Category: William Smythe

My Goodness, what has happened to UNC? The good, the bad and the ugly of CBB

December 4th, 2022

By: William Smythe

As I write this, North Carolina just dropped a road contest to Virginia Tech – who held as much as an eighteen-point advantage over the Heels – in what is their fourth consecutive loss of the season. By virtue of such a result, Carolina is automatically launched into the ugly category. Cassell Coliseum’s vaunted home environment will not suffice as an excuse this time, Tar Heel nation, as the chinks in your armor are too gaping to ignore. There’s no chance a one-seed has fallen this fast in the history of college basketball – D3, D2, JUCO all-included.

Carolina, however, isn’t the only juggernaut fighting demons this season. No. 14 Gonzaga – who started as the no. 2 ranked team in the country – has already suffered three losses and has made the burden on Drew Timme’s shoulder the size of the Puget Sound. They’re not necessarily in the ugly category like Carolina, but the preseason title contenders are going to have a tough time putting together a compelling resume come March. Alright, that’s probably enough coverage of depressing teams for the moment. Who’s actually surprised this year…yes, let’s start with that.

The Good: The Moody Center, T.J. Otzelberger and Zach Edey

Texas is back, folks, and I’m not happy about it! No matter the chatter surrounding the ‘Horns, they’ve played themselves into a national no. 2 ranking after wins against Gonzaga and no. 7 Creighton – all in their cozy new arena, the Moody Center.

I really want Texas to like, finally leave Austin and play a challenging road game, but two top-ten wins have pretty much put away any doubts of Chris Beard’s coaching success. There’s depth to this roster that you can’t ignore. Nine – yes, nine – players have averaged at least 15 minutes a game for the ‘Horns this season. I can’t help but ask: has Beard stolen the recipe of Florida State’s Leonard Hamilton?

Also in the Big 12, Iowa State just refuses to underperform under Coach T.J. Otzelberger. Everyone thought a fluke year in 2021-22 would result in another catastrophe the following season, yet Otzelberger – the Lincoln Riley of college basketball – had something to say about it.

As Transfer Portal U, Iowa State picked up two sneaky additions in St. Bonaventure products Jaren Holmes and Osun Osunniyi – both of whom are averaging double-figures in scoring. There’s been a complete overhaul in terms of the roster, but the results speak for themselves. Wins over North Carolina (hey, they hadn’t lost at that point) and a formerly undefeated St. John’s have given Cyclones’ fans plenty of reason to rejoice.

Lastly, Purdue’s Zach Edey is everything Boilermakers fans wanted him to be. He’s not the only seven-footer to grace the court under Matt Painter, but he may end up being the best. Averaging 23.3 points and 12.8 rebounds so far this season, Edey looks more destined for success than Neo from The Matrix. Maybe it was forward Trevion Williams’ departure that’s opened up his game, or maybe it’s the fact that Edey has become an accomplished passer.

1. If you double him in the post, Purdue’s shooting guards will make you pay from deep. 2. If you isolate him on the inside, he’ll take that tiny basketball and dunk it through the net, no problem. The only reason why Purdue currently holds a top-five spot is Edey – America’s current frontrunner for NPOY.

The Bad: Oregon’s weird seven-footer trio, any team who plays Rutgers in the RAC

Oregon looks off. What team rolls out three-seven footers – all five-star recruits – and loses four out of their first eight games? I’d bank on Dana Altman figuring it out at some point, but the formula for this team hasn’t exactly worked thus far.

Against Houston, the Ducks looked confused against a high-octane defense (two of their starting guards/forwards – Will Richardson and Quincy Guerrier – totaled 11 turnovers), even if starting center N’Faly Dante exploded onto the scene with 16 points and 11 rebounds. This “bad” designation could turn into an “average” or even good one if these pieces come together, but the Ducks just lost again to UCLA and are now 4-5…

RUTGERS DOESN’T LOSE IN THE RAC! No, I will not call it “Jersey Mike’s Arena!” Boasting a 6-0 record in their home arena – including an emphatic 63-48 win over no. 10 Indiana, the Scarlet Knights have defended their ground like no one I’ve ever seen. In 2021, Steve Pikiell (who’s been pounding nails, of course) led his group to a 4-1 record at the RAC against top-25 teams, with one of the wins coming against no. 1 Purdue.

