The number 2 scorer on the ETSU team only started 3 games last year. But nobody in the ASun came off the bench and changed the game quicker than Jalen Riley. Usually the change was a boost for the Bucs - occasionally (especially early in the season) it went the other way. But the game was not the same when Jalen Riley took the court. (Shades of the old Detroit Pistons and Vinnie "the Microwave" Johnson - he never started, but he always came off the bench to change the game.) Jalen was a walking example of the value of guts, in-your-face swagger, and a short memory. You don’t thrive on the D1 level at about 5’10” and 150 pounds unless you’ve got a bit of an edge.

Most JUCO players at ETSU have shown major improvements in their second year, including Kevin Tiggs, Greg Hamlin, Kenyona Swader, Eryk Thomas, and, most recently KGG, who increased scoring from 5.1 to 10.9 ppg, shooting from .362 to .419 and rebounds from 3.8 to 5.2. If Jalen Riley follows that pattern, we should expect a big year, indeed, as he already averaged 13.4 ppg his first time around in an average of only 21 minutes.

And like Lester Wilson, he finished the year with a streak of solid improvement in the last 14 games, from the second Mercer game through Towson. Although his minutes only increased to 23.8 during that time, he boosted both his production and his efficiency. Scoring increased to 15.8 ppg, while shooting went up 50 points to .413, 3 point shooting to .338, free throws to .842 and rebounds to 3.5, while turnovers dropped to 1.4 and assists crept up to 1.9. With Jalen it’s always a question of finding a balance between swagger and daring, and making smart decisions. You don’t want him to lose his competitive edge, but you do want him making good choices, too. As time went on, he seemed to do a better job of striking that balance.

Many of his best moments came late in tight games, when he would out quick the opponent, make the shot and/or bait them into fouling, and knock down the free throws. And he would usually get knocked down hard doing it. How a guy about 5’10” and 150 pounds can come away with 3.5 rebounds in only 21 minutes and take the physical beating he did is just amazing.

He may not start the game. But there are not many Bucs that can finish one like Jalen Riley.

Great breakdown. Perhaps edit your heading though, I think Jalen Rose dumped about 40 on us back in the day, though the game officially doesn't count.

(08-14-2014 08:23 AM)Buccaneerlover Wrote:  Great breakdown. Perhaps edit your heading though, I think Jalen Rose dumped about 40 on us back in the day, though the game officially doesn't count.

Ooops!!!