Off The Boards by Jack Scheuer – February 14, 2018 Edition

Off The Boards

By Jack Scheuer

February 14, 2018 Edition

Since I’m often accused (and rightly so) of being overly partial to guards, the following is the most purest of  All-American teams, and it is composed, naturally, only of players that are 6-2 or under: Villanova’s Jalen Brunson  the undisputed  leader of the Wildcats, whose numbers show why he’s a top contender to be the Player of the Year; Jevon Carter, from West Virginia, the team’s leader in points and assists, who is also terrific on the defensive end; Devonte’ Graham, one of only 3 seniors on the Kansas roster who is a coach-on -floor and also has solid numbers; Carolina’s Joel Berry II, last year’s MVP in  the Final Four, who has continued his fine play this season, and finally, Trae Young, the dynamic Oklahoma freshman who leads the nation in points and assists, but who hopefully will not be the turnover leader.

So there they are, 5 talented little guards , and it figures that they all play for teams ranked in the top 25

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Coach’s Corner: Ohio State Chris Holtmann should certainly be in the running for Coach of the Year.  The former Butler coach, in his first year with the Buckeyes, has his team on top in the conference (13-1) and they have won 12 of 13 league games.  In a preseason poll, Ohio State was picked to finish 12th.

On the other hand, there is Kevin Stallings at Pitt, where the hot seat he was on has now reached the scalding point.  His Panthers have lost 14 in a  row and are 0-14 in the ACC.  Last season Pitt was 16 and 17, 4 and 14 in the conference.  Safe to say his days are likely numbered.

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Trivia Time : Who is the only local player ever, to have 4 triple doubles in one season?  Answer at the end of the column. Hint : He was a guard.

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This and That: Jameer Nelson and Langston Galloway, 2 former Hawks, are now with the Detroit Pistons.  I wonder when 2 Big 5 players from the same team have last played together in the Pros ?…. Figure this one out: Notre Dame’s John Mooney is shooting 52.6 % from 3-point range ( 30 for 57), but only 53.3 % (16 for 30 ) from the foul line… Every good team needs an over-achiever and Penn’s Max Rothschild is filling that role for the Quakers…. I know it’s a little early to compare, but Villanova freshman guard  Collin Gillespie seems, at times, to resemble a young Ryan Arcidiacono…..A pair of tough games for 2 of the locals on tap : Villanova is at Providence tonight, and streaking Temple visits Wichita tomorrow. The 19th- ranked Shockers should be in a revenge mode….Sixth-ranked Purdue has 4 losses so far: One game by one, 2 games by three, and another by four….Former Temple guard Dalton Pepper is playing in Cyprus.  I would  suggest his team, Keravnos, should think about signing Virginia center Jack Salt…..And whatever happened to Robert Montgomery Knight ?

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Answer to trivia Time : During the 85-86 season, Drexel’s Michael Anderson had 4 triple-doubles.

 

3 Comments

  1. All good choices…but Trae Young is definitely falling into the Frosh Trap…number of been bad at late. Still a tremendous talent, but not sure he belongs at this level by eoy based on full-year body of work. Despite Committee’s early seedings, think Sooners will be a 7,8,9 when its all done.

  2. Agree about Holtmann as he is getting it done quickly at OSU. Even through Stallings is likely done…the team is young and he likely deserves more time. BUT…nobody has patience anymore.

  3. In terms of best small guards…take a look at Ky Bowman from BC…in the conversation for ACC player of the year…has led BC from 9-23 / 2-16 in ACC last year to 16-10 / 6-7 this year. This kid can play!

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