UGA Men’s Basketball
May UGA Sports: Bulldogs hit the road looking for a breakthrough
UGASports - Bulldogs hit the road looking for a breakthrough
ABH: Georgia basketball is 12-4 in Mike White's first season. Next on to-do list is win on road
Mississippi
Clarion Ledger: Ole Miss basketball vs. Georgia: Scouting report, score prediction
“As is often the case in the early portion of a coach's tenure, Georgia is largely built around defense, with White's team holding opposition to an effective field goal percentage of 45.9, the 34th-best mark in the country as of Thursday afternoon.
Foes are only shooting 28.4% from 3-point range against the Bulldogs – a tribute to their defensive set-up, but also potentially a sign that some regression to the mean could be coming for Georgia's defense.”
“The Bulldogs will lean heavily on the guard tandem of Terry Roberts and Kario Oquendo to provide the scoring punch on Saturday.
Roberts comes into the contest averaging 15.7 points per game, while Oquendo scores 14.1 points per contest. No other Bulldog averages more than 7.5 points, so this duo will likely the primary focus of Davis' defensive game plan.
It won't be easy to slow them down, though.
Roberts, in particular, is far from one-dimensional. The transfer from Bradley also averages over four assists per game, while both Roberts and Oquendo contribute nearly four rebounds per game, too.”
“Faced with such a talented guard tandem, Ole Miss has something of a matchup problem on its hands.
Davis was critical of what he's gotten out of his point guards this season so far Tuesday, from both a character and production perspective. The trio of three underclassmen in TJ Caldwell, Amaree Abram and Daeshun Ruffin has shown flashes for the Rebels at times, but those three have generally struggled against high quality competition.
Caldwell has been getting the majority of the starts because Davis considers him the best defender of the bunch, and those defensive abilities will be put to the test yet again on Saturday. Can Davis find moments to get Abram and Ruffin on the floor to provide some energy, despite their struggles on the defensive side of things this season?”
Score prediction
Ole Miss 71, Georgia 67. “This is where the Rebels finally get that first SEC win. The analytic models suggest that Georgia probably is not as good as its record, and the Bulldogs have yet to win a road game this season, losing to Georgia Tech, Wake Forest and Florida. Meanwhile, the Rebels finally put together a competent offensive showing against Auburn. If they can do it again, they should get it done.”
https://www.clarionledger.com/story...scouting-report-score-prediction/69787296007/
Recruiting
Gwinnett Prep Sport: Six Gwinnett players nominated for McDonald's All-American Games
“Norcross’ boys had four nominees — Bilal Abdur-Rahman, Samarion Bond, Lamariyon Jordan and Mier Panoam.”
https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/tncms/asset/editorial/de1b3402-91ef-11ed-aa89-03f5e4625ccf/
Georgia coaches have begun following, no offer yet…
SEC Basketball
Alabama
Alabama.com: Alabama maintaining edge as SEC’s hunted with LSU next
Nate Oats: “You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do if you’re gonna compete for an SEC championship. You can’t lose home games to teams you’re supposed to beat, because you didn’t prepare for them.”
https://www.al.com/alabamabasketbal...aining-edge-as-secs-hunted-with-lsu-next.html
Alabama.com: How Alabama, Brandon Miller have adapted to freshman’s star treatment by opponents
https://www.al.com/alabamabasketbal...ar-treatment-by-opponents.html?outputType=amp
Auburn
Montgomery Advertiser: Who steps up if Auburn basketball's Chris Moore can't play against Mississippi State?
https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.co...nigan-mississippi-state-ole-miss/69735478007/
Florida
AP News: Florida F CJ Felder leaves team for personal reasons
https://apnews.com/article/sports-f...-todd-golden-c90d7a03369da9a33f74f637e8b55511
Kentucky
WKYT: Barnhart addresses rumors, reports regarding Calipari, UK basketball program
“We’re not where we want to be,” Barnhart said. “Cal is a Hall of Fame coach and he’s been unbelievable in the past in finding a way to get our team better as we go through the season. We’re in a tough stretch right now and we’ve got to find our way through that.”
“We come at the world from different lenses and different ways,” Barnhart said . “And because we’re different, I don’t think that necessarily means it bad.”
“At the end of the day, I do care deeply about Cal,” Barnhart added. “I want to make sure he knows how much we appreciate what he’s done here. He’s got probably one of the five or six hardest jobs in college sports.”
“I’ve seen Cal do this many, many times,” a hopeful Barnhart said. “I think back to the season we went to Dallas for the Final Four. We were in a similar spot mid-season. We were able to turn it around and get it going. So I have confidence that this guy has done it before and he can do it again.”
“They are the CEOs of their ship,” he said. “I don’t get into the daily grind of how they prepare and what they want to do. That’s what they do. That’s what they’re paid to do and they do it well.”
