Seton Hall glad to have ‘one of the best defenders in the Big East’
By Zach Braziller
February 6, 2016 | 1:59am
Last year, Ismael Sanogo was part of the best recruiting class at Seton Hall since 2000, but in name only. His playing time barely was a rumor as he averaged just 5.3 minutes per game.
The 6-foot-7 forward from Newark East Side High School, an unheralded three-star recruit, didn’t get off the bench in 12 games, and his season-high was a 21-minute showing that produced more fouls (five) than points and rebounds combined (four).
It was frustrating and disappointing, a helpless feeling, particularly when the season went south, but Sanogo didn’t let himself get down. Instead, he relentlessly worked to make sure his sophomore season was different, spending his free time in the gym.
“I love working out,” he said after Wednesday’s 79-62 win over Marquette. “It’s always been an outlet for my anger, frustration. Whenever something wrong is going on in my life, I look to work out. That’s what I did last year.”
“I never let it deter me. I kept fighting and kept working. Eventually, I knew my time would come.”
The results have been clear all winter. Sanogo has emerged as one of the Pirates’ most valuable players, a major weapon on the defensive end and off the glass. His numbers — 27 minutes per game, 4.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 blocks, 1.2 steals — don’t jump off the page, but his contributions, everyone at Seton Hall (16-6, 6-4 Big East) says, are invaluable. Sophomore forward Angel Delgado isn’t on his own in the paint like last year, and as the season winds down he seems fresh, not worn out.
“We got one of the best defenders in the Big East,” Delgado said, referring to Sanogo. “He gets in everybody’s head. In practice, he pisses me off. He’s that type of player.”
It has been most evident against Marquette, which took two of three from the Pirates last year. The Golden Eagles have the almost-certain Big East Freshman of the Year in Henry Ellenson, a 6-foot-10 forward who is a projected top-10 pick in June’s NBA Draft.
But in two games against Seton Hall, Ellenson has hardly looked worthy of such projections, shooting 26 percent from the field while averaging just 12 points, four below his season average.Sanogo doesn’t have to score to make an impact.
“He just worries about winning,” senior guard Derrick Gordon said. “When you have that mindset and instinct, you’re going to make winning plays.”
The Pirates play host to Georgetown on Saturday night (CBSSN, 9 p.m.) at Prudential Center in Newark.
In the Pirates’ most important wins, Sanogo has been at his best. He had five points, nine rebounds and three steals in a win over No. 21 Wichita State; 12 points, eight rebounds and three steals in last Saturday’s road win at Creighton; 10 points, eight rebounds and three assists in the conference-opening victory at Marquette; and 10 rebounds and two blocks in a road win over No. 11 Providence.
“I love it,” Sanogo said. “It can’t get any better than this. I’m part of a team that’s winning, and I’m winning with a bunch of great guys.”
His increased role hasn’t changed him. Sanogo remains Seton Hall’s hardest worker, according to coach Kevin Willard. He won’t take a shot from outside the paint during games, but Sanogo will shoot hundreds of 3-pointers a day, preparing for an even bigger opportunity next year.
“‘Ish’ is the hardest-working kid I’ve ever had — ever,” Willard said. “From anybody I played with, anybody I coached, anybody I’ve seen. He’s got that attitude. He wants to prove himself every night, and he works that way.”
By Zach Braziller
February 6, 2016 | 1:59am
Last year, Ismael Sanogo was part of the best recruiting class at Seton Hall since 2000, but in name only. His playing time barely was a rumor as he averaged just 5.3 minutes per game.
The 6-foot-7 forward from Newark East Side High School, an unheralded three-star recruit, didn’t get off the bench in 12 games, and his season-high was a 21-minute showing that produced more fouls (five) than points and rebounds combined (four).
It was frustrating and disappointing, a helpless feeling, particularly when the season went south, but Sanogo didn’t let himself get down. Instead, he relentlessly worked to make sure his sophomore season was different, spending his free time in the gym.
“I love working out,” he said after Wednesday’s 79-62 win over Marquette. “It’s always been an outlet for my anger, frustration. Whenever something wrong is going on in my life, I look to work out. That’s what I did last year.”
“I never let it deter me. I kept fighting and kept working. Eventually, I knew my time would come.”
The results have been clear all winter. Sanogo has emerged as one of the Pirates’ most valuable players, a major weapon on the defensive end and off the glass. His numbers — 27 minutes per game, 4.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 blocks, 1.2 steals — don’t jump off the page, but his contributions, everyone at Seton Hall (16-6, 6-4 Big East) says, are invaluable. Sophomore forward Angel Delgado isn’t on his own in the paint like last year, and as the season winds down he seems fresh, not worn out.
“We got one of the best defenders in the Big East,” Delgado said, referring to Sanogo. “He gets in everybody’s head. In practice, he pisses me off. He’s that type of player.”
It has been most evident against Marquette, which took two of three from the Pirates last year. The Golden Eagles have the almost-certain Big East Freshman of the Year in Henry Ellenson, a 6-foot-10 forward who is a projected top-10 pick in June’s NBA Draft.
But in two games against Seton Hall, Ellenson has hardly looked worthy of such projections, shooting 26 percent from the field while averaging just 12 points, four below his season average.Sanogo doesn’t have to score to make an impact.
“He just worries about winning,” senior guard Derrick Gordon said. “When you have that mindset and instinct, you’re going to make winning plays.”
The Pirates play host to Georgetown on Saturday night (CBSSN, 9 p.m.) at Prudential Center in Newark.
In the Pirates’ most important wins, Sanogo has been at his best. He had five points, nine rebounds and three steals in a win over No. 21 Wichita State; 12 points, eight rebounds and three steals in last Saturday’s road win at Creighton; 10 points, eight rebounds and three assists in the conference-opening victory at Marquette; and 10 rebounds and two blocks in a road win over No. 11 Providence.
“I love it,” Sanogo said. “It can’t get any better than this. I’m part of a team that’s winning, and I’m winning with a bunch of great guys.”
His increased role hasn’t changed him. Sanogo remains Seton Hall’s hardest worker, according to coach Kevin Willard. He won’t take a shot from outside the paint during games, but Sanogo will shoot hundreds of 3-pointers a day, preparing for an even bigger opportunity next year.
“‘Ish’ is the hardest-working kid I’ve ever had — ever,” Willard said. “From anybody I played with, anybody I coached, anybody I’ve seen. He’s got that attitude. He wants to prove himself every night, and he works that way.”
Ish @_17ish 
