Player Spotlight: Marcus Johnson

Marcus Johnson is another piece of the puzzle that has Calhoun scratching his head in consternation. Here is a player, highly touted, with obvious gifts but hasn’t seemed to put everything together. He is entering his junior year and he hasn’t emerged yet. Time is running out and he needs to find his role on the team.

The Good: Marcus feels most comfortable on the fast break and has become a leaping highlight reel. His average is distorted by the fact that most of his shots were dunks, leading to his .479 overall field goal percentage. If a point guard emerged that ran the break then Johnson would have been a consistent double digit scorer.

Marcus demonstrated quick hands and created 31 steals in his limited role. He plays aggressive on defense which Calhoun loves and isn’t a selfish player almost to a fault and plays an overall team game. Having a great above the rim game, Johnson likes to use backdoor cuts and score on easy baskets.

The Bad: Marcus never felt comfortable in the offense, rarely taking a jumper and only attempted 15 threes all year, making only 4. His free throw percentage is atrocious at .500 and his rebounding is only at 3 a game. He needs to work on his jumper, get comfortable playing the small forward position and take shots coming off pick and rolls and corner threes.

He also needs to work down low and scrap for those easy buckets. But more important than anything else is that free throw percentage. If Johnson has any aspirations for getting to the next level then it starts there. The pros know how to get to the line when their shot isn’t there. If you don’t have confidence in your shot then it infects every other part of your game. Marcus needs to start the season shooting well and get the confidence of being a 20 point scorer like in high school.

Overall: This is a make it or break it year for Johnson. Highly talented small forwards like Nate Miles, are going to be nipping at his playing time. He has the skills but lacks the confidence in his shot and when its not there, he disappears from the offense. He must find out what his role is going to be and assert himself more into the offense and start taking more shots. If Calhoun doesn’t figure out the enigma that is the small forward position then don’t expect a catapult up the Big East standings this season.