Player of the Week
Jamaree Bouyea, PG, San Francisco
Jamaree Boyea is a fast rising draft prospect out of the WCC who deserves national attention. He has the Dons out to a 10-0 start and looking primed for an NCAA tourney bid. The fifth-year guard is averaging 20 points per game on 54.8% shooting from the floor, 47.1% from three with 5.3 rebounds per game.
Over the past two games, Bouyea has posted 30 points, against UNLV, and 27 points against a Fresno State team competing at the top of the Mountain West. In those two games, the fifth year senior guard for the Dons knocked down 12–of-18 threes, including 8-of-10 against UNLV.
San Francisco has tough competition in three out of their next six games when they visit Arizona State and then St. Mary’s to open up conference play, then the No. 5 Gonzaga Bulldogs a few days later on January 6th. These three games should showcase how well Bouyea can handle higher level guard play. Bouyea next faces a Grand Canyon team that made the tournament last year for the first time in program history. The senior will look to improve his numbers away from home, as he averages 14 points per game on about 43% shooting from the floor and 45.5% from downtown on the road.
As such a dynamic playmaker, Bouyea is starting to receive first round whispers around NBA circles. And with a name that sounds like legendary ESPN broadcaster Stuart Scott’s most famous catch phrase, “Boo-yah”, how can he possibly go wrong?
Who’s Hot?
Taevion Kinsey, SG, Marshall
The Marshall Thundering Herd have had a busy month of December playing four games in the span of 11 days. Senior draft prospect Traevion Kinsey has elevated his play for the Herd. In four out of Kinsey’s last 5 games, the senior guard posted exactly 21 points. Kinsey has been the bright spot for a Marshall team vying for Conference USA supremecy. The Thundering Herd next go on the road to face the Ohio Bobcats, which should provide a solid test for Kinsey.
Jahmir Young, G, Charlotte
Jahmir Young is a streaky scorer as his up and down scoring output has shown, going for 26 one night and seeing his output dip to 10 the next. However, looking deep into the stat sheet, the one part of the junior’s game that is extremely consistent is the free throw percentage. In six out of the 49ers’ nine total games this season, Young has hit all of his shots from the charity stripe, including 11-11 against the George Washington Colonials. He’s hitting 93% from the line on the season and playing well, despite the scoring output fluctuation.
Who’s Not?
Andrew Nembhard, G, Gonzaga
After a strong performance against the No. 2 UCLA Bruins, Andrew Nembahrd has struggled for Mark Few’s squad. In his last four games, two of them against Top 25 teams in Duke and Alabama, the senior has not eclipsed the double-digit mark. His highest total came against the Tarleton Texans, to which he scored nine points on 33% shooting. In the last two games, his struggles continued as he dropped four points against the Crimson Tide and just two points against Merrimack.
Memphis Tigers, American Athletic Conference
Leading up to the season, some proclaimed Memphis as a team with national title hopes as a dark horse contender. Nowadays, Penny Hardaway’s crew is just trying to stay respectable. Following their win over the Virginia Tech Hokies, the Tigers have dropped their last four games. A sign of their youth, the main culprit of their struggles is the number of turnovers that the team commits. On average, Memphis gives away the ball 18.6 times a game. Granted they have a logjam in the frontcourt, but with the shooting efficiency that talented freshman Josh Minott has shown, it’s a wonder that he doesn’t receive more playing time. Their next test involves an extremely talented and focused Alabama team coming off emotional wins over Gonzaga and Houston.
Top 5 Mid-Major Venues
5.) The Palestra, Penn University
The historic Palestra, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is considered the Cathedral of college basketball. The Palestra has hosted many games for the Quakers, but it also has hosts games for the rest of Philadelphia’s Big 5: La Salle, Saint Joseph’s, Temple and Villanova. The surrounding stands makes everyone up close and personal with the game action, and can cause havoc for opposing teams.
4.) The Pit, New Mexico
The Pit has been deemed as one of the loudest arenas in college basketball. The steep bleachers cause sound to travel down into the court, making it hard to hear for opponents. At one point in time, the arena reached 125 decibels. Along with the sound, the stadium is elevated at 5,100 feet above sea level.
3.) Charles Koch Arena, Wichita State
The building housing the Shockers has been used in a multitude of ways. The fans are extremely passionate about their team, making it one of the loudest venues in the nation. It was evident in the previous TBT Tournament, when the Shockers played both their home games in the Koch Arena. The environment made it hard for opposing teams to set up and run their offense properly.
2.) Viejas Arena, San Diego State
If you can combine your football and basketball arena into the same facility, kudos to you. San Diego State has vertical seating rising to the top, and an outdoor concourse to go along with that for those who like the California heat. The venue has great purpose for a multitude of events, and can definitely be a factor in big games for the Aztecs.
1.) McCarthey Athletic Center, Gonzaga
The success of the Bulldogs makes this arena an extremely tough one to play in. The Kennel Club provides a giant sixth-man edge for every Bulldog home game. The venue may not compare to some of the blue blood arenas, but the atmosphere is the key factor. With the excitement factored in, it gets no better than Spokane among non Power 5/6 conference teams.