12/29/22 Game Recap: After Trailing Throughout the First, FDU Bests Merrimack in Their NEC Conference Opener

Entering their Northeast Conference debut under the tutelage of acclaimed former St. Thomas Aquinas head coach Tobin Anderson, Fairleigh Dickinson came from behind to defeat Merrimack 71-63 last night at Stratis Arena.

Selected by the league’s head coaches as the 2022-23 preseason favorite, Merrimack entered the game 0-12 against D1 opponents. However, according to KenPom, the Warriors completed the 68th most difficult non-conference schedule, rendering their record as not the fairest metric to judge to the team’s ability entering NEC play.

This tilt was arguably the most intriguing game amongst a quartet of conference openers due to the teams’ deeply contrasting styles: with an average height of 6’3 inches, FDU ranks as the shortest team in the nation whose guard-centric roster prioritizes tempo while their defense incorporates a 1-2-1-1 full court press designed to generate turnovers and minimize halfcourt defense situations that would disadvantage their lack of size.

Anchored by 6’8 240 senior forward Jordan Minor in the post, Merrimack generates most of its offense off turnovers (26.0% turnover rate ranks 5th highest in the nation) and also runs a deliberate halfcourt offense off opponents’ made baskets.

The game featured two of the most unique defenses in the conference with FDU’s press and Merrimack’s stretchy 2-3 zone. Early on, FDU’s press opened up cross-court passes for easy inside looks for Jordan Minor (nine points in first thirteen minutes) and a thunderous and-1 dunk from Ziggy Reid late in the first. 

Early on, Merrimack’s zone forced FDU to hunt for midrange looks with increasing usage of the wide open baseline for offensive movement which was first and continuously taken advantage of by Ansley Almonor. 

The 6’6 219 sophomore finished with the best game of his collegiate career scoring a career high 25 points along with two threes, nine rebounds and two blocks as FDU’s low post anchor on its press defense. 

Almonor’s persistent intensity helped keep the Knights afloat when they trailed throughout the first thirty-five minutes of the game before STAC grad transfer Grant Singleton’s cold start thawed with his first field goal, a three, gave FDU their first lead and flipped the momentum to the Knights’ home crowd favor. The second half MVP scored all thirteen of his points in the last twelve minutes of the game. 

With starting senior guard Heru Bligen out for his sixth straight game, walk-on freshman Brayden Reyonlds has stepped up in Bilgen’s place and was another Knight who finished the win with a career night. 

First entering the game twelve minutes into the first half, Reynolds was immediately a spark off the bench providing toughness, offensive creativity and efficient offense, finishing with eight points, a perfect field goal percentage, three fouls drawn and a block leaving the FDU bench bonkers. 

Finishing the game second on the team in +/- differential (+12) and fourth on the team with twenty total minutes, Reynolds’ value was evident based on sitting just eight of the final twenty-eight minutes of the win. 

After a New Year’s Eve tuneup against in-state D3 opponent Centenary, the FDU Knights resume NEC play next Thursday when they visit St. Francis (NY). 

Merrimack continues their tough opening stretch of conference play on New Year’s Eve when they visit Wagner followed by a Thursday home game against Sacred Heart.

Personally, it was my first time visiting Stratis Arena inside the Rothman Center, the homecourt of the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights. 

Opened in 1987, the Rothman Center is built in Hackensack, NJ, right along the Hackensack River and just across the school’s eastside river campus in Teaneck. 

With expansive conical wood ceilings and wide sightlines along the benches, Stratis Arena is an enjoyable experience with warm acoustics rising with the delight of last night’s home crowd. 

From the ticket booth, to the security, media and athletics crew, everyone was incredibly warm, friendly and accommodating. Many thanks to FDU for hosting!