“I’m confident that Cal’s knows the buttons to push to get us to the right spot.”
https://www.wkyt.com/2023/01/13/bar...alipari-uk-basketball-program/?outputType=amp
Lexington Herald Leader: Has college basketball figured out Oscar Tshiebwe? Coaches are quick to share the secret.
“Paris was asked what gave him confidence that his team — a pitiful bunch offensively, by any measure — could effectively attack the Cats.
“The ball screens,” he said. “I wanted to try to get into ball screens and just, you know, it appeared in the last game that there was … maybe a little indecision on what they wanted to do on the ball screens. That’s outsider looking in, of course.”
That’s anyone who watched the tape of what had happened three days earlier in Tuscaloosa, of course. But more on that in a moment.
Paris went on to say that South Carolina ran more ball screens than they usually do. Why change up the normal approach?
“I wanted to have Tshiebwe have to move and make decisions,” he said. “And if they were going to switch this or if they were going to go under this or what they were going to do. So I thought the ball screens and attacking the rim was a big part of what we wanted to do.”
Another part of the plan? Starting 7-footer Josh Gray for the first time all season. Why? Because Paris had surely seen how much trouble Tshiebwe — listed at 6-9 — had with 7-footer Charles Bediako at Alabama.
The struggles piled up quickly Tuesday night.
On one early possession, Tshiebwe left Gray on the block to move toward a driving Hayden Brown, who quickly dished to Gray for an easy two. Brown went right at Tshiebwe in transition two possessions later for another easy basket. A short time later, Tshiebwe switched onto GG Jackson on a ball screen, gave him too much space, and watched Jackson nail a jumper. South Carolina led 13-2.
Not long after that, Tshiebwe left his man on a ball screen again, and Meechie Johnson quickly whipped a pass across the court to Jackson, who drained a three. Then, Tshiebwe left Gray on a ball screen outside of the three-point line. Gray rolled toward the rim. Cason Wallace left his man to try and cut off Gray, while Daimion Collins let his man, Brown, go to the corner, seemingly so he could stay in the paint and meet Gray there. Johnson had the ball and two open shooters, and dished it to Brown, who nailed a three. That gave the Gamecocks a 21-6 lead.
Afterward, Paris said all of this went according to plan.
The problems Tuesday were compounded by Kentucky players on the perimeter who were unable to stay in front of their defensive assignments. Tshiebwe said after the game that some teammates weren’t showing enough “fight” — using that word more than a dozen times throughout his interview — but it’s clear that UK’s problems go well beyond that.
“I mean, everybody’s going at Oscar, so we got to figure out some stuff,” UK Coach John Calipari said.
What happened in Rupp on Tuesday night was a continuation of what had come three days earlier…”
https://amp.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-basketball-men/article271049327.html
Missouri
St. Louis Post Dispatch: SEC rookie coaches clash in Gainesville: Florida's Todd Golden vs. Mizzou's Dennis Gates
https://www.stltoday.com/sports/col...cle_557c6c43-df09-5e95-923c-19b5ddb05c61.html
Texas A&M
The Eagle: Dennis, Radford becoming centerpiece of Texas A&M men's basketball team's rotation
https://theeagle.com/sports/college...cle_5d20a8ea-9394-11ed-9f5a-5350cceacdd1.html
College Basketball
2021 Georgia High School Class
*Transferred 1x
Jabari Smith PF NBA Houston 11.7 7.1 0.9
Matthew Cleveland SG FSU 14.7 7.5 1.6
Scoot Henderson PG Ignite G League
Henderson was the unanimous No. 2 overall pick in all 10 mock drafts polled. In any other draft class without a generational talent like Wembanyama, Henderson would be the top prospect.
Kowacie Reeves SF Florida 10.2 3:3 0.9
*Jusaun Holt SF Georgia 3.7 3.3 0.7
Elijah Tucker PF Xavier 0.7 0.7 0.3
*Chance Moore SG Missouri State 13.3 4.5 0.8
Kaleb Washington SF Transfer Portal
Ian Schiefflin PF Clemson 5.6 3.8 1.5
*Cam McDowell SG Jacksonville St 2.9 2.1 0.3
*Peyton Daniels SG Jacksonville St 6.5 2.4 2.2
Ja’heim Hudson PF Georgia State 10.2 7.5 0.9
Kok Yat PF Overtime Elite
Myles Rice SG Washington State Medical
James White SG Mississippi 2.7 1.8 0.7
James DeLoach PF VCU 9.6 6.6 1.0
Devin McGlockton SF Boston College 7.8 4.8 0.5
*Christian Wright PG Oregon State Injured
Ryan Mutombo C Georgetown 2.5 2.0 0.0
Taihland Owens G Siena DNP
RJ Noord G Elon 3.9 1.4 0.4
Tyler Shirley SF South Alabama 1.1 2.5 0.2
Jamal Clyce SF Georgia State 1.8 0.3 0.2
Wyatt Fricks PF Marshall 4.9 2.4 0.6
Kalib Clinton SF Charleston Southern 6.6 4.4 0.6
Jo Jo Peterson G Purdue Fort Wayne 3.1 2.6 0.9
Cole Middleton SG Cleveland State 1.7 1.2 0.2
Danny Stubbs G Georgia State 4.2 0.9 1.1
Randy Brady SF UTC 4.4 2.8 1.1
*Will Richard SF Florida 9.8 4.4 0.8
Isaiah Nelson-Ododa C Tennessee Tech 0.0 0.0 0.0
Sami Pissis SG SE Louisiana 6.2 1.5 1.5
Taje Kelly PF Charleston Southern 11.7 5.6 1.1
Garrison Powell G NC A&T 1.0 0.7 1.0
Max Hrdlicka SG North Florida 2.0 1.3 0.3
Clemson
SB Nation: Clemson Basketball: Duke Preview
“This is not a vintage Duke team on offense. They’re a respectable 37th in the nation in offensive efficiency at 111.9, but that’s 36 spots behind their nation leading offensive efficiency from last season. They play at a slow 66.3 (259 nationally) adjusted temp, and their average possession length of 17.9 seconds (234) is slower than Clemson’s 17.1 average. That’s not something you normally see in this game.”
