MAAC's Most Valuable Walk-Ons

By Joe Budzelek

- @stf_ncaa

Throughout the college basketball landscape, walk-ons are typically practice darlings, who, at the end-of-the-bench, are cajoled into the game once the home team is up by enough to warrant a minute or two of game-time, with the crowd erupting if or when the player scores or makes a big defensive play.

However, a handful of MAAC teams have relied on walk-ons to provide valuable depth minutes, or even in some cases, regular starting roles. We’ll celebrate the MAAC’s Most Valuable Walk-Ons today:

Jaden Winston - Manhattan - freshman point guard 

Starting every game for the Jaspers in his freshman year, Jaden Winston has immediately asserted himself as a core building block in head coach John Gallagher’s rebuilding of the program in his first season at the helm.

“[Jaden will] be the starting point guard here for years to come,” shared Gallagher, “He’s really grown every game.” Case in point, since the start of December, Winston has made strides in his steal rate (2.8 steals-per-game) and three-point shot (35 3P%), which has broadened his growth as a long-term two-way threat for the Jaspers.

“Of all the freshman point guards I’ve [coached], he has the ability to lead us earlier than all of them,” added Gallagher, “He understands who has the hot hand, and for a freshman, he does not shy away from the big spot.”

With senior scorer Briggs McClain needing time to get healthy at the beginning of the season, redshirt sophomore Brett Rumpel out for the year (knee) and grad transfer guard DaJuan Clayton still ineligible to play, Winston’s immediate impact has been even more valuable as Manhattan’s backcourt depth has been tested throughout the season. 

Killian Gribben - Siena - sophomore forward

Few teams have as little frontcourt depth as Siena, so despite the Saints’ struggles, sophomore Killian Gribben has clearly shown why he is a long-term building block for the program.

At 6’10 215, Gribben’s physical package and versatility has earned him playing time in place of and alongside starting center Giovanni Emejuru. A fear-inducing rim protector, Gribben currently possesses the fifth-highest block rate in the conference while also bringing an efficient offensive game thanks to his ability to score from all three levels. 

Only a sophomore, Gribben’s game, particularly under the boards, will continue to grow as he builds strength, but it is not just circumstance that has earned Gribben his starting role, he’s one of the more talented forwards in the conference. 

Jack Brown - Fairfield - senior forward

Fairfield has surprised many by asserting themselves as a current MAAC favorite and players like Jack Brown exemplify the selfless and gritty mentality that all championship teams need. 

Playing “typical walk-on minutes” throughout his first three seasons at Fairfield, Brown has been an essential depth forward as Alexis Yetna, Birima Seck, Louis Bleechmore and Michael Rogan have all missed time this season. 

The 6’6 200 Brown plays bigger than his listed measureables and has even spent time as new head coach Chris Casey’s small-ball five. A gritty defender and strong defensive rebounder, Brown’s playing time will fade once Alexis Yetna makes his much anticipated return, but Brown is a trusted veteran who has helped the Stags in so many ways. 

Anthony McCall - Rider - sophomore guard

Speaking of players who play bigger than their listed measurements, Rider’s 6’4 191 sophomore Anthony McCall certainly fits that bill. 

Predominantly playing the 4-guard spot either spelling Rider star Mervin James or alongside James in a small-ball lineup, McCall is one of Rider’s bright spots on defense on a program that has struggled with defensive consistency this year. 

Pound-for-pound McCall is also one of, if not, the best rebounders in the MAAC, averaging ten rebounds per 40 minutes played and also swipes 2.4 steals in that same clip. A versatile glue guy, McCall is efficient at scoring inside the arc, shooting a team-high 53.0 2P%.

Mason Courtney - Siena - sophomore combo guard

Michael Eley. Sean Durugordon. Zek Tekin. 

Few teams in the MAAC have taken hit after hit with injury issues in the backcourt and sophomore Mason Courtney has stepped up and filled in whenever needed. 

Playing an unselfish game, Courtney is a capable rebounder on the defensive end and plays with a team-first approach when paired in the backcourt whenever Siena’s more capable guards have been healthy. 

Growing up just a stone’s throw from Albany, expect Courtney to remain a valuable guard piece throughout his time at Siena. 

1/28/24 Recap: Columbia Earns First Ivy League Conference Win Over Penn

 by Joe Budzelek

(@stf_ncaa)

The Ivy League schedule makers were not kind to Columbia.

Entering conference play, Columbia started with a three-game gauntlet against the Ivy League’s best teams, visiting Cornell and Yale and then hosting Princeton last Saturday. To make matters worse, a hand injury forced Columbia star junior guard Geronimo Rubio de la Rosa to miss the first two conference games.

