#1 Isaiah Whitehead
6-4 210 Position Guard
Expectations are a bitch. Whitehead played well last season. Well enough to achieve First Team All Big East Rookie status. But it didn't seem nearly enough.
When Whitehead went down in the Georgia game the Hall proceeded to play some of their best ball culminating in their back to back upsets of nationally ranked SJU and Nova. But upon his return a season once so promising reached depths no one could have predicted.
Strengths:
Whitehead is a pure scoring guard with a powerful body. He attacks the rim in straight lines, absorbs contact without problem, and gets himself to the free-throw line in high volume. He's absolutely lethal in the open court and also an excellent finisher who combines power, athleticism, balance, and body control around the rim. His pull-up jumper has become a weapon and his shot from behind the three-point line is better than many believe. Whitehead is also a premier passer but he must learn to make the simple pass at times instead of the spectacular one. Isaiah is also a quality rebounder and defender.
Weaknesses:
Efficiency on offense has been his greatest challenge as he sometimes settles for early tough shots, often from distance when that shot will be available at any time. Whitehead's play last season didn't always match the hype or his talent level. He also has to take better care of the ball and be a stronger more positive locker room presence.
Bottom Line:
There might not be a more naturally talented power scoring guard in the league and maybe in the country, that how good Whitehead can be if he puts it all together and makes the commitment necessary to achieve that lofty status. As Whitehead goes so goes the 2015/15 Pirates.
This coming year:
This is now Whitehead's team. With the early departure of Sterling Gibbs there's no question who the alpha dog is for the Hall.
Last season there clearly was a clash of egos with Gibbs and Whitehead. But the locker room had far more issues than just those two once the losing started. At various times many other players, some who names might surprise had problems with their teammates and I have no doubt that poisoned the season.
There is no way that a team with Seton Hall's talent should have lost 9 of 10 down the stretch with the only victory being a one point W against mediocre Creighton team at the Rock.
Now we have a new season without the distractions of Gibbs and Sina being pitted against the younger players. Who was to blame? Well as in most all cases there was enough blame to be shared by everyone.
Whitehead will now have the ball in his hands most of the time as he will no longer have to sacrifice for the team by playing the SF position. He's a guard and playing him anywhere else just doesn't make a lot of sense.
I expect Whitehead to dominate offensively. There is no one in the Big East that can stop him from doing what he wants on offense from an individual standpoint. But that tact will not win games. Whitehead must play smart, he must learn when to sacrifice and when to take matters into his own hands.
In short he has to control his ego for the Hall to maximize its potential. Not an easy thing for a young player with his talent to do.
That's where the staff in general and Willard in particular comes in. You cannot treat your star with kid gloves as we have done in the past when that means hurting the team. Tough love is not only needed but in the long run appreciated by the players.
There will be times when Whitehead like all star players tries to do too much. When that happens he MUST be reined in for his own good and the good of the team.
Whitehead and backcourt mate Khadeen Carrington have the ability to be the best tandem in the league and one of the best in the country. Especially because they play on both sides of the court. But they have a long ways to go to reach that lofty status.
If they do then the Hall might be better, far better than many believe. It won't be easy, but it is doable. It starts in the backcourt and it starts with the alpha dog.
Whitehead is the key to SHU's season and he wouldn't want it any other way.
6-4 210 Position Guard
Expectations are a bitch. Whitehead played well last season. Well enough to achieve First Team All Big East Rookie status. But it didn't seem nearly enough.
When Whitehead went down in the Georgia game the Hall proceeded to play some of their best ball culminating in their back to back upsets of nationally ranked SJU and Nova. But upon his return a season once so promising reached depths no one could have predicted.
Strengths:
Whitehead is a pure scoring guard with a powerful body. He attacks the rim in straight lines, absorbs contact without problem, and gets himself to the free-throw line in high volume. He's absolutely lethal in the open court and also an excellent finisher who combines power, athleticism, balance, and body control around the rim. His pull-up jumper has become a weapon and his shot from behind the three-point line is better than many believe. Whitehead is also a premier passer but he must learn to make the simple pass at times instead of the spectacular one. Isaiah is also a quality rebounder and defender.
Weaknesses:
Efficiency on offense has been his greatest challenge as he sometimes settles for early tough shots, often from distance when that shot will be available at any time. Whitehead's play last season didn't always match the hype or his talent level. He also has to take better care of the ball and be a stronger more positive locker room presence.
Bottom Line:
There might not be a more naturally talented power scoring guard in the league and maybe in the country, that how good Whitehead can be if he puts it all together and makes the commitment necessary to achieve that lofty status. As Whitehead goes so goes the 2015/15 Pirates.
This coming year:
This is now Whitehead's team. With the early departure of Sterling Gibbs there's no question who the alpha dog is for the Hall.
Last season there clearly was a clash of egos with Gibbs and Whitehead. But the locker room had far more issues than just those two once the losing started. At various times many other players, some who names might surprise had problems with their teammates and I have no doubt that poisoned the season.
There is no way that a team with Seton Hall's talent should have lost 9 of 10 down the stretch with the only victory being a one point W against mediocre Creighton team at the Rock.
Now we have a new season without the distractions of Gibbs and Sina being pitted against the younger players. Who was to blame? Well as in most all cases there was enough blame to be shared by everyone.
Whitehead will now have the ball in his hands most of the time as he will no longer have to sacrifice for the team by playing the SF position. He's a guard and playing him anywhere else just doesn't make a lot of sense.
I expect Whitehead to dominate offensively. There is no one in the Big East that can stop him from doing what he wants on offense from an individual standpoint. But that tact will not win games. Whitehead must play smart, he must learn when to sacrifice and when to take matters into his own hands.
In short he has to control his ego for the Hall to maximize its potential. Not an easy thing for a young player with his talent to do.
That's where the staff in general and Willard in particular comes in. You cannot treat your star with kid gloves as we have done in the past when that means hurting the team. Tough love is not only needed but in the long run appreciated by the players.
There will be times when Whitehead like all star players tries to do too much. When that happens he MUST be reined in for his own good and the good of the team.
Whitehead and backcourt mate Khadeen Carrington have the ability to be the best tandem in the league and one of the best in the country. Especially because they play on both sides of the court. But they have a long ways to go to reach that lofty status.
If they do then the Hall might be better, far better than many believe. It won't be easy, but it is doable. It starts in the backcourt and it starts with the alpha dog.
Whitehead is the key to SHU's season and he wouldn't want it any other way.