“The drop off comes from their inability to hit shots and penchant for turnovers. They’re only hitting 49.9%(184 nationally) of their 2 point attempts and 31.9%(262) of their 3’s. That’s good for a 49.2%(219) effective field goal percentage. To compound missed shots, they turn the ball over in 19%(202) of their possessions. It’s unusual, to say the least, to see a Duke team that can’t hit shots or hold onto the ball.
Their saving grace is offensive rebounds. They put a huge team on the court, and turn that size into dominance on the offensive glass. Their 39% offensive rebounding percentage is the 5th best in the nation.”
“Duke’s defense is similar to their offense. It’s Ok, but no one is going to confuse this with a good Duke defense. They’re 94.6 adjusted defensive efficiency is a solid 35th in the nation. They mostly play straight up man, and they’re not particularly good at it. They have a ton of length, but don’t look connected, and let guards get into the paint.”
“In fact, pretty much any center with a pulse has victimized Duke in their losses. Wake’s 7’1”, 250 pound sophomore Matthew Marsh put up 10 points on 5-5 shooting. He averages 6.5 points a game. Purdue’s 7’4”, 300 pound giant Zach Edey (the largest Canadian in captivity....no word on if he’s bigger than a Yeti) kicked off his National Player of the Year campaign against the Blue Devils, going 7-13 for 21 points, and looking at what other big men have done against Duke, it is one of Edey’s more disappointing outings. James Wilson, a 6’8”, 225 pound forward, on Kansas went 0-7 from 3 against Duke and still led the Jayhawks with 25 points, because he went 11-19 from 2, including 5 offensive boards.”
https://www.shakinthesouthland.com/platform/amp/2023/1/13/23554446/clemson-basketball-duke-preview
Colorado
Boulder Daily Camera: Upset-minded CU Buffs men’s basketball faces tall challenge at No. 7 UCLA
https://www.dailycamera.com/2023/01...etball-faces-tall-challenge-at-no-7-ucla/amp/
Dayton
Dayton Daily News: VCU stuns Dayton with comeback in final 30 seconds
Rams end Dayton’s seven-game winning streak and 17-game home winning streak
https://www.daytondailynews.com/spo...-final-30-seconds/6I7BO3T47RFUZL33WMQ3J2LEFU/
Kent State
Louisville
Louisville Courier Journal: Why Kenny Payne says it's not too late for Louisville basketball to get 'over the hump'
https://www.courier-journal.com/sto...asketball-can-start-winning-soon/69787262007/
Michigan State
Detroit Free Press: Michigan State basketball ends up on wrong side of streaky game in 75-66 loss to Illinois
https://www.freep.com/story/sports/...-score-recap-illinois-malik-hall/69808172007/
North Carolina
Raleigh News Observer: UNC men’s basketball preparing to use ‘unconventional lineups’ at Louisville
https://amp.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/unc/article271166627.html
Washington
Seattle Times: Why ‘the future is bright’ for UW men’s basketball guards Keyon Menifield and Koren Johnson
https://www.seattletimes.com/sports...ards-keyon-menifield-and-koren-johnson/?amp=1
NBA
Atlanta
Minnesota
San Antonio
History
Hoops Birthdays 1-14
Ron Behagen PF Minnesota KCO, NJ, ATL, HOU, IND, DET, NYK, WAS 1973-1980 1-14-1951 73 YOA
Aaron Brooks PG Oregon HOU, PHO, SAC, DEN, CHI, IND, MIN 2007-2018 1-14-1985 38 YOA
Stacey Ford Georgia NY, SAC 2001-2002 1-14-1969 54 YOA
All-SEC (Coaches Selections)
All-SEC Academic Honor Roll
Wayne Hightower PF Kansas SF, BAL, DET, DEN, LAS, UT, TEX, CAR 1962-1972 born 1-14-1940 died 4-18-2002
“Wayne Hightower went to the same high school as Wilt Chamberlain, Overbrook High School in Philadelphia. He then proceeded to follow Wilt Chamberlain at the University of Kansas, where he starred for KU for two years. Then, for good measure, Hightower was drafted by the Warriors just as Chamberlain was.