Now that I’m writing this, obviously I should have put the “RAC” in the list of the good, but let’s spin it on its head and consider all of the poor teams that have to play there this season. And Jersey Mike’s Arena is about as heinous of a rebranding as the Carrier Dome turning into the JMA Wireless Dome.

The Ugly: UNC in every aspect, Creighton losing at home to Nebraska

Dare I say more about the Tar Heels? They’re 5-4, just lost their ACC opener to Virginia Tech and look like the shell of the National Championship (appearance) team from last season. However, we shouldn’t be that surprised.

North Carolina looked shaky last year before going on that incredible run in the tournament, and the loss of Brady Manek has honestly hurt the Tar Heels more than expected. Four losses – consecutively, as well – is out-of-this-world surprising if we consider the returning talent that Hubert Davis has. It’ll take a massive effort from UNC to rebuild their stock from the ground up – I’m talking very, very few losses in ACC play to give them a chance at a top-four seed in March.

Creighton just suffered something awfully close to the epitome of brutality. Losing to lowly, in-state opponent Nebraska at home…by 10? I don’t want to pump the brakes completely on the Bluejays’ hype, but they’ve just dropped three straight and their resume is fading fast. If you’re Creighton, you have to hope that the Arkansas win ages well.

What’s mind-boggling is that the Cornhuskers held this dynamic Bluejay offense to a mere 53 points (no one in the starting lineup scored more than 10). South Dakota State transfer Baylor Scheierman has looked suspect from the three-point line in the past two games, while the Bluejays turned the ball over 16 times in their worst performance of the season. The Creighton experiment better figure itself out, fast.
The Stage is Set: Ohio State the luckiest of them all in the Playoff reveal

December 4th, 2022

By: William Smythe

With no surprises among the top two in Georgia and Michigan, the committee had their hands full after no. 4 USC’s defeat to Utah and no. 3 TCU’s blemish against no. 13 Kansas State. Run from it, hide from it, but destiny comes all the same: former no. 5 Ohio State and its “generational” team has snuck into the CFP after weathering a perfect storm.

For the third time in four years, the Buckeyes have found themselves within striking distance of their second national championship since 2015. Now, did they do so without some controversy? Absolutely not. Are they the best out of the rest – including the likes of two-loss Alabama and USC? Surely.

Their 22-point thrashing against Michigan seemed to put the nail in the coffin, yet all Ryan Day’s team had to do was wait. In a weirdly twisted way, the lack of a conference championship appearance helped the Buckeyes’ case; thanks to Utah’s brilliance, they will now have a “chance” against no. 1 Georgia in the semifinals of the CFP.

Hats off to you, TCU. Sure, you finally made things interesting by falling in the Big 12 Championship, but you’ve done enough to prove you belong. I don’t foresee this team rolling over like so many unheralded rosters have in the playoff – Washington, Michigan State and Cincinnati definitely come to mind – but Coach Sonny Dykes and his team better put their big boy pants on before facing the mighty Wolverines and their dynamic run game.

No. 1 Georgia v. no. 4 Ohio State and no. 2 Michigan v. no. 3 TCU. Let’s break down the storylines surrounding the CFP and the rest of the bowl scene, with some colorful matchups and Heisman ramifications hanging in the air.

This is Georgia’s national championship to lose after the LSU blowout

If any doubt remained surrounding Georgia’s dominance, Stetson Bennett and company just put it to rest. A pesky LSU team looked hapless against Georgia’s stout defense – despite what the score may suggest – and capitalized on several key errors from the Tigers in a 50-30 victory. This ‘Dawg team hasn’t rested on their laurels in their pursuit of another national championship. With only one loss in their last 28 games, Kirby Smart has combined a fearless defense with an underrated passing attack to breeze through much of SEC play.

The key for Georgia is the play of Bennett down the stretch. He’s been incredibly efficient in arguably his best year at the helm – having played a near-flawless game against LSU. If Bennett and the offensive unit is humming, good luck duking it out in a shoot-out. It just doesn’t happen often. Even with a defense that took a slight step back after losing a plethora of talent, the offense has more than compensated for their “shortcomings” (if you can even call it that) as of late. There has never been an easier road – not 2018, not last year – for the ‘Dawgs to win a national championship – even if Ohio State’s offense may give Georgia reason to worry.

