Seton Hall 71, New Jersey Institute of Technology 55
Tuesday, December 10, 2013 | 9:00 p.m. EST | Prudential Center (Newark, NJ)
Seton Hall 7-3, NJIT 6-5
*Seton Hall swingman (and NBA prospect) Fuquan Edwin was inactive for the third straight game (sprained ankle). Here is a prior report on Edwin.
*Patrik Auda (12 PPG, 5.6 RPG) was also inactive for the Pirates (foot). A redshirt junior, it appears Audua will miss a large portion of the Pirates season for the second straight year.
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*There were zero sure-fire NBA players in this game. Guards Damon Lynn, Sterling Gibbs, and perhaps Jaren Sina are worth monitoring, but as of now they are not viable NBA prospects.
Recap: This game was closer than the final score indicates. The Pirates won, but they allowed NJIT—Division I’s lone independent team, whose tallest active player is 6-7—to take an early 11-4 lead, and keep it close throughout. Seton Hall’s offense was astonishingly stagnant without Fuquan Edwin. No Pirate create for himself, and the only strategy that worked was incessantly feeding the post to capitalize on the size advantage. Eugene Teague finished with 11 points and 14 rebounds for the Pirates, and freshman point guard Damon Lynn led NJIT with 16 points.
Previous Seton Hall Evaluation
NBA Prospects: None
Played Well, But Not “There” Right Now:
1) Sterling Gibbs (Sophomore, Seton Hall): PG, 6-1, 185
2) Damon Lynn (Freshman, NJIT): PG, 5-11, 165
3) Jaren Sina (Freshman, Seton Hall): PG, 6-2, 180
4) Eugene Teague (Senior, Seton Hall): C, 6-9, 270
5) Brandon Mobley (Junior, Seton Hall): F, 6-9, 215
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*This was my third time observing Seton Hall this season. First time observing NJIT.
Players:
1) Sterling Gibbs — Sophomore (via Texas), 20 years old
PG, 6-1, 185
Season (29.2 mpg): 16 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 4.1 APG, 10.3 FTA
Game: 16 points, 2 assists, 1 rebound, 8-9 FT
Outlook: Although only 6-1, Gibbs gets into the paint and accumulates free throws. He averages 10.3 FTA per game, and ranks 2nd in the country with 103 total attempts. Furthermore, according the KenPom.com, Gibbs 121.2 free throw rate (a metric that measures a player’s ability to get to the line relative to how often he attempts to score) is 3rd-highest in the country.
That being said, right now Gibbs is solely effective in transition. He struggles to initiate offense in the half-court. Gibbs leads Seton Hall with a 26.7% usage percentage, but he can’t shoot, struggles to create one-on-one, and doesn’t facilitate for his teammates. Therefore, despite averaging 16 points and 4 rebounds, I hold Gibbs accountable for much of Seton Hall’s stagnant offense. Additionally, he lacks athleticism, which is not a good sign when you’re only 6-1.
If Gibbs can refine his jump shot and improve his passing, he has a chance to be an NBA prospect. But I don’t see it.
STRENGTHS
Drawing Fouls
Transition
Twenty-five percent of Gibbs’ offense is in transition, the most of any Seton Hall player. He’s one of those players who is faster with the ball in his hands, quickly changing direction. He’s not an elite athlete, but he’s solid enough to get ahead and make a play. Definitely a threat in transition, and his 1.33 points per play in transition ranks in the 84th percentile nationally.
NEEDS TO IMPROVE
Assists
Gibbs averages four assists per game, and his 30.4% assist percentage (percentage of teammate’s field goals Gibbs assisted while on the floor) ranks 102nd nationally, but I think those statistics misrepresent his actual ability. Similar to his performance at the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic, he looked incapable of setting the tempo and commanding the offense.
Jump Shot
Gibbs is shooting a terrible 26% on jump shots this season, and an unimpressive 30% on three-pointers. At the risk of sounding hyperbolic, when Gibbs shoots, I’ve come to the point where I’m genuinely surprised if it goes in.
Poor Defense
Gibbs is not a defensive liability, but he’s not a “good” defender in my estimation. He seemed to be lethargic on some possessions, and his physical makeup (lack of size, muscle and lateral quickness) hinders him. Bigger opponents can shoot over him or attack the basket, while quicker/craftier guards penetrate the lane with ease. Although Seton Hall plays zone defense on 50% of its possessions, NJIT point guard Damon Lynn got the best of Gibbs on several plays.
2) Damon Lynn — Freshman, 19 years old
PG, 5-11, 165
Season (35.1 mpg): 18.6 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.3 APG
Game: 16 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists
Outlook: It’s human nature to overhype an underdog, but Damon Lynn was the most impressive player on the court. He has the talent to play mid- to high-major college basketball, and after watching him vs. Seton Hall, I’m inclined to believe Lynn will sustain an 18 PPG scoring average as a freshman. He’s too small/skinny/unskilled to compete at the next level, but Lynn projects to be a very good college player.
Check out some of Lynn’s performances this season:
21 points, 4 assists @ Tulane
27 points @ Army
24 points, 3 rebounds @ Maine
18 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals vs. Central Connecticut State
24 points vs Albany
16 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists @ Seton Hall
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After observing Lynn compete in one game, this is what I gathered: He’s a tiny point guard with elite quickness, strong handle, and a penchant to jack up 3′s. He averages 9.3 three-pointers per game, and his 102 attempts are 3rd most in the country. But he makes the shots — his 39 three-pointers are 3rd nationally, and he’s shooting a solid 38% from downtown.
