{"id":13414,"date":"2017-12-23T21:12:09","date_gmt":"2017-12-24T02:12:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sportswtbu.com\/?p=13414"},"modified":"2020-01-09T17:45:57","modified_gmt":"2020-01-09T22:45:57","slug":"midseason-report-card-mens-basketball-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/wtbu\/2017\/12\/23\/midseason-report-card-mens-basketball-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Midseason Report Card: Men&#8217;s Basketball"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\" size-full wp-image-13420 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/wtbu\/files\/2017\/12\/27431091979_3dc233f26e_o.jpg\" alt=\"27431091979_3dc233f26e_o\" width=\"5184\" height=\"3456\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight:400\">By: Matt Doherty and Greg Levinsky<\/span><\/p>\n<p>With the 2017 Fall semester in the books and the Boston University Men\u2019s Basketball team heading into the new year with a fresh start in conference play, it&#8217;s time for WTBU&#8217;s midseason report card.\u00a0<span style=\"font-weight:400\">Men\u2019s basketball beat writers Greg Levinsky and Matt Doherty will give grades and thoughts about what they\u2019ve seen thus far from each player on the roster.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\"><em><b>Seniors:<\/b><\/em><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight:400\"><em>Cedric Hankerson<\/em>, Guard: 13.1 PPG, 35.2% FG, 29.3% 3FG<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Greg: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight:400\">Back-to-back 20 point outbursts were impressive and Hankerson does lead the team in scoring, but I\u2019d like to see his shooting percentage go up. He\u2019s the best two-way player on the team, and one of the best in the league. I expect his numbers will improve in conference play. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight:400\">Grade: B+ <\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Matt: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight:400\">We expected Hankerson to take on Eric Fanning\u2019s role as the go-to scorer this season and he has played well as of late, averaging nearly 17 points per game in his last three contests. Hankerson has yet to regain his stellar form from the 2015 season (15.9 PPG), but he is still the most talented and important player on the roster. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight:400\">Grade: A-<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight:400\"><em>Nick Havener,<\/em>\u00a0Forward: 8.5 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 1.2 BPG<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Greg: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight:400\">Coming into the year, I expected Havener to put up career numbers on a nightly basis. While he has struggled with foul trouble in some games, his athleticism and size have made for some fun performances. If he stays out of foul trouble he\u2019s a tough matchup for any conference big. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight:400\">Grade: B+<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Matt: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight:400\">Havener was primed for a breakout senior campaign and he came out of the gate on fire, highlighted by a 19-point game vs. Albany. His play has fallen off as of late but he took a major step forward offensively. However, Havener left Thursday&#8217;s game at Harvard with an ankle injury and if he were to miss significant time, it would be a major blow to the Terriers. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight:400\">Grade: A-<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight:400\"><em>Will Goff<\/em>, Guard: 6.5 PPG, 60% 3FG (18-for-30) \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Greg: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight:400\">Injuries and foul trouble have helped the sharpshooter to garner a valuable role in Coach Joe Jones\u2019 rotation. If he can keep it up from beyond the arc and continue to play strong defense, I\u2019d say his season thus far was more than a success.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight:400\">Grade: A<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Matt: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight:400\">A tremendous 3-point shooter, Goff has been super consistent for Joe Jones. He\u2019s an above average defender and has good size on the wing at six-foot-three. When the Terriers are at their best, Goff is effective, solely because he can stretch the floor and defend. He\u2019s been a pleasant surprise. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight:400\">Grade: A-<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment13418\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment13418\" style=\"width: 385px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"  wp-image-13418 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/wtbu\/files\/2017\/12\/39179282142_11f92764ea_o.jpg\" alt=\"39179282142_11f92764ea_o\" width=\"375\" height=\"250\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/wtbu\/files\/2017\/12\/39179282142_11f92764ea_o.jpg 5184w, https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/wtbu\/files\/2017\/12\/39179282142_11f92764ea_o-636x424.jpg 636w, https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/wtbu\/files\/2017\/12\/39179282142_11f92764ea_o-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/wtbu\/files\/2017\/12\/39179282142_11f92764ea_o-1024x683.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 375px) 100vw, 375px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment13418\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/em> <em><br \/><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>Eric Johnson<\/em>, Guard: 2.9 PPG, 1.3 RPG, 1.5 APG<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Greg: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight:400\">Johnson was slowed by a back injury coming into the year, but really saw his role increase when the Terriers played at UConn. He\u2019s a steady ball handler and a solid shooter, evidenced by his game-winning triple at Bethune-Cookman.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight:400\">Grade: B<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Matt: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight:400\">I expected Johnson to take on a bigger role with the departure of starting point guard Kyle Foreman, but he hasn&#8217;t done that quite yet. He still possesses a ton of talent, evidenced by a game-winning 3-pointer at Bethune-Cookman, and will need to play a contributing role at point guard off the bench in Patriot League play. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight:400\">Grade: B<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\"><b>Juniors:<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment13421\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment13421\" style=\"width: 247px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-13421\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/wtbu\/files\/2017\/12\/chambers.jpg\" alt=\"chambers\" width=\"237\" height=\"356\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment13421\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/em> <em>Junior Kamali Chambers is the lone junior on this year&#8217;s Terriers squad. (Nicole Ericson\/2017).<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>Kamali Chambers:<\/em> 1.5 PPG, 2 Starts<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Greg: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight:400\">Chambers started the last two games heading into conference play, and I thought he performed pretty well. The numbers don\u2019t show it, but he makes very few mistakes on the floor and is a vocal leader.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight:400\">Grade: A-<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Matt: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight:400\">For a walk-on, Chambers has carved out a nice niche for himself as the lone junior. He\u2019s a good ball handler, and while the numbers aren&#8217;t overwhelming, he doesn\u2019t turn the ball over, which is key at the college level. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight:400\">Grade: B+<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\"><b>Sophomores:<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight:400\"><em>Tyler Scanlon:<\/em> 7.0 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.8 APG<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Greg: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight:400\">After garnering All-Rookie team honors a year ago, Scanlon appeared destined to average double figures. Although his scoring isn\u2019t what I expected, he leads the team in assists, and found a new role as a distributor.