Brown proves dependablity, leadership in clutch
“Who’s ever having a good game should play,” senior center Jeremy Vague said.
Senior guard Tony Brown must always be having a good game. He seems to miss being rotated out. He hardly ever comes out as Brown averages 36.4 minutes per game.
“Look at his minutes to tell you how important he is to the team,” Head Coach Stew Morrill said. “He has so much savvy and so much experience [out there].”
Brown sat out a mere two minutes in the first half and then came out and played the entire second half. Brown has played a total of 182 minutes on the year.
The next closest players are guard Ronnie Ross and forward Chad Evans, both with 149 minutes. That’s almost seven minutes more per game for Brown. So, how does Brown feel about all the time he gets on the court.
“I get tired every once in awhile,” said Brown. “I don’t think it affects me that much, though.”
The Aggies needed Brown against Montana State and Brown has stepped it up, Morrill said.
In the opening game against Montana State, Brown led the team with 16 points. Tuesday, Brown scored 13-clutch points which was also the fourth time this season he’s scored in double figures. Brown also finished with a game-high five assists.
The Aggies also have a 41-14 record when Brown scores in double figures.
“He’s done it for a couple years now,” Morrill said. “He settles us down and keeps things from getting too crazy on the court. He never rattles.”
Against Montana State, the first three-point shot he threw in put the Aggies up by two points. The next one tied the game. Brown’s last shot of the first-half was also a trey and brought the Aggies to within four points with just seven seconds left on the clock.
Aggie fans are familiar with Brown making shots when it counts. He sent the Ohio State game into overtime last year with a 10-foot jump shot as the final seconds ticked off the clock.
Brown knows defense, too. He added two defensive rebounds and two steals, but Morrill expects that type of hustle from Brown.
“I can’t hardly take him out of the game,” Morrill said.