Derek Ogbeide scored a team-high 16 points and 11 rebounds in 32 minutes on the court in a loss to Temple on Nov 13.
Even still, head coach Tom Crean firmly believes Ogbeide is only scratching the surface of his potential.
“We have high expectations for him,” Crean said. “There is not a doubt in my mind, after the second week...he should be making money from this game when it’s all said and done. Now, to get there, he’s got a long way to go.”
Ogbeide averaged 6.9 points per game last season, 7.1 two years ago and 4.0 his freshman season. So it’s at least a little surprising Ogbeide has scored in the double figures two games in a row.
But Crean doesn’t see it like that at all. He doesn’t dwell on the past; rather, he only sees the promise of the future.
“I can’t do anything about [Ogbeide’s first three years],” he said. “I wasn’t here for that.”
Despite Ogbeide’s relative success to start the 2018-19 campaign, Crean hasn’t patted him on the back and he would prefer the media wouldn’t either.
"If we start writing articles about how well he played the other night, then all of the sudden he may not keep playing that well," Crean said. "Because this is not a team, like most teams, that can deal well with a lot of pats on the back...We got to get better. And Derek’s got to get better. He really epitomizes our team."
Crean tasked Ogbeide this season with shooting more 3-pointers in practice and improving his game in general.
“I’ve been working tirelessly,” Ogbeide said.
The 6-foot-8 big man also praised the coaching staff for doing everything they can to set him up for success.
At the end of the Temple game, Crean set him up yet again, this time with the goal of Ogbeide making the game-tying basket and maybe even a game-winning free throw if fouled. Georgia ran the play with only a few seconds left.
But Ogbeide caught the ball too far away from the basket and missed the shot. He performed well throughout the contest but he didn’t deliver when it mattered most.
“There’s still a long way to go,” Crean said. “Believe me.”