Citing a need for money, Hightower left Kansas early and pursued a career in Europe with Real Madrid. He played one season in the Spanish capital, leading Real to the Spanish Primera Division crown and a place in the European final against Soviet powerhouse Dinimo Tblisi. Hightower’s Madrid lost, but his stock continued to rise as he was then drafted fifth overall into the NBA with the San Francisco Warriors.
His path crossed Wilt’s again in the bay area and in the 1963-64 season, the Kansas duo took the Warriors all the way to the NBA Finals before dropping the series to the Boston Celtics in five games.
Statistically speaking, that 63-64 season was Hightower’s best while in the NBA. He averaged 13.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per contest. He played a total of five seasons in the NBA with the Warriors, Baltimore Bullets, and Detroit Pistons before taking his talents to the ABA.
In his five seasons in the ABA, Hightower played for the Denver Rockets, Los Angeles/Utah Stars, Texas Chaparrals, and Carolina Cougars. His finest season came in 1969-70 when he played for the Los Angeles Stars. That season, he averaged 18.1 points and 9.4 rebounds for game. He retired from basketball following the 1972 season.”
https://www.rockchalktalk.com/platform/amp/2015/12/2/9823020/know-your-ku-history-wayne-hightower
Can Connie Hawkins Find Happiness in the ABA? 1969
“Hawkins signed for a $500 bonus, and Litman had made a real steal. On the way to New York with Hawkins to see his brother, Litman learned just how good a prospect he had. The two stopped in Philadelphia, where Litman talked to Wayne Hightower, now of the ABA’s Denver Rockets, who had jumped the NBA that year and was going to Madrid, Spain, to play ball.
Hightower wasn’t interested in playing in Pittsburgh, but looking into a far-off corner where Connie Hawkins stood, shying away from the conversation and licking an ice cream cone, Hightower observed: “What do you need me for? You have a whole basketball team over there.”
“That was the first I knew,” says Litman, “how highly regarded he was.”
https://from-way-downtown.com/2023/01/02/can-connie-hawkins-find-happiness-in-the-aba-1969/
John Lambert PF USC CLE, KCK, SA 1975-1982 1-14-1953 70 YOA
Swen Nater C UCLA VIR, SA, NYA, MIL, BUF, SD, LAL 1973-1984 1-14-1950 73 YOA
B/R: College Basketball: A Closer Look at Rebounding (2009)
“Swen told me that through the years he has charted hundreds of college games, keeping stats on different aspects of the game. Being a top-notch rebounder as a player, one of the things he tracked was the rebounding tendencies in college basketball.
He found that almost 50 percent of the time the player who first touched the ball on a rebound did not end up with the rebound, meaning that almost 50 percent of the time the ball is tipped around and somebody else ends up, ultimately, with the ball.
The obvious conclusion: Because so much of the time a rebound is not cleanly taken, the team that has more players at the boards will be the better rebounding team.
However, when we think about great rebounders, we think that they are the guys who leap above everyone, or the guys who get good position early and end up snatching the ball cleanly. From Swen’s observation, the good rebounders are those guys who continually make an effort to go to the boards, and who give great second and third efforts. No real shock there.
However, it does show that size is not a cure all. Habits and effort are more important.”
https://syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/116134-college-rebounding.amp.html
Jeff Sanders PF T.W. Josey HS Georgia Southern CHI, CHA, ATL 1989-1993 1-14-1966 57 YOA
GSU HOF: “Basketball, 1986-1989. His #42 jersey is retired, one of only two to be retired by the school. Ranks among the school's all-time career leaders in games started (first with 117), points scored (second with 1,861), scoring average (seventh at 15.6), rebounds (fourth with 893), rebounding average (fourth at 7.5), field goals made (second with 772), field goals attempted (fourth with 1,415), field goal percentage (fifth at 54.6), free throws made (second with 329), free throws attempted (second with 475) and blocked shots (second with 101). Also owns the school's single season marks for points scored (674 in 1988-89), field goals made (279 in 1988-89) and blocked shots (39 in 1988-89). Was selected with the 20th pick in the first round of the 1989 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls. Went on to play in the NBA with the Bulls (1989-90), the Charlotte Hornets (1990-91) and the Atlanta Hawks (1991-93). Also spent time in the Continental Basketball Association, before enjoying a solid international career in Turkey. Currently owns a medical software company in the Chicago area.”
