NCAA UNDERGROUND weekly: Monte Morris &....

G – Monte Morris (Iowa State)

Not the first time here in these columns, it’s now time to get deeper. Coach Hoiberg system helps a lot when it’s time to put up big numbers and personal stats, but there’s a lot more here. There’s leadership, feeling for the game and the art of scoring while keeping his teammates involved.
Down by 21 against the Sooners the Cyclones got the W thanks to his unlimited shooting range, the poison in his hands on defense and his blazing speed on fast-break. His ASSIST/TO ratio is something ready for Sport-Science; and also the reason why on a 8-player rotation he’s the one Coach wants more on the court (33minutes avg per game).  

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

G – Travis Trice (Michigan State)

Not a great beginning of the season, followed by some issue on team chemistry, here they come now the usual tough, bothering and die hard Spartans in the month of March… TT scores his career high on a statement win against Purdue. He’s not shooting well as he was expected to do in his senior year and something (athletic?) is not convincing when translated to the next level. However, he remains a precious asset at college basketball level in the way he involves teammates in any offensive possession while being a long-range shooting threat.

G – Kyle Collinsworth (BYU)

Please, help us to get out of his toxic game… breaking the Zags 41-games winning streak is not helping at all in our shot. He’s just too much. He draws basketball involving his teammates with perfect timing and amazing execution. Scores 20 with 8 rebounds and finally no triple double. Leading the Cougars in a win in Spokane means even more to us…

F – Jacob Parker (Stephen F.Austin)

The Jacks are becoming a powerhouse of the Southland, their blonde haired forward scores 30 at Houston-Baptist bringing them 15-1 in conference. The guy: more hunting and fishing than social network, has got game facing the basket even behind the 3-point arc, ready for a pro chance in any european league. He just misses few inches to enhance the upside of his next competition level.

F – Thomas Gipson II (Kansas State)

Lovely, erratic and unpredictable Wildcats. They lose 7 of the last 10 and then get luxury wins vs Oklahoma, Kansas and Iowa State. Against the Cyclones, Iwundu made the final play, but Gipson was the one hurting physically the opponents for 40 minutes. Go and watch him play as his stats don’t always tell the truth…

C – Kendall Gray (Delaware State)

History was made. A 30-30 game in NCAA was missing since the 70s, and this Delaware-native shot blocker signs one of them thanks to a crazy 70 points second half at Coppin State. Never known as a scorer, always a threat for timing and verticality on defense, he had more than 20 rebounds two times in this season but the 33+30 signed last night it was too much to not get a special mention here…

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

G – T.J. McConnell (Arizona)  

It’s all clear. Wildcats get another Pac-12 regular season title while most of their players are heading towards the NBA draft 1st round. He’s not. He’s not particularly athletic, never on the highlights reel but take him and his trademark Nash-esque mid-range jumper running around the screen, out of the floor and you don’t get so many Wins in Tucson… that’s for sure.

G – Demetrius Jackson (Notre Dame)

Another floor general, different animal… this one is rather looking like an NFL fullback bringing amazing talent with a basketball in his hands. At Louisville finally gets out of Grant and Connaughton shadow leading the Irish with his physical, technical and scoring talent. Had big statament year as a sophomore so far…

G – Dylan Ennis (Villanova)

Not the most talented Villanova player, not even the best of his family (his brother Tyler former Orange now with the Bucks), deserves this mention for the way he breaks the game at Xavier, a tough one to win. 3 triples in the first half brings the W at home… Coach Wright team is probably not a F4 contender, not as talented as last few years, but they’re deep, physical and always hard for any opponents in march.

F – Perry Ellis (Kansas)

The Jayhawks got big-time overall skills, in long-range shooting, in the way they treat the ball, explosiveness and mid-range offensive options. Well, still when they need two points they go to him. Taken too much for granted in our opinion when talking about the team in Lawrence. He’s been a McD all-american and he tends to make you remember this every single tip-off. 28 and 13 against Texas should help to ring the bell again….

C – Rico Gathers (Baylor)

Hard to explain. We lost count of his triple double. He brings violence in his game in the paint every single night, it’s funny to look in the eyes of anyone who’s called to duel physically against him down low. Two games last 7 days, again never under 10 rebounds. And if the Bears will still be a major threat in late march, big credit to his 280 pounds of pure marble…

Written by Marco Ridolfi