NCAA

Game Scouted: Boston College @ Wake Forest
BC wins 80-72

Olivier Hanlan (G, 6’4”,SO)

Stats
36 min, 3-10 FG, 2-5 3 pt, 9-10 FT, 4 reb, 2 assists, 1 steal, 17 TP

Strengths
Big time scoring guard who at one point last year dropped 41 points against ACC opponent Georgia Tech. Gets his points mostly from the perimeter but also does a tremendous job of getting to the FT line (7.2 attempts a game) where he shoots over 80%. Efficient player who scores over 18 ppg on just over 11 shot attempts. Although he doesn’t have great quickness, he changes speeds well and doesn’t pick up his dribble until he knows what he wants to do. Uses his dribbles effectively and doesn’t drop dribble the ball. Capable of attacking the basket going either direction. Is an underrated passer who is unselfish and sees the floor well in both the half-court and in transition.

Has a simple but effective shooting style. Capable of hitting the open 3 and gets to his spots on the wing in transition.

Is a scoring combo guard who is capable of handling the ball adequately and driving and kicking to the open guy. Spent a decent amount of time today bringing the ball up the floor, but is more of a SG. Unselfish player who plays within the offensive system and does not force shots. Poised and patient on the offensive end. High IQ player who has an excellent feel for the game. Looked comfortable creating offense for himself out of the P/R and hitting open teammates on the weak side. Uses his body well to create space. Fluid.

Solid defender who doesn’t hurt you on that end of the floor. Took good lines when defending off-ball screens. Quick lateral speed who keeps the ball in front of him.

Weaknesses
Shooting release is low and its not very quick. His 3 pt shooting is an area where he could improve on. Also in question is if he can make the NBA 3? Ball handling to improve a degree as well- has a habit of carrying the ball and also needs to get lower when attacking rim.

Although he did bring the ball up the court a good amount and looked comfortable handling the ball, Hanlan is not a pure PG at this point. Still needs to improve ability to read defenses out of P/R situations and he has a scores mentality (which is fine because that is what the team needs). First step is average- struggled today to create his own shot or get by 1st line of defense.

Overview
The combo guard originally from Canada is having another stellar year after being named ACC Freshman of the Year last season. He is leading the Eagles in scoring (18.2 ppg) while also contributing 3.5 rpg and 2.9 asp on the season.

I was surprised to see him come out in the first half a little passive and was not really looking to score a lot or for his own shot (took only 5 shots in first half). Seemed to be more assertive the 2nd half, but still did a good job of getting others involved. Was getting his teammates involved and seemed to be feeling out Wake’s defense.

Is not a pure PG at this point, but I could definitely see him making the transition to that. Has the instincts and the IQ to do so as well as the passing ability. Would go from being an average sized combo guard to one of the bigger PG’s out there. Making the switch will be something NBA teams will be tracking, as well as his overall development over the next couple of years.

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Sleeper Report: John Brown (High Point University)

By James Blackburn

Game Scouted: VMI @ High Point
High Point wins 70-67
Box Score

John Brown (F, 6’8”,R-SO)

Stats
36 min, 12-18 FG, 3-4 FT, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 27 TP

Strengths
Incredible athlete who can finish above the rim with ease. Quick 2nd jump. Active player on both sides of the floor. Terrific scorer who can beat you off the bounce, post you up, and pick and pop. Good shooter out to about 18’ where he can hit consistently. Gets out on the break quickly and is great in transition. Finishes well around the rim. Has an excellent left hook that he is able to set him self up for in different ways. Highly efficient player in the post. Go to move is the turn around jumper over his right shoulder. Loves to post up on right block and go baseline. Showed a solid face up game where he can hit the 12’ short corner jumper or put in on the floor for a dribble and get to basket. Solid rebounder especially on both ends.

High motor defender who influences and blocks shots. Has solid length. Is a well conditioned player. Does a good job getting low and fronting the post and making it tough for post entries.

Weaknesses
Lefty who needs to improve his right hand, hesitates to use or attack in this direction. Attacks the rim out of control at times. FT shooting has improved from last year (at 75% this year), but could stand to continue to improve in this area. Good midrange shooter but never attempts 3’s, needs to improve range. Not a great passer. Dribble is a bit loose.