May UGA Sports: Bulldogs hit the road looking for a breakthrough
UGASports - Bulldogs hit the road looking for a breakthrough
ABH: Georgia basketball is 12-4 in Mike White's first season. Next on to-do list is win on road
Georgia basketball is 12-4 in Mike White's first season. Next on to-do list is win on road
Mike White’s first Georgia basketball team is off to a strong SEC start, but getting in win column on road is next on the to-do list at Ole Miss.
www.onlineathens.com
Mississippi
Clarion Ledger: Ole Miss basketball vs. Georgia: Scouting report, score prediction
“As is often the case in the early portion of a coach's tenure, Georgia is largely built around defense, with White's team holding opposition to an effective field goal percentage of 45.9, the 34th-best mark in the country as of Thursday afternoon.
Foes are only shooting 28.4% from 3-point range against the Bulldogs – a tribute to their defensive set-up, but also potentially a sign that some regression to the mean could be coming for Georgia's defense.”
“The Bulldogs will lean heavily on the guard tandem of Terry Roberts and Kario Oquendo to provide the scoring punch on Saturday.
Roberts comes into the contest averaging 15.7 points per game, while Oquendo scores 14.1 points per contest. No other Bulldog averages more than 7.5 points, so this duo will likely the primary focus of Davis' defensive game plan.
It won't be easy to slow them down, though.
Roberts, in particular, is far from one-dimensional. The transfer from Bradley also averages over four assists per game, while both Roberts and Oquendo contribute nearly four rebounds per game, too.”
“Faced with such a talented guard tandem, Ole Miss has something of a matchup problem on its hands.
Davis was critical of what he's gotten out of his point guards this season so far Tuesday, from both a character and production perspective. The trio of three underclassmen in TJ Caldwell, Amaree Abram and Daeshun Ruffin has shown flashes for the Rebels at times, but those three have generally struggled against high quality competition.
Caldwell has been getting the majority of the starts because Davis considers him the best defender of the bunch, and those defensive abilities will be put to the test yet again on Saturday. Can Davis find moments to get Abram and Ruffin on the floor to provide some energy, despite their struggles on the defensive side of things this season?”
Score prediction
Ole Miss 71, Georgia 67. “This is where the Rebels finally get that first SEC win. The analytic models suggest that Georgia probably is not as good as its record, and the Bulldogs have yet to win a road game this season, losing to Georgia Tech, Wake Forest and Florida. Meanwhile, the Rebels finally put together a competent offensive showing against Auburn. If they can do it again, they should get it done.”
https://www.clarionledger.com/story...scouting-report-score-prediction/69787296007/
Recruiting
Gwinnett Prep Sport: Six Gwinnett players nominated for McDonald's All-American Games
“Norcross’ boys had four nominees — Bilal Abdur-Rahman, Samarion Bond, Lamariyon Jordan and Mier Panoam.”
https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/tncms/asset/editorial/de1b3402-91ef-11ed-aa89-03f5e4625ccf/
Georgia coaches have begun following, no offer yet…
SEC Basketball
Alabama
Alabama.com: Alabama maintaining edge as SEC’s hunted with LSU next
Nate Oats: “You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do if you’re gonna compete for an SEC championship. You can’t lose home games to teams you’re supposed to beat, because you didn’t prepare for them.”
https://www.al.com/alabamabasketbal...aining-edge-as-secs-hunted-with-lsu-next.html
Alabama.com: How Alabama, Brandon Miller have adapted to freshman’s star treatment by opponents
https://www.al.com/alabamabasketbal...ar-treatment-by-opponents.html?outputType=amp
Auburn
Montgomery Advertiser: Who steps up if Auburn basketball's Chris Moore can't play against Mississippi State?
https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.co...nigan-mississippi-state-ole-miss/69735478007/
Florida
AP News: Florida F CJ Felder leaves team for personal reasons
https://apnews.com/article/sports-f...-todd-golden-c90d7a03369da9a33f74f637e8b55511
Kentucky
WKYT: Barnhart addresses rumors, reports regarding Calipari, UK basketball program
“We’re not where we want to be,” Barnhart said. “Cal is a Hall of Fame coach and he’s been unbelievable in the past in finding a way to get our team better as we go through the season. We’re in a tough stretch right now and we’ve got to find our way through that.”
“We come at the world from different lenses and different ways,” Barnhart said . “And because we’re different, I don’t think that necessarily means it bad.”
“At the end of the day, I do care deeply about Cal,” Barnhart added. “I want to make sure he knows how much we appreciate what he’s done here. He’s got probably one of the five or six hardest jobs in college sports.”
“I’ve seen Cal do this many, many times,” a hopeful Barnhart said. “I think back to the season we went to Dallas for the Final Four. We were in a similar spot mid-season. We were able to turn it around and get it going. So I have confidence that this guy has done it before and he can do it again.”
“They are the CEOs of their ship,” he said. “I don’t get into the daily grind of how they prepare and what they want to do. That’s what they do. That’s what they’re paid to do and they do it well.”
“I’m confident that Cal’s knows the buttons to push to get us to the right spot.”
https://www.wkyt.com/2023/01/13/bar...alipari-uk-basketball-program/?outputType=amp
Lexington Herald Leader: Has college basketball figured out Oscar Tshiebwe? Coaches are quick to share the secret.