Xavier Scouting Report Prior to Their New Year's Eve Matchup Hosting UConn

 Xavier: 11-3 Kenpom Rating: 28 out of 363

Best wins:

• 84-74 v #21 West Virginia

• Souley Boum: 23 points, 7 assists, 5-8 FGs, 11-14 FTs

• Jack Nunge: 17 points, 14 rebounds, 2 blocks, 7-9 FGs

• 90-83 v #36 Florida (neutral location)

• Solely Boum: 22 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 7-8 FTs

• Colby Jones: 22 points, 4-5 3P, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals

• 83-79 @ #57 St. John’s (last night’s game)

• Jack Nunge: 23 points, 10-14 FGs, 2-2 from 3, 12 rebounds, 3 assists

• Souley Boum: 17 points, 4-11 FGs, 8-8 FTs, 6 rebounds and assists, 2 steals

Losses (no “bad” losses):

• 79-81 v #19 Indiana

• Trayce Jackson-Davis: 30 points

• Xavier Johnson: 23 points

• 64-71 v #16 Duke (neutral)

• Xavier 37.1 2p%

• Jeremy Roach: 21 points, 9-15 from field

• 84-88 v #10 Gonzaga

• Gonzaga 13-24 from three

Currently on a seven game winning streak with wins over West Virginia, Cincinnati, Georgetown, Seton Hall and St. John’s

OFFENSE:  8th in efficiency

• 3rd in A/FGM (68.6%)

• 3rd in 3p% (40.8%)

• But only 317th in 3PA/FGA (30.9%)

• 29th in tempo (15.8 seconds/possession)

• 35th in non-steal TO rate (7.4%)

• But 326th! in steal rate (11.6)

• FWIW: Fremantle (2.8 TOs) and Boum (2.2 TOs) lead team

• 38th in 2p% (55.0%)

• 104th in both 

• offensive rebounding % (31.4%)

• FTA/FGA (34.0%)

DEFENSE: 78th in efficiency

• 33rd in 3PA/FGA (31.4%)

• But allow 37.4 3p% (318th)

• 38th fastest defensive tempo (16.5 seconds/possession)

• 60th in opponents’ offensive rebounding prevention (25.2%)

• 89th in opponents’ 2p% (47.0%)

• ~ median in

• Turnover rate (18.4%)

• FTA/FGA (30.3%)

• Bottom third percentile in A/FGM (53.8%)

With Sean Miller back at the helm, Xavier returns his signature pack-line defense, which was extra compressed in the St. John’s game considering their lack of shooters, especially in the backcourt. Miller’s defense is designed to decrease dribble penetration and always keeps the post-defender well in front of the low post guy, so in theory, more perimeter options should be available and, in general, we might see a similar offensive attack from what we saw UConn settle with against Villanova.

Like other pack-line defenses out there (Virginia, Liberty and Charlotte come to mind), there will not be a lot of pressure on the ball and ball movement on the perimeter should be plentiful.

Based on this, I’d expect another slow game from Newton and the bigs, with more contributions from better shooters (Hawkins, Calcaterra, Karaban, Alleyne). Also, the vision and passing creativity of Jackson and Karaban will be huge to help navigate the pack and find interior looks.

With just three double-digit scoring games in his short UConn tenure, I expect Alleyne to have his best game of the season, finally showcasing the steady, efficient shooting he was so well known for at Virginia Tech.

Via KenPom:

For the last four games against non-cupcakes, Xavier has essentially played a seven-man rotation with heavy reliance on the starters (26.9% bench minutes, 279th in the nation). 

When Hunter subs in for Nunge, Xavier essentially plays with two non-shooting bigs, considering Freemantle is shooting threes at a career low rate (0.6 3PA this season vs. 1.5 3PA last season and 3.7 the year before). Speaking of Freemantle, he’s looked the most strong, in shape and most healthy in his career, making him a more viable down-low defender in addition to his offensive game.

Claude reminds me a lot of a young Paul Scruggs: a big, strong combo guard who is not afraid to attack the rim, but susceptible to poor shot selection.

Speaking of Scruggs, some have said (I share this opinion as well) that his omnipresence on Xavier’s offense was an overall detriment to the team, and so far, there’s a clear upside on offense with the addition of Souley Boum. Boum is a long, ambidextrous point guard who can score anywhere and uses his length and quickness to get easy buckets down low. 

