You may have heard about the new Brad Pitt movie, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, which is destined to win an Oscar simply for its special effects. In it, Pitt's character is born an octagerian-looking baby, only to become younger-looking each year as he grows older in age.Fear not, Justin Dentmon was not born a senior citizen nor is he adopting children from Malaysia with Angelina Jolie. He proudly presents his own type of mystery that needs cracking.
Dentmon appeared on the stage as a highly recruited player from Illinois. He was the point guard to replace Will Conroy. He was the heir apparent to the throne vacated by Nate Rob's early exit to the NBA. He was cool, calm and collected, his demeanor on the court matching his coach's, sleepy expression for sleepy expression.
Dentmon's freshman year was a success. Despite the rough moments like the foul in the final seconds, up 3, on the desperation heave by WHERE YOU NOW YOU ANNOYING PIECE OF Stanford guard Chris Hernadez, which enabled the mighty Tree to tie the game and go on to win, Dentmon brought excitement to the program. This guy had guts. He had heart. He was clutch.
Go to 2:20 of the video and watch. You'll see what I mean.
Look at how he goes to the line and drills clutch free throws to ice the game. Look at the four point play! This kid had arrived. Maybe.
His per game averages were solid, 8.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists. With Spencer Hawes and a few other top recruits coming in for the 2006-2007 season, those numbers should bounce up, right? Right? Righhhhhhhht?
Well, they did: 10.1, 4.0, 3.6. However, Dentmon's inconsistent play at the point hampered the team down the stretch and they ended up missing the NCAA tournament. Hawes jumps to the league, kids apply to transfer, blah blah blah. Someone was going to have to score more points and it was either going to be Brockman or Dentmon.
Well, it was Brockman. Dentmon not only averaged less points per game but also found himself in Coach Lorenzo Romar's doghouse, getting his minutes diminished for freshman Venoy Overton. He began to look like a deer in the headlights. The guy had obviously lost his mojo. The memories of the freshman sensation had all but disappeared.
What does this prove? That Dentmon misses Brandon Roy. A lot.
Yes, we all know Roy filled up the stat sheet but he also brought confidence to everyone around him. The guy was key to Dentmon's swagger. When he left, it did too. Roy carried everyone on that team as all great players should. Jamal Williams was suddenly a unstoppable force in the post. Bobby Jones was hitting jumpshots from the wing. Mike Jensen got to look like a D1 basketball player! Teams game planned for Roy first and everyone else second. Take that away and Dentmon has struggled.
I have hope for his senior year. In the game vs. Florida, Dentmon scored 14 points in the 1st half, but then frustratingly disappeared in the 2nd, finishing with 17. Still, for a brief stretch of time, he played up to the potential he showed three years ago.
I have no real stat to back this up other than his 20 points in the upset vs. UCLA last year, but I don't really care. Mark my words: In every big Husky win in the last three years, Dentmon has had a good/great game. He is the key to this team and if they want to make the tournament, he needs to play well.
It's time to see that freshman Justin Dentmon once again.