The worst year of the Heisman continues…Stroud, Williams or Hooker?

Virtually no questions were answered after conference championship week. USC’s Caleb Williams had the Heisman in his grasp, while TCU’s Max Duggan put together a gutsy performance to re-enter the Heisman conversation. Somehow, two quarterbacks who didn’t take the field Saturday – Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud and Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker – are still legitimate candidates to steal the award away in New York.

Call me crazy, but Hooker’s magical season pre-ACL tear seems the most compelling amidst the competition. To beat Alabama in a heavyweight battle at home and toss 27 touchdowns and only two interceptions? Not too shabby for the 24-year old.

Yes, this Heisman race will be closer than the Charles Woodson/Peyton Manning debate. Is it necessarily the most exciting race? No. Arguably none of the quarterbacks in the CFP deserve the Heisman, yet the bettors will likely place Stroud and Williams as the front-runners. Injuries have unfortunately hampered the hopes of Michigan running back Blake Corum and Hooker as of late, but the latter still has a chance to bring home the hardware after turning in UTK’s best season in years.

No. 7 Utah v. no. 9 Penn State will be another legendary Rose Bowl matchup

Recency bias will say that the Utes stomp the Nittany Lions. After all, they just won the Pac-12, defeated USC twice and looked physically dominant. They’ll also be motivated, having lost a thriller to Ohio State last season in the Rose Bowl. Utah has everything – momentum, talent and revenge on their minds – but don’t write off Penn State just yet.

Look, they’ve suffered two losses to two teams in the CFP and have dominated the competition in their past four games. The backfield duo of freshmen (!) Noah Singleton and Kaytron Allen – having combined for 1,771 yards rushing this season – is a classic sign of a physical Big Ten offense.

Don’t expect the somehow-still-in-college Sean Clifford to light up the scoreboard even when facing a dynamic Utes offense. Everything revolves around the yin and yang that is Singleton and Allen, who will provide Utah with their toughest test of the season from a run-defense standpoint. Regardless of narrative, the Rose Bowl has failed to let us down time and time again. Last year’s 48-45 battle between the Buckeyes and Utes was a sight to behold, and this year’s contest could be a grittier, defensively-oriented version of 2022’s all-time classic.

Other notable bowl games: *Rankings coming from AP Poll

Orange Bowl: no. 6 Tennessee vs. no. 10 Clemson (solid color coordination)

Sugar Bowl: no. 5 Alabama vs. no. 11 Kansas State (pissed off ‘Bama or don’t care ‘Bama?)

Cotton Bowl: no. 8 USC vs. no. 14 Tulane (how the mighty have fallen)
USC’s success is the embodiment of everything we don’t want in college football

December 2nd, 2022

By: William Smythe

What a rebuild that Lincoln Riley has spearheaded in Southern California! Sure, it only took a Biletnikoff-winner, Heisman hopeful and 1,000-yard rusher at Oregon, but who cares? America! One can look no further than USC to witness the changes that have taken place in the college football landscape. The transfer portal “epitomized,” the Trojans have pulled a Saban-esque performance without building an army of high school recruits. Instead, they’ve reaped the benefits of giving players a second-chance in a place with higher temperatures, Hollywood and paparazzi.

No disrespect to wide receiver Jordan Addison’s former home in Pittsburgh, yet the Steel City just doesn’t carry the same weight as the mammoth that is SoCal. The Trojans poached Oklahoma’s Lincoln Riley with a mouth-watering salary and all the perks in the world. They brought with him a budding star in quarterback Caleb Williams – who left the Sooner program out to dry after giving them reason to believe in a national championship bid. Addison left the Panthers (and basically swapped with now-Pitt QB and USC’s one-year starter in Kedon Slovis) as soon as he realized the potential of a Riley-led offense.

I kid you not when I say this: 37 of the Trojans’ current players came from a different school before landing in Los Angeles. Some of them just so happened to be the best in the business: Williams, Addison and Oregon’s Travis Dye. In a split second, Riley had been blessed with a “fresh start” – if you could even call it that – and said bye-bye to a program that he had built from the ground up. Is it even gratifying for a coach anymore, whose players come and go like Coach Cal’s one-and-done program? I’m sure of this, however: Lincoln Riley is a happy camper in Southern California, but he’s become the man we all swore to destroy.

