Only three weeks. That’s how long the Tar Heels have spent at No. 1 in the Associated Press Top 25. beaten by Iowa State in the semi-finals of Phil Knight Invitationala tournament organized in Portland by Nike, to celebrate its co-creator Phil Knight, North Carolina will actually lose places in the ranking updated every Monday.
Despite Hubert Davis’ number 1 status in the Men’s Top 25 since the start of the season three weeks ago, the result is not particularly surprising (70-65). Because the Tar Heels, before facing the Cyclones which constituted their first real test of the season, had displayed a worrying face during their first five games, especially in defense and the overall intensity on the ground, against teams nevertheless , a priori, much lower on paper.
While the 2022 NCAA finalists might have been expected to skim the battles at the start of the season, they only won by a “small” average margin of 11.8 points. Before, without it being really a surprise, to be surprised by a solid and rough team from Iowa State, less talented but much more committed to intensity.
The two main elements that explain this defeat for UNC: a terrible 3/18 behind the arc (against 9/20 for Iowa State), and above all 14 loss of ball which ruined many of their possessions in attack (against 10 for Iowa State). Also note, and this is absolute proof that this North Carolina team lacks control and remains far from its optimal level for the time being: Armando Bacot’s teammates (13 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks in the match) had 7 points with 6 minutes remaining, before conceding a 17-5 and then losing…
” A lack of attention to small details, enthusiasm and energy » coolly summed up winger Leaky Blackto explain the defeat of his team.
End of a 17-game winning streak for Kansas
Defeated without too much resistance by Tennessee (#22 in the Top 25) in the final of Battle 4 Atlantis (64-50), a tournament held every year at the start of the season in the Bahamas, the defending champions (#3) have indeed seen their winning streak come to an end. It was the longest running in the NCAA, and it started at the end of the 2021/22 regular season, which was followed by a run to the national title during March Madness.
Suffocated by the still very oppressive defense of the Volunteers, Bill Self’s men converted only 32% of their shots, including 24% from behind the arc, and failed to take advantage of the 24 (!) ball losses their opponents, who were very realistic in attack, particularly in the exercise of outside shooting (12/27). Rick Barnes’ squad also outrageously dominated the rebound battle, with a +18 differential (45 to 27), giving themselves plenty of second chances.
In Arizona, the Wildcats still have long teeth
Despite the losses of Bennedict Mathurin, Christian Koloko and Dalen Terry, all three NBA rookies this season, Arizona (#14 in the Top 25) is not there to make up the numbers, in this 2022/23 season.
The proof is: the Wildcats won, at the start of the week, the Maui Invitationalan annual tournament held at the start of the season in the Hawaiian archipelago.
After beating Cincinnati in the first round and San Diego State in the semi-finals (#17), Tommy Lloyd’s players won the clash of the tournament, the final against Creighton (#10). A very attacking match (81-79), at loggerheads and which was played in the last moments, while the Bluejays, not far from the knockout three minutes from the end (79-70), started a final assault who did not go far from offering them victory.
Kerr Kriisa, the brilliant Estonian leader of Arizona, approached the double-double (13 points and 9 assists), when the Malian pivot Oumar Ballo happily crossed it, laying down his law in the paint with 30 points and 13 rebounds.
With this victory, and in particular two successes against ranked teams, the Wildcats will certainly integrate the Top 10, in the new Top 25 of the Associated Press which will be published tomorrow.
” I am very proud of these players » thus appreciated Tommy Lloyd. ” These tournaments are hard to win. Playing three matches in three days, against opponents who are all different from each other and with no time to adapt to prepare for it, and winning every time, that says a lot about this group. »
Thunderous start to the season for Brandon Miller, the “freshman” of Alabama
If Victor Wembanyama and Scoot Henderson are in a category of their own and are promised the first two places in the 2023 Draft, it is wide open behind them, with several players who can impose themselves in the coming months as the clear third best player in this vintage of prospects for the 2022/23 season.
And since the beginning of the season, Brandon Miller clearly presents the arguments in favor of being considered as such. Indeed, while other first-year players are still stuck in the infirmary, like Nick Smith Jr. from Arkansas or Cam Whitmore from Villanova, without forgetting Dariq Whitehead from Duke who has just started his season, after having treated a broken foot in recent months, the “freshman” of Alabama, after 6 games played, is on the basis of an incredible season which could earn him a selection in the Top 5 of the next Draft: 20.5 points ( 52% from behind the arc on 7 shots per game!), 9.2 rebounds and 2 assists.
A tall winger, around 2m05, Brandon Miller is above all a shooter, as evidenced by his absolutely lunar percentage of success behind the arc since the start of the season, but also offers himself points near the circle, because he is rather a good finisher in the air and can impose himself on the offensive rebound with his long segments.
Also able to put the leather on the ground and draw in a “pull-up”, he displays this fluidity so natural and elegant to see in the wingers of this profile. In this, he is at times reminiscent of Tracy McGrady.
A big name on the college circuit, whom Adam Silver will probably call very early on the night of the 2023 Draft.
Photo credit: Craig Mitchelldyer | PA
