While last week, the premiere of the new season, was rather calm with very modest adversities for the “big guys”, this second week, subtly called “feast week” on the other side of the Atlantic, literally “the feast week”, offered the first big posters of this 2022/23 financial year.
The meeting of the week was certainly this Texas – Gonzaga, in Austin, Texas. Ranked 2nd in the Associated Press Top 25, the Bulldogs, after their victory against Michigan State on a military aircraft carrier last week, moved to the Longhorns, 11th in the Top 25. On paper, it It was a very enticing duel and a priori rather balanced, between two big cars in attack.
But in reality, the course of the match was very different, and the suspense very quickly flew away. Blame it on the locals, who signed an ideal match, with an active defense and above all a supersonic attack: 93 points at 52% on shots, with in particular 13 winning shots! The “sophomore” ringleader Tyrese Hunterwho arrived in Texas this summer via the “transfer portal” from Iowa State, was by far the best player on the floor, with 26 points (9/14, 5/8 at 3-pts), 3 rebounds and 2 assists.
Physique in defense, long and athletic in the paint, the Texas players managed to hinder Drew Timewho committed 5 ball losses, even if he still compiled 18 points (7/10) and 9 rebounds.
But overall, the Bulldogs were collectively not up to par against a Texas team possibly over-revving but devilishly effective on offense, like this killer stat: 20 ball losses for 10 assists…
Michigan State’s Perfect Week
Defeated in the last moments by Gonzaga last week, michigan state continued this week with two other very big games: Kentucky4th in the Top 25, and Villanova.
And the Spartans emerged victorious from these two duels, at loggerheads each time: 86-77 against the Wildcats of John Calipari after two extensions, and 73-71 against the Wildcats of Kyle Neptune, after a “money- time” suffocating.
Tom Izzo’s troupe, not the most talented nor the most “flashy”, has shown impressive resilience, and should logically be included in the AP’s weekly Top 25, which will be published on Monday.
Ashton Hardaway joins his father in Memphis
His commitment was not the shadow of a doubt, but it is at least now official: Ashton Hardawayson of Penny, signed up for college Memphis and thus joined his father at the university level.
Winger belonging to the class of 2023 – ESPN ranks him 82nd in its Top 100 – the California native becomes the Tigers’ 7th “freshman” for the 2023/24 season.
” It’s gonna be fun. He has played at the highest level, and knows the effort it takes to get there. No one will work for me more than my father. “he said, about this family reunion in Tennessee.
Photo credit: Memphis Athletics
