Gary Clark Season in Review

The Numbers

• 10.8 points per game (15.0 per 40 minutes)
• 7.9 rebounds per game (10.9 per 40 minutes)
• 2.1 assists per game (2.9 per 40 minutes)
• 1.1 blocks per game (1.5 per 40 minutes)
• 1.0 steals per game (1.4 per 40 minutes)
• .529/.286/.697 shooting splits

Gary Clark’s junior year was another solid outing for the athletic big man. His season stats look almost identical to his sophomore season which could be looked at as both a good and bad thing. On a positive note, his numbers are extremely consistent and he is almost a guarantee to show up big when it matters. On the negative side, fans would like to see improvements from the forward, especially when it comes to being more vocal and aggressive on offense. That is built primarily on the belief that if he were to unlock his own ofeensive ability and demand the ball more often, he could be an unstoppable force. That belief is supported by his team-best 126.9 offensive rating and solid showings in true shooting percentage (.584) and effective field goal percentage (.553).

Clark has most noticeably has been a huge defensive force, which shows from his 1.2 blocks per game and 1.0 steal per game stat line. He also ranked second on the team in defensive rating (91.9) among players with at least 300 minutes. What the stats won’t tell you is that he rarely misses a defensive assignment and has a great instinct for guarding the low blocks. Clark won Defensive Player of the Year in the Conference in the 2015-2016 season and he would have had a real shot at it this past year had it not been for 7’6” one-man block party Tacko Fall from UCF. For Clark, duplicating his output next season will come very naturally but it will be fun to see him as a leader as the most experienced man on the roster.

Best of the Best

Friday Nov. 11, 2016 vs. Brown

In the Bearcats season opener, Clark filled up the stat sheet with 14 points, nine rebounds, four assists, two blocks and three steals.

Saturday Dec. 10, 2016 vs. Butler

Facing a No. 16 ranked Butler, Clark held his own with 14 points and 12 rebounds.

Thursday Dec. 22, 2016 vs. Marshall

In an overtime battle with the Thundering Herd, Clark led the charge for the Bearcats with 26 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks.

Thursday Jan. 12, 2017 vs. SMU

Playing against UC’s biggest competition in the AAC, Clark put on a fine performance with 18 points, five rebounds and two assists.

The UConn Revenge Tour

Saturday Feb. 4, 2017 vs UConn

Against a conference rival, Clark dropped 20 points and added 11 rebounds and two blocks.

Sunday March 5, 2017 vs UConn

Playing the Huskies again, Clark threw down for 17 points and grabbed an impressive 14 rebounds.

Saturday March 11, 2017 vs UConn

Clark feasted on UConn three times in a row, closing out the tour in the AAC semifinal game, when he blew up for 25 points (15-of-16 from the free throw line) and grabbed nine rebounds.

Next Season

The Bearcats will be loaded with talent again and for Clark’s senior season and he will metaphorically be given the keys the castle with Troy Caupain gone. As the most experienced man on our roster, Clark will be looked to in the team’s toughest times for leadership. Clark will need to prove that he can be vocal on and off the court to show the team who is the true captain, and it would not hurt if he became more aggressive on offense. I think Clark will have another fine year as a Cincinnati Bearcat, and hopefully this time around, he can bring home some hardware.