However, once Rubio de la Rosa returned prior to hosting Princeton, the battle-tested and now healthy Lions started playing their best basketball of the new year, hanging tough with the Tigers throughout the entire game, eventually losing 70-to-62.

Despite Columbia’s 0-3 start in conference play, the Lions’ impressive performance against Princeton built momentum entering Saturday as Columbia (10-7, 1-3 Ivy) defeated Penn (9-10, 1-3 Ivy) 84-to-81 in a packed Levien Gymnasium. 

“It was a really great performance by the guys,” said Columbia head coach Jim Engles, “obviously, we needed to win the game. It was integral for us going forward [...] in order for us to stay with the pack. I'm very happy our guys responded in the second half.”

Entering the game, Columbia’s previous three opponents were undefeated in conference play, leaving the remaining five teams, all of which were either winless or with only one win to their name, all fighting for the fourth and final spot in the conference tournament, which will be hosted this season on Columbia’s home court. So naturally, the win on Saturday was essential. 

Early in the game, Penn’s overall size overpowered Columbia under the offensive boards, with both freshman guard Tyler Perkins (25 points, 3-for-9 from three) and junior big Nick Spinoso (17 points, 8-for-12 from the field) securing four offensive boards apiece. But, in the second half of the game, Columbia cranked up the attention and effort under the boards.

“Good teams share that rebounding wealth,” said Engles, “It’s not just the 6’10 guy who should be your leading rebounder. It’s something we work on every day. These guys get a little sick of the rebounding drills. I’m glad it stepped up in the second half, we had some big rebounds there.”

Senior forward Josh Odunowo (8 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists) continued to show why he is one of the best glue guys in the conference, as his late-game energy and defensive intensity helped broaden the Lions’ lead. “He’s so important to our team,” said Engles, “He’s the guy where our universe revolves around. He’s such a high intensity kid with a very high IQ and he’s very selfless.” 

Listed at only 6’6 215, Odunowo one-upped Spinoso with a late game sequence with the undersized Lion posting up and scoring against Spinoso and then immediately shutting down the talented Penn big on the other end.

“He is undersized, but he battles relentlessly and that last rebound was huge for us,” says Engles, “He comes up with [winning plays.] It’s not something that always shows up in the stat sheet, but his leadership is really indispensable.”

Three minutes into the second half, the typically placid Columbia head coach publicly deplored the team’s effort under the boards, but soon after, the Lions went on a 14-to-5 run that helped build Columbia a seven-point lead early in the second half. Reflecting on that swing, sophomore guard Kenny Noland (15 points off the bench) share that it was great “just to feel the momentum shift to our side and luckily, I was able to knock down a couple shots.”

In addition to Odunowo’s grit and Noland’s spark, the second half set the stage for sophomore guard Avery Brown to finish with a season-high six assists and Rubio de la Rosa finish with a season-high 24 points and 5 three-pointers made. 

Junior guard Geronimo Rubio de la Rosa sets up for his fifth three-pointer of the night, a season-high.

Junior guard Zavian McLean also continued the recent uptick in the production and efficiency of his offensive impact, scoring 12 points (5-for 6 from the field) without giving up a single turnover. Throughout the last six games, McLean has scored at least 12 points in four of those games. His 76 total points scored ranks as his most productive six-game scoring span of his career. 

Moving forward, Columbia has its eyes set on the fourth seed in Ivy Madness and they are about to embark on their lightest stretch of conference play as they avoid the Ivy’s top-three seeds through next six games before finishing conference play similarly to how it started: with three of its final four games against Yale, Princeton and Cornell. 

Focusing on what is immediately ahead of the team, Engles shares “we got to play more physically. We’ve got to match the other teams on the glass. That’s not really a strategy thing, that’s a physicality thing.” To help keep that intensity up, expect Columbia to continue to flex their depth and compete with 11- or 12-man rotations.

After hosting opponents for the previous two weeks, the Columbia Lions will be on the road next weekend visiting Harvard on Friday (10-7, 1-3 Ivy) and Dartmouth on Saturday (5-12, 1-3 Ivy).

With Shema at Full Strength, Iona's Rotations Begin to Get Clearer

 With eight NCAA tournament selections over the last dozen years, Iona fans have understandably become accustomed to excellence. 

That being said, the program’s fan base has had its patience tested early this season as Tobin Anderson is navigating his first year at Iona with an entirely new roster as the Gaels are learning to play together on the fly.

Coupled with the fact that fifth-year returnee Osborn Shema, last year’s defensive dynamo and offensive unicorn, missed the first twelve games of the season due to a leg injury, Iona’s early season rotations were greener than many expected, as freshmen Dylan Saunders and Sultan Adewale shared the center position while Shema was on the mend. 

