Rookie of the Week

[statefan]

I would think that Jon Iati has a pretty good shot at America East Rookie of the week. Any thoughts?

[professor]

Averaged 16ppg in two games this past week and the Danes went 1-1. I think he'll get it!

[Dane Pound]

It's Official, Iati named ROW.

 

JON IATI NAMED AMERICA EAST CONFERENCE BASKETBALL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

     Boston, Mass. – University at Albany’s Jon Iati has been selected as the America East Conference Rookie of the Week in men’s basketball, as announced on Monday, Dec. 8 by the conference office. Iati, a freshman guard from York, Pa., averaged 16.0 points and 2.5 assists in two games last week.

     Iati scored 13 of his season-high 16 points in the second half in last Friday’s 68-62 victory over Army, as the Great Danes halted their longest losing streak since 1956. He also tallied 16 points and made 4-of-6 three-point field goal attempts in a 68-65 loss to Colgate on Dec. 2. Iati, a first-team all-state scholastic player in Pennsylvania last year, is eighth among the conference scoring leaders at 13.8 points per game.

[Patch]

CONGRATULATIONS

 

JOHN IATI

 

AE - ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

 

THIS EXEMPLIFIES THE GREAT JOB THE COACHING STAFF IS DOING!!!

 

Three different Dane Freshman in less than 1 1/2 years have gained this recognition. That makes it clear that our coaches know talent and can recruit talent to Albany.

[AlbanyObserver]

Good point Patch. Iati is definitely fun to watch. I can't wait to see how he develops over the next four years. I love the fact he hits the open three, drains clutch free throws and displays solid handle with his left hand. He is starting to display the makings of a great floor general.

[alumni '92']

congratulations to the rookie ... what will happen when his shoulder is fully healed?... expect Martin to also pick up one of these weekly awards in the near future ...

[Patch]

"alumni'92'"

 

I am in total agreement with you. Somewhere this season I feel everything will fall in place for Martin and he will have a shot at "Rookie of the Week".

 

I think there is a big upside to Martin's game.

[Rusty]

Agreed, Martin can shoot. Also, has anyone noticed that Martin only has 3 turnovers in 88 mins played this season. WOW-Don't forget he is a FRESHMAN @ 6'7" playing guard.

 

I believe he is the tallest guard in the league..., post him up inside!.

 

With Itai and Marten from the out side it will open up the middle for Levi. But avg only 5 shots per game doesn't help, even if you are shooting 50%.

[Patch]

Rusty

 

Martin is listed as a guard and announced as a guard but is a forward.

 

The Danes have been playing one guard with Levi helping out and Courtney Johnson coming off the bench to relieve Iati or be the second guard.

 

Very rarely does Martin touch the ball or handle it in the backcourt area. To his credit his shot selection has been good and he plays within his abilities. He needs to get to the offensive boards a little more and improve defensively.

 

His number of shots are limited because at this point he doesn't create off the dribble.

 

With that said he is a very good freshman prospect and hopefully will play well enough to get consideration for "Rookie of the Week" sometime this season.

[Dane Pound]

I have to say of what I've seen I've liked all three freshman this year. It's been some of the guys with experience who have been disappointing at times this year. Martin and Iati have played well and I think Courtney Johnson's minutes have been important as he really seems to free up Iati offensively by taking over the point. Johnson is currently third in the conference in assist to turnover ratio.

[Rusty]

PATCH

 

I agree with your assessment on Marten. My only point was that for a Freshman he is very composed. So much so that to your point, he is not taking bad shot selections and is not turning the ball over. He may not be a true guard however neither are some of the other players that are not freshman that seem to turn the ball over quite frequently.

 

My point is that this is a young team, and having never been a coach, but growing up in the Boston area and a celtic fan, I have learned that turnovers kill teams. I was just shocked that he was a freshman.

[Patch]

Rusty

 

I agree wholeheartedly