Deandre Liggins didn’t score the most points Saturday against Mississippi Valley State (he tied for second with sharpshooter Doron Lamb at 16 points each). He didn’t have the best 3-point percentage (again tied for second with 40%). Liggins didn’t even have the best overall shooting percentage (he was second-best with 55%) – but overall he may well have been the unsung hero of the game.
I knew Liggins had been a defensive dynamo this season. He was responsible for holding the University of Washington’s leading scorer Isaiah Thomas to 4 of 14 from the field, and held Portland’s Jared Stohl (number one 3-point shooter in the nation) to 1 of 7, so I tried to see who Cal had him defending during this game. His assignment was a little varied, but he spent a good part of the night on Terrence Joyner, MVSU’s top scorer averaging 10.8 ppg. How did Joyner do? Try 1 of 8 from the field including 0 of 4 from 3-point land for 2 points total in 26 minutes of play.
I interviewed DeAndre after the game, and he was very humble. When asked if he could be the leader Cal was looking for, Liggins answered that it could be either him or (Darius) Miller. I told him I thought his shot had improved since last year and asked if he had done anything special to train, he said that he had been working on his “catch-and-shoot”. I asked him what he felt he needed to work on and he responded that he needs to talk more on defense, and let the “young guys” know what Cal wants them to do.
He may not be a superstar yet, but DeAndre Liggins seems to be a consistent performer. One who completes the “intangibles” every coach needs… one who can lead as an upperclassman… one who can play guard OR forward. One who is getting better every day.
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