Over the first five games after Shema’s return, Tobin Anderson’s starting lineups stayed consistent, but following a two-game schneid following their return to MAAC conference play, freshman guard Jean Aranguren replaced sharpshooter Wheza Panzo in the starting lineup. So far, the switch has proven to be shrewd, as the Gaels are amidst a two game winning streak after double-digit home victories against Mount St. Mary’s and Canisius. 

While Shema provides intimidating defense along with his unselfishness and versatility on offense, Iona’s new look starting lineup is quicker and and moves the ball more freely in a three-guard look with Joel Brown, Idan Tretout and Jean Aranguren all possessing the ability to create scoring and distributing opportunities off the dribble while Greg Gordon brings his yeoman’s spirit and crafty ability under the boards. 

One after-effect of this new starting lineup has been increased production and efficiency from Iona’s veteran guard duo of Brown and Tretout.

After a rough three-game stretch in mid-December, Tretout has averaged 14.2 points, 3.0 assists and just 0.8 turnovers per game over the last six. Over the same stretch, Joel Brown has supplemented his consistent defensive game by finally finding an offensive rhythm, shooting 54.5% from inside the arc while amassing seven times more assists than turnovers. 

Concurrently during the veteran duo’s December slump, Aranguren played his best basketball by scoring twenty or more points twice late in the non-conference schedule. Like Brown and Tretout, Aranguren brings good size and length to the backcourt. He is contributing at a promising two-way level that is well-ahead of his preseason forecast. So far over his young career, Aranguren is Iona’s most efficient shot maker, and like Brown, Tretout and Gordon, he can also swipe steals aplomb. 

Even with a move to the bench, Panzo’s shift should not be seen as a demotion, as the grad transfer has averaged 14 points and 27 minutes-per-game off the bench over the last two games. Few have a sweeter stroke than Panzo, and his ability to score in bunches makes him a premier lightning rod for a quick bucket off the bench and an energizer of the second unit, providing valuable spacing for Shema inside and also the overall synergy in Coach Anderson’s five out motion offense. 

Following Shema’s return, Dylan Saunders and Isaac Brice have faded deeper down the bench, but freshmen Jeremiah Quigley and Sultan Adewale have remained essential bench weapons as the team has gotten healthier. 

While he needs to increase his strength in order to convert at a healthier clip at the rim, Jeremiah Quigley has all of the makings of an elite end-game closer thanks to his clever ability to draw contact and convert regularly at the charity stripe. In fact, Quigley’s 95% free-throw percentage currently ranks top in the MAAC. Consistently playing close to starter’s minutes off-the-bench, Quigley is an easy call for steady minutes as he plays effectively with a variety of rotations. 

In his new bench role, Adewale has become an energizer bunny on defense and like Gordon, rebounds well for his size. In Friday’s win over Canisius, Adewale was essential in spelling Shema and helped limit low-post opportunities for the Golden Griffins’ Frank Mitchell, who managed just six field goal attempts, which tied for his lowest total in twelve games.

After a five-game absence, grad transfer Terrell Williams has slowly worked his way back in the rotation. He has struggled throughout the season, but Williams was a consistently solid offensive performer at Southern University, where he finished three straight seasons amongst the top-fifteen in the SWAC in Offensive Rating, according to KenPom. If Williams can shake off his early season slump, it would not surprise if he becomes an ace up Anderson’s sleeve as a slasher, rim-attacker and spacer with size off the bench. 

Sitting at 8-9 and with a .500 record in MAAC play, Iona is currently on the outside looking in while Fairfield, Quinnipiac and Saint Peter’s stand strongly atop the conference standings, combining for a 15-and-4 record on MAAC play. That being said, with eight weeks until the MAAC conference tournament, health, efficiency and better synergy has Iona trending in the right direction.

Mixing and Matching with La Salle's Young Frontcourt

Sometimes, all a player needs is to see the ball go in. 

For La Salle redshirt sophomore Ryan Zan, a Christmas week matchup against Division 3 Rosemont College was a turning point in his young collegiate career. In just seventeen minutes off the bench, Zan went off, scoring 19 points (9-for-10 shooting), grabbing 7 rebounds and snatching 3 steals. 

“He’s a kid that works at it. He’s been ready for his moment to step up,” says La Salle assistant head coach Mark Hueber.

Entering Atlantic-10 conference play, Ryan Zan earned his first career start against George Mason, playing the de facto center role in a small ball starting lineup that featured 6’5 Deshon Shepherd at the 4, a position he was featured more in last season. In that game, Zan scored 10 points and hit both his three point attempts. 

A main factor that resulted in Zan’s starting opportunity arose from Jocius' foul issues early in the season, when he fouled out twice in the first seven games. His recent move to the bench has helped Jocius to stay on the floor and remain aggressive late in games while limiting concern of his foul trouble. 

