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Sophomores to Watch
By Chris DiSano | June 30, 2008
Adjusting to the college game can be a tall task for incoming freshmen.
The game is quicker. The opponents are stronger. And the learning curve is steeper. For every newcomer that is able to weather the adjustment, there are many that do not. The majority, however, experience just enough ups and downs to get their feet wet and make sense of the game at this level, so they can return hoping to make a bigger splash as sophomores.
Having already taken a look at Chris Wright, Kevin Anderson, Malcolm Eleby and Lavoy Allen in ‘Break-Out Candidates’ (Part 1 & Part 2), here are five more sophomores to watch who may play important roles for their respective teams in 2008-09.
Damian Saunders - Duquesne
After bursting onto the scene with 19 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds in the Dukes epic November 2007 destruction of Howard (129-59), Saunders had a solid freshman campaign. The 6′7″ forward from Waterbury, Connecticut, finished the year with averages of 6.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg, and 1.5 spg.; strong enough numbers to be named to the All-Rookie team and a sound stat line for a freshman playing 22 minutes per contest.
But more is expected this year from Saunders, particularly with the losses suffered by the Dukes. Along with Bill Clark and Aaron Jackson, he’ll be expected to step-in and fill the void left by Reggie Jackson, Kieron Achara, Gary Tucker and the two plaintiffs.
Saunders is a defensive minded stopper who has an excellent chance to become one of the better forwards in the A-10 by his senior season. Forecasting Saunders’ defensive stats over 35 minutes, he could easily average nine boards, two blocks and over two steals when all is said and done. To stay on the court long enough to reach those averages, however, he’ll need to develop his offensive game.
Like most freshmen, Saunders was a bit tentative on offense last season, often deferring to the elder statemen. He was productive on the offensive glass, however, and has the ability to grab some hustle points from game-to-game. Despite an awkward looking shot, Saunders actually shot nearly 35% from three-point range last season and 48% from the field. The free-throw experience was another story. Saunders converted on just 42% of his charity stripe attempts, a number that obviously must improve.
With most of the firepower gone, Saunders will need to look for his own shot and match his assertiveness on offense with that he has already shown on the defensive end. If he can do so, he’ll be able to help fill the existing void and become a key contributor for the Dukes the next three seasons.
An’Juan Wilderness - Charlotte
Wilderness also found himself on the All-Rookie team at the end of the 2007-08 season. The solidly built 6′6″, 215 lb. forward from Georgia did many nice things for a resurgent ‘Niners team.
In 27 minutes of play per game, he averaged 8 points and 5 rebounds and played strong post defense for Coach Bobby Lutz. While he won’t floor anyone with high-flying athleticism (only 3 blocks on the year), An’Juan works hard and uses his solid core to frustrate opponents attempting to establish position down low. While Wilderness often found himself in foul trouble early in the year (more than 3 fouls in nine of his first nineteen contests), he improved significantly in avoiding foul trouble as the season progressed (more than three fouls in only two of his final eleven regular season games).
Like Saunders, Wilderness needs to step-up on the offensive end. With the graduation of Leemire Goldwire, there will be plenty of available shot opportunities for the several returnees on the Charlotte roster in 2008-09.
Wilderness is not a shooter, but he can develop into a scorer in this conference. In fact, despite averaging only 5.6 shots per game (just 191 attempts in 34 contests), he was nearly able to average double-figures. His yeoman’s work inside will generate many opportunities for him to convert and, if Ian Anderson, Lamont Mack and others can continue to knock down the perimeter shot - An’Juan will have some space in the paint within which to operate. He is also a beast on the offensive glass. He ripped down 86 offensive boards last year, good enough for 2.53 per game; fifth in the conference. If he is to continue living on the interior, however, he has to make his free throws… which he shot at just a 58% clip last year.
No question, An’Juan has a bright future ahead of him in the A-10. Playing a generous share of minutes last season certainly aided his transition to the college game. If he can grab a slice of the shot attempts that are no doubt available, make his free throws and continue playing solid defense - he is a walking double-double.
Marquis Jones - Rhode Island
There are probably very few people outside of “South County”, Rhode Island who have ever heard of Marquis Jones. But this is a huge year for both Marquis and the Rams.
Gone is Parfait Bitee. The consummate teammate from Yaounde, Cameroon, Bitee transitioned admirably from off-guard to point-guard over his final two seasons to become one of the better point-men in the conference. By the end of 2007-08, Bitee found himself on the A-10 All-Defensive team and received an invite to the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament in Virginia.
As for Marquis, last season the freshman from South Plainfield, New Jersey, struggled to find minutes in Jim Baron’s system. He averaged just nine per game, along with 1.7 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists. Now, Jones finds himself as the only point-guard with experience on the Rhode Island roster.
