Off The Boards by Jack Scheuer – November 29, 2017 Edition

Off The Boards

By Jack Scheuer

November 29, 2017 Edition

Villanova’s Rick Brunson has been chosen as a pre-season first team All -American by several basketball publications. So far this year, the junior point guard has justified the predictions. Heading into tonight’s game against Penn, Brunson has been rather impressive. He leads the 4th-ranked Wildcats in scoring, assists, minutes played, is shooting 63%  from the field, 81% from the foul line, and makes 48 % of  of his 3-point shots. All this while averaging less than 2 turnovers a game. In addition, he constantly gets himself in position to make very make-able 15-footers, usually when his team needs a hoop. It should also be mentioned that all these things are being done without an ounce of show-boating. Sure sounds like a first team All- American to me.

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Former NBA performer and Auburn assistant Chuck Person has already been indicted in the FBI corruption probe regarding illegal recruiting. The Tigers’ head coach is high-energy, and everybody’s friend, Bruce Pearl. Stay tuned for further developments.

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Trivia Time: Who holds the NBA record for most minutes played in a career? Answer at the end of the column.

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Dick Vitale is a very nice man who, in the past, has been accused of talking too much during the games. The feeling here is that Diamond Dick has easily surpassed his earlier reputation, and turning down the sound while he is babbling away is almost a must.

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This and That: Syracuse center Paschal Chukwu, at 7-2, is the tallest player in the school’s history. He transferred from Providence two years ago, but missed almost all of last year with an eye injury…. Former “Process” poster boy Michael Carter-Williams is now a deep sub with the Charlotte Hornets….Notre Dame’s high ranking is being helped greatly with the play of point guard Matt Farrell….The same is true at Wichita, where sophomore guard Landry Shamet is a real talent….Upcoming: Penn at Nova, and Saint Joe’s hosts Bucknell tonight. Tomorrow, it’s Temple -South Carolina at MSG, and Lafayette is visiting Drexel….  I wonder if Larry Brown will apply for the Louisville job if and when it’s available?

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Answer to Trivia Time: Kareem Abdul- Jabbar  is the leader with 57,446 minutes.