Player of the Week

Jordan Ford, PG, Saint Mary’s Gaels

Jordan Ford’s incredible start to the 2019-20 season is certainly no surprise to players and fans that know him. A season ago, Ford averaged over 20 points and he is holding himself to the same standard this season. The senior guard shoots 44% from three-point range well over 50% overall to lead the Gaels.

The leader of the Gaels has taken this role to new heights in his past two games with an average of 33 points and a shooting percentage of over 70%. The quality of the opponents makes his performances even more impressive. A pair of 30+ point showings against strong Pac-12 teams in the California Golden Bears and the Arizona State Sun Devils was worthy of Player of the Week honors for Ford.

His leadership, fundamentally sound game, and strong work ethic could lead to a team calling Ford’s name late in this summer’s draft.

Who’s Hot?

Cameron Krutwig, C, Loyola Chicago Ramblers

Triple-doubles are certainly not a feat to overlook, especially at the college level, but many probably do not even know of the one that Krutwig put together Wednesday night. The Loyola-Chicago center contributed 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in an upset victory on the road against the Vanderbilt Commodores.

Krutwig was one of the stars two years ago in the Sister Jean Cinderella Story that took the Ramblers to the Final Four and he has continued his success this year as well. The 6’9 center may not have the build for a future professional star, but his 17 points and nearly 8 rebounds per game are making a name for himself in this young season.

The college basketball world will always think first about Sister Jean, the 100-year-old chaplain of the Loyola basketball team, when the Ramblers are brought up. However, the passionate Rambler fans may never forget the legendary career Krutwig is putting together.

The Southern Conference

This is unquestionably not the same LSU Tiger team we all saw a season ago, but the East Tennessee State Buccaneers upset in Baton Rouge is still a remarkable one. The 10-2 Buccaneers team is just two years removed from the NCAA tournament and is looking to make it back to the big dance. An 11-point victory on the road against a solid SEC team is the first step to making that happen.

While this was a huge upset, the biggest upset of the week went down in Chapel Hill where the Wofford Terriers knocked off the North Carolina Tar Heels for the second time in three years. The long-distance attack from Storm Murphy and Trevor Stumpe was the difference for the reigning Southern Conference champions who have the look of a bracket busting team once again.

Who’s Not?

Memphis Tigers, 9-1

In a week of huge upsets on the court, the biggest news was easily the announcement from James Wiseman saying he will not return to Memphis as he will prepare for the NBA Draft. The Tigers have gone undefeated without the star center, but you have to think that all National Championship aspirations may have gone out the window with the huge announcement from the 7-foot center.

The Tigers can now look to Precious Achiuwa as their centerpiece for the rest of the season while players who were once thought of as role players will need to step up into more commanding roles. The good news for Memphis is that they have been playing and blossoming together without Wiseman for the better part of this season, so this is nothing new to them.

Memphis is loaded with talent even without Wiseman, but in a year with no clear favorite for the national championship, Wiseman could have been the difference between a Memphis program eyeing at their first title in program history, and rather, staring at an early round exit.

Killian Tillie, PF, Gonzaga Bulldogs

It may be rude to pick out a player on a team who has won three straight games against great programs, but the Bulldogs’ top NBA prospect has been less than impressive in the last two. Against Arizona, Tillie only managed a measly seven points and an additional nine against the Tar Heels did not wow anyone either.

At 6’10, Tillie unquestionably has the size to play at the next level, especially since he displays stretch-four abilities. And while, the rest of the team stepped up for Gonzaga, Tillie is going to need to step up for himself if he wants to hear his name called on draft night.

Top Five Trustworthy Buzzer Beater Shooters

1. Obi Toppin, SF/PF, Dayton Flyers

With James Wiseman gone, Toppin is the best college basketball player we have left in the mid major conferences. Not only that, but he also might be the guy you want the most with your season on the line in March Madness. Toppin exhibits the ability to create his own shot, get to the rim, and also step back to hit a game winning three-pointer.

Toppin is also no stranger to the big moment. He showed tremendous poise and confidence in the Maui Invitational as he took the country by storm. With a trip to the final four on the line, I am drawing up a play for Obi Toppin to step up in the biggest moment of the season.

2. Anthony Lamb, SF, Vermont Catamounts

Anthony Lamb has already been the star of two NCAA Tournament teams in his three full seasons with the Catamounts. If it was not for a game-winning three-pointer by UMBC’s (yes, THAT UMBC team), Jairus Lyles in 2017, Lamb would have already been to three NCAA Tournaments, so the experience is definitely there.

Now, let’s talk clutch. Earlier in this very season, Lamb led his team to a 70-68 victory over St. John’s by sealing it with a game-winning shot with one second remaining. When you add together Lamb’s experience with the fact that he has been his team’s leading scorer in three of his four seasons, and also add his ability to make big shots, he is a guy you want in the final seconds of a major upset bid.

3. Malachi Flynn, PG, San Diego State Aztecs

Ask San Jose State who they do not want to be taking a last second shot. I bet they would say Malachi Flynn after his crushing three-pointer against the Spartans ended a huge upset bid. The Spartans held a one-point lead with one second remaining before Flynn buried a three-pointer that kept the Aztecs’ perfect season alive.

This showcase of the very definition of “ice in his veins” proved Flynn can make you pay no matter what kind of night he is having. Flynn was shooting 2-12 before his game-winner, so not only is he overly talented, but he also has the mental toughness and self-confidence to take and drill any shot in any moment.

4. Nathan Knight, PF/C, William & Mary Tribe

Nathan Knight is a 6’10 center for William & Mary who has made this list for two distinct reasons. Number one, he knows how to score. Number two, if he doesn’t score, he will probably get his own rebound and score anyway.

The senior big man is averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds per game for the Tribe who is looking to reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history. In fact, they are one of only four of the original Division 1 teams to never reach the NCAA Tournament. Maybe Knight can be the one to hit the clutch shot to not only send the Tribe to the tournament, but to win them a game as well.

5. Kevon Harris, PG/SG, Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks

Now, I know that Harris wasn’t the player to hit the infamous game-winning layup against Duke, but he did torment the Blue Devils all night with a 26-point performance in November. This was also far from a one-night stand as Harris leads the Lumberjacks in scoring with 18.2 PPG. This performance in a game of epic magnitude shows that Harris is also not afraid of the big stage.

In order to pull off an upset in March, you usually need a player who can take over a game an also make the shot no one expects you to make. With the Lumberjacks looking poised for another NCAA Tournament appearance, Harris may just be the next legend to emerge in March with a buzzer-beater to knock off a top seed.

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