The fact that the mass transfer portal experiment has worked flat-out stinks. In a nutshell, it’s not necessarily Riley’s fault that he’s doing his best to win in the short term. Everyone is looking for the proven guy who can’t reach the CFP on an underwhelming roster – consider Alabama’s Jahmyr Gibbs and LSU’s Jayden Daniels as somewhat of success stories from this season. It’s only natural, but the age of the transfer portal is just killing the college football that I knew.

The only bonafide programs that I consider hell-bent on grooming talent from the inside are Ohio State, Michigan and – to an extent – ‘Bama. It’s clear that these guys care about their recruits – only dipping into the transfer portal when they desperately need to address a hole on either side of the ball. Believe it or not, all of Ohio State’s wide receivers – Egbuka, Harrison Jr. and Smith-Njigba – have stayed with the Buckeyes despite the embarrassment of wealth they’ve recently had at the position. A glimmer of hope resides with Ohio State, for now.

As for coaches, the hot seat has gotten increasingly hotter if you can’t win quickly. What about developing your recruits – yes, I’m actually applauding Matt Rhule for turning around his programs over time? While we could agree that complacency is dead, patience has been thrown out the window. Guys will leave their program if they’re not getting 6+ wins in a season, and coaches are turning their focus to transfers rather than recruits. It’s too easy for a coach like Riley isn’t it? Wouldn’t everyone want an 11-1 season after a 4-8 finish the year before?

I recognize that this process won’t change and that many schools will benefit from the transfer portal. It’s inevitable. But, USC’s rise has reminded me that money, impatience and climates can dictate where a recruit/transfer ends up. We’re stuck, mired in the mud that is the quick-turnaround mindset. The Jay-Z seven-year process? That’s an afterthought. It’s win now or you’re canned.
Virginia basketball’s emergence: What’s worked and what’s to come?

December 1st, 2022

By: William Smythe

I think we’ve reached the point in the season where we can finally escape nightmares of the National Invitational Tournament. The Virginia men’s basketball program – having suffered through mediocrity all of last year – is returning to prominence in a big way after racing out to a 6-0 start and a no. 3 national ranking. If you can take anything else from this piece it’s this: do not underestimate the genius of Coach Tony Bennett.

What Bennett has salvaged – a.k.a all of the starting lineup from 2021-22 – and gained – consider transfer forward Ben Vander Plas and freshmen Isaac McKneely and Ryan Dunn – are pieces that have gelled faster than we could have imagined. I will not lie, I had my reservations about the no. 18 ranking with which the Cavaliers started the season. How would a team that flirted with a middle-of-the-pack ACC standing turn the tables in 2022-23?

The team from last season is Keyser Soze from the Usual Suspects: “after that, my guess is you’ll never hear from them again.” That is to say that this roster – composed of many of the same players – has exercised its demons and gotten the proverbial monkey off the back. How do I ensure your confidence in this team? Well, senior guard Armaan Franklin is no longer suffering through periods of abysmal three-point shooting, and senior Jayden Gardner has shouldered less of an offensive burden after carrying the Cavaliers through much of last season – all while Virginia continues to win.

So, what have we learned thus far, after wins against then no. 6 Baylor, no. 19 Illinois and Michigan? Let’s take a look at how the Cavaliers have reinvented themselves in 2022.

Despite our skepticism, Gardner and Vander Plas can, in fact, co-exist

When former Ohio forward Ben Vander Plas decided to take his talents to Charlottesville, Cavalier fans wondered how the addition could affect Gardner – Virginia’s leading scorer in 2021-22. It was (and still is) a fair question, as Vander Plas’ measurables, position and physicality are oddly comparable to Gardner’s. The two power-forwards – who are not quite the center-forward hybrid that junior Kadin Shedrick has always been – have nonetheless proved that they can provide some small-ball lineups for Coach Bennett when the big men face some serious foul trouble. And – if you watched the Michigan game – Shedrick and Caffaro bore the brunt of challenging the Wolverines’ Hunter Dickinson – a center who has a penchant for some “dirty play.”

