While some might argue that there is too much post season
basketball now, true hoops junkies can’t get enough. The
inaugural CollegeInsider.com Tournament includes some
intriguing matchups, showcases 12 teams (out of 16) with
19 or more wins, and most importantly gives some deserving
student athletes one more chance to compete.
One often discussed factor in the rise of mid-major
basketball in recent years is the preponderance of
four-year players. Though there are certainly exceptions,
many blue chip players at major schools do not play for
four years as they pursue the opportunity to play in the
NBA. On the mid-major level, players leaving early are the
exception.
This leads to highly experienced teams at this level,
capable of “upsetting” more talented, yet less experienced
teams from the major conferences. Let’s take a look at
some seniors in the CollegeInsider.com tourney with one
more opportunity to compete for a championship and perhaps
get a look from the NBA or from European teams.
· Alex Renfroe-Belmont: A 6’2 do-it-all guard,
Renfroe averages 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists,
shooting 54% from the field.
· Juwann James-James Madison: The 6’6 225 lbs.
James, is a super sub, coming off the bench for the Dukes
to average 15 points and 5 boards, shooting 57% from the
field.
· Shy Ely-Evansville: A member of the “All Name
Team,” Ely is anything but shy on the court, as he makes
his presence known with 18.6 points and 6.5 rebounds per
game. At 6’4 and 197 lbs., Ely is a prototypical mid-major
player. Listed as a guard-forward, he plays like a power
forward in a guard’s body.
· Drake Reed-Austin Peay: Another small forward,
the 6’5 210 Reed scores at a 22 point clip and grabs 7.4
rebounds per game, while shooting 56% from the field and
39% from three point range.
· Erik Kangas-Oakland: A sharpshooting 6’3 guard,
Kangas hit 87 threes at 42% for 18.7 points per game.
· Demetrius Nelson-The Citadel: A 6’8 250 lbs.
manster, Nelson is a soldier in the paint, averaging 16
and 6. Nelson feels no need to stroll too far from the
paint-he has only attempted three shots from outside the
arc in his career.
· Anthony Smith-Liberty: Overshadowed by Seth
Curry, Smith has put together a strong season for the
Flames, scoring 17 points per game and grabbing 6
rebounds. The 6’5 Smith hit 67 threes, a nice complement
to the 99 that the freshman Curry nailed.
· Michael Kirby-Pacific: The 5’11 Kirby does not
have the gaudy statistics of some of his classmates, but
his three-point shooting will catch your attention. Kirby
has hit 50 of 97 from beyond the arc, an eye popping 51%,
chipping in with 10 ppg for the Tigers.
· Al Fisher-Kent State: The 6’1 Fisher nets 15
points, 3 boards, and 3 helpers for the Golden Flashes.
· Theron Wilson-Bradley: Another one of those
“undersized” mid-major forwards at 6’5 200, Wilson goes
for 14 and 7 for the Braves.
The next time you think the NCAA tournament and the NIT
suffice, consider these seniors who have one more chance
to show their stuff.
Brian Doyle is an Assistant Principal and Associate Head
Coach at Centreville High School in Clifton, Virginia. Prior to
becoming Assistant Principal, Doyle was a high school head coach
for thirteen years. Brian also serves as member of the voting
panel for the prestigious Hugh Durham National Coach of the Year
Award.
