Georgetown bigman Greg Monroe is the centerpiece of one of the many compelling storylines heading into the NCAA Tournemnt. The 6-foot-11 sophomore paces the Hoyas as a team. When he is on, they are competing.
Monroe’s primary strength is catching the ball in the high post, pivoting and looking for an open teammate. If the opposition plays him straight-up, Monroe utilizes his dribble and attacks the basket, where he is tough to stop. When Monroe is doubled, he not only passes the ball, but he consistently gets it to the cutters when they have an uncontested layup, which is an undervalued commodity in college basketball.
Greg Monroe is the best passing big man in the country, no question, which makes him a mismatch against most teams. Especially when the NCAA Tournament comes around. It’s awfully hard to defend a style of play that you’re not familiar with, which Georgetown’s 11-1 nonconference record proves.
Chris Wright, Austin Freeman and Jason Clark are good players, but Monroe is the lynchpin to a Hoya run in the NCAA Tournament. The only question is whether or not Monroe will make a commitment to playing like an elite player. He needs to demand the ball, and lead his team down the stretch.
America loves the NCAA Tournament, and everyone will be watching. Monroe was the No.1 ranked H.S. player in the country last year, so he has the opportunity to leave the legacy many anticipated for him when he signed with the Hoyas. Georgetown doesn’t necessarily have to win a championship for that to happen, but he needs to have a dominating couple of games and the Hoyas need to be playing in the Elite Eight if Monroe is going to be remebered as leaving a noticeable impact on the national level.
Of course, this might not be Monroe’s last season on the college level. Draftexpress.com has Monroe going No. 13 in its mock draft. Personally, I hope he comes back, as he is one of my favorite players to watch. However, if he doesn’t, he is running out of games to leave his legacy.
