Off The Boards by Jack Scheuer

Off The Boards

By Jack Scheuer

February 13, 2019 Edition

It wasn’t that long ago that a “combo guard ” label was not that common. Boy, has that changed! Presently, the college scene is loaded with those combo guys, including quite a few who are very important players on highly successful teams. The most impressive numbers are by Murray State’s Ja Morant, a 6-3 soph, who averages 23.9 points per game along with a nation-leading 10.2 assists for the 19 – 4 Racers. Then there is Michigan State junior, 6-1 Cassius Winston, who is at 18.7 and 7.3 for the 20 – 5 Spartans; and Treymont Waters, a 5-11 soph at 20 – 4 LSU. He puts up 15.7 a game along with 6 dimes. Virginia and Gonzaga, two of the best teams in the country, have Ty Jerome and Josh Perkins, top combo guys, leading the way.  And, there are quite a few others. All this demonstrates just how much the game has changed. The athletes keep getting better and better, and, with the exception of a few players like Duke’s Tre Jones, pure point guards are becoming much less visible than in the past.  

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This week’s focus on a star of the past features Villanova’s Tom Ingelsby, a Big 5 Hall of Famer, and a key member of the 70-71 team that lost 68 – 62 to mighty UCLA in the NCAA title game. In his three seasons on the Main Line, the Cardinal O’Hara grad, an excellent ball-handler, averaged 18 points per game and finished with 1,616 points, and was all Big 5 twice. In his senior year, (72-73) the 6-3 guard scored 25 points a game, along with 6.2 rebounds, and won the Geasey Award as the Big 5’s Most Outstanding Player. An Academic All-American in his final season, his number was retired by Villanova in 2006.

Tom Ingelsby: Highly respected both on and off the court.

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Trivia Time: Who holds the NBA record for most assists in a single game? Answer at the end of the column.

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That hot seat that Indiana coach Archie Miller is sitting on is starting to draw flames. The Hoosiers, now 13-11, have lost eight of their last nine, and Miller certainly had to heard the loud booing after the recent loss to Ohio state. Last season, his first at I.U., His team went 16-15. Old friend Bruiser Flint is one of his assistants.

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This and That: Top candidate for Boob of the Year is LaVar Ball, and nobody else is even close….Virginia, impressive as usual, leads the nation in fewest turnovers. The Cavs have only one senior (center Jack Salt) although Philly native, red-shirt soph De’Andre Hunter will likely be leaving for the NBA….Drexel’s Trevor John is currently 28 for 29 from the foul line….. Lindy Waters III of Oklahoma State leads Division I in free throw shooting percentage (minimum 50 attempts) with 57 for 60….Now in his 13th season, J.J. Redick is averaging 18.7 points per game, highest in his career….Look-a-likes: Phillies good guy broadcaster Tom McCarthy, and Cincinnati’s grumpy coach Mick Cronin….Wisconsin center Ethan Happ is averaging 18.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 5 assists. That sounds like a first team All American…. One reason Tennessee is number one: The Vols average 20 assists per outing…….Upcoming: tonight Villanova is home with Providence, Temple hosts SMU, and La Salle has Duquesne;  Thursday, Drexel visits James Madison; On Friday, Saint Joe’s is at Davidson, and Penn welcomes Dartmouth.

And, whatever happened to Bob Knight?

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Answer to Trivia Time: On December 30, 1990 Scott Skiles dished out 30 assists for the Orlando Magic in a 155 – 116 win over the Denver Nuggets.

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