(Editor’s note: Updated to correct information regarding Augusta University’s upcoming basketball games. The Jaguars will host Reinhardt Saturday at 3:00 P.M.)
Introducing this week’s substitute star, Keenan Man – 0:00 to 3:57
Keenan’s jersey No. 32 is one of four that has ever been retired, and it has hung in Christenberry Fieldhouse for the past thirty years. After graduating with a Business Administration degree in 1992, Keenan earned an MBA in 1996 and has worked in business since. Keenan currently operates a registered investment advisory (RIA) firm called Mann Advisory Services, and he also offers insurance and tax preparation services.
No. 12 Augusta (8-1) has won three straight games, all at home, and the most recent pair of wins were against Peach Belt Conference foes Georgia Southwestern (74-65) Saturday afternoon, and Columbus State (83-65) Monday night. During this week’s episode, we go in depth about the winning streak by reviewing game footage and statistics. And we analyze the team’s performance from the eyes of two former Augusta University players.
MORE: No. 13 Augusta Thumps Columbus State to Go 2-0 in Conference Play
Tyshaun Crawford, The “Center of Attention” – 3:57 to 9:20
We begin by discussing the “center of attention,” 7’1″ senior Tyshaun Crawford, who averaged 28 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks in Augusta’s two conference wins. Crawford scored 17 points during the second half in each of those victories, and he made a combined 14 of 17 free throw attempts (82%). During the show we note that during the non-conference portion of Crawford’s first season in Augusta, he made only 30% of his free throws. Fast forward four years and he is a legitimate national player of the year candidate.
Crawford ranks second in Division II basketball in offensive rebounds, third in free throw attempts and fourth in free throws made. His dominance in those categories directly translates to the team’s success, which was made clear when Augusta outrebounded Columbus State 43-18 and made 16 of 21 free throws against the Cougars, who only attempted 3 free throws the entire game. During the show, we show several examples of Crawford’s impact on the recent wins, and we hear from Coach Metress, senior point guard Tyree Myers and Crawford himself about how Augusta is able to exploit his unique presence and talent.
“Are you not entertained?” – Darren Lucas-White – 9:20 to 13:28
Then we briefly flash back to episode 3, when special guest Darren Lucas-White foreshadowed his knack for drawing charges on defense, which was something he would go on to do during crunch time on three separate occasions during the team’s recent winning streak. Lucas-White, a senior, stuffed the stat sheet against Columbus State by scoring 16 points, grabbing 12 rebounds and dishing 4 assists.
Ja’Queze Kirby’s rehabbing on the fly – 13:28 to 18:29
Another past guest of the show, sophomore star Ja’Queze Kirby, draws a close look for a different reason than usual. Because it’s so fun to watch, we do review one more time Kirby’s incredible start to the season, when he piled up one-of-a-kind highlight dunks while averaging 18 points and 8 rebounds in a pair of season opening road wins. But we also focus on his recent return from an ankle injury, which forced him to miss the four games preceding the team’s recent home stand. Since his return, he has been noticeably hobbled by the nagging effects of the injury. But his effort on defense has been invaluable, and the Jaguars would not have won the past three games without it.
Augusta’s senior guards – 18:29 to 23:47
We close the show discussing the team’s three longest tenured members, fifth year seniors Tyree Myers and Darren Lucas-White, and sixth year senior Miguel Arnold. Myers and Lucas-White have been the best defenders in the Peach Belt Conference for years. Myers is the school’s all time leader in assists, and Lucas-White moves to the point guard spot when his running mate needs a break. We discuss how Myers and Lucas-White have scored when needed while Ja’Queze Kirby has been out or at less than 100%.
Scoring has always been the specialty of Arnold, the school’s all time three point shooting leader. Despite averaging 16.8 points per game during the first 9 games of the season, Arnold mentioned in a post game interview after Augusta’s most recent win that he’s “not shooting a good percentage right now.” I suppose he means from the three point line, and maybe by his standards a 30% mark from deep during the first nine games isn’t as high as he’s used to.
MORE: Lucas-White clutch for Augusta in Education Day win
“I’m gonna keep shooting the ball. That’s what Dip keeps telling me,” Arnold explained after Monday’s win. “Keep shooting the ball. It doesn’t matter if I miss. I’m in the gym (practicing) every day, like every single year.”
Keenan and I agree that Arnold is the best shooter who has ever worn an Augusta University uniform. And what has impressed us about Arnold this season has been his ability to score off the dribble. Arnold has made 58% of his two-point shots this season. And that’s no easy feat when you are 5’10”. As you can see by the degree of difficulty in the shots he made in these clips from the last two games, in which he scored 17 and 16 points respectively.
*Correction – at the end of the show I made a mistake about Augusta’s upcoming games. The Jaguars will host Reinhardt Saturday at 3:00 P.M.
On Monday, Augusta will travel to Newberry for a 3:00 P.M. game.
Follow Chad Cook’s coverage of local sports on Facebook and Instagram at @AugustaPressSports, and on Twitter at @AugPressSports
