AMHERST — It’s always been about defense for Keon Clergeot.
Even with coach Matt McCall asking the redshirt sophomore to play a larger role in the offense, all Clergeot cares about is his defense. He told McCall before the season that he wanted to be the best defender in the Atlantic 10, a goal that seems fully achievable for a player who doesn’t care about shooting the basketball.
Clergeot has started UMass’ last five games for a variety of reasons, but the biggest one is his selfless nature on the court.
“He’s an extremely hard worker and he puts this team and this program first,” McCall said. “He wants to win. The reason he’s in the starting lineup and the reason he’s playing a lot is that mentality.”
Although Clergeot would prefer to focus on his defense, he has added a spark to the Minutemen’s offense lately. He’s scored at least 10 points in four of his last six games while handling the ball more often within the offense.
All 10 of his points against Dayton on Sunday came in the second half — more specifically they were the first 10 points UMass scored in the half. He said most of that offensive success came about because he trusted in the system and didn’t try to force shots that weren’t there for him.
“It’s always been more about the defensive side and just putting more pressure on the other team,” Clergeot said. “I’m more focused on defense, but I was being patient and letting the game come to me.”
Clergeot is UMass’ secondary ballhandler after Luwane Pipkins, and as opponents have worked harder to prevent Pipkins from touching the ball, Clergeot has found the ball in his hands more often. It is a recent change McCall has made in response to how teams are defending the Minutemen’s leading scorer in an attempt to relieving pressure off Pipkins.
But there is also a common thread between Clergeot’s entry into the starting lineup and UMass’ improvements on defense. The Minutemen are allowing 68.7 points per game in three conference games, which almost 10 points better than the nonconference slate.
Pipkins said Clergeot has added tenacity to UMass’ defense and given everyone around him a lift with that type of effort.
“He’s brought energy (to our defense),” Pipkins said. “Keon is Keon and you have to hear him talk to understand who he is. It’s just Keon, he just brings a lot to the team, he keeps everyone smiling, everyone laughing and he just brings that grit that we always talk about.”
Clergeot is a shining example of the attributes McCall wants to instill within his program. McCall said Clergeot is a relentless competitor who exerts maximum energy at all times and uses that effort to earn the positive breaks that come his way.
That was apparent last week when UMass (7-9, 0-3 Atlantic 10) was on the road for a week straight with away games at Saint Louis and Dayton.
“Keon Clergeot plays hard and then the ball finds him and it goes through the net,” McCall said. “He goes into every game with the same mentality. He had a great week of practice last week for both of those games. He was early to team meals, he was early to team meetings and he was ready to go. He played hard and got himself going, it wasn’t the opposite.
“… The game rewards those who are good to it. It’s not just his ball handling, it’s more of his effort, his energy and his tenacity that he brings every day.”
SCOUTING THE PATRIOTS — Count McCall among those not surprised George Mason has figured it out in time for Atlantic 10 games.
For a second straight year, the Patriots had a losing record in nonconference games, but have found success against conference foes. Last season, they rallied to finish 9-9 in conference, and this year, they’re off to a 3-1 start in the early part of A-10 play.
George Mason (9-8, 3-1 A-10) rolls into Amherst for a 7 p.m. tipoff Wednesday with the reigning A-10 co-Player of the Week in Justin Kier. The junior is averaging 19.5 points and 12.5 rebounds per game through the first four conference games. Those numbers overshadow Otis Livingston II, a preseason first-team All-Atlantic 10 pick who is averaging 13.3 points per game this season.