Off The Boards By Jack Scheuer – February 8, 2017 Edition

Off The Boards

By Jack Scheuer

February 8, 2017 Edition

After much thought, here is my All-American team for this year, but please keep in mind, I’m very partial to guards:

Lonzo Ball, freshman, UCLA. He’s the main reason why the Bruins, who were 15-17 last season, are a possibility to be in the Final Four this time around. Calm and cool, and he does it all.

Josh Hart, senior, Villanova. We’ve watched him play for 4 years, and are well aware of the many ways he contributes to winning games.  And he’s been in a ton of them.

Frank Mason Kansas, senior, Kansas. The always under- control leader of the Jayhawks who are a definite Final Four candidate. He has a reputation for coming up big in clutch situations.

Monte Morris, senior, Iowa State. He is ranks among the leaders in the assists-to-turnovers department. A superb passer, he has had 80 games with 2 or less turnovers.

Dennis Smith Jr., freshman, North Carolina St. If his team had a better record, he’d have gotten a lot more ink. A definite lottery pick, and a big-time leaper, he leads  the Wolfpack  in scoring, assists, (7 a game) and steals.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Canyon Barry, son of Hall of Famer Rick, is having a good year at Florida. Like his Dad, he shoots free throws underhanded. It looks funny, but it works. This season, he’s made 83 for 93 (89%), and has a streak of 31 straight. The 6-6 senior transferred in from the College of Charleston where he had a 4.0 GPA.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Trivia Time: Who is the youngest player to ever play in the NBA? Helpful hint, he’s not a guard.  Answer at the end of the column.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

He certainly didn’t do it here:  After a nice tour with Golden State, old friend Marreese Speights is having a good year with the L.A. Clippers, especially from 3-point range where he is 75 for 185 (40.5%).  Now a sprightly 29, he’s also 102 for 132 from the foul line. Yep, that Marreese Speights.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

This and That : Rodney Williams  has certainly been a bright light for Drexel. The senior is averaging 17 points and 7 rebounds…  La Salle hopes to have Pookie Powell back at Fordham tonight. The Explorers have really missed his productive guard play….A game I’d love to see in the tournament: High octane UCLA against smart and deliberate Virginia….Kansas is very impressive but with one problem, the Jayhawks shoot only 64% from the stripe.. ..Two big games coming up: Temple will try to keep it going tomorrow night at home against tough SMU;  And on Saturday afternoon, the 2nd-ranked Villanova Wildcats meet Xavier in front of a few quiet people in Cincinnati.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Answer to Trivia Time: At 18 years, 7 days, Andrew Bynum is the youngest to play in the NBA.