The good news is that Jones is a pass first point with good floor vision. He also has solid size for the A-10 level at 6′1″, 200 lbs., and great quickness. Like most freshman who have the keys to the car handed to them, however, Jones had a tendency to skip 2nd, 3rd and 4th gears and shift directly into 5th. While his assist turnover ratio appears average to slightly above average on the surface (1.67/1), Marquis made poor decisions too often, particularly in transition. He also must improve his shooting: Jones shot just 37.5% from the field, 20% from 3 pt. range, and 54% from the line.
Defensively, however, Jones demonstrated an ability to create havoc. He can really get-up in a lead guard’s face, has the lateral quickness to stay on the ball and can initiate the type of high ball pressure that frustrates opponents. Given the style that Rhode Island likes to employ - which emphasizes getting out in transition - it’s easy to see the value that Jones can bring to the Ram attack.
If he can play under control, improve his decision-making and simply force defenses to play honest, Jones has the ability to become a significant contributor. If not, Stevie Mejia, a 5′8″, 170 lb., true freshman who scouts describe as a pesky defensive player with an above average offensive skill-set will quickly push Jones for minutes.
Dante’ Jackson - Xavier
It comes as no surprise that the Musketeers are entering a rebuilding, or reloading, year in 2008-09. Gone are Josh Duncan, Stanley Burrell and Drew Lavender from a team that reached the Elite 8 and won thirty games.
Dante’ Jackson out of McClain High School in Greenfield, Ohio, will be one of the returnees asked to elevate his game this coming season. Xavier brings in a strong backcourt class, but Jackson will have first crack at stepping into the spot vacated by Stanley Burrell - and may be able to grab a strangle-hold on the position in the exact same way as did Burrell. Defense. Defense. Defense.
With the loss of Drew Lavender, in particular, the Musketeers will be asking one of their newcomers, likely Terrell Holloway (former Indiana signee) to lead the attack. As always, Xavier will strive for balance, but based upon returning personnel it should be expected the Muskies will work predominantly from the inside-out. Jason Love, C.J. Anderson, Derrick Brown, B.J. Raymond and freshman Kenny Frease (7′0″, 265) will form an imposing assortment of frontcourt players. The backcourt will simply be asked to take care of the ball, knock down open shots and handle things on the defensive end.
Enter Jackson.
The muscular, 6′5″, 205 lb. sophomore who received plenty of attention as a football prospect has the blend of quickness and athleticism needed to become a lock-down defender. Last season he showed flashes, registering 22 steals in just 10.4 minutes per game; only 6 steals shy of the yearly total of Burrell. Active, no question… but he’ll also need to become more disciplined. Jackson was just 8 fouls shy of Burrell’s 56 on the year, and must learn to avoid foolish ones.
As the season progressed, Jackson’s minutes increased. He recorded double-digit minutes in eleven of the final thirteen games of the year. Dante’ demonstrated an ability to score from the perimeter (37% from 3 pt. range) but only shot the ball from the field at 35%, due to his preference, at times, to hang around the perimeter too much. He’ll need to round-out his game by assertively taking the ball to the basket more regularly. Luckily for Dante’, he has the physical tools to do so.
Assuming Jackson can hold serve offensively and use his physical gifts to his advantage defensively, he has an excellent chance to nail down the two-spot for years to come.
Jerrell Williams - LaSalle
Another All-Rookie team selection, Williams had a nice freshman season. The 6′8″, 210 lb. forward averaged 9.1 points and 6.4 rebounds in roughly 22 minutes per game. In fact, the 6.4 rebound per contest average was good enough for 12th in the conference. But that doesn’t tell the whole story.
Williams has a great motor and is an absolute warrior on the offensive glass. Like Wilderness, he registered 2.53 offensive boards per game. He snared more than 10 rebounds in eight games and tallied more than 4 offensive boards on ten separate occasions. Altogether, the freshman had 7 double-doubles. Jerrell also has a knack for scoring inside the arc and a decent handle for a player his size.
That said, there is room for improvement. While Williams shot 43% from the field, that number would have been higher but for a paltry 22% shooting percentage from long range (9 for 40). He also struggled from the line, converting at just 55%. Most importantly, Williams needs to make better decisions with the ball. Jerrell averaged 2.7 turnovers per game to just 1.3 assists last season (an area that was problematic for nearly the entire Explorers team).
Williams has the talent. If he can limit his turnovers, improve his decision-making, and maintain focus more consistently on both ends of the floor, he has the skills to be an excellent player in this conference and perhaps lead LaSalle to their first postseason birth since 1992.
Topics: General |
June 30th, 2008 at 6:12 am
Great article. Everyone at X hopes you’re correct in your prediction on Dante. Keep it up.
July 1st, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Great evaluation of Jerrell Williams. If he does what you say in the last paragraph of your review, he has a great shot at being an all-league player.
July 2nd, 2008 at 6:21 am
Nice job Collegechalktalk staff. Thanks for keeping the articles coming, much appreciated by this Spiders fan.