BeeJay Anya: The Enforcer

Last night BeeJay was outstanding as he played with an edge for 32 minutes. He was the main reason why the Wolfpack was able to hold UNC to an all-time low score at the Dean E. Smith Center. It was obvious that Anya enjoys the challenge of playing against Kennedy Meeks, these two players will always be compared to each other as they are similar in size as well as products of the 2013 recruiting class. These two giants clashed last night and while Meeks out scored and out rebounded Anya, BeeJay found a way to make enough plays to seal the deal for the Pack. A key statistic for BeeJay last night was his ability to defend without fouling as he did an excellent job of moving his feet and going straight up to challenge UNC, as they attacked the paint. There were a couple of blocks that Anya displayed amazing body control to avoid getting called for a foul. At the end of the night Anya finished the game with 6 blocks and 6 rebounds.

Going forward State needs Anya to play up to his potential. He must stay locked in and not commit any dumb fouls. His presence is required for the Wolfpack to make a run in the NCAA. The reason Anya is so important is because he affects the game both physically and mentally. When an opposing guard tries to turn the corner and they see BeeJay they immediately must think twice about trying to get all the way to the rim. This hesitation allows for the original defender to recover which in return allows our defense to stay solid and protect the opposite side kick-out three. Even though BeeJay hasn’t yet developed a low post game offensively; more than makes up for his offensive limitations on the other end. Physically Anya is a giant as he stands 6 feet 9 inches tall and weighs roughly 275 pounds. When you factor in a wingspan of 7-9 and a reach of 9-3 you can start to understand why he is capable of blocking so many shots.

Another important aspect BeeJay brings to the Pack is his ability to absorb contact and stand his ground. Opposing big men rarely catch the ball at their preferred position on the block and that is due to Anya’s ability to move players without using his hands. This is why UNC big man Brice Johnson was unable to have an impact last night. Johnson is long but could not gather any ground as he played off balance the entire evening. Let’s hope BeeJay can continue to anchor our defense, if he continues to play at a high level then the Wolfpack will be a tough out for any team they face.