NCAA Basketball: 12 potential milestones to watch for 2021-22 season
Jacob Gilyard – Richmond
Milestone: 450 career steals
When the 1985-86 season is used – like it has numerous times this article- Gilyard’s career steals total of 358 has him sitting at No. 5 all-time. The 5’9 guard from Richmond is a mere 27 steals from No.1 John Linehan who totaled 385 steals at providence between 1998 and 2001.
Twenty-seven steals seems like a simple feat, especially since Gilyard averaged over three and a half last season. His career-best season was the 99 ” cookies” he snatched as a junior in 31 games played. It will take Gilyard about a quarter of the season, then he will continue to create distance between himself and future players who may challenge his total.
500 would be the more traditional milestone to celebrate and if not for COVID limiting the Spiders to twenty-three games last season, Gilyard would be very close to the 500 milestone, almost as close as Coach Jay Wright is to 500 wins, but it will have taken Coach Wright 28 seasons to reach 500.
An aspect that makes this all the more impressive is what Gilyard contributes in every other aspect on the basketball court. Gilyard averaged 12 points, five assists, and three rebounds last season while playing almost 38 minutes a game.
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With four starters returning for the Spiders Coach Chris Mooney will have his eyes on challenging for the Atlantic 10 title in order to erase the taste of last season’s bitter disappointment – thanks to injuries- of an eighth-place conference finish.