Polee’s Progress: Halfway Point

Coming into the 2010-2011 season, two major storylines surfaced for this St. John’s team. The first, most prominently, was that of this senior-heavy class, trying to make one final push into the NCAA tournament in, this, their final season. The other, one that was somewhat of a wildcard, though still tied to the ultimate success of this senior class, could be found in the lanky, 6’7” frame of freshman Dwayne Polee II.

Even before he stepped on the court for the Red Storm, expectations were high. Committing just weeks after Steve Lavin was named head coach, Polee II was one of the most coveted unsigned players in the Spring signing period, ultimately turning down offers from Oregon and Georgia to join the Red Storm. Because of the quick series of events that landed Polee II in Queens, fans knew little more about him than the video of the high-flyer they had seen in online mixtapes or heard about through blog chatter.

Now, at the midpoint of his first year in Queens, the Los Angeles native has had his ups (16 pts in his college debut vs. St. Mary’s) and his downs (0 pts on 0/3 shooting in just 7 minutes vs. St. Bonaventure). He has certainly shown flashes of brilliance, his first game against St. Mary’s being his most well-rounded game, getting into the passing lanes on defense, shooting from distance, and topping it off with a sensational dunk in transition that gave fans a taste of what the future holds. But, at other times, he has seemed out of rhythm, as during his 2/7 shooting night in only 8 minutes vs. Wagner. Overall, he has put up solid numbers for a contributing freshman, averaging 6.0 points a 3.0 rebounds per game.

“Like every freshman, at times he’ll hit a wall and regress before he breaks through and makes progress,” said Lavin of Polee II. “He’s right on track, as far as we’re concerned.”

In addition to the work of the Red Storm coach staff, his development at the college level has had much to do with this group of 10 seniors who surround him. In what has become a mutually beneficial relationship, Polee II becomes another helpful piece as these seniors pursue their first NCAA Tournament, while, at the same time, the mature, seasoned upperclassmen have helped Polee II along with aspects of the game that he cannot overcome with his pure talent alone.

“The team has really embraced him,” said Lavin. “You’ll see that in very subtle ways. Whether it’s guys pulling him aside when they huddle at the free throw line, or down under the basket, they’re like coaches out there on the floor.”

If there is one undeniable positive that Polee II has brought to the floor this season, it has been his athleticism. At any one point during the game, chances are he will be the single most athletic player on the floor. With how effortlessly he gets off the floor, Lavin has affectionately referred to him with nicknames like “Bambi” and “Stretch Armstrong”.

But, through different stages in the season, there have been times on both ends of the floor where Polee II has and has not harnessed this natural athleticism.

Offensively, he has developed an effective jumper from 8-10 feet out, usually dribbling across the lane to a jump-stop and knocking it down with relative consistency. On the fast break, where most expected him to flourish, he most certainly has. He has become such an electrifying force in transition, fans have begun to hope for long rebounds on the defensive end, in expectation of a Polee II thrown down in the open floor.

The place where he must continue to improve, though, is ballhandling, especially when in traffic. In the half-court, Polee II has yet to show the consistent ability to take his man off the dribble and attack the rim, or create for others on the floor. Though that responsibility has fallen mainly on the shoulders of senior guard Dwight Hardy, having a long, 6’7” wingman with the ability to stretch the defense off the bounce would add another facet to the Johnnies’ offense. Because of his lack of a completely well-rounded game, he fell into a slump early in the season, settling for jump shots that seemed forced at times.

On the defensive end of the floor is where Polee II has been strong throughout the year.

With his length and jumping ability, he has been an effective piece of Coach Lavin’s match-up zone. Closing out on shooters and rolling to the ball to block shots, Polee II has shown an instinctive nose for getting in passing lanes and putting pressure on his man.

As has been the criticism of Polee II since coming to St. John’s, he needs to add bulk to his lanky frame, which will come with time. His underdeveloped strength is most apparent when he plays man defense on the block or needs to box-out a larger rebounder. Fortunately for him, his superior athleticism allows him to out-jump a lot of bigger post-forward types. This season, it has mostly been a matter of if he is in position.

“With Dwayne, we sometimes use the old Woody Allen adage,” said Lavin. “’Half the battle is showing up.’ If he gets in position to rebound, a lot more are going to fall his way.”

Moving into the second half of the 2010-2011 season, expect Polee II’s role to stay relatively the same. Even during his shooting slump, he has done a good job of not trying to do too much, avoiding bringing the rest of the team down with him. As he becomes more comfortable with the style and pace of Big East basketball, this year and in the rest of his career at St. John’s, he’ll find ways he can more readily contribute and carve out a role that both he and the team benefit from. The game will slow down for him, decision-making will become more fluid, and he’ll be able to make more plays on his own.

“At this point, I’m just trying to be more aggressive and work on my game,” said Polee II.

This is a fortunate time for a young player in a rising program, though. With so many seniors on the roster this season, Polee II is learning what he’ll need to be one of only two returning players next season. Senior leaders like guard Dwight Hardy have left him with lessons he can carry forward.

“I told him, don’t put your head down. If you do that, you can’t focus on the next play,” said Hardy. “He’s a great player and a great kid.”