Vee Sanford: the Secret?

This is the seventh in a series previewing the 2010-2011 Hoyas.  For a complete look at this year’s team, go here.

Hoyas Expecting Big Contributions from Little Men.  Big Man U Goes Small.  Etc., etc.

When you listen the endless national echo chamber regarding the centrality of  Georgetown’s guards in the team’s success this year, you’ll hear plenty about Chris Wright, Austin Freeman, and Jason Clark.  Only rarely will you hear mention of sophomore guard Vee Sanford.

Nor, necessarily, should you.  While Wright, Freeman, and Clark each played more than eighty percent of available minutes last season, Sanford didn’t even crack five minutes per contest.  He scored fewer points (33) than Georgetown played games (34).  And, with the return of the three minutes-hogging guards in front of him, plus the arrival of Markel Stars, Sanford’s role may not grow much this year.

But Sanford was more effective than his modest numbers suggest.  In the last ten games of the season, Vee boasted an offensive efficiency rating better than both Julian Vaughn and Jason Clark, although that’s largely based on a 21-minute, 9-point outing in the Hoyas’ loss at West Virginia.  He rarely turned the ball over, and found his shooting stroke down the stretch.  On the defensive end, he grabbed rebounds at the third-highest rate on the team while racking up steals. And, for some reason he just seems like a likable guy, both playing with energy and integrating himself into the team.

Sanford will not be a starter on this year’s team, and likely will not rise higher than eighth on the depth chart.  But he has the strengths to excel as a role player.  He has the talent to be a dead-eye shooter, allowing him to chip in timely buckets in the limited minutes allowed him.  He also plays with the necessary energy on the defensive end to shut down his opponents.  In a tight Big East race, Sanford’s contributions may prove critical.  While his older teammates undoubtedly will generate more ink, Sanford may just make the little plays that matter.