Seton Hall Basketball: Ismael Sanogo, Madison Jones to be ready for opener
Despite sprained MCLs, Seton Hall basketball will have two key players in the lineup on Friday.
Head coach Kevin Willard and the Seton Hall Pirates begin the post-Isaiah Whitehead era on Friday. With four starters back for the 2016-17 season, the Pirates have a legitimate chance to reach their second straight NCAA Tournament for the first time since the early-to-mid 90s when they made four straight appearances.
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The team is already dealing with two injuries to two key players, Ismael Sanogo and Madison Jones, but both will be active and ready to go in the season opener on November 11 against Fairleigh Dickinson.
Seton Hall's Ismael Sanogo (knee) will play in Friday's opener vs. FDU, per Kevin Willard. #shbb
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) November 7, 2016
Seton Hall's Madison Jones (knee) will play in Friday's opener vs. FDU, per Kevin Willard. #shbb
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) November 7, 2016
According to multiple reports, both players are currently dealing with sprained MCLs, which is obviously not an easy injury to come back from. That may mean that Sanogo and Jones will be limited on Friday night and on November 13 against Central Connecticut State (two buy games).
However, it’s good news that they are returning in time for the beginning of the season, as both were limited during the preseason.
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Sanogo is a 6’8″, 215 pound junior power forward who is a starter for the Pirates. He’s still developing his offensive game (5.0 points and 50 percent from the floor last year), but he is especially valuable on the defensive end of the floor and on the glass.
Sanogo is a versatile defender, who is capable of guarding 1-through-5, because of his length, athleticism, toughness and lateral quickness. He can switch in pick-and-roll situations, as he hangs well with guards on the perimeter.
The big man averaged 1.4 blocks and 1.4 steals in 27.9 minutes per game last season.
If Sanogo can take the next step on the offensive end of the floor, he could compliment Angel Delgado nicely on the low block. The problem lies with the lack of spacing. Sanogo has taken just three three-point jumpers in his career and shot just 58 percent from the free throw line in 2015-16, offering very little promise moving forward.
Meanwhile, Jones may be just as crucial to the team. The 6’2″ Wake Forest graduate transfer is a pass first point guard who played more than 20 minutes per game in the ACC back in 2014-15. Jones put up just 4.7 points and took three three-pointers, but he also dished out 3.0 assists and is likely to help ease Seton Hall’s transition away from Whitehead.
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The Pirates would likely defeat FDU without Sanogo and Jones in the lineup (even though FDU is no slouch). However, it’s beneficial for Seton Hall to have their best players on the floor so they can build their chemistry moving forward.