Colby Jones has continued his maturation as one of the best players in the Big East. A versatile wing who can do a bit of everything, Jones does much of his work inside and has an awareness to kick out for open shots when needed. When he drives, watch for Kunkel and Nunge to move to the perimeter and then Freemantle ready for the quick dish underneath and/or the offensive rebound.

UConn has yet to play this season against a center like Nunge, whose poise, versatility and length hasn’t been matched with any of the other talented bigs they’ve seen so far.

Overall, Xavier is arguably UConn’s toughest matchup this season. While UConn will obviously be favored, I’d bet it will be their lowest spread of the season so far, and for good reason. 

2023 Cinderella Sleeper: Hawaii

Over the last decade out in the Big West Conference, UC Irvine and UC Santa Barbara have gathered most of the conference’s national attention, but throughout that interim, the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors have been a consistent Big West threat, finishing above .500 in both overall record and in conference play since joining the Big West.

With an exclamation point on Christmas Day thanks to the game-winning three-point prayer from junior guard JoVon McClanahan, the Rainbow Warriors earned the national spotlight, beating SMU and two other top-150 opponents Pepperdine and Washington State for their first Diamond Head Classic title.

The Big West remains a wide open conference with about half of the teams having a realistic chance to earn the conference crown, but Hawaii’s Diamond Head Classic performance helped show the nation that the Rainbow Warriors are a tough, veteran team with an ability to go on a tournament run, making them one of the Cinderella Sleepers to keep an eye on this year.

Tough Defense Led by High-Major Length

Currently ranked 80th by KenPom in defensive efficiency, Eran Ganot’s defense is predicated on minimizing space to prevent offensive flow and maximizing difficult field goal attempts. 

As of today, Hawaii is elite in the following defensive rankings:

• 1st in A/FGM (29%)

• 8th in 3PA/FGA (27.6%)

• 19th in 3P% (27.5%)

• 45th in 2p% (44.8%

The bedrock of Hawaii’s defensive identity is in their veteran frontcourt of 6’9 215 senior Bernardo da Silva and 6'10 215 fifth-year senior Kamaka Hepa. The duo are atop of Hawaii’s DBPR rankings, per EvanMiya.com, and rank within the top-320 nationally with matching 3.6% block rates. 

With toughness and sound footwork, the pair are capable in one-on-one defensive assignments while using their length to become assets on the perimeter and disrupting space in help situations. Hepa’s shooting abilities (52.8 2p%, 2.0 threes made per game at 38.7 3p%) allows the pair to share the floor together, optimizing Ganot’s defensive scheme. 

Noel Coleman = Veteran Playmaking Guard

 

Whether it’s Ja Morant of Murray State or Max Abmas of Oral Roberts, a trademark of nearly every March Madness Cinderella squad is a playmaking veteran guard who can put the team on his shoulders whenever they need a bucket.

For the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors, senior guard Noel Coleman is that playmaker. Leading the team in points, assists and free throws made, Coleman is a true three-level scorer who can quickly go on hot streaks. 

Case in point, in Monday’s win over SMU, Coleman scored all of his nine points in the final eight minutes of the game, highlighted by three creative and assertive drives to the basket.

Entering conference play with the second best overall record in the Big West, Hawaii is clearly one of the best squads in the conference and will be an intriguing sleeper pick should the Rainbow Warriors advance to March Madness. 

Elite Guard Play Headlines Florida Atlantic's Most Promising Season To Date

 Fresh off the heels of their school record nine-game winning streak, Florida Atlantic is entering the holiday season as one of the most surprisingly dominant mid-majors in the nation.

At 10-1, FAU is currently ranked #42 in KenPom rankings, ahead of preseason Conference USA favorites UAB and last year’s conference champions North Texas, atop a deep conference that is arguably amidst its best season in a decade. 

