Jontel Evans has a bad jump shot. Sammy Zeglinski really struggled down the stretch against Miami. If you spent much time on the message boards shortly after our gut-wrenching exit, you probably saw a fair amount of discussion that repeated these points. It seems many fans feel as though it will be a lack of performance at point guard that will hinder this team from taking a big step forward next season.
I don't buy it. I think you have two experienced players that are capable and improving. Let me start with some numbers to support Sammy.
Over the final 8 games of the regular season, when Z was in actual game shape, he posted the following numbers. 11.5 PPG, 3.2 AST, 4.3 REB, 1.9 STL, 1.2 TO. This while averaging 34 minutes per game, logging them most at the 1, and playing very solid ACC competition. In only one of the final 6 games did he have more than a single turnover. If you compare those numbers directly with the season statistics for other returning point guards in the league, it pretty much bests them all. That 4.3 rebound number just crushes all point guards, returning or not. He has a knack for finding the ball and the numbers reflect that. The only number he is clearly beaten on is Kendall Marshall's 6.3 assists per contest, but Sammy was better over that stretch in every other significant statistical category.
I know it seems like a bit of a reach to compare his performance over 8 games to other players' full season numbers, but consider a few things. One, as already mentioned, Sammy spent the early season with a significant injury and was in far from game shape when he first returned. Second, that 8 game stretch was the first time he was starting and playing starters minutes. Lastly, it was the first time in a couple seasons that he was playing the majority of his minutes at PG. I think it's fair to look at that stretch of games as a microcosm to how he could of produced had he been healthy the whole season. Those assists definitely need to come up, and they aren't all ACC numbers, but I don't think they reflect someone that is a real liability out there. And I hate to tell you folks, contrary to popular belief, he is not a liability on defense either. He has the peskiest hands I've seen on a guard in sometime at Virginia, he is solid in help defense, and doesn't get taken off the dribble at nearly the clip he did early in his career. Rebounding for his size is remarkable.
I've had the pleasure of speaking to Sammy on a couple of occasions and what I know of his personality tells me he is going to have a strong senior year. The injury bug that he just can't seem to shake has been phenomenally frustrating, and I think he feels he is one full healthy season away from putting it all together. Some people on the boards were speculating that he may not return for a fifth season. I knew there was never a sliver of a chance that he wouldn't come back. He is far too competitive and would never willingly end his career on a half played season.
I'm tired of reading about Jontel's jumper. We all know he isn't J.J Redick. But would you be surprised to read that Jontel's field goal percentage was four points higher than Sammy's? His free throw percentage two points higher? That his three point percentage was only three points lower? Sure, its on far less shot attempts. But consider the wholesale improvement that Jontel made. He was much better at finishing around the basket. He turned it over less. He worked better attacking the basket, whether it be to attempt to finish or kick out to shooters. In fact, I think its fair to say that if Jontel wasn't working hard to create at times after Mike went down, well, our already remarkably stagnant offense would have been downright putrid. He was the only guy out there that had a chance to take anyone off the dribble and make something happen if someone wasn't open off a screen. He had more confidence in that much maligned jump shot and there is no doubt it improved.
Jontel isn't going to win any player of the year awards. He also doesn't deserve some of the grief he gets. There were times last season when it seemed he was the only guy out there that really had his entire heart and soul in it. The only guy that amp'd up the intensity when things had taken a turn for the worse. The only guy in the huddle who's blood was boiling after a breakdown. Would it open things up if defense's had to respect his shot more? Sure. But Jontel has heart and drive, and there are plenty of things he can do to help us win ball games. We all know he is one of the better defenders in the league, and if he can improve as much as he did last off-season on the other side of the ball, there is plenty he can do to help.
Sammy will start but Jontel will play plenty. I'm sure Tony will still slide Z off the ball some but not nearly as much as the last two seasons. The best lineup with have Zeglinski at 1. No doubt about it though, no one in the league will have two point guards with as much experience. If one player is struggling, the other will be off that bench. These two veterans will improve again this off-season and are more than capable of leading this team to victories. Here's to a healthy and productive summer.
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