Is active on the defensive side of the ball but is undisciplined. Tends to reach and gamble too much. Vulnerable to be posted up deep inside needs to improve lower body strength.

Overview
After having an outstanding freshman year where he won the Big South Freshman of the Year award and was named 1st Team All-Conference, Brown has continued to improve in his sophomore campaign. Coming into tonight’s game, he was leading the Panthers in minutes per game (32), points per game (19.6), and blocks per game (1.7). Big game tonight as he went beyond his averages in minutes and in points.

It’s tough to criticize a player who plays as hard and has such a high motor as Brown does. His athleticism is unmatched at this level and he uses it to his advantage on both sides of the floor. Plays the PF position for this HPU team but will need to add weight to play that position at the next level. I could see him developing into an athletic 3, but he needs to improve his range and ball handling. Can he defend the 3 on the perimeter is the question as well. He was asked to defend the bigger DJ Covington tonight for VMI. Is a player that NBA should begin to monitor if they haven’t started to already.

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Kentucky’s Julius Randle Is National Player Of The Week

ST. LOUIS (USBWA) – The U.S. Basketball Writers Association has selected the Kentucky forward Julius Randleas its Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week for games ending the week of Sunday, Feb. 23. The USBWA’s weekly honor is presented by Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook and is announced exclusively on SiriusXM Radio’s “Inside College Basketball.”

Randle

As the Southeastern Conference Player of the Week, Randle was nominated for the weekly award, which was chosen by a representative of the USBWA board of directors from a list of Division I conference players of the week. Randle was also named the USBWA’s Wayman Tisdale National Freshman of the Week.

Randle, a 6-9 freshman from Dallas, Texas, averaged 16.5 points and 14.0 rebounds in conference wins over Ole Miss and LSU. He began the week last Tuesday by notching his 14th double-double of the season with 25 points and 13 rebounds at Ole Miss. Randle shot 13-14 from the free-throw line and scored six of UK’s final 11 points to help preserve the 84-70 victory. On Saturday, he then helped lead the Cats in dramatic fashion at home in a 77-76 overtime win against LSU. He hit the game-winning put back with 3.9 seconds remaining in overtime en route to an eight-point, 15-rebound performance.

This is the fifth season that the USBWA has selected a national player of the week. The weekly Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week will be considered for the Oscar Robertson Trophy watch list, which will be released at mid-season.

Since the 1958-59 season, the USBWA has named a National Player of the Year. In 1998, the award was named in honor of the University of Cincinnati Hall of Famer and two-time USBWA Player of the Year Oscar Robertson. It is the nation’s oldest award and the only one named after a former player.

At the conclusion of the regular season, the USBWA will name finalists for the award, which is voted on by the entire membership. The winner of the Oscar Robertson Trophy will be presented by its namesake, Oscar Robertson, at theDevon Energy College Basketball Awards on April 14 at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. The Henry Iba Coach of the Year Award and the Integris Wayman Tisdale Freshman of the Year Awardwill also be presented at the gala to be held annually the Monday following the NCAA Men’s Final Four.

The U.S. Basketball Writers Association was formed in 1956 at the urging of then-NCAA Executive Director Walter Byers. With some 900 members worldwide, it is one of the most influential organizations in college basketball. It has selected an All-America team since the 1956-57 season. For more information on the USBWA and the Oscar Robertson Trophy, contact executive director Joe Mitch at 314-795-6821.

Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook, the most comprehensive college basketball publication in the world, returns for its 33rd season, bigger and better in 2013-14. Blue Ribbon – long-known as “The Bible of College Basketball” – gives its readers the most thorough, up-to-date and timely evaluations of every Division I team in the country. For more information about Blue Ribbon Yearbooks, visit blueribbonyearbookonline.com.

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South Carolina’s Thornwell Named Wayman Tisdale Freshman Of The Week

ST. LOUIS (USBWA) – South Carolina’s Sindarius Thornwell is the Wayman Tisdale National Freshman of the Week for games ending the week of Feb. 16. Thornwell was selected by CBSSports.com’s Jeff Borzello, in partnership with the U.S. Basketball Writers Association.

