GARRETT WAIT
Sports Editor
Rarely does it happen in college basketball that a true freshman comes into a program and totally takes charge. But that’s exactly what we’re witnessing with the introduction of Michael Gerrity as the floor general for the Waves.
It is very apparent that this team relies heavily on its freshman point guard. Case in point: the first half of the game against the University of Portland Pilots. With Pepperdine motoring along up 34-21 late in the half, Gerrity took a seat on the bench with two personal fouls and Pepperdine immediately became a ship without a rudder.
Portland went on a 10-2 run to cut the lead to just five heading into the locker room. The momentum shifted, the score got closer and the body language of the Waves as they walked into the locker room spoke volumes about how lost they are without Gerrity on the court.
If the Waves go on a run in the West Coast Conference, the catalyst will most likely be the tough freshman with the No. 2 on his back.
He’s already drawing favorable comparisons to two of the best point guards in WCC history, Steve Nash and John Stockton. Every commentator on every broadcast this season has drooled over his combination of court vision, strength and his desire to win.
Nobody on the team runs the offense as well as Gerrity, nobody can see the court like him and nobody can deliver the ball as crisply and cleanly as him. His ability to make something out of nothing is unparalleled.
Paul Westphal knows Gerrity is the best player on the team as well. After all, he trusted the freshman to take the last shot against the Pilots when the Waves were down two. The only other freshman in recent memory who had that kind of trust was Carmelo Anthony at Syracuse when he was a one-man NCAA championship team in 2003.
Maybe Gerrity isn’t Anthony, but he’s already the leader on the court that this team needs so desperately. With him, the Waves are a young team with direction. Without him, these Waves would have one impact senior and a cast of young role players trying to manage the pace and speed of the collegiate game.
Somehow, Gerrity stepped right in and was ready for the way the game moves in college. Some people are just born with the ability to adjust. These people become point guards. Not only was Gerrity born with that trait, he’s taken to college game so well that he’s already led the team in points in 12 of 16 games, including four of the team’s five victories.
Some people believe he shouldn’t score as much as he does, that he should be a passer first and a scorer second. Unfortunately, this team lacks a real go-to scorer outside of the point guard position. The Waves are dead last in scoring in the WCC, averaging 64.5 points per game because of their inability to consistently put the ball in the basket.
Many times, Gerrity will blow past his defender, drive the lane to get other defenders to collapse around him, kick it out to an open man and watch as the ball clangs off the rim, depriving Pepperdine of yet another scoring opportunity.
It’s safe to say that Gerrity’s team-leading 3.7 assists per game would be much higher if his teammates could hit an open jumper. But that doesn’t look to change any time soon. The Waves are also dead last in the WCC in shooting percentage.
It’s a rebuilding year for Pepperdine. There’s no doubt about that. But if this year is any indication, the Waves already have the cornerstone of the team for the next three seasons with Gerrity at the helm.
Though that sounds like giving up, it really isn’t. Pepperdine has a tough road ahead of them this season, but everything looks like it’ll be just fine in the long run thanks to a new star point guard. Like Timbuk 3 said way back in 1988, the future’s so bright, I gotta wear shades.
01-19-2006
