For those new here, I made a list back in October choosing each member of the then 15 man roster, and ranking them on how important they were in terms of success with the basketball team as a whole. I'm going back now and redoing the list and seeing how I did. For the countdown so far, and to see each of the entries, click here.
When we last left you, Toarlyn Fitzpatrick finally landed in the countdown at number 5. If you look back on this season 10 or 15 years from now, what will you think about when it comes to the overall play of the team? It won't be for the play in the post save for Augustus Gilchrist's tremendous first 10 games. Nope, this year's team was based off the perimeter, and that's why Number 4 in TMIPFUSFB countdown is Jarrid Famous!
The JUCO All American chose the Bulls over schools like Missouri and Arizona after averaging 25 points, 16 rebounds, and two blocks a game as a sophomore for Westchester Community College in New York state. This year, Famous played in all but one game and averaged 10.4 points and 7.5 rebounds a contest in almost 30 minutes of play. Famous also averaged 3.1 offensive boards a game, which ranked fifth in the conference.
You could count on Famous taking advantage of his length against smaller post players like Luke Harangody, in which he came home with 18 and 14 points in the two meetings against the Irish. Jarrid ran the floor so well on the fast break, beating his man down the court often and getting his points that way.
He did have trouble defensively against most of the bigs in Big East play, and players like Alex Rivas and Fitzpatrick drew the tougher defensive assignments. Famous gave up as many offensive boards as he grabbed, and he was late on defensive rotations that led to some open baskets.
What will this year hold? Hopefully with another off-season of conditioning, and playing with a guy like Ron Anderson Jr. who will do a lot of the dirty work, will help Famous improve on both sides of the court. With the team transitioning into a running team, this should fit right into Jarrid's skill set, and prepare him for the next level.
So who do you think will be Number 3 on TMIPFUSFB Countdown? Your choices as always are below.