Entering his fifth year at the helm, Dusty May has helped shape FAU as a consistent winner, finishing with winning records in each of the first four seasons. This season, a major key has been their incredible guard depth.

Case in point, six of FAU’s guards have started at least four games while fifth-year senior Michael Forrest has played off the bench every game, yet leads the team in minutes. There’s a democratic approach to Dusty May’s rotations: FAU’s seven guards average between 17 and 27 minutes per game.

62.7% minutes continuity from last year’s 19-15 season has helped lay the foundation for this season’s success, particularly with Forrest opting into his extra year of eligibility. Currently ranked within the top-seven in FAU career leaders in points, assists, three-points made and steals, Forrest’s willingness to embrace his bench role is a major note to his leadership and selflessness.

Forrest’s fellow returning guards are led by Alijah Martin, who is not only the team’s leading scorer (15.0 ppg), but the team’s best downhill attacker and most physical guard at an imposing 6’2 210. Entering his third season at FAU after starting his career at Minnesota, senior Bryan Greenlee is a pass-first point guard who has been an efficient perimeter weapon, averaging 39.1 3p% throughout his time in Boca Raton. 

Junior Johnell Davis is amidst a career season, currently amassing per-game highs in points (9.7), rebounds (4.9), assists (1.9), three pointers made (1.3) and three-point percentage (42.9%). More importantly, the 6’4 203 Davis has played most of his minutes as the small-ball four, along with FAU’s most aggressive perimeter defender Brandon Weatherspoon.

The small-ball four duo of Davis and Weatherspoon has helped allow FAU to take one of its biggest steps in offensive development: limiting turnovers. Most of last season’s minutes at the four were played by Everett Winchester, whose team high TO rate (26.0) and inefficiency from the perimeter (career 23.2 2p%) has been replaced by the junior duo’s improvement on these metrics. Weatherspoon’s 7.0 turnover rate is currently ranked 38th lowest in the nation while Davis’ 10.0 turnover rate is also indicative of his calming guard play. The duo are also averaging a combined 34.7 3p%, creating a consistent four-guard offense that opponents constantly need to give attention to at the perimeter. 

This backcourt quintet of returnees would make most teams jealous, but their guard depth goes even deeper thanks to Nicholas Boyd returning after redshirting last year, averaging 9.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.2 threes made at 37.5%. 

Miraculously, FAU’s guard depth not only attracted former UConn guard Jalen Gaffney off the transfer portal, but he has also helped develop into one of the Owls’ best guards, setting career highs in points, rebounds, assists, three points made and shooting efficiency: (7.6p, 3.1r, 2.4a, 46.4 2p%, 1.5 3PM, 45.9 3p%).

While their guard play has helped spark the Owls’ aspirations on making the tournament, another key factor for their success has been the steady growth of junior post-players Vladislav Goldin and Giancarlo Rosado. 

Transferring to FAU after one season at Texas Tech, Goldin completed his high school career at the venerable Northeast powerhouse Putnam Science Academy alongside seven other D1 commits, headlined by UConn’s Hassan Diarra and South Carolina’s Josh Gray.

In Year 3, the 7’1 240 Goldin has worked hard to reach the level of potential he showed in high school, achieving career highs in points, rebounds, field goal percentage and minutes per game.

Goldin’s efficiency has been symbiotically blossomed thanks to tag-teaming with fellow junior Giancarlo Rosado. Growing up in West Palm Beach, just a thirty-minute drive from Abessinio Court, the 6’8 247 Rosado brings a versatile savvy to his game as one of the better passing bigs in the C-USA, while achieving career highs in 2p%, minutes played and rebounds.

After closing out the non-conference schedule on Wednesday against Northern Kentucky, the Owls continue conference play with one of the most difficult opening slates in the C-USA, facing North Texas twice, hosting UAB and Charlotte and visiting Western Kentucky in five of its first six games. Coach May knows his Owls have a lot of potential, but a strong showing over these next seven games will help clarify the team’s destiny. 

