Monmouth Basketball: Justin Robinson is back and better than ever

Monmouth basketball point guard Justin Robinson should lead the Hawks to the Big Dance.

The 2016-17 MAAC is possibly deeper than it’s ever been. Whether it’s Monmouth, Iona, Siena or Fairfield, the conference could potentially land a rare two bids in the NCAA Tournament.

But Monmouth will be the MAAC’s top team in 2016-17. The Hawks won 27 games last season, 17 games in league play and defeated UCLA, USC, Georgetown and Notre Dame in the non-conference portion of their schedule.

Despite possessing a solid resume, the Hawks ultimately failed to receive a bid to the NCAA Tournament after losing to Iona in the MAAC postseason tournament final. They were one of four number one seeds in the NIT, but they were unable to get out of the second round, getting beaten by the eventual champions, George Washington.

However this season, King Rice’s team has the personnel to be even better. Not only do they have more depth, but MAAC Player of the Year and Hawks team leader, Justin Robinson, returns for his final campaign.

Even though he stands at just 5’8″, Robinson is as competitive as any player in college basketball. He plays with a big ol’ chip on his shoulder, makes shots from the perimeter and will attack the lane without any fear.

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Last year, Robinson averaged almost 20 points a game (19.3 to be exact), dished out 3.7 assists, grabbed 3.8 rebounds and snatched 2.2 steals in 32.9 minutes per game. Robinson won’t have to take every shot – Je’lon Hornbeak and Micah Seaborn join him in the backcourt – however he is the clear leader of this Monmouth roster.

If the Hawks have any chance of finally breaking through and making the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2006, Robinson will have to find another level in 2016-17.

We’re not expecting him to score 25 plus points a night and lead the nation in scoring, but he’ll surely have to turn the ball over less, increase his shooting percentages (44 percent overall and 39 percent from beyond the arc) and develop as a playmaker.

And these areas of improvements will be more important given that the Hawks have a brutal non-conference schedule. Monmouth will face South Carolina, Syracuse, Memphis, Princeton and North Carolina all on the road. That’s two potential Final Four teams, a sleeper in the AAC and the favorite of the Ivy League.

Remember, it’s not a given that the Hawks will once again be able to knock off NCAA Tournament-type teams on the road. While last year was impressive, Georgetown and UCLA had a down season and the USC win was on a neutral site. It’s a completely different animal when you’re going on the road to face ACC teams.

That’s where Robinson comes into play. He’ll have to be on his A-game throughout the year, but particularity in these five games if Monmouth wants to boost their resume.

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This non-conference slate will help define Robinson’s legacy in West Long Branch. Robinson is likely to repeat as MAAC Player of the Year and there is no doubt that he’ll get more love nationally, but all that matters in the big picture will be if Monmouth finds instead relevant when the Big Dance rolls around.