Florida State’s recent stretch hasn’t been a great one, but it may have been even worse if not for the tallest player in program history.
Christ Koumadje, a 7-foot-4 center from Chad, missed 11 games with a foot injury after appearing in the first three, but has played in the last five. As a result, the Seminoles have been helped tremendously on the glass.
In the five games since Koumadje’s return, FSU is averaging 11.2 more rebounds per game than its opponent. That is still below its average margin for the season, but in the two ACC games prior to Koumadje’s return, FSU was outrebounded by an average of 11 boards per game.
It is fair to note that those two games were against Duke and North Carolina — two of the ACC’s better rebounding teams. Over those two games, FSU averaged just 8.5 offensive rebounds.
The Seminoles now are tied with the Tar Heels and Notre Dame for most offensive rebounds in ACC play at 15.7 per game. As for Koumadje, he’s averaging 9.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game since his return.
Koumadje is shooting 64 percent from the field over that stretch while averaging 19 minutes per game during those five games. Of Koumadje’s 31 rebounds since returning, 17 — or 55 percent — have come on the offensive glass.
Koumadje’s return has also helped the Seminoles immensely when it comes to the lineup. Not only does it add significant height, but it gives the Seminoles a more polished option at center.
Ike Obiagu, a freshman, filled in admirably during Koumadje’s absence and may actually be a better shot-blocker, but is still a project and raw in many areas. With the exception of blocked shots, Koumadje’s numbers across the board have been better than the highly-touted freshman.
Not to be forgotten is the depth that Koumadje adds. While injured, bigger forwards like Mfiondu Kabengele and Phil Cofer were forced to man the five spot to spell Obiagu. Koumadje’s return to the lineup allows FSU to play big while still having a center with the ability to generate offense on the low block.
Koumadje’s best performance upon returning was without question his career-high 23-point effort in a 101-90 double-overtime win over Syracuse last weekend. His outstanding showing was vital especially when considering FSU was without its leading scorer in Terance Mann.
15 of his points in that game came after halftime. Had Koumadje not come through big on that Saturday afternoon, the Seminoles may have been 1-5 heading into Saturday’s contest against Virginia Tech.
Since returning, Koumadje has actually been more productive offensively and on the glass than he was prior to the foot injury, despite facing stiffer competition. If Koumadje’s averages can remain consistent for the remainder of the year, he would complete the best statistical season for an FSU center since Bernard James put up 10.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.3 blocks during the 2011-12 ACC championship campaign.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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