Borzello’s popular weekly freshman watch column will continue to feature nation’s the top freshmen each week in addition to the national player of the week. Later in the season, the USBWA will release a midseason watch list before naming finalists for the award. This season marks the first time a weekly national freshman of the week will be selected and, each Tuesday through Feb. 25, a standout first-year player will be chosen for the honor.

Thornwell, a 6-5 guard from Lancaster, S.C., scored 41 points as the Gamecocks won back-to-back SEC games for the first time in three seasons. Against Vanderbilt last Thursday, he finished with 19 points, six rebounds and six assists in the 65-59 victory. Then over the weekend, he had 22 points, four rebounds and four assists in a 67-66 victory over Alabama, shooting 6-for-11 from the field and 9-for-10 from the free-throw line.

The Integris Wayman Tisdale Award is to be presented to the national freshman of the year at the Devon Energy College Basketball Awards on April 14, 2014, at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. The Oscar Robertson Trophy and the Henry Iba Coach of the Year Award will also be presented at the gala to be held annually the Monday following the NCAA Men’s Final Four.

The USBWA has chosen a national freshman of the year since the 1988-89 season when LSU’s Chris Jackson was the recipient. Last season, Oklahoma State’s Marcus Smart became the third winner of the Wayman Tisdale Award. Other notable previous winners of the national freshman of the year award include Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Jason Kidd and Chris Webber.

The Tisdale Award winner will receive a statuette designed by nationally-recognized sculptor Shan Gray. The April 14 banquet will also honor the recipient of the Wayman Tisdale Humanitarian Award.

The late Wayman Tisdale was a three-time USBWA All-American at the University of Oklahoma. Following a stint on the 1984 U.S. Olympic basketball team, he played 12 seasons in the NBA before retiring in 1997 to focus on a blossoming jazz music career. In March 2007, he was diagnosed with cancer and, following a courageous and difficult battle that included the amputation of his right leg in 2008, he passed away in May 2009.

The Integris Wayman Tisdale Freshman of the Year Award is produced by Access Sports, an Oklahoma City-based 501(c)(3) not-for-profit foundation responsible for creating the Wayman Tisdale Freshman of the Year Award. Access Sports produces all events associated with the award, including the annual awards dinner. Proceeds from the activities affiliated with the award are used to support various worthy charitable causes, including providing opportunities for disadvantaged youth to participate in basketball leagues, clinics, and training throughout the state. In addition, Access Sports supports the Wayman L. Tisdale Foundation which helps fund prosthetics for those who cannot afford the cost on their own and may not be covered by insurance.

Tickets and sponsorship information for the Devon Energy College Basketball Awards are available atcollegebasketballawards.com or by contacting Scott Hill (405-749-1515, scott.hill@access-sports.net).

The U.S. Basketball Writers Association was formed in 1956 at the urging of then-NCAA Executive Director Walter Byers. With more than 900 members worldwide, it is one of the most influential organizations in college basketball. It has selected an All-America team since the 1956-57 season. For more information on the USBWA and its award programs, contact executive director Joe Mitch at 314-795-6821.

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Creighton’s McDermott Is The National Player Of The Week

ST. LOUIS (USBWA) – The U.S. Basketball Writers Association has selected the Creighton forward Doug McDermott as its Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week for games ending the week of Sunday, Feb. 16. The USBWA’s weekly honor is presented by Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook and is announced exclusively on SiriusXM Radio’s “Inside College Basketball.”

McDermott

As the Big East Conference Player of the Week, McDermott was nominated for the weekly award, which was chosen by a representative of the USBWA board of directors from a list of Division I conference players of the week.

McDermott, a 6-8 senior from Ames, Iowa, averaged 32.5 points and 6.0 rebounds in a pair of wins last week to lead the Bluejays back into first place in the Big East. He shot 24-for-36 from the field (.667), 7-for-11 from three-point range (.636) and also was perfect in 10 free throw attempts (1.000).

