NCAA UNDERGROUND weekly: Kevin Larsen &....

YOU DON’T KNOW (OR MAYBE YOU KNOW….) HOW GOOD IS…

G – Kevin Larsen (George Washington)

Denmark native with hi-level high school basketball education of the east coast (Montrose Christian. KD and Linas Kleiza amongst the others…) could only play for the Colonials aka United Nations of college basketball in the Atlantic-10. Initially admired for his chest-press performance, he’s now clearly a credible offensive option when receiving back to the basket. Has a impressive court vision and ability to pass the ball for a player of his size. Has quick feet and knows how to use his wide shoulder to protect his baby-hook. Not being a vertical leaper knows also well how to use the rim to protect himself from the opponent. He doesn’t protect the rim as the NBA would love to see but has a rare body control of his 250 pounds that he uses well under both boards. Colonials are 2-0 in conference and he’s averaging 15 and 7 in the last 7 days…

SPORTANDO-U. TEAM OF THE WEEK (UNRANKED TEAM)

G – Billy Garrett Jr. (DePaul)

It’s a beauty to watch him playing. Last year he was spectacular on a bad season for DePaul (3-15), this year he’s still spectacular on a great season so far for the Blue Demons (3-0 in the big east). If you love the game you can’t have nothing but love for him. Has amazing timing in the offense to find the open man and play the pick and roll. He’s one of the top3 in NCAA for technical composure and physical strength. On defense has interesting lateral movement and reacts well to any change of direction in front of his man. The NBA would love his dribble to be a little bit lower, but these are just details to us…

G – Will Cummings (Temple)

We have to pay attention to this guy this year with the Owls unbeaten in conference and with 6 consecutive wins (Kansas is also on this list). Will is more than ever in control of the operations here. He’s skinny, has huge wingspan for his height, doesnt shoot well from outside but has emotional leadership on both ends of the court, and he’s the suspect number one for this amazing season of Temple University.

G – Marvelle Harris (Fresno State)

One week spent on 22 points and 7 rebounds per game with two Wins in conference. Against San Diego State in the challenge with Winston Shepard he seemed the future NBA pick, and this might be actually true one day… his game is improved a lot in the last 6 months both defensively, where he can now guard also the 2s same way he use to lock down the 3s, and offensively where his mid-range has become very consistent.  Has a tough upper section of his body, to make him a second round pick we miss some ball handling and the ability to attack the rim also when going to his left hand.

F – Josh Hawkinson (Washington State)

Talking about improvements. This guy last year struggled to find playing time, in practice… This week had a game with 18points and 13 rebounds in Berkeley where he can proudly say he brought the W home for the Cougars. Has soft hands, he’d spend more time on the perimeter than battling down low, and against Cal he change the game by hitting from outside and leaving lanes for driving to Lacy & Co. He can develop in an extremely interesting strench four.

F – Kevon Looney (UCLA)

First good news of the year for UCLA, and first NBA show for Kevon Looney in a double overtime home win vs Stanford. Not only for his 27 points and 19 rebounds, that don’t hurt by the way… but for his level of physical activity, playing in front of their 1-2-2 zone press with his lateral moves and 7-4 wingspan. Write it down: Lottery Pick.

SPORTANDO-U. TEAM OF THE WEEK (RANKED TEAM)

G – Juwan Staten (West Virginia)  

Point guard of Coach Huggins dreams. Hyper-excited, chaotic, aggressive and with a big big hear. Exactly like coach Hug. Amongst all point guards of NCAA the best “rim attacker”, with amazing skills in open court and the 40 minutes press defense his coach wants make him physically happy.

G – Aaron Harrison (Kentucky)

No more Platoon… Wildcats need overtime to bring the W at home vs Ole Miss and Aaron plays 40 of the 45 minutes available in the SEC opener. He keeps the wildcats alive with his outside shooting first, and then he wins the game with his usual cold presence “down the stretch” hitting the crucial free throws.

G – Darun Hilliard (Villanova)

After the Loss vs Seton Hall, here we got the rally vs the Johnnies. The wildcats play a great second half (+20) and when the balli s hot Darun is always ready. Sometimes he seems to be coasting the game, but then Arcidiacono turns always from his side. Pay attention to his progress in using his off hand (the right) in penetration.

G/F – Justise Winslow (Duke)

Last freshman with such physical NBA body seen around here was Corey Maggette. Tough W on the tobacco road against Danny Manning boys. Justise showing his basketball with “NBA Guard” written all over. He’s got hi level ball handling, hang time, ability to use the contact and a wide variety of moves off the dribble. He also love to sacrifice on his defensive side of the court. In few words: the best perimetral player of college basketball.

F – Tashawn Thomas (Oklahoma)

It’s a tough conference the one that makes you hosting Baylor on Saturday and then force you to travel to Austin on Monday. The sooners bring two Wins home, wins with which normally you end up in the top10 of the Nation. If the quality of their backcourt doesn’t surprise us, some more words deserve TT. Transfer from University of Houston, he gives an inside dimension to coach Kruger’s offense, playing solid basketball not spectacular but very effective and helpful for his outside shooter. As a pro, we see him a perfect fit for some european leagues…  

Written by Marco Ridolfi