NCAA UNDERGROUND weekly: Isaiah Cousins &....

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

F – Isaiah Cousins (Oklahoma)

In the top25 Oklahoma Sooners many will tell you about Buddy Hield scoring ability, Spangler’ rebounding presence or (and we did it few days ago) the offensive threat inside brought by TaShawn Thomas. Where Oklahoma will end up this season in our opinion is linked to where this guy will bring them. Isaiah is their defensive soul, always assigned to the best backcourt player of the opposite team. Has an above the average wingspan, can guard anyone between 5-10 and 6-5, and to be the best defensive player of his team (maybe his conference) he can help you a lot on the offenisve end. He’s shooting above 40% from 3points for his second consecutive season and his in-between game is now as reliable as ever. Ball handling and court vision are already where they need to be, we miss a little bit of muscles here and two inches to be able to bother consistently the Klay Thompson’s of this world… he still got another season of college basketball to play but his shares are definitely up.

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

G – Xavier Rathan-Mayes (Florida State)

After one year spent watching for eligibility issues, he’s recovering every single second lost. At Clemson brings his team to first away Win of the season dominating Tigers backcourt and closing with 17pts, 9 ast and 4 steals. Totally unreliable from outside the arc, he changes the game with his unselfishness and defensive reads. He’s explosive off the dribble, goes preferably on his right and has the ability to slow down after beating his ùman to read the opposite defense reaction. A rare gift for ncaa point guards.

G – D’Angelo Russell (Ohio State)

He’s clearly pro material. He’s now putting together assist that makes people crazy on Vine with the substance of the leader. You can’t describe his game going with numbers, but 14 rebs vs Iowa and shooting above 45% from 3pt in season cannot be overlooked… one on one he beats anyone in his conference even if they all know he’ll be going on his left. But he does so many thing with that left hand that is impossible to stop. He can go at the rim or stop for a pullup jumper with same effectiveness. See you in the lottery late June D-Lo…

G – Kris Dunn (Providence)

The Friars’ engine this year is Kris Dunn. This week with two W (Creighton and Xavier) that boost Providence at the top of the conference again. Dunn is a point guard with excellent offensive skills, great athlete that makes up his lack of confidence in outside shooting with quality reads and incredible power in his legs that helps him going to the rim anytime he decides to. Look how comfortabe he is in finding the open man on fastbreak situation.

F – DeAndre Bembry (St.Joseph’s)

Stats never been a problem for him. Leader of his Hawks this year in any category (points, rebs, ast, blks, stls) this week he gets the W that helps his team in the conference standing (2-4 now). Against UMass he puts together the usual unbelievable statline (5 steals and 3 blocks together with the usual 25,8rebs and 7 asts), with the ability to play his best game when it counted most… his outside shooting should be improved urgently.

F/C – Justin Moss (Buffalo)

A lot of European teams will look for him in two years. Justin from Detroit is barely 6-7 but inside the paint he’ll make you feel his powerful body. Has mindset and aggressiveness for rebounds and now he goes regularly for 20 points when served with consistency inside. Good thing is… he can shoot the mid-range jumper. Not so good thing is…. he plays always under the rim.

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

G – Yogi Ferrell (Indiana) 

You know about Troy Williams and Blackmon Jr, now let’s talk about Yogi right after his 7/8 from 3pt vs Maryland launching the Hoosiers on top of their conference. Dedicated to whoever said that Melo Trimble was the best Big10 point guard of the year (excluding D-Lo, of course..).

G/F – Kelly Oubre Jr. (Kansas)

Started slowly, now coming up fast. Coach Self  will never tell you but he’s now the main offenisve option of the Jayhawks. After losing in Ames, he leads Kansas against Oklahoma with 19pts and 9 rebs. He’s shooting 42% from 3pt and a series of hustle plays is making him a lottery pick.

G/F – Stanley Johnson (Arizona)

Impressive consistency. On defense every play seems his last, has got versatility on the offense with amazing energy. Goes hard to the rim and shoots over 40% from threes. This week, two wins and also 8 rebounds per game vs Utah and Stanford. One and done for sure.

F – Amile Jefferson (Duke)

The unsung hero… you barely notice his presence on the box score, but if Duke comes out of Louisville with a W he deserves a specific mention. First, for the way he matches the intensity Montrezl Harrell brings to the game, second for the chemistry he uses to match his game with with Jahlil Okafor’s one, a pretty wide presence on the Blue Devils offense. 19 points and 7 rebounds at the KFC…and now you’ll also notice him in the box score.

C – Jameel McKay (Iowa State)

In the spread out offense of Coach Hoiber he’s the only one with no two-dimension game. But he’s also the only one consistently above the rim on defense where they win games. This week double W vs Kansas and Kansas State. Both games with 3 blocks and the feeling that when games need to be changed defensively, the Cyclones ask Jameel to come off the bench…

Written by Marco Ridolfi