“Paris was asked what gave him confidence that his team — a pitiful bunch offensively, by any measure — could effectively attack the Cats.
“The ball screens,” he said. “I wanted to try to get into ball screens and just, you know, it appeared in the last game that there was … maybe a little indecision on what they wanted to do on the ball screens. That’s outsider looking in, of course.”
That’s anyone who watched the tape of what had happened three days earlier in Tuscaloosa, of course. But more on that in a moment.
Paris went on to say that South Carolina ran more ball screens than they usually do. Why change up the normal approach?
“I wanted to have Tshiebwe have to move and make decisions,” he said. “And if they were going to switch this or if they were going to go under this or what they were going to do. So I thought the ball screens and attacking the rim was a big part of what we wanted to do.”
Another part of the plan? Starting 7-footer Josh Gray for the first time all season. Why? Because Paris had surely seen how much trouble Tshiebwe — listed at 6-9 — had with 7-footer Charles Bediako at Alabama.
The struggles piled up quickly Tuesday night.
On one early possession, Tshiebwe left Gray on the block to move toward a driving Hayden Brown, who quickly dished to Gray for an easy two. Brown went right at Tshiebwe in transition two possessions later for another easy basket. A short time later, Tshiebwe switched onto GG Jackson on a ball screen, gave him too much space, and watched Jackson nail a jumper. South Carolina led 13-2.
Not long after that, Tshiebwe left his man on a ball screen again, and Meechie Johnson quickly whipped a pass across the court to Jackson, who drained a three. Then, Tshiebwe left Gray on a ball screen outside of the three-point line. Gray rolled toward the rim. Cason Wallace left his man to try and cut off Gray, while Daimion Collins let his man, Brown, go to the corner, seemingly so he could stay in the paint and meet Gray there. Johnson had the ball and two open shooters, and dished it to Brown, who nailed a three. That gave the Gamecocks a 21-6 lead.
Afterward, Paris said all of this went according to plan.
The problems Tuesday were compounded by Kentucky players on the perimeter who were unable to stay in front of their defensive assignments. Tshiebwe said after the game that some teammates weren’t showing enough “fight” — using that word more than a dozen times throughout his interview — but it’s clear that UK’s problems go well beyond that.
“I mean, everybody’s going at Oscar, so we got to figure out some stuff,” UK Coach John Calipari said.
What happened in Rupp on Tuesday night was a continuation of what had come three days earlier…”
https://amp.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-basketball-men/article271049327.html
Missouri
St. Louis Post Dispatch: SEC rookie coaches clash in Gainesville: Florida's Todd Golden vs. Mizzou's Dennis Gates
https://www.stltoday.com/sports/col...cle_557c6c43-df09-5e95-923c-19b5ddb05c61.html
Texas A&M
The Eagle: Dennis, Radford becoming centerpiece of Texas A&M men's basketball team's rotation
https://theeagle.com/sports/college...cle_5d20a8ea-9394-11ed-9f5a-5350cceacdd1.html
College Basketball
2021 Georgia High School Class
*Transferred 1x
Jabari Smith PF NBA Houston 11.7 7.1 0.9
Matthew Cleveland SG FSU 14.7 7.5 1.6
Scoot Henderson PG Ignite G League
Henderson was the unanimous No. 2 overall pick in all 10 mock drafts polled. In any other draft class without a generational talent like Wembanyama, Henderson would be the top prospect.
Kowacie Reeves SF Florida 10.2 3:3 0.9
*Jusaun Holt SF Georgia 3.7 3.3 0.7
Elijah Tucker PF Xavier 0.7 0.7 0.3
*Chance Moore SG Missouri State 13.3 4.5 0.8
Kaleb Washington SF Transfer Portal
Ian Schiefflin PF Clemson 5.6 3.8 1.5
*Cam McDowell SG Jacksonville St 2.9 2.1 0.3
*Peyton Daniels SG Jacksonville St 6.5 2.4 2.2
Ja’heim Hudson PF Georgia State 10.2 7.5 0.9
Kok Yat PF Overtime Elite
Myles Rice SG Washington State Medical
James White SG Mississippi 2.7 1.8 0.7
James DeLoach PF VCU 9.6 6.6 1.0
Devin McGlockton SF Boston College 7.8 4.8 0.5
*Christian Wright PG Oregon State Injured
Ryan Mutombo C Georgetown 2.5 2.0 0.0
Taihland Owens G Siena DNP
RJ Noord G Elon 3.9 1.4 0.4
Tyler Shirley SF South Alabama 1.1 2.5 0.2
Jamal Clyce SF Georgia State 1.8 0.3 0.2
Wyatt Fricks PF Marshall 4.9 2.4 0.6
Kalib Clinton SF Charleston Southern 6.6 4.4 0.6
Jo Jo Peterson G Purdue Fort Wayne 3.1 2.6 0.9
Cole Middleton SG Cleveland State 1.7 1.2 0.2
Danny Stubbs G Georgia State 4.2 0.9 1.1
Randy Brady SF UTC 4.4 2.8 1.1
*Will Richard SF Florida 9.8 4.4 0.8
Isaiah Nelson-Ododa C Tennessee Tech 0.0 0.0 0.0
Sami Pissis SG SE Louisiana 6.2 1.5 1.5
Taje Kelly PF Charleston Southern 11.7 5.6 1.1
Garrison Powell G NC A&T 1.0 0.7 1.0
Max Hrdlicka SG North Florida 2.0 1.3 0.3
Clemson
SB Nation: Clemson Basketball: Duke Preview
“This is not a vintage Duke team on offense. They’re a respectable 37th in the nation in offensive efficiency at 111.9, but that’s 36 spots behind their nation leading offensive efficiency from last season. They play at a slow 66.3 (259 nationally) adjusted temp, and their average possession length of 17.9 seconds (234) is slower than Clemson’s 17.1 average. That’s not something you normally see in this game.”
