Off The Boards By Jack Scheuer – November 30, 2016 Edition

Off The Boards

By Jack Scheuer

November 30, 2016 Edition

It wasn’t too long ago that a player transferring wouldn’t be very big news and it was usually someone  who was unhappy with his playing time.  However now, with the addition of the graduate transfer rule, we’re seeing more and more players switching schools. They include multi-talented guys who can choose from among the majors where they would like to play.  For instance : Canyon Barry, Rick’s son,(and a 4.0 student) went from the College of Charleston to Florida where he will be a starter.  Cullen Neal, from New Mexico to Ole Miss; and B.J. Johnson, who departed Syracuse for La Salle.  Eric Paschall, formerly at Fordham, is a valuable performer with second-ranked Villanova; and the frisky Spike Albrecht  went from Michigan to Purdue, in a rare in-conference move.   And these are just a few of the many impact players who are in new schools this year.
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Temple certainly was impressive with their two wins over top-25 teams Florida State and West Virginia.  The play of freshmen Aloni Moore and Quinton Rose certainly bodes well for the future, and Obi Enechionyia keeps bombing away from 3-point land.  The strange thing is how often he is left alone in the corners.  Another interesting game for the Owls tonight, when they visit Hawk Hill.

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Former La Salle great Larry Cannon will have his #20 retired on December 6 when the Explorers meet Villanova at the Palestra.  Cannon, from Lincoln High, was a second team  All-American on the 1968-69 team which many consider the best ever in the Big 5.  He averaged 18.9 in his three seasons at La Salle, was an excellent rebounder, and an outstanding passer.   After four productive years in the ABA, he had a brief stint with 76ers before being forced  to retire with a leg injury.

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Trivia Time: Who holds the NBA record for most assists in one game? Answer at end of the column.

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Pro stuff:  All-time class act Langston Galloway is having a good season with New Orleans.  The former St. Joe’s star, who the Knicks allowed to go to free agency, signed a very nice 2-year deal with the Pelicans.  Joel Embiid certainly looks like the real thing.  If he stays healthy, he can be something special….  And have you ever seen Tom Thibodeau smile?  The Minnesota coach  must wake up with that painful look on his face.

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Former used car salesman Bruce Pearl has Auburn’s first ever 5-star recruit in 6-5 Mustapha Heron, a Waterbury, Conn. product….The Aussies are coming:  St. Mary’s of California has 7 players from down under on the roster, including 2 starters….Fathers and Sons: Malik Ellison, son of Pervis is at St.John’s….M.J. Cage, Michael’s son, is at Oregon; Avery Johnson Jr. is coached by his father at  Alabama,  Stephen Thompson Jr. started at Oregon State where his father is an assistant.  And finally, 6-0 Brad Calipari, is a walk-on at Kentucky.  His presence on the team might have something to do with being related to the coach.
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Answer to Trivia Time: Playing for Orlando, Scott Skiles had 30 assists in a 1990 game against Denver.

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