Vander Plas and Gardner, however, are rather different players. Gardner can dominate the mid-range with his soft floaters and strong ability to clean up misses, while the former is more apt at stretching the floor and keeping opponents’ forwards honest. Even as Gardner struggled early in the season – having averaged 7.8 ppg over the first four games – he has turned the burners on with two strong performances against Michigan and Maryland-Eastern Shore. Vander Plas has provided consistent minutes off of the bench, not only replacing Gardner yet accompanying him in the frontcourt when Bennett chooses to roll out a more skilled lineup. Don’t worry, we won’t see the disappearance of Gardner or Vander Plas even if the former’s panic button seemed tempting.

Reece Beekman has fulfilled his prophecy as the next Virginia great

Malcolm Brogdon. London Perrantes. Kyle Guy and Ty Jerome. Who could possibly fill that void as the next great Virginia guard? Well, ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the inevitable emergence of junior Reece Beekman. The past few years have witnessed the ascendance of Beekman from a defensive standpoint, as he has thrived in Bennett’s Pack-Line system as a pest for opposing guards. As for the offensive side of things? He’s taken the next step. Beekman has strung together two incredible performances – including a 19-point outing against Illinois and an 18-point finish against Michigan – all while sealing the deal defensively in both contests.

Beekman defensively is poetry in motion. In the final seconds of the Michigan and Illinois matchups, Beekman tallied game-clinching steals and put any hope of a comeback victory away with his uncanny, ball-hawk ability. To see him dunk, slash to the lane and fearlessly take three-point opportunities is a welcome surprise for fans who saw the promise in the young guard from Milwaukee. Don’t be surprised if Beekman comes home with all the hardware – ACC Defensive Player of the Year, ACC First-Team and a potential NDPOY nod – as he has done everything possible to spur this team along.

Patience, composure and three-point shooting only when necessary

Three-point shooting is a double-edged sword. If it works, you’re witnessing a Baylor-esque win and a barrage of points within the span of a couple minutes. If it fails, you’re left helpless to find any other options outside of the old, “chuck it up and pray” strategy that often befell the Cavaliers in 2021. This season, it’s largely a balanced offensive attack which has defined the Cavaliers’ six wins. The patience which embodies a Bennett-led offensive unit has paid dividends; when you consider Virginia’s comeback against Michigan, the Cavaliers only attempted eight three-pointers and converted half of them, with the bulk of the production coming from Beekman’s drives and the frontcourt’s finishes near the rim.

To score at least 70 points – with only 12 of those coming from the three-point line – provides reason for limitless optimism in Charlottesville. Rest assured that the Cavaliers will once again have matchups in which they may turn to Franklin, Vander Plas and Clark for three-point production, yet they have already proved that a wise shot selection may not always result in the most sexy of plays. I won’t exactly go there, but the improvement of the offense reminds me of the 2019 unit – which always found a way to put the ball in the back of the net.

If the Cavaliers continue to play their brand of basketball, this team will be a hard out in March.
CBB rapid-fire roundup: ACC and Drew Timme in trouble, Arizona ascending

November 30th, 2022

By: William Smythe

Are you not entertained? Are…you…not…entertained? Let’s dive into some of the recent storylines from a college basketball season already living up to expectations. Suffice it to say that the blue-bloods are down, the Big East may be up and Zach Edey might just be our National Player of the Year.

ACC is, um, looking pretty shoddy outside of Virginia

What is happening to the nation’s most historic basketball conference? Why us, why now? The hopes and dreams of ACC supremacy are quickly fading after North Carolina’s fall from grace and Duke’s blowout loss to no. 5 Purdue. No. 3 Virginia – who captured a massive road win against a tricky Michigan team – is the anchor of a conference who may only receive three to four bids come March Madness.

Louisville (0-7) is – as we expected – abysmal, and a one-win Florida State could literally lose by 40 tonight against the Boilermakers. I guess there are some teams in the middle of the pack – Miami, NC State and Wake Forest – who could pick up the slack as the heavyweights struggle, yet don’t expect the ACC to share its former successes in 2022.