Matchups to Watch on Monday for Yale @ Fairfield

Undefeated at their beautiful new on-campus arena, Fairfield will host Yale on Monday, their toughest opponent at the Leo D. Mahoney arena so far this season. 

Projected by most prognosticators as a mid-single digit victory for Yale, here are a few matchups that could tip the scales for tomorrow’s game:

Fairfield’s Three-Point Offense vs. Yale’s Perimeter Defense

Shooting 42.4% of their field goal attempts from three (79th highest ratio nationally), the Stags’ early season shooting struggle (27.4 3p%) has been a major factor in close losses against Mercer (3 for 23 from three) and Manhattan (7 for 31 from three). 

Poor starts from TJ Long (22.4 3p% this season, 40.3 3p% last season) and Jake Wojcik (19.4 3p% this season, career 35.0 3p%) are the biggest factors in the Stags’ perimeter inefficiency while Yale’s tough three-point defense (opponents shoot 30.3% from three, 70th lowest in the nation, while opponents have attempted only 32.4% of their field goal attempts from deep, good for 53rd lowest) make it a sure bet for Fairfield to continue their shooting slump on Monday.

Fairfield’s Caleb Fields vs. Yale’s Bez Mbeng

Not only has Bowling Green transfer Caleb Fields been impervious to Fairfield’s bricklaying pandemic, but he has clearly become the number one scoring option for the Stags: over the last four games, Fields has averaged 17.5 points, 5.0 free throw attempts and a 64.0 2p% in 37.9 minutes per game. In addition to his counting stats, Fields has been Fairfield’s most efficient non-big offense, according to Evanmiya.com.

On Monday, Fields will draw one of his toughest assignments of the season, matching up with Yale’s defensive maestro Bez Mbeng. The 6’4 195 point guard is currently ranked as Yale’s most efficient defender, according to Evanmiya.com, blessed with quick feet, elite positional length and an endless motor. 

Case in point: Saturday against Kentucky, Mbeng helped limit Kentucky guards Sahvir Wheeler, Antonio Reeves and CJ Fredrick to a combined 20 points on 8 for 23 on shooting (34.7 fg%).

 Yale’s Interior Offense vs. Fairfield’s Frontcourt

Much of this matchup depends on the health of Yale’s star forward Matt Knowling (DNP vs Kentucky, 16.1 ppg, 63.2 fg%), but the performance of sophomore forward Jack Molloy (14 points (career high), 2 threes made, 55.5 fg%) and EJ Jarvis (12 points, 50.0 fg%) against Kentucky flexed Yale’s frontcourt depth in Knowling’s absence. 

Both of the aforementioned forwards lineup at 6’8 220-225 and have shared the floor with more regularity, at times, playing alongside the 6'6 205 Knowling for Yale’s biggest lineup. 

Senior forwards Chris Maidoh and Allan Jeanne-Rose are arguably two of Fairfield’s best defenders and will provide a tough challenge for Yale’s forwards. 

12/8/22 Northeast Mid-Major Slate Plus Thoughts on Iona's Victory over Saint Louis

 What last night’s 84-62 victory over Saint Louis taught me about Iona:

In a packed Hynes Center, the Iona Gaels not only beat a good Saint Louis team: they controlled the momentum and did not allow the Billikens to come close to threatening the Gaels’ lead for the entirety of the second half. 

In the preseason, it appeared that the strength of Iona’s backcourt was their depth, but as the season has progressed, Dannis Jenkins (18.6p, 4.9r, 1.7s) and William Clayton Jr. (16.0p, 3.3a, 1.9s) have made it clear that the backcourt’’s ceiling is one of the best in the nation. 

Last night, both guards showed an equal ability to stabilize the possessions as point guards and hit big shots as shooting guards. In objectivity, both guards are true combo-guards. 

Injuries are never good, but the absence of stretch forward Quinn Slazinski has allowed 7’0 senior Osborn Shema and Michael Jefferson to step up and become major contributors.

