After a third week, the last of November, marked by the domination of Zach Edey and Purdue at the Nike tournament in Portland, this first week of December offered a new slew of beautiful posters.
On paper, however, none came close to this Baylor (6th in the Top 25) – Gonzaga (14th) this Friday. Held on neutral ground in South Dakota, this remake of the final of the 2020/21 season, won by Baylor, once again tipped in favor of the Bears, who won on the wire (64-63).
However, it was very badly embarked for the men of Scott Drew, led by 7 points (56-63) at… 1:30 from the end! But one finish crazy happened, with the ringleader Adam Flagler (11 points) who scored two winning shots in a row to bring his team back to a small unit (62-63). Before a final defensive stop on the next possession, then a foul picked up by the winger Jalen Bridges (9 points and 3 rebounds) to register the two free throws which allowed Baylor to punctuate this 8-0 to win at the end of the suspense.
On the Gonzaga side, regrets, inevitably, after having squandered a 7-point lead in 90 seconds, and above all questions. In particular on the way in which the collective could have served more Drew Timme, who only fired 6 shots, for 9 points in total. Of course, Baylor’s stifling defense, which harassed ball carriers out wide and constantly “trapped” the Bulldogs’ star inside at the low post, had a lot to do with it.
With a killer stat: the men of Mark Few committed more ball losses (18) than they recorded assists (12)!
This is the third defeat in eight games for Gonzaga, who will continue to slip into the Top 25. Unlike Baylor, who should join the Top 5, in the next Associated Press ranking published on Monday.
Notre Dame brings down Michigan State
It is certainly an “upset” that the Fighting Irish achieved on their floor, against the Spartans ranked 20th in the Top 25 before the match, with this big 70-52 victory after a match mastered from start to finish.
Tom Izzo even spoke of a ” slap » received by his players, limited to 39% in shots by a solid defense of Our Ladywho for his part converted 50% of his shots, including 42% of his attempts from behind the arc (11/26).
the back Cormac Ryan, sniper renowned (36% on 5 attempts per career game), led the charge with 23 points at 6/7 at 3-pts, when the freshman JJ Starling added 14 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists. Side michigan statewe can note the good performance of Joey Hauserthe brother of the Celtics player, who punctuated his game with 14 points and 7 rebounds, while the leader AJ Hoggard compiled 15 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists.
” We just played both sides for 40 minutes » enjoyed Mike Breen, the coach of Notre Dame. ” I thought our defense was fabulous, and put us on the right track from the start. In attack, we put in big, important shots at the right times. »
Nick Smith Jr. and Cam Whitmore have finally kicked off their season
While the freshman from Alabama, Brandon Millera hit since the start of the season, Nick Smith Jr. and Cam Whitmoreof the two other very talented first-year players in this 2022/23 season, were treating their sores in the infirmary.
Healing now complete for both playersArkansas and Villanova respectively, who finally started their seasons this week.
Faced with the modest program of San Jose State for the explosive and electrifying leader of the Razorbacks, obviously holder and who compiled 16 points (in 14 shots …) and 5 assists in the wide victories of his people (99-58). ” I felt good » so he said after his debut. ” I’ve been waiting for this moment since the day I got engaged [à Arkansas]. It’s good for our team to be complete now. »
And in the face of slightly tougher adversity for the powerful Wildcats winger, who off the bench was more sober but just as effective in his team’s narrow victory (70-66) against Oklahoma, with 7 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists.
Expected in the Top 10 of the next Draft, the two “freshmen” will perform this season, and they are therefore to be watched closely.
Jordan Hawkins, the heir of Ray Allen and Richard Hamilton in Connecticut?
Ray Allen, Richard Hamilton or more recently Kemba Walker, Shabazz Napier and also James Bouknight. To Connecticuthistorically, several talented guards made their ranges under the jersey of the Huskies before joining the NBA.
The youngest of this line? Jordan Hawkins“sophomore” this season.
Position 2 of 20 years, the native of Maryland discreetly acclimatized to the NCAA last year (5.8 points in 15 minutes), before taking the lead this season by integrating the five major of Dan Hurley. Logically follows a more substantial offensive production: 13.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists, and a particularly impressive 39.6% success rate behind the arc, on 7.6 shots per game!
A real sniper who will have a blast in the NBA, probably next year, when outside shooting is king among the pros.
His benchmark performance this season so far? A 26-point outing at 5/9 behind the arc this Friday, in Connecticut’s victory over Oklahoma State (74-64).
” He is very good at moving without the ball. I grew up in New York, watched a lot of Big East games back then. And when I see him play, I think of guys like Rip Hamilton or Ray Allen, the way he gravitates to leather » stated in particular about him Mike Boynton, the coach of Oklahoma State. ” Of course, I don’t want to put such pressure on his shoulders, but I can easily imagine him becoming a top scorer. [passés par Connecticut]. »
Flattering comparisons that greatly pleased the talented young rear.
” It means a lot to me. Especially since Rip and I got in touch this summer. I learn a lot from him he concluded. ” I learn a lot from him. […] But I am Jordan Hawkins. I want to create my own destiny, write my own story.”
