PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The center of attention remains Greg Monroe, pun intended, who put on a passing master class the last time Georgetown was at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center on Feb. 9. While the Washington area was submerged in multiple feet of snow, Monroe shoveled 12 assists in the Hoyas’ win over Providence. He hasn’t reached that number again since, but his 17 dimes over the last three games is his highest assist total over any stretch that doesn’t include the Friars game.
But apparently, unlike Steve Nash, who acquired many of his spacial skills through playing soccer growing up, Monroe was born to dish.
“It’s something I always had the ability to do,” said Monroe. “I mean, just growing up when I was taught the game, I was taught all facets of the game.”
“It’s God-given,” said Hoyas head coach John Thompson III. “He can see. He can see, and that’s a gift that can’t be coached. Now, what he has – and there are many people who can see and have the ability to notice what’s there – he also has the willingness to make the passes and caring and the understanding and the ability to be a facilitator. So that’s just one small aspect of his game.”
“The kid sees evertying that’s going on on the court. He’s a step or two ahead of everyone else on the court… He’s really grown this year into learning and understanding and adjusting and adapting. With that ability, he still has the responsibility to score, and sometimes people talk about him not being aggressive enough. I think he’s at the point now, he understands what it’s his turn and when he should help his teammates.”
As for the Hoyas, Thompson said they are healthy and playing well. That’s it. I specifically asked him for an example.
“There’s nothing necessarily tangible,” said Thompson. “… We’re figuring each other out. There’s nothing in particular. Things just seem to be working. That’s hard to say when your last game was a loss. But leading up to that, I think we’re at a good place now.”
I wonder if that’s what he said to Verne Lundquist and Bill Raftery.
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