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight:400\">Grade: B+<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Matt: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight:400\">I thought Scanlon would take on a bigger role offensively this fall, but he is still a solid contributor and leads the team in minutes. Scanlon will always be a threat because he is six-foot-seven and can shoot the three-ball. He has also done well on the glass and passing the basketball. I expect Scanlon to improve his scoring in league play. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight:400\">Grade: B+<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment13422\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment13422\" style=\"width: 327px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-13422\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/wtbu\/files\/2017\/12\/26549187899_fc30af53e0_o-1.jpg\" alt=\"26549187899_fc30af53e0_o (1)\" width=\"317\" height=\"211\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment13422\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/em> <em>Max Mahoney has emerged as one of the biggest surprises on the Terriers this season. (Eric Getzoff\/2017).<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>Max Mahoney:<\/em> 11.2 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 57.1% FG<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Greg: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight:400\">Mahoney was the consummate rotational energy player as a freshman, and seems to have taken a massive leap forward in his sophomore campaign. He dropped 29 against UMass-Lowell and is a matchup nightmare for Patriot League centers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight:400\">Grade: A<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Matt:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight:400\"> Mahoney is hands down the biggest surprise on this team. He\u2019s developed into a true postman and back to the basket scorer. I\u2019ve been very impressed with the leap Mahoney has taken, and outside of Hankerson, Mahoney is one of the most vital keys moving forward. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight:400\">Grade: A<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\"><b>Freshmen:<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight:400\"><em>Walter Whyte:<\/em> 7.1 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 51.7% FG<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Greg: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight:400\">Being the highest rated BU recruit since Maurice Watson, I thought Whyte would be scoring in double digits from the outset of his Terrier career. If you forget his recruiting rank, he\u2019s putting up pretty darn efficient numbers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight:400\">Grade: A<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Matt: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight:400\">Whyte came to Comm. Ave with a lot of hype and has shown flashes of his athletic ability. I think we all expected Whyte to be a double-digit scorer out of the gate but that is an unreasonable ask. He will only get better and the skill set is there. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight:400\">Grade: B+<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight:400\"><em>Andrew Petcash:<\/em> 2.4 PPG, 7 appearances<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Greg: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight:400\">Although he plays sparingly, I like his outside shooting and athleticism. I can picture him being a very similar player to senior guard Will Goff down the road. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight:400\">Grade: B<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Matt: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight:400\">The Will Goff comparison Greg used is right on point. Petcash can really shoot and he has played well in limited minutes. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight:400\">Grade: B<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment13419\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment13419\" style=\"width: 400px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-13419\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/wtbu\/files\/2017\/12\/24452583088_0f37924bb6_o-1.jpg\" alt=\"24452583088_0f37924bb6_o\" width=\"390\" height=\"260\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment13419\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Freshman Javante McCoy has filled in as one of the Terriers main point guards this season. (Eric Getzoff\/2017).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight:400\"><em>Javante McCoy:<\/em> 8.5 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 2.0 APG<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Greg: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight:400\">The starting point guard role remained a mystery until the opener against Northeastern, when, much to my surprise, McCoy was handling the rock. He\u2019s long and athletic, but sometimes struggles in that 1-guard role.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight:400\">Grade: B+<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Matt: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight:400\">McCoy will be a good player down the road because he\u2019s a six-foot-five point guard and you don\u2019t see that in the Patriot League. He\u2019s been a surprisingly good scorer but he needs to improve on his passing to be a true point guard. Remember though, McCoy did not play point guard in high school, and was thrust into the starting role after Foreman left. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight:400\">Grade: A-<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight:400\"><em>Sukhmail Mathon:<\/em> 3.2 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 55.6% FG<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Greg: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight:400\">As the third big man on an already thin frontcourt, Mathon gets some fairly consistent playing time. He\u2019s got a surprisingly nice touch, but can\u2019t create his own shot yet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight:400\">Grade: B<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Matt: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight:400\">Mathon is raw and needs work offensively but is forced to play a lot of minutes. The potential is there and Mathon can rebound and hit a mid range jumper at times. His best is yet come. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight:400\">Grade: B<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><b>Note<\/b><span style=\"font-weight:400\">: We decided to not include neither Cheddi Mosely nor Destin Barnes who are out for the remainder of the season due to injury after playing just two games.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By: Matt Doherty and Greg Levinsky With the 2017 Fall semester in the books and the Boston University Men\u2019s Basketball team heading into the new year with a fresh start in conference play, it&#8217;s time for WTBU&#8217;s midseason report card.\u00a0Men\u2019s basketball beat writers Greg Levinsky and Matt Doherty will give grades and thoughts about what [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17192,"featured_media":13421,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1027],"tags":[1053],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/wtbu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13414"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/wtbu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/wtbu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/wtbu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17192"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/wtbu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13414"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/wtbu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13414\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21848,"href":"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/wtbu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13414\/revisions\/21848"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/wtbu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13421"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/wtbu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13414"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/wtbu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13414"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/wtbu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13414"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}