McDermott’s week began last Thursday with 26 points and five rebounds in a 68-63 win at Butler. With Creighton trailing by two in the final minute, his three-pointer with 47.8 seconds left started a game-ending 7-0 run. He sank 11-of-19 shots from the field, including 3-of-5 shots from three-point range. On Sunday, McDermott tied a season-high with 39 points in a 101-80 thumping of No. 6 Villanova. He scored Creighton’s first 11 points and made 13-of-17 shots, including 4-for-6 from three-point range, and was also perfect on nine free throw. His three-pointer with 13:23 left moved him into 13th place on the NCAA all-time scoring list (2.863 points), passing Hall of Famer Larry Bird.

For the second time this season and the fourth time in his career, McDermott has been honored as the National Player of the Week by the USBWA. McDermott has earned the honor once in each of the previous two seasons (Week of Dec. 16, 2013, and week of Dec. 25, 2012) while Creighton was a member of the Missouri Valley Conference. This season, he previously earned the honor the week of Jan. 14.

At the conclusion of the regular season, the USBWA will name finalists for the award, which is voted on by the entire membership. The winner of the Oscar Robertson Trophy will be presented by its namesake, Oscar Robertson, at the Devon Energy College Basketball Awards on April 14 at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. The Henry Iba Coach of the Year Award and the Integris Wayman Tisdale Freshman of the Year Awardwill also be presented at the gala to be held annually the Monday following the NCAA Men’s Final Four.

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USBWA Partners With NCAA, APSE

ST. LOUIS (USBWA) – In an effort to better serve writers covering NCAA tournament games, the U.S. Basketball Writers Association is partnering with the NCAA and the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE) to provide liaisons assigned by APSE to assist media coordinators with media-related issues at NCAA men’s tournament sites.

The liaisons are all sports editors of dailies in cities where NCAA tournament games are played. They will serve in an advisory capacity at each tournament site, working with the media coordinators in the following areas:

1. Assisting with seat assignments that are within NCAA guidelines to ensure that a deserving entity doesn’t get overlooked. The USBWA recommends that full consideration is given to a publication/website that is committed to covering the sport or a team throughout the season. The liaisons are serving as consultants only. The NCAA makes the final call on all seat assignments.

2. Monitoring the postgame cooling-off periods after games to assure that time limits are adhered to.

3. Providing pool reporters when needed. The USBWA will continue to appoint pool reporters at each site, drawing primarily from officers, board members and past presidents. In the event a suitable USBWA member is not available, the APSE liaison would be asked to assign the pool reporter.

The USBWA worked with Dave Worlock, director of media coordination and statistics for the NCAA, and Gerry Ahern, vice president for content, USA Today Sports Media Group, to form the partnership.

“We received valuable input from APSE on some important issues over the past year,” said USBWA President Kirk Wessler, sports editor and columnist at the Peoria Journal Star. “APSE’s involvement with providing NCAA tournament site liaisons is a great example of how our three organizations can work together to help solve a common dilemma.”

Here are the sports editors who are serving as liaisons for the NCAA men’s tournament this year:

FIRST ROUND (March 18-19)
• Dayton: John Boyle, Dayton Daily News

SECOND-THIRD ROUNDS (March 20-23)
• Buffalo: Lisa Wilson, Buffalo News
• Milwaukee: Mike Davis, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
• Orlando: Roger Simmons, Orlando Sentinel
• Raleigh: Steve Ruinsky, Raleigh News and Observer
• San Antonio: Gary Newsom, San Antonio Express News
• San Diego: Todd Adams, UT-San Diego
• Spokane: Joe Palmquist, Spokane Spokesman-Review
• St. Louis: Roger Hensley, Cameron Hollway, St. Louis Post-Dispatch

REGIONALS (March 27-30)
• Memphis: David Williams, Memphis Commercial Appeal
• Anaheim: Todd Harmonson, Orange County Register
• New York: Jason Stallman, The New York Times
• Indianapolis: Ronnie Ramos, Indianapolis Star

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Kansas State’s Foster Named Wayman Tisdale Freshman Of The Week

ST. LOUIS (USBWA) – Kansas State’s Marcus Foster is the Wayman Tisdale National Freshman of the Weekfor games ending the week of Feb. 9. Foster was selected by CBSSports.com’s Jeff Borzello, in partnership with theU.S. Basketball Writers Association.

