By Paul Gotham
Surveying the Atlantic 10, Metro Atlantic Athletic, Patriot League and even the Mid-American for some nuggets of knowledge from last week.
Chris Johnson can fill a role
The “pressing question” about this year’s version of the St. Bonaventure’s Bonnies is and has been who will fill the void (particularly scoring) left behind by Andrew Nicholson? Demitrius Conger has been the popular nomination. The senior forward has done an admirable job through the first four games. Youssou Ndoye’s name was mentioned. The sophomore has been slowed by an injured ankle. Even so, Ndoye can provide the rebounding Nicholson supplied but not the consistent scoring. Charlon Kloof was also suggested. All three have done what it is needed as have Marquise Simmons and Eric Mosley in contributing to Bona’s 3-1 record. Few, though, expected Chris Johnson to lead the way with 16.5 ppg. The 6-5, 205 pound guard/forward blends an outside shooting touch (7-13/.538 from behind the arc) with the ability to get to the rim and finish. Johnson has also shown flashes with his mid-range game.
Javon McCrea can take a foul
The UB Bulls have limped out of the gate at 2-5, but it’s not because of Javon McCrea’s efforts. The junior forward scores 17 a game thus far while grabbing a touch more than six rebounds. McCrea has also shown the ability to put opposing frontcourts in foul trouble. Last Tuesday, both Josiah Heath and Chris Manhertz tried to slow McCrea but fouled out in a 71–64 Canisius victory over the Bulls. Most, if not all, of their 10 combined infractions came against UB’s forward. Princeton’s Brendan Connolly had a similar fate in the season opener. The 6-11 center played 25 minutes before getting the DQ. Florida State’s Okaro White played just 18 minutes against McCrea and picked up four fouls.
C.J. McCollum plays defense too
Much has been made of C.J. McCollum’s play on the offensive end of the floor. Just yesterday, the Canton, Ohio native broke the all-time Patriot League scoring record with a 26-point performance. McCollum surpassed Rob Feaster with 2,226 career points. At the same time, McCollum locked down Sacred Heart’s Shane Gibson who was the nation’s fourth leading scorer a year ago. Gibson didn’t score for the first nine minutes of the game – a stretch where McCollum poured in 16.
In case you missed it:
Marist has resiliency
The Red Foxes would like to use tryptophan as an excuse. How else does one explain the 87-44 undressing they received from West Virginia on Thanksgiving day? Considering the noon tip time, though, that excuse probably doesn’t work unless the Red Foxes had turkey for breakfast. The result cast an ominous start on the weekend at the Old Spice Classic in Buena Vista, Florida. But Marist used it as an opportunity to show their ability to respond. Devin Price and Isaiah Morton scored 13 apiece as the Red Foxes shellacked Vanderbilt one day later, 50-33. Vanderbilt’s 33 represents a Marist school record for lowest amount of points allowed. Chuck Martin’s next challenge with his young squad will be consistency. The Red Foxes finished the Old Spice Classic with a 59-44 loss to Clemson.
Tyreek Duren likes playing against Villanova
Tyreek Duren scored 23 points on 7-of-17 shooting including 3-of-8 behind the arc and 6-of-8 at the free throw line as the La Salle Explorers upended Villanova in overtime , 77-74 in Philly Big 5 play Sunday afternoon. The junior guard added five assists and two steals. The 23 points was one short of Duren’s career high which he set last year against Villanova when he hit 8-of-17 from the floor and 7-of-7 from the line. That game also went into overtime with Villanova winning, 76-69.
If these guys aren’t on your radar, they should be:
Semaj Christon, Xavier – freshman guard is averaging better than 17 points over his last five games – all that with an injured elbow. He can get to the rim and shows the ability to pull-up off the dribble.
Devin Oliver, Dayton – the junior forward is coming into his own. He had his first career double-double in Dayton’s 66-58 win over Manhattan.
Tahjere McCall, Niagara – the freshman guard’s performance against St. Bonaventure showed kilowatt power. In just 12 minutes, McCall handed out five assists, grabbed two steals without committing a turnover while scoring five points on 2-of-3 shooting. He might be a missing piece for Joe Mihalich’s Purple Eagles. McCall at point and Juan’ya Green at two-guard could be difficult to stop.
Cameron Ayers, Bucknell – his numbers are modest (11.7ppg, 4 rpg), but don’t be fooled. Ayers plays in a disciplined Bison offense which moves the ball quickly around the floor. One thing the junior guard does is to play within himself, and that has the attention of at least one N.B.A. team.
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