NCAA UNDERGROUND weekly: Derrick Marks &....

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

G – Derrick Marks (Boise State)

Star of a European League in the making. Let’s be clear: he doesn’t beat his man off the dribble and do not expect him to play above the rim. For everything else, yes he got it. Physically and mentally he’s already a pro today, a hi-level one. For shooting form and percentage has a fantastic pullup jumper, particularly going on his left. On defense he can guard anyone between 5-10 and 6-5 easily and he’s technically the best   low post players amongst NCAA guards. Once he’ll make it clear he’s not a pure point guard (like he’s now often playing with the Broncos) let’s be ready to 25 points on any given Euopean Sunday.

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

G – Cameron Payne (Murray State)

This guy, instead, beat his man off the dribble regularly and with pleasure… sweet lefty leading the best team in the state of Kentucky (unbeaten in conference and on a 16 winning streak) you never heard of. Freshman wonder to be confirmed this summer, and now definitely confirmed. The ball on his shooting movement it start still too low, but his touch, his decision making and leadership instinct are already there….

G – D’Angelo Russell (Ohio State)

We got a déjà-vu here… but we can’t stay without him here. He’s taking matters into his hands, but not only in Columbus, in the entire BigTen Conference. Numbers he’s piling up don’t make any more sense, so let’s focus on his technical dominance. 7 days in which he rules over Indiana and Maryland, read Yogi and Melo, making a big statement on his leadership and bringing back the Buckeyes right behind Wisconsin.

G – J.J. Frazier (Georgia State)

Cult player. 5-10, maybe, 150 pounds… poisonous lefty on defense, having both hands and feet in continuous electric motion. On the offense it’s either open court or 3 point shot. This week he got two W’s with high note in Starkville,Ms vs the Bulldogs: 37 points and, obviously, 7/7 from three point arc…

F – Jordan Parks (NC-Central)

If you read 8-0 as Eagles record in conference, let your thoughts going toward this blue-collar newyorker, who is basically the best scorer of the NCAA amongst players who never ask for the ball. He’s not only having no-one calling his number on offense but also his guards expecting him to get his points only out of the garbage or broken plays. On defense he can guard literally anyone using his body like it belongs to someone else and being able to switch on pick’n’roll situation staying for 2-3 dribbles with guards. Precious it’s an understatement.

C – A.J. Hammons (Purdue)

How to be forgotten after being considered a 1st round pick few weeks before… he’s inconsistent, sometimes lazy, even, bothering for his ability to waste his technical talent. When he decides it’s time to switch on, a lot of people notice both at Purdue and in the whole NCAA. Those 8 blocks of him vs Indiana changed not only that game, but potentially a lot of things in BigTen this year. He’s been moved out of mock draft too easily but he’s still there in NBA scouts notes. With those hands and that body, you better keep track of him.

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

G – Chris Jones (Louisville)  

Ok, he’s not the purest talent or the best point guard of the NCAA. Not even top5 probably. But we can’t deny he’s got huge impact on every game and on his team morale. He’s a gamer! W’s against Pittsburgh and Boston College have both his strong signature on. This time also shooting 70% from the field...

G – Jerian Grant (Notre Dame)

In 3 days he beats NC State (in Raleigh) and Duke playing 85 minutes on the 85 minutes available, taking every single decision when it matters… against Duke, he plays last 70 seconds in a different state of mind. First he scores not even having full possession of the ball, then he blocks and serve the assist that finds the open man for the final winning shot. He’s close to bring the Irish on top5 of the Nation with only one player really above 6-7… inspiring.

G – Kevin Pangos (Gonzaga)

Often overrated, today let’s celebrate Kevin becoming officially best 3 point shooter in Gonzaga history. The Bulldogs keep winning (10-0 in conference) and they’re solid at #3 in the Nation waiting for Saint Mary’s and the Big Dance to bring challenging games…

F – Georges Niang (Iowa State)

He plays effective while enigmatic basketball. He’s the one bringing home the W against Texas, for the way he beats their zone defense, the way he finds the open man on the baseline and, why not, the way he shoots the threes. Strong defense, technical and physical plays on offense, emotions but always under control… he’s an All-American.

F/C – Cliff Alexander (Kansas)

A bit too early to make him the next Popeye Jones, few days after being considered a lottery pick. Ok, he hasn’t got Okafor quality footwork or Myles Turner sexy game…however, let’s note 15points and 9 rebounds on Saturday in Austin,Texas with a couple of strong move that make us thinking he’s still a lottery prospect…keep calm.

Written by Marco Ridolfi