Foster, a 6-2 guard from Wichita Falls, Texas, made five 3-pointers and shot 13-for-16 from the field, finishing with 34 points, three rebounds and three assists in a 74-57 dismantling of No. 15 Texas this past Saturday. Foster has notched at least 20 points in four of his last five games and, headed into last night’s game vs. Kansas, was averaging 15.0 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists, shooting 42.7 percent from the field and 38.8 percent from 3-point range.

The is the second time this season that Foster has earned the USBWA’s National Freshman of the Week honor. The Big 12 Conference can now boast this honor six times this year, including five of the last six weeks.

The Tisdale Award winner will receive a statuette designed by nationally-recognized sculptor Shan Gray. The April 14 banquet will also honor the recipient of the Wayman Tisdale Humanitarian Award.

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Sleeper Report: Sebastian Koch (Elon)

By James Blackburn

Game Scouted: Georgia Southern @ Elon
Elon wins 60-59

Box Score

Sebastian Koch (G/F, 6’8”, SR)

Stats
36 min, 2-9 FG, 2-8 3pt, 7 reb, 3 assists, 6 TP

Strengths
Primarily a perimeter player who has good guard skills for a player of his size. Fundamental player who can pass, dribble, shoot, and pass effectively. Excellent shooter from the 3 pt line. Uses his size to shoot over the top of defenders and has a quick release. Has range beyond NBA 3. Is shooting over 45% on the season while attempting over 6 threes a game. You have to find him in transition. Showed he could score off the dribble as well. High IQ player who understands spacing- doesn’t force shots either. Solid ball handler with either hand. Can rebound the ball and advance it with the dribble. Decent rebounder in his area. Unselfish player who creates for others.
Uses his length well on the defensive end.

Weaknesses
Does a decent job of beating players off the dribble, but does not have great first step- he needs to get quicker to beat better defenders. Needs to improve upper body strength and get stronger with the ball on drives.
Needs to get more aggressive on the offensive end. Needs to do a better job rebounding outside of his area and in traffic. Defense needs improvement- struggles to stay in front of smaller players and contain the ball handler in iso situations.

Overview
Koch is originally from Germany, but played HS basketball in the States at Christ School. Koch is having his best year of his career yet, averaging over 12 ppg, 5 rpg, and 2 assists. Pro teams will love his ability to shoot the basketball as a player with excellent height for the position. It will be interesting to see if he decides to return to Germany where they have an excellent pro league or look to play ball elsewhere.

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LSU’S Mickey Named As Freshman Of The Week

ST. LOUIS (USBWA) – LSU’s Jordan Mickey is the Wayman Tisdale National Freshman of the Week for games ending the week of Feb. 2. Mickey was selected by CBSSports.com’s Jeff Borzello, in partnership with the U.S. Basketball Writers Association.

Mickey, a 6-8 forward from Dallas, Texas, averaged 18.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 5.5 blocks, while shooting 14-for-25 from the field and 8-for-10 from the free-throw line. It started in Tuesday’s showdown against Kentucky and the Wildcats’ big man duo of Julius Randle and Willie Cauley-Stein. Mickey finished with 14 points, six rebounds and five blocked shots. Mickey took it up a notch over the weekend against Arkansas. Going against fellow freshman Bobby Portis, Mickey went for 22 points, 11 rebounds and six blocks, shooting 9-for-17 from the field and controlling the interior.

The Tisdale Award winner will receive a statuette designed by nationally-recognized sculptor Shan Gray. The April 14 banquet will also honor the recipient of the Wayman Tisdale Humanitarian Award.

Tickets and sponsorship information for the Devon Energy College Basketball Awards are available at collegebasketballawards.com or by contacting Scott Hill (405-749-1515, scott.hill@access-sports.net).

Basketball Elite

2014 Men’s Final Four Time-lapse Video by Connor Sport Court

Sleeper Report: Olivier Hanlan (Boston College)

Sleeper Report: John Brown (High Point University)

Kentucky’s Julius Randle Is National Player Of The Week

South Carolina’s Thornwell Named Wayman Tisdale Freshman Of The Week

Creighton’s McDermott Is The National Player Of The Week

USBWA Partners With NCAA, APSE

Kansas State’s Foster Named Wayman Tisdale Freshman Of The Week

Sleeper Report: Sebastian Koch (Elon)

LSU’S Mickey Named As Freshman Of The Week