Again, very small, but has advanced ball handling skills, and can convert difficult jump shots against pressure. He needs to improve his assist numbers, but part of me wonders if this is due to a lack of talent surrounding Lynn rather than an inability to set up his teammates.
I’m not exactly sure what to gather after this game, other than Lynn played really well.
Video: Lynn vs. Seton Hall
3) Jaren Sina — Freshman, 20 years old
SG, 6-2, 180
Season (23.9 mpg): 6.8 PPG, 1.2 RPG, 2.3 APG
Game: 17 points, 4 assists 3-4 three-pointers
*Committed to Alabama as a sophomore. Then committed to Northwestern, but was released from his letter of intent in March 2013 and eventually landed at Seton Hall.
Outlook: Throughout the majority of his high school career, Sina was widely considered a top-60 recruit. I was never sold, though. In fact, I was always perplexed by his high ranking. I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but after watching him countless times in high school, I think he’s very limited on the court. In fact, with Isaiah Whitehead and Khadeen Carrington coming to Seton Hall next season, I wouldn’t be surprised if Sina transferred.
The reason Sina ranks ahead of Eugene Teague and Brandon Mobley in this evaluation is simply because of his age.
The Good: Sina is a reliable three-point shooter.
The Bad: Below average size and athleticism; turns back against pressure; too passive (borderline timid); a liability on defense.
STRENGTHS
Shooting
Sina can shoot the basketball very well. 1.2 three-pointers per game, 39% from behind the arc. Shooting 42% on all jump shots this season, where 76% of his shot attempts have come from.
Smooth and consistent rhythm, with an impressive catch-and-shoot game. He’s emerging as Seton Hall’s best perimeter shooter (aside from Edwin), a role he could eventually excel in. He also has good pacing and ball control against more athletic defenders.
NEEDS TO IMPROVE
Driving Struggles
Of Sina’s 51 field goal attempts this season, only seven have been around the basket. This is to say: Sina clearly struggles to drive the basketball right now. He almost always kicks out to teammates when he drives, never looking to score. His lack of athleticism and quickness limit him in this regard.
In order to become a well-rounded player, Sina’s main focus should be improving his ball handling and confidence/conviction driving the ball. This was the case in high school as well.
Defensive Struggles
Isolation Defense
Sina struggles to stay upright, often “bouncing around” on his feet rather than getting in a low stance. Opposing players are shooting 44% on jump shots against Sina, and his 1.23 points allowed per jump shot ranks in the bottom 15th percentile nationally.
Pick-and-Roll Defense
Sina also struggles to stay with his man in pick-and-roll situations. He’s an automatic switch on every pick-and-roll. This is concerning.
Overall: Sina’s struggles could be attributed to “being a freshman,” but I think his weaknesses are part of his natural makeup. Good shooter, but struggles in several other aspects on both sides of the ball.
4) Eugene Teague — Senior (via Southern Illinois), 24 years old
C, 6-9, 270
Season (26 mpg): 9.2 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 1.2 APG
Game: 11 points, 14 rebounds
Outlook: Teague is a physical post presence who cleans up the glass and provides a wide body on defense. He’s not very athletic, but he establishes good position to secure rebounds. His 16.8 offensive rebounding percentage (percentage of available offensive rebounds Teague grabs while on the floor) ranks 25th nationally, and his 25% defensive rebounding percentage ranks 56th.
In terms of the NBA, at 24 years old, I wonder if Teague has already realized his ceiling. His range, skill and athleticism are all limited.
Offensive Rebounding/Put-Backs
24% of Teague’s shot attempts this season have come in the form of offensive rebounds/put-backs, where he shoots 60%. He always competes at the rim, and can impose his strength on smaller players. He also has some deceptive athleticism, jumping to secure a rebound and then subsequently using a second burst to finish.
Scoring Struggles
Teague is posting a below average .674 points per post up, ranking worse than 80 percent of all players. He lacks adequate feel/touch, and doesn’t have much of a back to the basket or face up game. He also doesn’t have NBA-caliber lift off the ground. He’s better scoring the ball once he’s established some momentum, whether it’s securing a rebound or playing on the bottom of a high-low set.
Overall: Right now he appears to be an undersized, below-the-rim post player who makes hustle plays and brings physicality. At 24 years old and with a limited skill set, though, I don’t see the NBA in Teague’s future.
5) Brandon Mobley — Junior, 23 years old
F, 6-9, 215
Season (25.4 mpg): 9.1 PPG, 5.0 RPG
Game: 18 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds, 3 blocks
*Mobley is returning from season ending shoulder surgery he underwent last February.
Outlook: Mobley is a swingman with good athleticism and developing jump shot. But at this point he doesn’t have an identity—too small and skinny to play power forward, but not skilled enough (either shooting or ball handling-wise) to play on the perimeter. Thus, he’s kind of stuck in “no mans’ land” on both offense and defense. This relegates him to foul-line jump shots on offense, with occasional opportunities as a slasher and offensive rebounder.
Overall, Mobley needs to add a significant amount of muscle, and then sort redefine his offensive arsenal to include some semblance of a jumpshot. I don’t see it at this point.
Video: Flat Jump Shot
Video: Around the Basket Scoring
*Ages calculated at time of 2014 Draft