College basketball’s most polarizing player is helpless

Whether you hate him or not, Gonzaga’s Drew Timme might be the most valuable player to his team in all of college basketball. I don’t think I’ve seen the ‘Zags more dependent on any one guy in their history, let alone a mustached, undersized big who’s been in college for what seems like a Kihei Clark-esque amount of time. However, everything funnels through Timme (20.0 ppg, 7.4 rpg) – the sole contributor in the frontcourt and the centerpiece of an offense that’s had some better guard play in the past.

If Few wants his team to compete, he has to squeeze more out of transfer Efton Reid, veteran forward Anton Watson and the up-and-coming Ben Gregg in the frontcourt. When the backcourt looks sketchy (as it did against Purdue), the ‘Zags will need Timme’s compatriots to help him shoulder the offensive load.

Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd is an International Man of Mystery

My goodness, I don’t think anyone expected Arizona to compete once again. After a surprise 33-4 campaign in 2021, the ‘Cats lost Pac-12 POY Bennedict Mathurin, first-round draft pick Dalen Terry and center Christian Koloko and still look the part. Tommy Lloyd, how do you do the things you do? The Maui Invitational gave the world a taste of the high-octane offense many thought would suffer big-time this season, as Arizona defeated no. 17 San Diego State and no. 10 Creighton en route to the ‘ship.

Good luck stopping the International Revolution that Lloyd has carried on from his predecessor, Sean Miller – I’m more specifically referring to the 7’0, 260-pound Oumar Ballo and 6’11 Azuolas Tubelis, both of whom are averaging at least 19 points per game. You’ll need some big boys to do the dirty work against Lloyd’s frontcourt, but you’ll be faced with the tall task of slowing down their sharp-shooting guards in turn.

Baylor just lost to Shaka Smart…by 26?

Never thought I’d see the words “Marquette” and “blowout” together in this Big East-Big 12 matchup. Well, Shaka Smart had something to say in a dominant defensive performance by his Golden Eagles against the nation’s best backcourt. Baylor posted a ridiculous 16 turnovers before the half, and Marquette converted 24 (!) points in turn after swarming the likes of Adam Flagler, LJ Cryer and Keyonte George.

Thus, when the Bears’ backcourt struggles, they’re still not going to get much production from their bigs. I don’t know exactly how to read this result simply because Marquette may spontaneously combust later into the season, but Baylor has to figure some things out soon. Their three guards – while incredibly dangerous – will determine whether Scott Drew can secure another high seed in March Madness.
Shane Beamer, the Big Ten West and the Pac-12’s ascendance: Everything you need to know following Rivalry Week

November 27th, 2022

By: William Smythe

With everything on the line – well, almost everything – the college football gods tailored the script to their own liking. They could’ve given us hope by keeping LSU in the hunt, and they surely should’ve given the Fighting Irish enough Leprechaun magic to upend Lincoln Riley’s CFP bid in Southern California. For the first time in my life – maybe besides the 2013 National Championship against Alabama – I actually backed Notre Dame in a football game. But no, the quest for USC’s first college football playoff eats away at the hopes of college football’s “anti-transfer portal” contingent – including myself.

If the gods trust Vegas and let conference championships play out as they should, we will all be witnesses to a new crop – well, half a crop – of teams qualifying for the college football playoff. TCU players and coaches must have taken our comments about their team’s improbable undefeated run personally, with Coach Sonny Dykes’ team only one win away from the no. 3 spot in the CFP. Horned Frog nation, rejoice. You may even squeeze into the playoff on the heels of a loss to no. 13 Kansas State, your biggest competition of the year. However, I can only applaud the Horned Frogs’ for somehow turning Max Duggan of all people into a legitimate Heisman contender and catalyst for a playoff team.

No. 1 Georgia is virtually a lock barring a defeat to no. 11 LSU, who let con man Jimbo Fisher finagle himself into a few more years in College Station after a 38-23 win on Saturday. No. 2 Michigan faces the easiest road on paper in order to secure their playoff spot, yet here’s a thought that will keep Wolverines fans up at night: their opponent – Purdue – has won seventeen games against AP top five teams when unranked, and won both of their blockbuster matchups last season against no. 2 Iowa and no. 5 Michigan State.

What could be more fitting than Jeff Brohm’s 8-4 Boilermakers creating chaos for the playoff committee? Don’t overlook this matchup among the others come Saturday, as Purdue knows what it takes to slay the dragon.

