Edmond Sumner’s Emergence As Xavier’s MVP
Posted by Justin Kundrat on January 20th, 2016There has been no shortage of discussion around the success of Xavier so far this season. Even after a loss to Georgetown on Tuesday night, the Musketeers are a top five team with a 16-2 record and five wins over the RPI top 50. It’s put Xavier on track to potentially post the best season in program history. Xavier has earned a #3 seed in the NCAA tournament twice in its history (2003 and 2008), but has never advanced to the Final Four. Now, in building upon a dark horse Sweet Sixteen run last season, Chris Mack’s team is pounding on the ceiling. Some bracketology predictions show Mack’s team on the one seed line, and talk of legitimate Final Four potential is ramping up. A balanced offense (six players score 9 PPG or more) has combined with a stifling zone defense to pave the way to the team’s hot start. So too has the intimidating inside punch of Jalen Reynolds and James Farr, whose combined 15.6 RPG is a major reason why Xavier is one of the best rebounding teams in the country. But the true impact player for the X-men has been redshirt freshman Edmond Sumner, a wiry 6’6 point guard who drastically alters the rhythm of the game on both ends of the floor.
His assist figures may not directly reflect it, but Sumner has deftly assumed point guard duties left behind by departed senior Dee Davis, who had been a critical facilitator on last year’s team. One of the big offseason questions for Chris Mack was whether any player could fill his shoes. Sumner has done that, and more. He is averaging 5.4 assists per 40 minutes, while his scoring ability has drawn enough respect from defenders that they are forced to slide into help position and surrender an open man. His long frame and quick feet enable him to easily evade defenders in both the halfcourt and transition, frequently putting him in a position to score or make an easy pass. Here, are two perfect examples of the aforementioned optionality that Sumner provides his team.
If the post defender chooses to stay with his man, Sumner has both the size and explosiveness to quickly finish around the rim.
Here, Wally Ellenson instead comes to confront him and cut off further penetration. Sumner’s court vision turns what normally might have been a contested layup into an easy hoop for a teammate.
Additionally, his long wingspan is a perfect match for Chris Mack’s high pressure 1-3-1 zone defense.
Here you can see that Mack often will not only put Sumner up top in the zone, but also extend him almost to the halfcourt line. Sumner’s foot speed enables him to cover both sides of the floor quickly and force difficult passing angles for his defenders. Over the course of 15 seconds, Sumner guards three different players and ultimately deflects a pass.
Given how quickly the redshirt freshman has burst onto the scene, it isn’t surprising that he has yet to capture the media spotlight. Xavier fans certainly know how special he is, but his name is still flying under the radar on a national level. Not so dissimilarly, it was the same for Kris Dunn at this time last year. Most people have heard plenty about presumptive lottery pick Dunn at this point. Speaking of the next level, Steve Wojciechowski gushed about Sumner’s pro potential — in the process complimenting the overall talent level on this Xavier team — earlier this season. “Sumner might be their best pro prospect — a 6-6 point guard — and they are bringing him off the bench,” the Marquette coach said.
The emergence of Edmond Sumner wasn’t expected this winter, but his confident play has taken a great team and turned them into an elite one. His rare combination of size and athleticism at the point guard position provides Xavier with a truly transformational player — and one whose impact may be felt deep into March.
Villanova grad, patiently waiting another 10 years for season tickets. Follow Justin on twitter @JustinKundrat or email him at justin.kundrat@gmail.com
