Player of the Week:
Maxwell Lewis, Pepperdine
The Pepperdine Wave sophomore has separated himself as the top Mid Major prospect in the land, moving all the way up into the lottery in the last past two weeks of the mock draft. Lewis combines high level athleticism with the ability to score in a variety of ways including isolating and creating off the dribble and explosive finishes at the rim. He put up 30 on Northern Arizona on Decmeber 3rd and followed that up with 18 against Nevada. In the two games he went a combined 7-for-13 from three and is shooting a scorching 52.4% on the year on a solid 2.3 makes per game volume.
Who’s Hot:
Marques Warrick, Northern Kentucky
Marques Warrick had a very impressive week, leading Northern Kentucky to a 3-0 record, two of those wins being in double overtime. Warrick scored 45 and 30 in the double overtime wins, shooting over 57 percent in both outings. The junior guard is also a leader on the defensive end, adding seven steals and a block in his three games this week. Northern Kentucky came off a three game losing streak last week, and completely flipped the script this week in their three victories, led by Warrick. With Warrick playing at this level Northern Kentucky looks to extend their win streak this week at Washington St.
San Diego State
San Diego State had a hot week finishing 2-0. They fought out a close win on November 9 against UC Irvine, 72-69, where senior forward, Nathan Mensah, scored 18 points on seven of eleven from the floor, and four of six from beyond the arc. Later in the week, the Aztecs rolled over Occidental in a 95-57 win at home. They got 20 points from Senior guard, Adam Seiko, off the bench in the win. San Diego State is currently ranked as the number 22 team in the country and looks to keep climbing in the ranks in the near future.
Who’s Not:
Eastern Michigan
Eastern Michigan has not lived up to the hype early on in the season. Sophomore transfer, Emoni Bates, and sophomore guard, Noah Farrakhan, gave Eastern Michigan a lot of hope going into the year. They are currently sitting at 2-7 on the season, and more recently 1-4 in their last five. Their star duo, Bates and Farrakhan, have been putting up good numbers, despite the slow start. Bates is averaging 21.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, while Farrakhan is adding 13.7 points alongside Bates. They need to start converting these promising stats into wins as the season goes on.
Freshman of the Week:
Tyler Houser, VMI
Tyler Houser had a big week, leading VMI to 2-1 after starting the season 1-5. As Housers minutes have gone up, so have his stats. He is averaging 15.4 points and 4.6 rebounds over the last five games. He has improved his shooting as well, shooting 61 percent from the floor, and 64 percent from three over the last five games. Houser’s improved play has sparked his teammates’ morale and has provided VMI a boost as of late. If Houser’s play continues, VMI can stay atop their conference as they begin conference play.
Top 5 Mid Major Offensive Rebounding Teams:
Sam Houston, WAC
Sam Houston is leading the Mid Major conferences in offensive rebounds per game with 15.8. They collect a total of 44 total rebounds per game as well. Sam Houston has three players averaging two or more offensive rebounds per game, which has contributed to their successful 7-1 start to the season.
UT Arlington, WAC
UT Arlington is second in the Mid Major conferences in offensive rebounds per game with 15.1. Their rebounding attack is led by six foot nine forward, Shemar Wilson. Wilson gives the Mavericks 8.2 rebounds per game, with 3.3 of those coming on the offensive end of the floor. UT Arlington is currently sitting at 4-5 and first in their conference.
Marshall, Sunbelt
Marshall is third in the Mid Major conferences in offensive rebounds per game with 15. Freshman center, Micah Handlogten, gives the team 10 rebounds per game, 3.4 of them being offensive. Having a seven footer in the paint dominating the boards has really helped Marshall, as they have begun the season with a 7-1 record.
Alabama State, SWAC
Alabama State is fourth in the Mid Major conferences in offensive rebounds per game with 14.4. They have an even offensive rebounding approach as a team, with four players averaging over 1.7 offensive rebounds per game. They get good rebounding production from both their starting guards, who are two of the players in this category. Despite their strong offensive rebound attack, Alabama State is 1-7 to open up the 2022-2023 season.
High Point, Big South
High Point is fifth in the Mid Major conferences in offensive rebounds per game with 14.1. High Point’s two tallest starters both average three or more offensive rebounds per game. This leads to a ton of second shots on possessions, ultimately leading to second chance points. This has had a major contribution to their success as a team, as they are 7-1 on the season so far.