Zan isn’t the only young forward who has stepped up in recent play. With Anwar Gil out Saturday against Fordham, Zan’s second start paired him in the frontcourt with freshman forward Tunde Vahlberg Fasasi, who made his first start of the season. The pair, alongside sophomore big Rokas Jocius, each scored double-digits apiece.

In that game, Zan and Jokius were essential in La Salle’s ability to navigate Fordham’s pressure defense that prioritizes shutting down the opponents’ best guards, opening up the floor for forwards to bring the ball up. 

Thanks to the growth of the underclassman frontcourt trio, La Salle can mix and match lineups with ease. 

“Coach Dunphy always talks about when we’re recruiting, guys will ask ‘what position do you see me playing’ and a lot of times we just talk about that we see you as a basketball player,” says Hueber, “We’re going to put the best five guys out there as much as we can. We can go small, we can go big, we try to change it up and go based on matchup.”

Despite their unique sizes and skillsets, the trio’s shooting ability as allowed La Salle to showcase more five-out offensive sets that all back cut scoring opportunities and more space for star guards Jhamir Brickus and Khalil Brantley to breakdown defenders and create in space.

“We worked pretty hard this summer on a five-out offense,” says Hueber, “Rokas can make a three. We want him to get more consistent with it. Even though he’s 6’10, we want him to get better with his ball-handling and playmaking abilities.”

La Salle sophomore forward Rokas Jocius battles inside on defense against Fordham

Speaking on Fasasi and Zan, Hueber adds: “We want them both to rebound way better than they do. If those two can dominate the glass, it will help us more in league play. On offense, the more that those guys can space, the more it helps our guards go downhill and make plays.”

That being said, the bread and butter of La Salle’s strength is the impressive guard play of Brickus and Brantley, but the continued growth and development of Rokas Jocius, Tunde Vahlberg Fasasi and Ryan Zan bring an incipient upside and a development to monitor as A-10 play continues.

 

Fordham Falters in A-10 Home Debut to La Salle

 by Joe Budzelek (@stf_ncaa)

Following nine lead changes in the first half, La Salle, despite a late second half surge from Fordham, defeated the Rams 81-to-76 Saturday afternoon at Rose Hill Gym.

An even match for most of the game, Fordham bottled up La Salle's excellent guard duo of Khalil Brantley and Jhamir Brickus early in the first half, with the duo combining for just two points over the first eight minutes of the game. However, a late first half slouch by Fordham - marred by turnovers, easy buckets missed and settling for three-point attempts - allowed La Salle to take command.

“We had ten turnovers in the first half and that really killed us" said Fordham head coach Keith Urgo, "Especially to guards like [La Salle's Khalil Brantley and Jhamir Brickus]. Brickus got two of his threes, both of them in transition. If you take those two threes away, well, look at the score.”

At the start of the game, Fordham's offensive proclivity from the three-point line continued as the team has attempted nearly half of their shots from beyond the arc also throughout the previous three games. Hitting three of their first four three-point attempts, this strategy started fruitfully, but a two-for-ten finish in the first half left much to be desired. “We're trying to drive the ball and get to the paint. In the first half we were settling a little too much. In the second half, we got much more aggressive around the rim, going strong and being able to draw fouls.”

Sophomores Will Richardson (16 points; 4-7 from 2, 2-5 from the line) and Elijah Gray (18 points; 4-6 from the line) were instrumental in the Rams' second-half effort in becoming more assertive near the basket, but the team's overall 62% shooting from the charity stripe was a deciding factor.

For the second straight game in a row, Gray led the frontcourt in minutes played, scoring 40 points total in the pair of games: "[Elijah Gray has] been really consistent for us on and off the court. He’s such a mismatch, especially at the 4 and the 5 because he can pick and pop," says Urgo, “We’ve got a lot of guys playing minutes who have not necessarily done it at this level before so we just have to continue to grow and get better. We have to get to our identity which is defending and rebounding.”

Here's the good news: the Rams are producing on offense, scoring 75 or more points in eight of the last ten games. The bad news: Fordham has only won half of those games and only two of those wins have been against the A-10 (GW) or A-10 caliber talent (North Texas). 

“I’m not even concerned on the offensive end [...] If you score 76 points in the Atlantic 10, you should win that game, especially here at Fordham and the way we pride ourselves," laments Urgo, "For whatever reason, we’ve lost our identify and we’ve got to get back to that. [La Salle] out-toughed us. They got 15 offensive rebounds, they only average 8 and that, to me, was a big factor to the game.”

With students returning to campus just in time for Fordham's next home game against St. Bonaventure, their energy will look to fuel the Rams and add that extra layer of home court advantage. “We need that crowd to continue to grow and pick it up because we’re trying to build something sustainable," says Urgo, "Everyone remembers Rose Thrill, we need to play off of that.”