The Developing Monster: Greg Monroe

 Greg Monroe is a work in progress for the NBA as of right now. His game is quietly improving, as well as his strength increasing. There's no doubt this young man has potential. But how much potential is there and how long will it take him to develop fully into a respectable NBA prospect? I believe I have the answers to those questions right here. How good is he? Tuesday night at the MSG against Butler answered a good bit of questions if you ask me. There is a monster growing in the Big East.

 As a loyal Hoya fan, I've watched Greg Monroe through his good games and his bad. But there is no doubt in my mind that his game Tuesday was the best he's ever played at the collegiate level. He was doing everything that a guy 6'11 should do and more.

 He scored 24 points on a very good Butler defense, in my opinion. Yes, I know it was Ball State, but Butler only gave up 39 points to them. That's unheard of in the college game today. The thing is, he probably could have had about 30 points at the end of the game. He went 9-20 from the floor. Like all players, he missed some easy layups, but that is something that can easily be fixed with some work on concentration. His strength probably hurt him as well, but we won't go into that. He still has some improving to do on his shooting though.

 The most impressive and most important stat of the night is those 20 shots that he took. He has been criticized for his lack of aggressiveness throughout his life, and he proved that he can be a selfish player, and that is what Georgetown needs to get deep into the month of March.

 Fifteen rebounds to add to that is not bad at all. Just another thing that he is improving on. If he could get 10 rebounds a game for the Hoyas, I'd be very pleased with him. Scoring chances will come with offensive rebounds and put-backs. He's averaging roughly 10 a game now, so no complaints here.

 He also proved he can be physical and play defense and guard. He limited Matt Howard his touches and shut him down, thus making him nonexistent in Butler's offense. I'm sure Howard was aware of Monroe's ability to block shots, and it definitely showed. He threw up some ridiculous shots that made you wonder why he was playing college basketball, especially as the previous Horizon Player of the Year.

 All of that, combined with his great passing ability, leads me to believe that Greg Monroe can (and will be) a very good NBA prospect and player when he decides to come out. If he can start having 20 points and 10-15 points consistently, Monroe will be a definite top 10 pick, not to mention leading the Hoyas deeper and deeper into the postseason.

 He has no telling how much potential. He just has to let it all develop for the rest of the season, and we will undoubtedly have a monster in the Big East.