Sean Evans' redemption

http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/college/basketball/senior_moment_ewPRuRiFgWcgp41r2yI6dK
Let this serve as re quired reading for any player who is thinking of quitting a team and any coach who is thinking of tossing a disgruntled player.

When Steve Lavin was hired to replace Norm Roberts, he faced the unenviable task of trying to sell 10 seniors on a new personality, a new system and new expectations.

Nine of them crossed over seamlessly. Senior Sean Evans, one of the most steeled Johnnies, wouldn't budge. Neither would Lavin. He couldn't. To yield to one player would undermine his authority with the others.

Evans threatened to transfer.

Lavin gave him his papers.

They settled into ice cold war.

"You want all of these seniors to have a positive experience," Lavin said earlier this season.

It was not easy for Lavin to sit Evans in two games. It was harder on Evans, who started 71 games going into his senior season, to see his minutes shrink to less than seven per game. (there's more, click the link)

Kudos to Sean for coming around to what Lavin wanted to do with him.  And kudos on him getting a little canned postgame airtime - now he can call Scoop Jardine and the Morris twins (or the Morii as some call them) to gloat.

I have been on Evans' case all year and I'm glad he proved me wrong yesterday.  I understand how hard it is to go from being a starter and one of the guys to sitting on the bench and watching others do what you believe you could do better.  Sean played within the system yesterday, he ran the floor and let the game come to him.  I was pleasantly surprised that he refused to dribble (or maybe he isn't allowed).  If we want to make the tourney, the bench guys, Sean and Boothe especially, have to accept their roles.  If the guys off the bench can give us a spark and give the starters a rest it will make us that much better of a team.

Evans seemed to always find the open spot

Got to hand Evans and Lavin credit for this game.  In Evan's career he averaged 13 points a game against Duke.  Lavin and the staff knew this.  It was no coincidence that evan's played today and played well.  He has had a terrible year, but Lavin knew he has played against Duke well and if this kid was going to give them anything the rest of season it had to start yesterday. 

In my opinion, I thought our season was going to be defined from Rutgers on because that is where we could get the most wins in the conference and a road toughy OOC.  I was wrong.  The final part of season should now start with Duke and if Evans is trully going to help, he needs to embrace his role and give them quality minutes.

I think JB1 picking up fouls and technicals like they were daisies had more to due with it than some grand pre-planned scheme.

On several recent occasions gridiron Sean has received the ball 20 feet from the basket.  A spot where you know in the past he would have tried to "Earl the Pearl" inside for a shot resulting in a turnover.  This season he passes out to a guard and only makes a move to the basket if he receives the ball low.  It's been a real learning process under Hollywood and staff.  Likewise, JB1 never ever puts up a three anymore.  The players are respecting and listening to the coaches.

I also have been less than enthused about Sean this season.  his bonehead plays over the years have driven me crazy--he is NOT as 6'8" point guard.  he is here to get rebounds and score inside.  how many lay ins has he missed over the years because he did not have the "touch"?  what we saw yesterday is what I believe the staff has trying to get him to do.  His shooting range is the pro semicircle under the basket.  yesterday it is where he scored from.  I believe it was his last basket on a feed from Horne was the smart move--he took a lay in rather than a slam.

keep it up Sean and the minutes will be there--also keep working on those free throws.

I'm not a fan of Evan's game but yesterday he played fantastic and deserves credit.

I saw he made efforts to pass the ball instead of putting his head down, dribbling, and forcing up a shot. He played very much within himself. If he can come in and give a spark on the offensive glass he'll see the floor more.

I agree, I was a hater of Evans but he played a hell of a game yesterday. I have said that Evans is good if he doesn't dribble and he lets the game come to him. It was only one game but hopefully he can keep it going.

He was even noticeably more aggressive getting into passing lanes defensively. I think the team definitely fed off his effort and energy.

It almost looked like he wasnt allowed to dribble, no matter what. He was double teamed a few times and it seemed like the dribble was the last thing on his mind.

It almost looked like he wasnt allowed to dribble, no matter what. He was double teamed a few times and it seemed like the dribble was the last thing on his mind.

Maybe he's slowly buying into it.

It almost looked like he wasnt allowed to dribble, no matter what. He was double teamed a few times and it seemed like the dribble was the last thing on his mind.

I was thinking the same thing about Polee vault.