Off The Boards
By Jack Scheuer
January 3, 2018 Edition
The locals closed out the old year on a rather sour note with everybody but La Salle losing their final game of 2017. Here’s a capsule look as the City Six moves on to the second third of the season: Villanova was knocked off its #1 perch, but the Wildcats, led by All-American Jalen Brunson, remain one of the top teams in the country, and will try to get back on track on Saturday when Marquette comes to town. Struggling Temple has not only lost three straight, but now has to welcome 19th ranked Cincinnati to the Liacouras tomorrow night. The Owls are looking to Obi Enechionyia for some more offensive production. Saint Joe’s injury woes continue, and now there seems to be a possibility that solid sophomore guard Charlie Brown might be red-shirted this season. James Demery has played well for the Hawks who host VCU tonight. Penn saw its four-game winning streak stopped, but the play of soph’s A.J. Brodeur and Ryan Betley should keep the Quakers competitive in the Ivy. Princeton visits on Friday. Drexel is young but improving, and Missouri transfer Tramaine Isabell has been a valuable addition. Next up is the College of Charleston, also on Friday. La Salle has been up-and-down all year, with the bright spot being B.J. Johnson, who hopefully will return from an ankle injury when the Explorers visit tough Rhode Island tonight.
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The Virginia Cavaliers, as usual, lead the nation in defense, allowing just 52.8 a game. A dream match would put them against Kentucky, loaded with McDonald’s All-Americans and a helter-skelter high-power offense.
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Trivia Time: Who holds the NBA record for most made free throws (840) in one season? Answer at the end of the column. Hint: It’s not Wilt.
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That freshman phenom in Oklahoma, Trae Young, who leads the country in scoring and assists, appears to be the real thing. He rarely forces the action, but somehow continues to produce in a big, big way. Great range, and even the misses are right there. Impressive!
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This and That: Ex Wildcats Ryan Arcidiacono and Daniel Ochefu are teammates again with the G-League Windy City Bulls….. Longest name ever? Tshiefu Ngalakulondi, St. Bonaventure’s 6-6 forward who hails from the Congo…..Georgetown’s 6-9 sophomore George Muresan is the son of Gheorghe Muresan, the former 7-7 NBA center…..Have you noticed that most of J.J. Redick’s free throws barely touch anything? Just straight through…. If and when he cuts back on his turnovers, Temple soph Quinton Rose could have a very bright future….Marquette’s little guards, 5-11 Markus Howard, and 5-11 Andrew Rowsey are both averaging over 20 points per game…. And finally, here is the unanimous winner of the prestigious Boards Fool of the Year Award: La Var Ball.
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Answer to Trivia Time: During the 1965-66 season, the great Jerry West connected on 840 of 977 free throws. (86%).
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