After two seasons as a rotational big oozing with potential, Shema has become one of the most unique specimens in college basketball. With elite length, quick feet for his size and the tenacity to endear himself to Rick Pitino and his staff, Shema has been a major asset on defense, menacing inbounders, spearheading the full court press and outhustling the opponents, making him a fan favorite in New Rochelle, while his ability to shoot from the perimeter has opened up more playing time along fellow big Nelly Junior Joseph. 

Watching Michael Jefferson in person has allowed me to appreciate his value to the Gaels. At 6’7 210, Jefferson has the size to play the 4 but has a versatile offensive game akin to UConn's Alex Karaban in his ability to shoot, pass and limit mistakes while also providing enough strength and effort to contribute defensively.

My first viewing of Silas Sunday left me intrigued. After an extensive physical transformation over the summer, Sunday has a poised offensive game with surprising bounce in his step.

Once Slazinski is healthy, Pitino’s depth is even stronger than at the start of the season with 11 players vying for time and more importantly, a dangerous top-seven with a ceiling that can win games in the tournament. 

Thoughts about Thursday’s Northeast Mid-Major Slate

7 PM - ESPN+:  #121 UMass Lowell (9-1) @ #131 UMass (7-1)

In the summer, UMass Lowell was totally off my radar, but they are now the favorites to win the America East. At 9-1, the Riverhawks are a deep, veteran team with eleven players averaging over ten minutes per game.

Led by former Pittsburgh and St. Bonaventure big Abdoul Karim Coulibaly (14.5p, 9.6r) and fifth-year senior Everette Hammond (12.9p, 42.4 3p%), the Riverhawks have overall length and athleticism to rank within the top-100 in defensive efficiency. About 80% of their rotations feature three 6’7+ forwards, giving coach Pat Duquette multiple switchable options. 

Prone to giving up too many turnovers (22.9% turnover rate is 22nd highest in the nation) the Riverhawks will have to limit mistakes against the Minutemen’s defense that is capable of generating turnovers (99th best defensive turnover rate at 20.7%).

Playing their second game in a row without starting senior point guard Noah Fernandes (ankle), expect freshman Keon Thompson (13 points, 4 assists in 31 minutes) to take his place while fellow freshman Tafara Gapare will look to sustain his NBA scout salivating performance against Albany (15 points, 2 blocks in 20 minutes). The post matchup between Coulibaly and UMass grad transfer Issac Kante should be fun too. 

7 PM - ESPN+: #106 Marshall (7-1) @ #116 Duquesne (7-1)

Whether it’s Taevion Kinsey and Andrew Taylor of Marshall or Dae Dae Grant and Tevin Brewer of Duquesne, Thursday’s matchup will be flush with quality guard play.

As mentioned two weeks ago, Marshall’s addition of VMI sharpshooting transfer Kamdyn Curfman has been a perfect backcourt mate for Andrew Taylor (20.2 p, 4.4a) and especially for Taevion Kinsey by providing much needed spacing to let Kinsey do what he does best: use his NBA-level athleticism to attack the rim (22.0p, 6.0a and ~90% of his FGAs from inside the arc).

Following a dreadful 6-24 season, Keith Dambrot and the Duquesne Dukes have nearly wiped the slate clean, returning only 16.8% of their minutes from last season. Hitting home runs on the portal to spearhead their rebuild on the fly, the Dukes’ starting backcourt features a trio of transfers with Miami (OH) senior transfer Dae Dae Grant amongst the leaders of scoring in the A-10, averaging 19.0 points per game. 

Early season injury issues have been managed by the Dukes’ deep roster with twelve players currently averaging 11 or more minutes per game. 

On offense, both teams have similar profiles in their ability shoot the ball well, limit turnovers and rebound efficiently but their differences on perimeter defense could determine tomorrow’s victor: Duquesne has struggled defending the three (39.5% opponent 3p%) while perimeter defense has been a strength for Marshall (28.4% opponent 3p%).

With both programs in the midst of two of the lightest non-conference schedules in the nation, Thursday’s matchup will be a needed strong matchup.

