Monmouth 107, Georgian Court 77: 5 Observations

Je'lon Hornbeak tied for team lead with 15 points in Monmouth's 107-77 exhibition win over Georgian Court. (Photo courtesy of the Asbury Park Press)

Taking the lead just over three minutes into the contest and not looking back after that, Monmouth rode a productive evening from its entire rotation to a 107-77 victory over Georgian Court in the Hawks' exhibition tuneup before opening their season Friday evening against UCLA. Before the trip to Westwood, however, we have a few takeaways nuggets from the action at the Multipurpose Activity Center:

• Monmouth proved just how vital depth can be.After having other teams show them at their expense, the Hawks used a 13-man rotation Saturday night to their advantage. What makes this even more impressive is that each player to see the floor did so for at least eight minutes, with no one registering more than 21 minutes in the contest. Even better than that, the Hawks' bench accounted for an astounding 65.4 percent of the total offense, amassing 70 points as four players ended the evening in double figures. Monmouth hasn't won a MAAC championship yet, but if everyone can stay healthy and in top form, King Rice will have a stable that rivals that of the two Manhattan outfits that won back-to-back conference titles with a deep bench.

• The Hawks' big men played within themselves.
  Diago Quinn can be excused for fouling out, especially after a 10-point effort on 5-of-6 shooting with four rebounds in 17 minutes. His running mates on the front line were much more disciplined than their younger seasons may have suggested, though. Again, all exhibition games are taken with a grain of salt, but one has to be impressed with the fact that Chris Brady and Zac Tillman only recorded one foul apiece while serving as extremely efficient pieces on the offensive end, missing only one field goal between them.
• With depth comes versatility.
  Rice went with a small lineup against a Georgian Court team now coached by his former assistant, Brian Reese, starting four guards and playing Deon Jones at the four spot. Micah Seaborn, the Hawks' prized recruit who was declared ineligible last year, started in the backcourt and ended his night with a well rounded eight points, four rebounds and three assists to underscore a quietly strong effort from Justin Robinson (seven points, three rebounds in 16 minutes). Moreover, not only did every Hawk to see action in Saturday's game score, every player also picked up at least one rebound.
• Je'lon Hornbeak's debut? Impressive.
  That is, unless 15 points, six assists and four steals don't catch your eye. In his first action since transferring from Oklahoma and sitting out last season, the junior guard went 5-for-7 from the field to help bolster a red-hot shooting effort that culminated with Monmouth torching the nets at a 67 percent clip and .787 effective field goal percentage. Look for him to get more opportunities to prove himself as the year goes on, and expect him to only get more acclimated to thriving on the big stage.
• Collin Stewart might be this team's breakout star.
  Our friend Josh Newman, who covers the Hawks inside and out for the Asbury Park Press as one of the best beat writers for any program in the area, (the check is in the mail, boss) highlighted the fourth-year junior swingman's progress in this feature last month, emphasizing the confidence that Rice and his staff have in him to not only make shots, but facilitate the plays that don't get enough of an explanation in the box score. Stewart did not get the start Saturday, but his 21 minutes were the most of any player Rice sent out to the floor as he rewarded his coach's trust by contributing 15 points, three assists and a team-leading three blocked shots to the winning cause.

Notable Quotes: (courtesy of Monmouth University Athletic Communications via Gary Kowal)

"The offseason was big for me. We worked out a lot and I could always shoot it, but all the coaches and everybody on the team has confidence. They want me to shoot it and that really helps me a lot." - Collin Stewart

"We don't care who gets the ball, we just try to communicate who is going to get the ball. There will be times where two or three of us come back for the ball, so it's all about communication." - Je'lon Hornbeak on cohesiveness among Monmouth's guards

"It feels great to be able to finally play. I was telling Coach (Rice) earlier that it's been going on 20 months that I haven't played a real game in front of people. It felt great playing, and now I'm just happy I got the first game, even though it's an exhibition, out of the way." - Micah Seaborn on his return to game action