Off The Boards by Jack Scheuer – February 26th Edition

Off The Boards

By Jack Scheuer

February 26, 2020 Edition

He’s not going to make any All American basketball teams, but Army’s Tommy Funk is about as All American as anyone could  possibly be. The 5-11, 190 lb senior captain had 32 points and 7 assists on Saturday, as the West Pointers defeated arch rival Navy, 86-75 in an overtime thriller. Funk, an Archbishop Wood product, who already holds the academy’s all-time assist record, played all 45 minutes in the game, and scored 8 of his points in the overtime.  On the season, he is averaging 17 points per game (ppg) along with seven assists, both team highs, and has scored in double figures in 23 straight games. His most impressive stat is that he has been a starter in each of the 120 consecutive games he has been in at the Academy. If you’re not impressed enough, he is also on the Dean’s List, not an easy accomplishment at that institution. His coach, Jimmy Allen had this  to say about the former Warrington resident: ” In my ten years of coaching at Army, he is the most impressive leader we’ve ever had in our basketball program.” Tommy Funk is a “captain” now, but I ‘m guessing that ranking will be going up pretty quickly as he moves forward in his military career

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Kansas is number one in the polls right now, and it wouldn’t surprise me if, unlike others this year, they stay there for a while. One big reason is that 7-0 center Udoka Azubuike has lost about 40 pounds, and is getting up-and- down the court  much easier.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Trivia Time: Pete Maravich holds the Division I all-time scoring average record  with a gaudy 44.2 points per game. Who is second? (almost 10 points behind.) Answer at the end of the column.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

News Flash: Georgia coach Tom Crean, the Walking Machine, just went over the 100 mile mark for the season. In second place is St. Bonaventure’s Mark Schmidt, who is 20 miles behind.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  * 

This and That: Ten worst words in watching basketball on TV: “They’re going to take a look at it .” But what’s the prerogative ?….Interesting that two excellent point guards I’ve seen this season, the above-mentioned Tommy Funk, and Nova’s Collin Gillespie both went to Archbishop Wood….Speaking of top lead guards, Virginia’s Kihei Clark is one of the most underrated. The 5-9 senior is helping the Cavs to get back on track….Clearly one of the budding super-stars in the NBA is the Celtics Jayson Tatum. Averaging 22 ppg, always under control, and won’t be 21 until next month….Of the seven most recent  Villanova players who went to the League, Eric Paschall, at 13.9 per game is averaging the best….. Glad to see that John Beilein recognized his mistake and got out of Cleveland. He’ll get a college job  in no time. Wake Forest, for one, will probably be open. Also, Jay Wright might want to talk with him about moving to the NBA.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Answer to Trivia Time :  Notre Dame’s Austin Carr averaged 34.6 in his career.


1 Comment

  1. Thanks for this great article on our grandson, Tommy Funk. My husband and I are are Philadelphia sports fans, but we have so enjoyed these last four years watching Army. I know you know his brother, Andrew plays for Bucknell. Wednesday nights and Saturday have been tricky live streams two Ivy League teams while also trying to keep up with our Phila teams.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*