Where does Jagan rank among all-time Hoya Defenders?

[blueandgray]

Watching the nova game last weekend and seeing Jagan draw offensive foul after offensive foul, I was reminded just how good a defensive player he is. Given that we are approaching his final game(s) as a Hoya, I wondered where he ranks as an all-time hoya defender. Not sure I would quite place him in the Gene Smith territory, but he could be right behind Wingate in terms of best off-guard defenders. Any thoughts?

[hoyalove4ever]

Top twenty for sure, and perhaps even higher.

[HoyaChris]

I'm not sure that I would call Jagan a great defender - his lateral quickness was never in the same class as a Gene Smith or a David Wingate - but I think that we can safely say that he is the bravest, and best, Hoya of all time in terms of taking offensive fouls in the lane.

Gene Smith's offensive fouls drawn were almost always as an on-ball defender. Opponents would try to go past him and he would invariably beat them to the spot. He was so good, that his man would usually just get rid of the ball and let someone else bring the ball up the court.

[Elvado]

Mar 10, 2020 15:04:13 GMT -5 HoyaChris said:

I'm not sure that I would call Jagan a great defender - his lateral quickness was never in the same class as a Gene Smith or a David Wingate - but I think that we can safely say that he is the bravest, and best, Hoya of all time in terms of taking offensive fouls in the lane.

Gene Smith's offensive fouls drawn were almost always as an on-ball defender. Opponents would try to go past him and he would invariably beat them to the spot. He was so good, that his man would usually just get rid of the ball and let someone else bring the ball up the court.

See Beal, Dickie who is likely still suffering the flashbacks...

[vv83]

Mar 10, 2020 15:05:14 GMT -5 Elvado said:

Mar 10, 2020 15:04:13 GMT -5 HoyaChris said:

I'm not sure that I would call Jagan a great defender - his lateral quickness was never in the same class as a Gene Smith or a David Wingate - but I think that we can safely say that he is the bravest, and best, Hoya of all time in terms of taking offensive fouls in the lane.

Gene Smith's offensive fouls drawn were almost always as an on-ball defender. Opponents would try to go past him and he would invariably beat them to the spot. He was so good, that his man would usually just get rid of the ball and let someone else bring the ball up the court.

See Beal, Dickie who is likely still suffering the flashbacks...

Not only was Smih the best on ball defender the Hoyas have ever had - I don't think I have ever seen a more disruptive on ball defender in my 40+ years of closely following college basketball. that Kentucky game was as good a defensive performance as you will ever see. The combination of foot quickness, strength, and complete intensity was game changing. Those of us who got to watch Smith play are very fortunate. It is great that he is still such a supporter of the program, showing up at games both in DC and on the road on a regular basis. Great player, great guy. Anyone who was in school during the glory days of the program holds Gene Smith among their all time favorite Hoyas, guaranteed.

[Bigs"R"Us]

Smith had a tryout with the Oakland Raiders without having played football in college.

[DallasHoya]

Mar 10, 2020 17:39:49 GMT -5 vv83 said:

Mar 10, 2020 15:05:14 GMT -5 Elvado said:

See Beal, Dickie who is likely still suffering the flashbacks...

Not only was Smih the best on ball defender the Hoyas have ever had - I don't think I have ever seen a more disruptive on ball defender in my 40+ years of closely following college basketball. that Kentucky game was as good a defensive performance as you will ever see. The combination of foot quickness, strength, and complete intensity was game changing. Those of us who got to watch Smith play are very fortunate. It is great that he is still such a supporter of the program, showing up at games both in DC and on the road on a regular basis. Great player, great guy. Anyone who was in school during the glory days of the program holds Gene Smith among their all time favorite Hoyas, guaranteed.

And if Gene were healthy for the finals, we stick him on Alvin Franklin and we win by 25.

[hoyaboya]

I have him a slight notch ahead of Joseph Toumou.