NCAA UNDERGROUND weekly: Dez Wells &....

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

G – Dez Wells (Maryland)

If we’re still at the “fear the turtles” big credit goes to Melo Trimble, revolutionary leader on both technical and emotional side of the Terrapins. When they need heavy two points though, they often go to their number 44, a consistent scorer with refined technical skills. Has got two great hands to treat the ball, and he knows how to serve his bigs down low. If he has to create for himself, he knows how to do it counting on his in-between game and relying on his 50% shooting from outside the arc.
His big physical structure and frame is sometimes a limit for pure quickness but is also a big plus when going to the rim challenging opponents down the lane. He scored 26 on Coach Ryan defense, quite a good achievement itself, going often strong to the rim. It’s in his best shape of his career, not a bad idea considering it will end in few weeks…

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

G – Trevor Cooney (Syracuse)

Pure shooter, not allowing too much to the aesthetic of the game and with no apparent chance to physically compete in pro basketball. The Orange won a big fight at Notre Dame using their hearts, the 2-3 zone and accurate use of the ball in every offensive possessions. With Rakeem Christmas in the middle, that works better… with their big man fouled out, TC stepped up. After finishing 0/5 from the field vs Pittsburgh, in South Bend he scored 3 times in the last 4 minutes both from outside and going to the rim giving that boost of confidence meaning heavy W for thwm…

G – Tyler Haws (BYU)

If we have to choose between him and Mr. Triple Double down in Provo. We Always go with Mr. Triple Double. But here’s the history calling Tyler name and we can’t ignore that. With his 21 points in the Win at Portland, he gets on top of BYU scorer list of all-time passing legend Jimmer Fredette. He’s got the purest mid-range pullup jumper of the entire NCAA. However, as Jimmer and the Sacramento Kings would explain, the NBA is a whole different thing..

F – Nino Williams (Kansas State)

He’s not particularly vertical, got no shooting range and he’s clearly undersized as a combo forward… but if you ask him to battle defensively he’ll always be there fighting for you. Win against Kansas has his signature, done by his amazing defense with heart and skills, and by the way he knocks down his 15footer freezing the most important game of the season.

F – Jarell Martin (LSU)

Double-double is no more a news, also the 20-10 is becoming pretty regular. Had a complete dominance on both W’s in the last 7 days versus Florida and Auburn keeping his Tigers with a winning record in the SEC. He’s not a game scientist but makes up with heart, athleticism and physical desire to battle. At this level it’s enough, beyond that we honestly don’t know….

C – David Laury (Iona)

Playing in the MAAC doesn’t help you to stay on the big radar. But now it’s time for people to move and watch him play… you know about his offensive skillset and consistency at rebound. He just destroyed both Marist and Monmouth bringing the Gaels to a 16-2 record in conference. From april on, he’ll have a lot of more fans around…

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

G – Nic Moore (SMU)  

While we’re busy elsewhere, he’s taking the American Conference into his own hands and will not give it back until mid-march… 14-2 the record, he’s got a perfect mix of individual and unselfish basketball decisions, knows how to keep his frontline always involved in the game and he’s shooting over 40% from the arc. On a 5-game winning streak, but that’s the obvious consequence…

G – Devon Hall (Virginia)

He’s just a freshman scoring two points per game. Perfect symbol of the Cavs humiliating Wake Forest at home 70-34 with no starting guards Perrantes and Justin Anderson. Hall, Shayok and Wilkins, normally playing around 10 minutes per game, stepped up and finish the business. We’re now at Coach Bennett or Coach Few door for “who will stop the Lexington train…?”

G – Terry Rozier (Louisville)

Chris Jones story is both sad and shocking. That sad and shocking to put at risk the whole season for the Cardinals. First answer is the one of a great team with a solid and proud identity. Rozier scores 22 to bring the W at home versus Georgia Tech. It’s also the best way to show evidence of the great job coach Pitino did in the last 13 years…

F – Taurean Prince (Baylor)

Scoring in double figure in the last 12 games, he smashes 20 on Coach Hoiberg Cyclones, getting the W needed to get into the bracket from the main door. He’s got skills, shooting range and knows how to use his body to exploit the mismatch against smaller opponents. With Gathers and Motley patrolling the paint, him and O’Neale taking care of the business outside… there’s a long line of teams loving to avoid the Bears on their road into the NCAA tourney.

F/C – Seth Tuttle (Northern Iowa)

We never thought it would have ended up this way when we picked his name on our first time out with this space. It’s getting something like a “cult” now… he brings his Panthers on the top10 of the Nation, on a 16-games winning streak with a final showdown versus Wichita State. He doesn’t need to score 20 to rule the game, as he’s constantly involved in any offensive possession of his team and currently measured at a crazy 63% from the field.

Written by Marco Ridolfi