, he was 6 for 23. But, that said, what he does well, he does very well and that’s deliver and control the ball. Last year, he dished-off an assist at the rate of one per every 6.4 minutes while turning it over but once every 13.1 minutes of court time. In case you’re wondering, Marquis’ numbers were similar last year posting one assist every 5.6 minutes and turning it over just once every 14.5 minute. With shooting guards the like of McCollum, Keefer, Ojo, and the yet-untested frosh by the names of B.J. Bailey (many see him vying for time at the point – see also separate thread under his name) and D’Orazio, it would seems that Prentice need only to worry about Prentice and the highly-touted freshman out of Houston, Mackey McKnight (for more on Mackey, see separate thread under his name). As for the Texas all-star, Coach Reed is on record having said, "Mackey is a true point guard having demonstrated excellent leadership skills with an excellent feel for the game." He added, "These intangibles along with vision, quickness and shooting touch will help him adjust quickly to running a team in college.” And, remember Coach Reed isn’t afraid to put the ball and the team’s success in the hands of a freshman. So there you have it, unless Matt Shamis returns for another year without the financial benefit of a scholarship (does any reader have a glue? Let’s hear from you!), it’ll be Small – McKnight or McKnight – Small….with ex-Terrier, Bailey waiting "in the wings" or should I say "on the bench?" As you may know, the Boston U. transfer must sit out the first 6 games (number he played-in at BU) of our upcoming OOC schedule. Or, is it "x" number of days in his first semester at Lehigh or is it the entire slate of OOC games? Perhaps Bison 137 knows the answer and would enlighten us all.
Don’t you wish it were October?
April 27, 2010 at 1:01 am #2051So there you have it, unless Matt Shamis returns for another year without the financial benefit of a scholarship (does any reader have a glue? Let’s hear from you!),
OK LU65….I love your posts and will give up the lowdown on Shamis. It has been reported that he has received his medical redshirt and is working with the coaches in offseason training and plans on coming back next year. I don’t understand why the team does not make these announcements in a timely manner. (In bigger media markets, the press would force more timely announcements.)
Your quote of Dr. Reed confirms my sense that the point guard job is McKnight’s to lose next year. In my opinion, this is the most critical hole to fill for next year. Zahir was out with injury for several games last year and also had games where he was not very productive….and yet the team seemed to manage without him. Please do not take this to mean that I do not value Zahir’s contribution. I do and love his play! However, Marquis was the leader of the team and a consistent force on the court (generally more as a playmaker than a scorer). His contribution and maturity will be very hard to replace.
What about B.J. Bailey? What is it about him that does not make him "a true point guard"?
April 28, 2010 at 1:16 am #2054"LU65" wrote: [b]..with ex-Terrier, Bailey waiting "in the wings" or should I say "on the bench?" As you may know, the Boston U. transfer must sit out the first 6 games (number he played-in at BU) of our upcoming OOC schedule. Or, is it "x" number of days in his first semester at Lehigh or is it the entire slate of OOC games? Perhaps Bison 137 knows the answer and would enlighten us all.
He has to sit out first semester. Should be eligible the day final exams end.
April 28, 2010 at 1:53 pm #2055Thanks for the info, Bison137.
Bailey at the point? Someone has to educate me on his play in high school and at Boston U. What experience, if any, did he have in running either offense? Speed, ball-handling ability, vision, and quickness all remain suspect. No? From what I can tell, there’s not much to hang your hat on and only lackluster numbers in his six games as a Terrier up in Boston. And what part of that was at the point?
As for #21…..
While you always got a good feeling when you saw co-captain (well deserved) Shamis ready to enter the game – often times to spell Small (occasional out of control play) or Hall (usually foul-trouble), you have to wonder if he’s the guy to run the team 24/7 in the year to come. His career numbers are nothing special (see below). Yet, he impresses me as a guy who could lead, direct, coach and mentor one Mr. McKnight very well. Could that possibly be his role, along with that of serving the team as a co-captain for yet another year – should his rumored return be true?Shamis (thee year stats)
Minutes Played: 633 (7.9 mpg)
FGM / FGA: 44-124 (.355%)
3FGM / 3 FGA: 10-36 (.277)
FTM / FTA: 22-31 (.710)
Assists: 48
Turnovers: 53
A/TO Ratio: .906All that said, I look for McKnight to get the lion’s share of minutes at the point in upcoming preseason/OOC play. What is there to lose, knowing full well of the talent and experience both Small and Shamis (perhaps) bring to the table should the experiment not work?
April 30, 2010 at 4:10 am #2060It’s nice just to see interest in Lehigh basketball in the off-season. Hopefully this last group got something started, and not just a blip as what happened after Q & P left in the late 80’s.
April 30, 2010 at 5:10 am #2062LU had a taste of victory this year. I expect a lot of effort from the whole team. Team work and hard work wins games. Looking forward to all of the teams next year.
April 30, 2010 at 12:53 pm #2063My guess is (at least usually the way this works in Division 1 basketball) the returning senior role player (Small) will get the first crack at replacing Hall. If he shows he can’t handle that responsibility then I would expect to see the highly touted freshman.
I bet Small starts for the first several games then McKnight takes over after 6-10 games have been played. In my opinion Small is more of a role player at this level than a starter. He’s good with what he does but not sure if he has the size or instincts needed of a lead guard for a team with aspirations of winning the league again. They also have the luxury of putting the ball in McCollum’s hands for stretches to ease the transition for a freshman PG.May 1, 2010 at 1:20 am #2064We no longer need to refer to Shamis’s return as a rumor. This from the 4/30/10 issue of the Brown and White:
"From columns in The Brown and White to articles in USA Today, interviews on CBS to clips on ESPN’s Top Ten, the seniors of the men’s basketball team certainly made a name for themselves at the national level. Three of the seniors are graduating and will be looking to play in professional leagues overseas. Guard Dave Buchberger already has plans to move to Bulgaria this summer and begin his basketball career, while forward Zahir Carrington and guard Marquis Hall continue to weigh out their options. Guard Matt Shamis will be using his medical redshirt to come back and play for the Mountain Hawks for a fifth year."
May 1, 2010 at 9:14 pm #2065Great news!
Having Matt return is a true luxury. He’s a poised and respected floor general. A cinch to be named co-captain.
May 31, 2010 at 11:23 pm #2123Whether it’s Prentice, Matt, or B.J., the shoes to fill are awfully large. Check out Marquis’ highlight video below. As good as the shooting is, the passing is better.
Enjoy!
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