“The drop off comes from their inability to hit shots and penchant for turnovers. They’re only hitting 49.9%(184 nationally) of their 2 point attempts and 31.9%(262) of their 3’s. That’s good for a 49.2%(219) effective field goal percentage. To compound missed shots, they turn the ball over in 19%(202) of their possessions. It’s unusual, to say the least, to see a Duke team that can’t hit shots or hold onto the ball.
Their saving grace is offensive rebounds. They put a huge team on the court, and turn that size into dominance on the offensive glass. Their 39% offensive rebounding percentage is the 5th best in the nation.”
“Duke’s defense is similar to their offense. It’s Ok, but no one is going to confuse this with a good Duke defense. They’re 94.6 adjusted defensive efficiency is a solid 35th in the nation. They mostly play straight up man, and they’re not particularly good at it. They have a ton of length, but don’t look connected, and let guards get into the paint.”
“In fact, pretty much any center with a pulse has victimized Duke in their losses. Wake’s 7’1”, 250 pound sophomore Matthew Marsh put up 10 points on 5-5 shooting. He averages 6.5 points a game. Purdue’s 7’4”, 300 pound giant Zach Edey (the largest Canadian in captivity....no word on if he’s bigger than a Yeti) kicked off his National Player of the Year campaign against the Blue Devils, going 7-13 for 21 points, and looking at what other big men have done against Duke, it is one of Edey’s more disappointing outings. James Wilson, a 6’8”, 225 pound forward, on Kansas went 0-7 from 3 against Duke and still led the Jayhawks with 25 points, because he went 11-19 from 2, including 5 offensive boards.”
https://www.shakinthesouthland.com/platform/amp/2023/1/13/23554446/clemson-basketball-duke-preview
Colorado
Boulder Daily Camera: Upset-minded CU Buffs men’s basketball faces tall challenge at No. 7 UCLA
https://www.dailycamera.com/2023/01...etball-faces-tall-challenge-at-no-7-ucla/amp/
Dayton
Dayton Daily News: VCU stuns Dayton with comeback in final 30 seconds
Rams end Dayton’s seven-game winning streak and 17-game home winning streak
https://www.daytondailynews.com/spo...-final-30-seconds/6I7BO3T47RFUZL33WMQ3J2LEFU/
Kent State
Louisville
Louisville Courier Journal: Why Kenny Payne says it's not too late for Louisville basketball to get 'over the hump'
https://www.courier-journal.com/sto...asketball-can-start-winning-soon/69787262007/
Michigan State
Detroit Free Press: Michigan State basketball ends up on wrong side of streaky game in 75-66 loss to Illinois
https://www.freep.com/story/sports/...-score-recap-illinois-malik-hall/69808172007/
North Carolina
Raleigh News Observer: UNC men’s basketball preparing to use ‘unconventional lineups’ at Louisville
https://amp.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/unc/article271166627.html
Washington
Seattle Times: Why ‘the future is bright’ for UW men’s basketball guards Keyon Menifield and Koren Johnson
https://www.seattletimes.com/sports...ards-keyon-menifield-and-koren-johnson/?amp=1
NBA
Atlanta
Minnesota
San Antonio
History
Hoops Birthdays 1-14
Ron Behagen PF Minnesota KCO, NJ, ATL, HOU, IND, DET, NYK, WAS 1973-1980 1-14-1951 73 YOA
Aaron Brooks PG Oregon HOU, PHO, SAC, DEN, CHI, IND, MIN 2007-2018 1-14-1985 38 YOA
Stacey Ford Georgia NY, SAC 2001-2002 1-14-1969 54 YOA
All-SEC (Coaches Selections)
| 1990 | Stacey Ford, Lady Hardmon, Tammye Jenkins | |
| 1991 | Stacey Ford, Camille Lowe, Lady Hardmon (Hon. Mention |
All-SEC Academic Honor Roll
| 1991 | Stacey Ford, Tammye Jenkins, Camille Low |
Wayne Hightower PF Kansas SF, BAL, DET, DEN, LAS, UT, TEX, CAR 1962-1972 born 1-14-1940 died 4-18-2002
“Wayne Hightower went to the same high school as Wilt Chamberlain, Overbrook High School in Philadelphia. He then proceeded to follow Wilt Chamberlain at the University of Kansas, where he starred for KU for two years. Then, for good measure, Hightower was drafted by the Warriors just as Chamberlain was.
