There was no question last year as the Aggies had two players who could both create their own shot and showed the ability to knock them down. Jahmar Young had two game winners last year and Gibson knocked down the game winner on the road at Boise State and has hit big shots throughout his career.
Now the Aggies' top players are post oriented, meaning someone has to get them the ball in order to do their damage. Wendell McKines hit a big 3 from the top of the key against Nevada as a sophomore and Hamidu Rahman hit clutch free throws against San Jose State as a freshman. But when the defense is set, I think McKines and Rahman would be better served hitting the boards rather than drawing something up for them at the end of a game. Troy Gillenwater's versatility and range could create a 3 or a jumper or he can get to the rim if there is enough time.
But my choice is Hernst Laroche. Laroche hit the game winner last year at home against Louisiana Tech at the horn and his jump shot has consistently improved throughout his career. The Aggies do a lot of pick and pop offense so if the shot isn't there for him, Laroche has no problems creating an opportunity for someone else, making him more dangerous.
Who would you go to with the game on the line? Sub-question for those of you who have been around longer than me.....who is the best clutch Aggie in program history?
10 comments:
I think it starts with Laroche but Gillenwater is obviously the big time player that needs to have the ball. If its a two point game, get TG the ball in the post (he shoots free throws pretty well). 3 point game, Hernst, Troy, and even Gordo would be a good option. I'm also excited to see how Christian Kabongo turns out. But Troy is the guy. He should be a 20/10 guy this year.
Gillenwater is definitely the guy. I remember a lot of clutch players in NM State history...Steve Colter, Randy Brown, Keith Hill...one guy who didn't last too long at NM State was Chris Jackson (not the center Chris Jackson, this guy was a guard)..he had a monster game against the Lobos that went to 3 OT's, back in the early 90's; he hit big shot after big shot.
Anon 6:10
The Jackson you're speaking of was named Lance Jackson. Him and Skip McCoy helped win that game in the PIT.
I hope it's someone new to the team that is the go to guy at the end. Someone good enough to be that person.
We have people who are "good enough" in the upper class ranks who are already viable at the last min. No need to add any pressure to a freshman.
Yeah, you're right, Lance Jackson, sorry, I'm getting older and my memory is fading..lol.
Lets just hope they are doing their school work so they can get on the court the entire season. But, as last season showed, most of you, including the all might AD here Boston, don't care about school work or arrests. Just win baby and we'll turn our eye from all the bad that surrounds this program. Menzies and Boston keep selling you swamp land and you keep buying it cuz they won a game. How about doing things the right way and having honor in what you do? Are we that hard up that we will put up with this stuff for a "W"? Give all your money to the 6th Man Club and let them rob you blind.
Well, one thing I hope the basketball players learn is not to use a made up word like "cuz." I was with you Anon 11:13 until you wrote that.
lets hope we don't need a last second shot to win a game. We seem unstoppable down low so if we had a last second shot I would give it to Troy
Since we don't seem to have a perimeter player capable of creating his own shot out of nothing anymore, I'd think of it more in terms of what play we're going to run in crunch time. I think I'd take a page from the PHX Suns and run a pick/roll or pick/pop with Hernst and The Gillenwater. Both players are advanced and smart enough to make the proper decisions in that situation. Ham (if he's in) and Wen should be crashing the glass, and Gordo should be in the short corner. A variety of good shots could come out of this, anything from a Hernst 18 footer, a Troy layup, a Troy jumper, a Gordo jumper, a Wendell tap dunk, a Wendell or Ham layup off Hernst's penetration... basically, it allows our best players to do what they're best at; in Laroche's case that skill is decision making with the ball, and in Troy's case, it's being generally unguardable from 20 feet in. Obviously the situation changes if we're down 3, and that's where we'll really miss JY/JGib, IMO, since the opponent will probably box/1 Gordo in that situation.
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