Scoring sensations Markus Howard and Shamorie Ponds will be two of the top candidates in the Big East for Player of the Year honors in 2018-2019.
Shamorie Ponds 2017-2018:
21.6 ppg
5.0 rpg
4.7 apg
Six 30+ point games
Season high: 44 points against Marquette
Markus Howard 2017-2018
20.4 ppg
3.2 rpg
2.8 apg
Six 30+ point games
Season high: 52 points against Providence
Both junior guards will be must-watch TV!
Wake Forest and Georgia Tech get big wins
My two ACC disappointments up to this point both got quality ACC wins tonight. After battling UNC tough on Saturday, Wake gets a win over Syracuse 73-67 behind 19 points from Bryant Crawford. Georgia Tech defeated Miami 64-54 behind a 30 piece from Josh Okogie. There is no doubt that the Yellow Jackets are a completely different team with Okogie in that lineup.
Florida State holds off UNC
The Seminoles, who led by 11 at halftime, were able to hold off the comeback from the Tar Heels to grab a 81-80 victory at home. Braian Angola has been balling recently and C.J. Walker has done a terrific job filling the shoes of XRM. Joel Berry had 28 in the loss. The Tar Heels could really use Tony Bradley right about now.
Oklahoma continues to thrive
The Sooners defeated their in-state rival Cowboys 109-89 behind 28 points from Brady Manek and 27 points from Trae Young. Young was one rebound shy of a triple-double. I am really craving a WVU-OU matchup, specifically, a Trae Young-Jevon Carter showdown. Saturday, here we come!
Don’t forget about UVA in the ACC
The Cavaliers defeated their in-state rival 78-52 in Blacksburg. In case you didn’t know, UVA’s defense is absurd. They held the Hokies to 36.2 percent from the field and Virginia Tech, who lives and dies from the outside, was only 2-12 from downtown. Ahmed Hill, Justin Bibbs, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker were completely shutdown in this one.
Kentucky gets solid road winÂ
The Wildcats were down by five to the Tigers at halftime, but outscored LSU by eight in the second half. Kentucky won 74-71. Kevin Knox had a double-double, while P.J. Washington and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander both added 18 points. Duop Reath and Tremont Waters both had double-doubles for LSU in the loss.
Clemson keeps rolling
One of the most improved teams in the country got a solid conference win in Chestnut Hill. BC outscored Clemson by 11 in the second half after trailing by 15 at the midway point, but the Tigers held on to win 74-70. Donte Grantham led the way for Clemson with 24 points and 13 rebounds. Jerome Robinson had 28 points for BC.
Notre Dame beats NC State by 30
Even without Bonzie Colson, the Irish destroyed the Wolfpack 88-58. T.J. Gibbs had 22 points and D.J. Harvey added 17 points. Harvey will be called upon in a major way with Colson sidelined for two months. As for NC State, they are a bottom feeder in the ACC.
Markus Howard scores 52
Marquette’s Markus Howard dropped 52 points on the Friars as the Golden Eagles won 95-90 in OT in Providence. Kyron Cartwright had 29 points for Providence. Something is just not right with the Friars. Not having Emmitt Holt is definitely a big reason for their struggles.
Bonnies Upset by Dayton
St. Bonaventure went down to the struggling Flyers 82-72. This is a bad loss for the Bonnies, who were on an eight game wining streak. Jaylen Adams was just 3-11 from the field in 40 minutes of play.
UConn loses in double OT
The Huskies lost to Tulsa 90-88 in double OT. Corey Henderson had 30 for Tulsa, while Jalen Adams had 29 for UConn. To say the Huskies are in trouble is an understatement.
Boise State wins by 28
Boise State defeated New Mexico 90-62 as they continue to cruise. Chandler Hutchison delivered a double-double in the win.
Nevada defeats Wyoming
Nevada got 59 points from the Martin twins and Jordan Caroline, one of the best trios in the nation. Nevada and Boise State are two really fun teams in the Mountain West.
Missouri wins 79-68
The Tigers are 11-3, and without MPJ, they have been impressive. Kassius Robertson had 23 points tonight, while Jordan Barnett and Jontay Porter scored 19 each in their win over the Gamecocks. However, this stretch coming up for Missouri is insane. Florida, Georgia, Arkansas, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Auburn, Miss St., Alabama, Kentucky. Wow. As for South Carolina, they had an exciting run last year, but they are a bottom feeder in the SEC this year.
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