In a season of ups and downs, injuries and eligibility, and everything else in between, the Quinnipiac Bobcats men’s basketball team is staring an 0-4 conference start right in the face. After Tuesday’s 81-73 loss at Iona, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference favorite, Tom Moore’s squad fell to 6-7 on the year and 0-4 in MAAC play. This is the first time Quinnipiac has started 0-4 in conference action since the 2006-2007 season, when the Bobcats were still in the Northeast Conference.
There are tons of questions surrounding the team, and it starts with Ousmane Drame. The senior forward started and ended Tuesday’s game in the same place – the bench. It was the first time this season Drame hadn’t been in the starting five. Whether it has been Drame’s reported “laziness,” which has been a concern his whole career, or him not being healthy, is unclear.
What is clear is Drame has been performing horribly in MAAC play this season thus far. In the four games, the first team All-MAAC Preseason selection has averaged eight points, 9.2 rebounds and three turnovers per game. Not to mention, shooting just 31 percent from the field, in a guard-heavy conference. Seniors tend to give 100 percent, because they know the amount of college basketball games they have left is limited. In Drame’s case, it seems like he can’t wait for his career to come to a close.
Another big question mark lies at the point guard position. Moore brought in Giovanni McLean from Westchester Community College with the assumption McLean would replace Umar Shannon. But with McLean ineligible, Moore has to turn to someone else in hopes of some kind of production.
He may have found that in freshman Ayron Hutton, who looked like an upperclassmen on the court Tuesday night. Hutton did everything, dropping career-highs in points (16), assists (eight) and 3-pointers made (four) to go with four rebounds in 31 minutes of work. Hutton has continued to earn more minutes as the season progresses. The rookie had only played nine minutes of college basketball in Quinnipiac’s first eight games. In the Bobcats last five contests, Hutton is averaging more than 20 minutes per game.
“You’re looking at a freshman that’s starting to gain confidence,” Moore said after the game Tuesday night. “I’m thrilled with him.”
So where does that leave Kasim Chandler and Dimitri Floras? Well, Tuesday night they were both ineffective, and were a combined 0-for-4 from the field in 21 total minutes. Chandler didn’t take a step on the court in the second half.
In Floras’ case, it seems he and Hutton are going in opposite directions. Floras was the first point guard off the bench to start the season, averaging 18 minutes per game in Quinnipiac’s first eight games. But in the last five games, the freshman is averaging just seven minutes per game and hasn’t scored since Dec. 14 at Boston University. With Chandler and Floras struggling, Moore may give the start to Hutton on Friday against Monmouth.
But where in the world is Evan Conti? Beats me, but it seems that Conti is the Bobcat that no one really talks about, yet he might just be the most important. The senior guard has scored in double-figures six times this season. In those games, all non-conference, the Bobcats are 5-1. When Conti scores in single figures, Quinnipiac is 1-6. The Bayside, New York-native has averaged just 3.5 points per game in MAAC play, including a goose egg against Iona.
The biggest problem surrounding this team might be scoring. Right now, there’s only one true scoring option that Moore can rely on, and that is senior forward Zaid Hearst. The captain is second in the MAAC in points per game at 19.7, which also ranks 23rd nationally. After Hearst, who does Moore turn to? Drame and Conti have been inconsistent all season. The second scoring option might have to be Hutton some nights if Drame doesn’t feel like playing and Conti isn’t having a good game. It is worrisome that a third string point guard a month ago might have to be the second scoring option in the most important games of the season.
Quinnipiac is now tied for dead last in the MAAC standings with Marist, and has to go to Monmouth on Friday, which is in sole possession of first place at 4-0. The Hawks will be looking for their first win against the Bobcats since Jan. 10, 2010. Tip is set for 7 p.m., broadcast live on ESPN3.
