I wrote some player profiles for the Seton Hall Pirates Facebook page. This one is on Budd Clak. I wrote one for each of the transfers. If you all think they are worthwhile, I will put the other ones here. And note that I am Justafan and know nothing except what I see on TV.
Clark is a rising junior point guard transfer from Merrimack (18-15, 14-6) of the MAAC (a low mid-major conference that includes St. Peter’s and Manhattan).
Clark WAS Merrimack last season – he led the team in points (19.8), assists (6.0), steals (2.7), and minutes played (37). Clark averaged 4.5 rebounds a game, impressive for a 5’ 11” guard. He shot 77% from the foul line. His usage stat – a measure of his involvement in Merrimack’s offense – is 35% (Luka Doncic has a similar usage number). His 19.8 points was good for 23rd in the nation in scoring. According to his Merrimack Coach Joe Gallo, “In the last four minutes of games, we win because we have Budd Clark and you don’t.” He’s from Philly and is East Coast tough.
Clark’s game is to go to the hole – he takes half his shots at the rim – and to penetrate and dish. He is an extremely good interior passer and can create his own shot off the dribble. He is also an above average defensive player. As mentioned, Coach Holloway wants to play more zone next season, and Merrimack plays a match-up, so Clark has zone experience. Finally, Clark is a consistent scorer who scored 18 or more points in 20 of Merrimack’s 30 games.
The knock on him is his outside shooting – he shoots only 29% from beyond the arc, and takes only two treys a game. Scouts have described his outside shot as “odd” – so there is likely a lot of work needed to turn Clark into an accomplished shooter. My guess is that Clark will stick to his game – drive and dish – and leave the long range shooting to Staton-McCray, Dar, Williams III and Parker.
I’m sure that Coach Holloway has a special place in his heart for undersized point guards who are ferocious drivers, excellent passers, assertive on the floor, and capable of scoring, passing and rebounding. As has been noted by Bryan Webster of the Big East Energy Network (among others), Budd Clark’s game bears an uncanny resemblance to Coach’s. Clark was likely overlooked because of his size – he is listed at 5’ 11” and 155 pounds – and he plays with a chip on his shoulder.
To me, the big question will be Clark’s ability to adjust to both the higher level of competition in the Big East, and the reduction in his overall role. The Pirates will be a better team if Clark uses his passing ability to keep everyone involved, rather than being a one-man show. Seton Hall suffered last season because the team didn’t have a quarterback – someone who could get the ball to teammates who were in position to score. Clark needs to be that guy – even at the expense of his own scoring.
I am also interested in seeing how his relationship with Coach Holloway develops. If he buys into the system, Clark can be a coach on the floor – an extension of Sha himself. But I have also seen men with similar temperaments clash. At worst, the two spend the season in a clash of wills, which may or may not hurt the club. Either way, Clark represents an enormous upgrade for the Pirates at what I think is the most important position on the floor.
Clark is a rising junior point guard transfer from Merrimack (18-15, 14-6) of the MAAC (a low mid-major conference that includes St. Peter’s and Manhattan).
Clark WAS Merrimack last season – he led the team in points (19.8), assists (6.0), steals (2.7), and minutes played (37). Clark averaged 4.5 rebounds a game, impressive for a 5’ 11” guard. He shot 77% from the foul line. His usage stat – a measure of his involvement in Merrimack’s offense – is 35% (Luka Doncic has a similar usage number). His 19.8 points was good for 23rd in the nation in scoring. According to his Merrimack Coach Joe Gallo, “In the last four minutes of games, we win because we have Budd Clark and you don’t.” He’s from Philly and is East Coast tough.
Clark’s game is to go to the hole – he takes half his shots at the rim – and to penetrate and dish. He is an extremely good interior passer and can create his own shot off the dribble. He is also an above average defensive player. As mentioned, Coach Holloway wants to play more zone next season, and Merrimack plays a match-up, so Clark has zone experience. Finally, Clark is a consistent scorer who scored 18 or more points in 20 of Merrimack’s 30 games.
The knock on him is his outside shooting – he shoots only 29% from beyond the arc, and takes only two treys a game. Scouts have described his outside shot as “odd” – so there is likely a lot of work needed to turn Clark into an accomplished shooter. My guess is that Clark will stick to his game – drive and dish – and leave the long range shooting to Staton-McCray, Dar, Williams III and Parker.
I’m sure that Coach Holloway has a special place in his heart for undersized point guards who are ferocious drivers, excellent passers, assertive on the floor, and capable of scoring, passing and rebounding. As has been noted by Bryan Webster of the Big East Energy Network (among others), Budd Clark’s game bears an uncanny resemblance to Coach’s. Clark was likely overlooked because of his size – he is listed at 5’ 11” and 155 pounds – and he plays with a chip on his shoulder.
To me, the big question will be Clark’s ability to adjust to both the higher level of competition in the Big East, and the reduction in his overall role. The Pirates will be a better team if Clark uses his passing ability to keep everyone involved, rather than being a one-man show. Seton Hall suffered last season because the team didn’t have a quarterback – someone who could get the ball to teammates who were in position to score. Clark needs to be that guy – even at the expense of his own scoring.
I am also interested in seeing how his relationship with Coach Holloway develops. If he buys into the system, Clark can be a coach on the floor – an extension of Sha himself. But I have also seen men with similar temperaments clash. At worst, the two spend the season in a clash of wills, which may or may not hurt the club. Either way, Clark represents an enormous upgrade for the Pirates at what I think is the most important position on the floor.
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