Amidst Their Biggest Home Game in Over a Decade, Three Keys for an Iona Victory Over Saint Louis

 Iona’s home game tomorrow night against Saint Louis is big. Currently ranked #41 in KenPom, Saint Louis is easily the highest ranked opponent in Iona’s regular season schedule.

However, when we step back more than just a few years, even more than a decade, tomorrow’s game looks bigger than big: it’s HUGE.

The Hynes Center will be hosting Iona’s highest ranked opponent, according to KenPom, since Iona beat #39 Richmond 81-77 in double overtime on November 18th, 2010, the same Spiders squad that as a twelve seed beat Vanderbilt in the first round to eventually advance to the Sweet Sixteen. 

Shifting the focus closer to this season, a win tomorrow will not only be the team’s last true home game of the non-conference schedule, but it sets up Iona nicely for the remainder of their difficult non-con slate with remaining games against St. Bonaventure, Princeton, New Mexico and SMU, all top-175 teams.

Currently low single-digit underdogs on nearly all prognostications I’ve read, Iona has a real shot to win. How do they? My key factors to help lock in a Gaels’ victory:

#1 Defend the Paint

According to KenPom, Saint Louis currently runs the thirteenth most efficient offense in the nation thanks to their ability to limit mistakes (26th lowest turnover rate), score efficiently from inside (less than one-third of their field goal attempts are from three (292nd in 3PA/FGA), converting 52.5% of their shots from inside the arc, and extend possessions thanks to strong offensive rebounding (68th best offensive rebounding rate in the nation).

Outside of sharpshooters Gibson Jimerson (7.1 3PA, career 41.8 3p%) and Javonte Perkins (5.2 3PA, career 35.9 3p%) the three-point shot is not a major contributor to the offense. Case in point, aside from the two shooters previously mentioned, no other Billiken averages at least a three-point made per game. 

That means whoever guards point guard Yuri Collins (11.6p, 11.9a), physical wing Javon Pickett (12.7p) and classic big Francis Okoro (8.3p) can focus more on denial and help positions closer to the paint when the ball is away from their man. 

#2 Attack the Rim

Saint Louis’ defense allows offenses to get to the line (35.2% FTA/FGA which ranks 254th in FTA prevention) and Iona’s offense has yet to efficiently get to the line (18.4% FTA/FGA ranks fourth worst in the nation).

Something has to give. 

If Iona provides multiple threats on the floor to attack the basket, elite rim-protector Francis Okoro (58th best block rate in the nation and the most efficient defender on the team, according to evanmiya.com) will be forced to shift his energy away from guarding Iona’s gifted big Nelly Junior Joseph. 

This helps create a plethora of offensive possibilities that help open up space inside to attack the rim, put pressure on the defense and generate fouls, which would then put pressure on head coach Travis Ford to play his bench more than he usually likes to (the bench accounts for just 27.7% of team’s total minutes, which ranks 258th in the nation).

#3 Ignite the Hynes Center Early

In front of a sold-out crowd at Gampel Pavilion last Thursday, UConn hosted Oklahoma State. In their first offensive possession, head coach Dan Hurley drew up an alley-oop play to the tantalizingly athletic Andre Jackson that ignited the crowd early and kept the fans exulted for forty minutes:

Now imagine thirty seconds into the game with Walton Clayton Jr. tossing up a beautiful lob to the streaking Berrick JeanLouis, igniting the snugly seated sold out crowd of 2600 at the Hynes Center and instantly flexing its home court advantage muscles.

This season has yet again proven the difficulty of early season true road games. Utah beat Arizona. Gonzaga beat Kentucky. Gonzaga was crushed by Texas. Rutgers beat Indiana. Baylor was destroyed by Marquette.

Once the crowd at the Hynes gets going, there’s little room for the opponents to hear, let alone think or breathe. It’s essential for Pitino to take advantage of the situation to draw up plays to get the crowd going early and often.

