By Paul Casey Gotham
Smith nabs an Oscar
The honors keep rolling in for Duke’s Nolan Smith. Earlier this week, the senior captain earned a POTW. Now, the US Basketball Writers Association honored the Blue Devil guard with the Oscar Robertson Player of the Week award. Smith averaged 26 points, 4 assists and 2.5 rebounds as Duke beat North Carolina and Miami last week. Smith scored 34 as the Blue Devils erased a 14-point halftime deficit to the Tar Heels. Smith tallied 16 in the latter stanza against the Hurricanes.
Click here to read the entire press release.
Points in the paint?
The Syracuse Orange avoided their first four-game home losing streak Monday when they topped the West Virginia Mountaineers 63-52. On the surface, there is nothing special about the final. 63-52 looks like a typical conference game between teams who know each other well and limit opportunities on the offensive end.
But there is more to it.
The Mountaineers scored 52 points. 33 of those points came from 11-of-22 shooting from behind the arc. Another 7 points the Mountaineers got at the foul line going 7-of-12.
33 + 7 = 40.
52 – 40 = 12.
12? 12 points inside the arc? WVU managed 12 points in the paint or on mid-range shots? The Mountaineers shot 6-of-25 inside the arc. It might be time to work on entering the ball into the post and finishing.
Back to the future
Remember the George Mason Patriots? The 11-seed that knocked off #1 seed UConn en route to the 2006 Final Four?
The Patriots have rattled off 12 in a row including a 71-51 beat down AT VCU. George Mason might be an upset special in March.
Right now their sports information department is creating a buzz with this must-see video:
Click to hear what coach Jim Larranaga thinks of the video.
Pauley getting a face lift?
The UCLA Bruins are looking for a new home…for next year. A $136 million renovation project to Pauley Pavilion will cause the Bruins to seek shelter elsewhere.
Coach Boeheim settles the score
Click here to go to the Syracuse Post-Standard for the video.
You will need to scroll down a little.
All-Underappreciated Team
So many teams. So many players. Only a few get All-American recognition. SI’s Andy Glockner nominates his starting five players among those who get overlooked. I might have a different five.
Pro prospects
Seth Davis gathers the comments of NBA scouts about 56 collegiate prospects.
Just another Jimmer article
Rush The Court’s Kraig Williams offers an inside look at the the cult of the Jimmer.
1st Team All-Casey
G Nolan Smith – Duke
G Jimmer Fredette – BYU
SF Jordan Hamilton – Texas
PF Jon Leuer – Wisconsin
C Jared Sullinger – Ohio State
2nd Team All Casey
PG Tu Holloway – Xavier
G Kemba Walker – UConn
SF Kahwi Leonard – San Diego State
PF Derrick Williams – Arizona
C Tyler Zeller – North Carolina
Got any college basketball splinters? Share them here.
This week, Ben Hansbrough must be on the “2(b) Team All Casey”.
What’s the over/under on number of Big East Teams getting an invite to the Big Dance? I’ll say 9.5. By the way, is it 9 or 10 that would set a record??
St John’s is in the running … Lavin, Keady and gang are really doing a great job.
I think 9 would set the record. I think 9.5 is a good over/under. I said before that they are looking at a 10 team draw this year. I’m sticking with that prediction. i think 9 is almost guaranteed.