Citing a need for money, Hightower left Kansas early and pursued a career in Europe with Real Madrid. He played one season in the Spanish capital, leading Real to the Spanish Primera Division crown and a place in the European final against Soviet powerhouse Dinimo Tblisi. Hightower’s Madrid lost, but his stock continued to rise as he was then drafted fifth overall into the NBA with the San Francisco Warriors.
His path crossed Wilt’s again in the bay area and in the 1963-64 season, the Kansas duo took the Warriors all the way to the NBA Finals before dropping the series to the Boston Celtics in five games.
Statistically speaking, that 63-64 season was Hightower’s best while in the NBA. He averaged 13.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per contest. He played a total of five seasons in the NBA with the Warriors, Baltimore Bullets, and Detroit Pistons before taking his talents to the ABA.
In his five seasons in the ABA, Hightower played for the Denver Rockets, Los Angeles/Utah Stars, Texas Chaparrals, and Carolina Cougars. His finest season came in 1969-70 when he played for the Los Angeles Stars. That season, he averaged 18.1 points and 9.4 rebounds for game. He retired from basketball following the 1972 season.”
https://www.rockchalktalk.com/platform/amp/2015/12/2/9823020/know-your-ku-history-wayne-hightower
Can Connie Hawkins Find Happiness in the ABA? 1969
“Hawkins signed for a $500 bonus, and Litman had made a real steal. On the way to New York with Hawkins to see his brother, Litman learned just how good a prospect he had. The two stopped in Philadelphia, where Litman talked to Wayne Hightower, now of the ABA’s Denver Rockets, who had jumped the NBA that year and was going to Madrid, Spain, to play ball.
Hightower wasn’t interested in playing in Pittsburgh, but looking into a far-off corner where Connie Hawkins stood, shying away from the conversation and licking an ice cream cone, Hightower observed: “What do you need me for? You have a whole basketball team over there.”
“That was the first I knew,” says Litman, “how highly regarded he was.”
https://from-way-downtown.com/2023/01/02/can-connie-hawkins-find-happiness-in-the-aba-1969/
John Lambert PF USC CLE, KCK, SA 1975-1982 1-14-1953 70 YOA
Swen Nater C UCLA VIR, SA, NYA, MIL, BUF, SD, LAL 1973-1984 1-14-1950 73 YOA
B/R: College Basketball: A Closer Look at Rebounding (2009)
“Swen told me that through the years he has charted hundreds of college games, keeping stats on different aspects of the game. Being a top-notch rebounder as a player, one of the things he tracked was the rebounding tendencies in college basketball.
He found that almost 50 percent of the time the player who first touched the ball on a rebound did not end up with the rebound, meaning that almost 50 percent of the time the ball is tipped around and somebody else ends up, ultimately, with the ball.
The obvious conclusion: Because so much of the time a rebound is not cleanly taken, the team that has more players at the boards will be the better rebounding team.
However, when we think about great rebounders, we think that they are the guys who leap above everyone, or the guys who get good position early and end up snatching the ball cleanly. From Swen’s observation, the good rebounders are those guys who continually make an effort to go to the boards, and who give great second and third efforts. No real shock there.
However, it does show that size is not a cure all. Habits and effort are more important.”
https://syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/116134-college-rebounding.amp.html
Jeff Sanders PF T.W. Josey HS Georgia Southern CHI, CHA, ATL 1989-1993 1-14-1966 57 YOA
GSU HOF: “Basketball, 1986-1989. His #42 jersey is retired, one of only two to be retired by the school. Ranks among the school's all-time career leaders in games started (first with 117), points scored (second with 1,861), scoring average (seventh at 15.6), rebounds (fourth with 893), rebounding average (fourth at 7.5), field goals made (second with 772), field goals attempted (fourth with 1,415), field goal percentage (fifth at 54.6), free throws made (second with 329), free throws attempted (second with 475) and blocked shots (second with 101). Also owns the school's single season marks for points scored (674 in 1988-89), field goals made (279 in 1988-89) and blocked shots (39 in 1988-89). Was selected with the 20th pick in the first round of the 1989 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls. Went on to play in the NBA with the Bulls (1989-90), the Charlotte Hornets (1990-91) and the Atlanta Hawks (1991-93). Also spent time in the Continental Basketball Association, before enjoying a solid international career in Turkey. Currently owns a medical software company in the Chicago area.”
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