Bottom line, I can’t wait to be at the Hynes Center tomorrow night. It’ll be a heck of an atmosphere, easily one of the most special college basketball atmospheres I’ve ever seen.

12-3-22 Big East Basketball Saturday Slate Preview + Other Games

 It's the day after me taking the Moderna vaccine, so with me milking my side effects and having the house to myself most of the day, below is my viewing guide for today:

11:30 - 

ESPN+ - Fordham @ Tulane ​

Fordham is 7-1 and the Kyle Neptune to Keith Urgo rebuild of their program intrigues me a lot. They've smartly scheduled an easy OOC to build a winning culture (only loss was to Arkansas and best win so far was against Harvard). Tulane, who have been very good under Ron Hunter, will be Fordham's second toughest OOC matchup.

12:00 - 

FS1 - South Carolina @ Georgetown

Even though South Carolina is not good, a win for Georgetown against a non-cupcake is needed. Excited to see GG Jackson play for the first time.

ESPN2 - Syracuse @ Notre Dame

I doubt I'll watch any of this game, but I like Mike Brey and the slow, careful way he's build this mostly senior/5th year senior team. Lets hope Cuse keeps losing.

12:30

CBS - Oklahoma @ Villanova:

Tough matchup for Villanova. Can Caleb Daniels stop Grant Sherfield? (15.6p, 5.0a, you might remember him from Wichita State). Personally, I think Porter Moser will outcoach the Wildcats today...if Villanova wins, file this as a "big win".

1:00

ESPNU - VCU @ Temple:

Led by Ace Baldwin (17.3p, 6.0a, 4.0s!), VCU is always a fun, gritty team to watch. With wins over Villanova and Rutgers and arguably his best team in his tenure after taking over for Fran Dunphy, Aaron McKie's Owls are led by super duo Khalif Battle (19.1p) and Damian Dunn (16.8p). If I had it my way, Temple would have joined the A-10 yesterday.

3:30

ESPN+ - FCS Playoffs - #19 Montana @ #4 North Dakota State

Huge game for my in-laws. My wife's alma mater against my in-laws' alma mater (and former season ticket holders). You going to the game @NDakotaHusky?

4:00 

ESPN+ - DePaul @ Loyola-Chicago

Always fun to see intracity matchups. I watched this game last year and it was a good one (DePaul lost 64-68). Good test for DePaul grad transfer Umoja Gibson, so has had a heck of a start (16.6p, 7.3a, 2.4s, 37.2 2p%, 91.4 ft%).

4:30 - 

FS1 - Wisconsin @ Marquette

With Johnny Davis gone, Wisconsin is back to being a super boring team while Marquette is a blast to watch with some intriguing talents. Oso Ighodaro is the best passing big in the Big East (10.6p, 6.1r, 3.3a, 2.0b) while Tyler Kolek has been much more efficient at the start of the season (8.3a, 2.6 to, 41.7 3p%)

5:00

ESPNU - Providence @ Rhode Island

I root for URI each of these matchups and the state of Rhode Island shows up for this in-state rival games. Should be a fun crowd: URI's Ish Leggett has been on fire, averaging 18.3p, 6.0r, 3.3a and getting to the line with ease (7.3 fta at 80.4%).

6:30

FS1 - West Virginia @ Xavier 

Ranked #25 in KenPom, West Virginia has been much better than I expected. With 89% of their scoring gone from last year's 16-17 season, Huggins has done a great job patching his team up through the portal.

• Erik Stevenson, South Carolina: 14.1p, 48.3 3p%

• Tre Mitchell, Texas: 12.6p, 30.8 3p%

• Emmitt Matthews, Washington: 10.1p, 40.0 3p%

• Joe Toussaint, Iowa: 11.1p, 3.3a

As of today, statistically, this is Huggins' best shooting team in his tenure at UWV while his signature defense and deep rotations (11 players averaging 8+ mpg) while get even deeper when Manhattan transfer Jose Perez (18.9p, 4.5a last season) is eligible later this year.