Greg Monroe, Georgetown's Genius
Hoya paranoia
by: Gregory Gethard
Georgetown's Greg Monroe stood at the free-throw line. He took two dribbles and pulled the ball to his chest, and then to shooting position. His shot went in the air, only to clang against the front of the rim.
But misses don't matter; hustle and intelligence does. Monroe saw his shot was off and stepped forward. The ball bounced toward him. He tipped the ball upwards, and then grabbed it before it could reach the clutches of a Notre Dame opponent. He then put his back to the basket, spun, and took another shot.
But, again, his shot fell short, this time veering off to the right. Monroe quickly leaped toward the ball, this time catching it with both hands. In one swift motion, he laid the ball up against the backboard, just as his defender bumped his chest.
Finally, the ball fell into the net, just as the ref blew his whistle. In addition to two points, Monroe would get another chance at a free-throw. And this time, he drained it.
In that sequence, Monroe showed that he's willing to do whatever it takes to win a game. He also proved that he has a Mensa-level basketball I.Q. He correctly read where the ball was headed and knew how to best position himself to grab a rebound and eventually score.
He's cagey. He's wily. And he's also frightening. He's only a freshman.
The Georgetown Hoyas have rallied around him this entire season. The strength of the team is their wits and determination. The Hoyas are careful with the ball, always looking to take the best shot possible. Players dart in every direction on the court, looking to get open. They're also willing to sacrifice, setting monstrous picks in order to free up a teammate.
But Monroe's the leader of this team. He has a rare blend of smarts, skill and a never-say-die attitude.
Frightening, indeed.
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