Patrick Ewing’s second season as the head coach of the Hoyas has had more up and downs than a game of Chutes and Ladders. The outdated reference signifies how long I’ve seen this school from John Thompson II to Craig Esherick to John Thompson III and now Ewing.
As the Hoyas try to play their way onto the NCAA Tournament bubble, one can only look back at the games they’ve blown. The loss at Syracuse would’ve been a resume impacting win. There were two losses, both at home, where late game execution failed the Hoyas. The blown lead at Xavier still stings.
But those losses all plays into why yesterday’s double overtime win over Seton Hall was special. It also shows why fans and certain media members who insist that Ewing’s teams are no different than JT III’s are off base.
It’s more than the style of play. It’s the attitude. Throughout the season, fans have marveled at Mac McClung but yesterday James Akinjo, exhibited something we haven’t on The Hilltop in a long time, outward attitude.
With Seton Hall up 55-51, Seton Hall guard, Quincy McKnight decided to go all Cameron Indoor Stadium and slap the floor right in front of Akinjo as the freshman guard brought the ball up. Akinjo would bring the ball across halfcourt and attack McKnight off the dribble, finishing with a layup.
After scoring, Akinjo stood close behind McKnight with his arms bowed out. After McKnight caught the inbounds pass, Akinjo mockingly slapped the floor. McKnight was shook. How shook? Right after that his line went turnover, missed 3-pointer, and turnover.
Ewing wasn’t too happy with Akinjo’s slapping the floor antics nor was he a big fan of the freshman standing in the Seton Hall huddle causing a minor dust up during a timeout.
More importantly it showed who the Hoyas could be. Fellow freshman, Josh LeBlanc, is the prototypical glue guy. Ewing constantly reminds everyone that he doesn’t call any plays for LeBlanc. All the freshman has done is average 9.4 points and 7.6 rebounds a game.
McClung has become the first “must see” Hoya since Allen Iverson. Not only does he make the highlight plays, he’s also become a better decision maker as the season has progressed. His numbers (averages 13 points a game) doesn’t come close to representing what he means to the program.
This is why this team isn’t like the prior team. At this point of the Ewing era, you can’t just look at the team’s record. It’s about progression and whether or not he can make the Hoyas a more desired destination.
So much has been made about how the offense has been changed with little regard to how big the changes are. Ewing is asking three freshman to learn NBA style offenses with all the counters that go with each set. Not only do they have to make the right decision but the decisions must be quicker. Frequently mistakes turn into live ball turnovers, the worse turnovers of all.
No doubt, this has impacted them on defense. All too often McClung is getting beaten off the first dribble. That doesn’t give help-side time to catch up and get in the right position. He isn’t the only one struggling with this. Because Jagan Mosely and Jamarko Pickett have been on the opposing teams best perimeter players, this has also happened to them. It makes it look like the Hoyas are a poor defensive team and at times they have been. But asking the program to make the changes they’ve been asked to make means it will take time before everything comes together.
That means recruiting for Ewing’s style without holdovers that struggle. Until that happens, Ewing will suffer transfers. He’ll need to bring in a grad transfer or two to bridge the gap but let’s stop with the whole idea that Georgetown is no different. If you think that, you’re not watching close enough.
