Big Al Bounces Back
12/21/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Ja'Ron Jefferson could have identified a lot of different factors when asked the difference between the Montana State team that beat San Jose State 72-59 in Bozeman on Tuesday and the group that dropped a 65-64 heartbreaker to the Spartans in San Jose the day before Thanksgiving.
He could have identified his own play -- he scored 19 on Tuesday, and although he had 17 last time against the Spartans he keyed a couple of spurts that helped MSU extend its lead. He could have identified rebounding -- the 'Cats were outrebounded in San Jose last month, but grabbed one more carom than the Spartans on Tuesday. Or, he could have identified shooting -- MSU shot 43% from the floor and hit a dozen free throws on Tuesday after shooting 38% from the floor and making only eight free throws in San Jose.
Jefferson landed on none of those reasons. He had a much simpler explanation.
"Big Al," he said with a smile, singling out 6-11 center Al Beye, a player who made his MSU regular season debut on Tuesday. "Al is a presence down low. When Al is down around the basket teams tend not to penetrate as much. Plus, we get more rebounds when he's in there. He makes a big difference."
Beye transferred to MSU from an Oklahoma junior college this fall, and immediately captured the imagination of Bobcat fans. At 6-11 and 220 lbs, he is unique physically in Bobcat basketball annals. He's the first Senegalese to play at MSU. And he reinforces a Bobcat inside attack that has plagued the team at times in recent years.
"He had six rebounds (on Tuesday), that gets your attention," Durham said. "The defensive presence is important. Obviously, he finishes around the basket."
But, Beye's presence transcends statistics. "He just has an amazing presence," Durham said. "He has an effect on the whole team. You saw the crowd tonight, people just respond to Al."
For Beye, the long-awaited return lived up to expectations. "It was really crazy sitting on the sidelines with my teammates playing and not being able to help," he said. "I'm a little out of shape, I've only been back for five practices. But it felt good."
One way or another, Beye would have played in Worthington Arena on Tuesday. But, it wasn't necessarily going to be in a Bobcat uniform. "It was between San Jose State and Montana State," Beye said of the experience of being recruited out of junior college last spring. "I went there first and then came here. I know I made the right decision."
After all the hyperbole surrounding Beye's return, Durham had a simpler message as Beye left the post-game interview session: "Welcome back, big guy."
He could have identified his own play -- he scored 19 on Tuesday, and although he had 17 last time against the Spartans he keyed a couple of spurts that helped MSU extend its lead. He could have identified rebounding -- the 'Cats were outrebounded in San Jose last month, but grabbed one more carom than the Spartans on Tuesday. Or, he could have identified shooting -- MSU shot 43% from the floor and hit a dozen free throws on Tuesday after shooting 38% from the floor and making only eight free throws in San Jose.
Jefferson landed on none of those reasons. He had a much simpler explanation.
"Big Al," he said with a smile, singling out 6-11 center Al Beye, a player who made his MSU regular season debut on Tuesday. "Al is a presence down low. When Al is down around the basket teams tend not to penetrate as much. Plus, we get more rebounds when he's in there. He makes a big difference."
Beye transferred to MSU from an Oklahoma junior college this fall, and immediately captured the imagination of Bobcat fans. At 6-11 and 220 lbs, he is unique physically in Bobcat basketball annals. He's the first Senegalese to play at MSU. And he reinforces a Bobcat inside attack that has plagued the team at times in recent years.
"He had six rebounds (on Tuesday), that gets your attention," Durham said. "The defensive presence is important. Obviously, he finishes around the basket."
But, Beye's presence transcends statistics. "He just has an amazing presence," Durham said. "He has an effect on the whole team. You saw the crowd tonight, people just respond to Al."
For Beye, the long-awaited return lived up to expectations. "It was really crazy sitting on the sidelines with my teammates playing and not being able to help," he said. "I'm a little out of shape, I've only been back for five practices. But it felt good."
One way or another, Beye would have played in Worthington Arena on Tuesday. But, it wasn't necessarily going to be in a Bobcat uniform. "It was between San Jose State and Montana State," Beye said of the experience of being recruited out of junior college last spring. "I went there first and then came here. I know I made the right decision."
After all the hyperbole surrounding Beye's return, Durham had a simpler message as Beye left the post-game interview session: "Welcome back, big guy."
Wednesday, June 10
Friday, March 27
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
