Adam_Ganeles's blog

Player of the Week

Gerald RobinsonGerald Robinson, Georgia Bulldogs

The Tennessee State transfer battled through a rough stretch towards the end of the non-conference schedule, but Robinson has upped his level significantly in the opening stages SEC play. A highly touted recruit in the 2007 class, the explosive scoring ability he exhibited in the OVC is now shining through at the zenith of college basketball. In road games at Vanderbilt and Mississippi, he tallied 21 points per contest on 14/26 shooting (54%), 6/8 from downtown and 8/8 from the charity stripe, while also contributing 4 rebounds, 3.5 assists and a steal. Robinson led a balanced Bulldog attack in a 98-76 demolition at Ole Miss as Georgia shot 64% from the floor and assisted on 26 of 33 field goals. As his distribution and playmaking skills continue to develop, his draft stock will proceed on an upward trend. His athletic gifts are abundantly clear and he's added much needed bulk to his frame.

Hot

Tobias Harris, Tennessee Volunteers

"Consistency" and "freshman" rarely go hand in hand, but with Harris the two are firmly interlocked. He scored 15 points (including the final 4 points of the game) and grabbed 9 rebounds as Tennessee overcame a 17-point deficit to defeat Vanderbilt 67-64. Earlier in the week Harris put up 18 points, 10 boards and 2 blocks in a home loss to Florida. He's averaging nearly 16 PPG on the season and has scored in double figures in 16 of 17 games. Harris has also posted four double-digit rebound games in his last six (10 per). The Vols have been wildly inconsistent, and despite a myriad of chaos around him, the freshman phenom certainly hasn't been phased.

Player of the Week

Player of the Week

Player of the Week

Doron Lamb, Kentucky

Doron LambLamb broke the UK freshman scoring record (formerly held by Jamal Mashburn) with a 32-point outburst versus Winthrop. His efficiency was mind boggling, connecting on 11-12 field goals, 7-8 threes and 3-3 free throws in 29 minutes. Lamb is now shooting 52% from the floor on the season, including 56% from distance (4 attempts per) and 81% from the FT stripe. He had always been praised for mastery of the intermediate game at a ripe age, but his range was heavily questioned entering collegiate ball. No longer. The long-range shot is now an offensive staple. Lamb has now scored in double figures in seven of eleven games, and appears to be the 'Cats most reliable playmaker in crunch time.

Hot

South Carolina's Freshman Backcourt

The youthful duo of Bruce Ellington (31) and Brian Richardson (15) combined to score more than half of SC's points in a 16-point road loss at Furman. They lit it up from behind the arc, with Ellington drilling 6 trifectas and Richardson adding 4 more of his own. Their accuracy from downtown is not an aberration, as they make over four three-pointers per game at a nearly 40% clip. Perimeter defense, however, leaves much to be desired.

Player of the Week

Player of the Week

Scotty Hopson, Tennessee

Scotty HopsonIn a week where the Volunteers played just one game, Hopson still nabs POW honors by a landslide. Hopson scored a career-high 27 points in an 83-76 road victory over third ranked Pittsburgh, showing off the all-court offensive attack NBA scouts have been anxiously waiting for him to unveil. He attacked the hoop finishing with ferocious dunks in traffic, nailed smooth pull-up and J's, was a perfect 3-3 from behind the arc and got to the free throw line five times. When he comes to play with an aggressive mindset, there's little resistance that defenses can offer. He was on a mission Saturday, slicing and dicing through a top echelon defensive unit with a strong foundation and athletic wings. If he wants to re-emerge in the first round conversation, or potentially beyond, these efforts need to become regularity, and not "wow, look what Hopson CAN do”.

Player of the Week

Player of the Week

Terrence JonesTerrence Jones, Kentucky

A sweltering hot gym, earthquake and recruiting "controversy" stood in his path, but Jones never broke stride. His limitless potential was on display from the opening tip of the Maui Invitational, as he splashed on the scene filling up the stat sheets and earning All-Tournament team honors. Jones averaged 23 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks over the three games, leading his team to a runner-up finish. He shot 54% from the floor (22/41), and got to the free throw stripe 32 times connecting on 21 (66%, up from 33% in the opening two games). His perimeter stroke was in full flight in the championship against Connecticut, hitting all 4 three-point attempts and 8/9 free throws, albeit in a losing effort. He played under control for the most part, committing only four turnovers in the tournament. If he can consistently produce this level of performance during his freshman campaign- look out basketball world. Finesse on the perimeter and aggressiveness on the interior, he can do it all.