No. 4 USC controls their destiny against no. 12 Utah, a team who defeated the Trojans 43-42 in an absolute barnburner early this year. I’m hesitant, though, to ride with the Utes against the Heisman frontrunner in sophomore quarterback Caleb Williams. The few fans in Southern California – who have mysteriously appeared just as their team has achieved relevancy again – are feeling like it’s 2004 after watching a revamped roster put the Trojans back on the map.

Their defense is horrific compared to Michigan and Georgia’s, yet no offense is scarier than Riley’s – especially when you have a future Heisman winner throwing to a former Biletnikoff recipient in wideout Jordan Addison. Give me the Trojans to advance in their biggest game in recent memory.

So, what have we learned after rivalry week?

Shane Beamer is building something special in Columbia

What the no. 20 ranked Gamecocks have done in the past two weeks is truly remarkable. A 63-38 win against no. 5 Tennessee and a one-point triumph – on the road, no less – over no. 7 Clemson has unleashed anarchy into the CFP landscape. I guess “Beamer Ball” is finally paying dividends after humiliating losses to Florida and Missouri.

In a nightmarish scenario for Oklahoma fans – who already have to suffer by watching Caleb Williams’ success with Lincoln Riley at USC – good old Spencer Rattler looks like the quarterback we all thought he could become. Now, this is not to say that Rattler has consistently dominated; in fact, he’s looked unbelievably mediocre all throughout this season. However, I haven’t seen someone play this well in a small period of time since T.J. Warren played like M.J. in the 2020 NBA Playoff bubble.

Rattler has tossed for 798 yards and accounted for nine touchdowns against two top-10 teams in the country, including against a Clemson defensive unit that had only allowed 19.1 points per game. I could not tell you why he’s playing so well this late into the year, but who cares! South Carolina – whose coach used to be known for graciously taking on a mayo bath – has finally escaped the clutches of the Duke’s Bowl thanks to Rattler’s play in these last two games.

Is Beamer the new Matt Rhule? Will he build off of two winning seasons in the SEC with a breakthrough season down the road? I’m convinced he may just be the rebuilder that South Carolina needed, as a bowl win will cement their emergence among the heavyweights.

Get rid of conference divisions – I’m looking at you, Big Ten West and ACC Coastal

It’s almost mind-boggling that the separation of conferences into divisions still exists. Why in the world should the conference championship be played between an 8-4 Purdue and a 12-0 Michigan when there are two teams – Ohio State and Penn State – with better conference records than the former? Now, I’ve already told you about Purdue’s threat to Michigan’s playoff appearance, yet I’m not in favor of seeing them compete for the Big Ten title with losses to Iowa and Wisconsin.

Conferences such as the Pac-12 have shifted their process by taking the top two teams overall, a choice which will yield a battle between no. 4 USC and no. 12 Utah on Saturday. Imagine if The Game was played twice a season or if Alabama and Georgia could duke it out in the SEC Championship year after year.

I’ll accept the argument that divisions allow for some unpredictability in a landscape dominated by the big boys. Not often does Purdue get the chance to play on the biggest of stages in their conference, as their chances of reaching the championship in this new system would essentially eliminate them from contention every year. However, I’ve seen enough of the ACC Coastal/Atlantic matchups to determine that it’s time for a change across college football.

From 2015 to 2020, Clemson’s point differential against six different opponents was +151 – including a 32-point thrashing of Pitt in 2018 and a 45-point win over Virginia the year after. These poor ACC Coastal opponents were simply exchanging the rights to national embarrassment with each other.

If between these six years you watched the ACC Championship game, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Don’t let this continue, America. Together, we can finally put an end to the mistakes that are the Big Ten West and the ACC Coastal.

The Pac-12 has been the best football conference in 2022

To all of the SEC homers, I recommend that you avert your eyes. I never thought I’d say this, but the Pac-12 has emerged unlike ever before on the national stage. The Conference of Champions – yes, this name actually exists for the Pac-12 – currently has six teams in the top-25 and two in the top-10.

USC may be the first from the conference to appear in the playoff since Washington in 2016, while the Utes or Ducks will certainly be in line for a Rose Bowl appearance against what will likely be Ohio State. Caleb Williams could be the first Pac-12 Heisman winner since Marcus Mariota in 2014 after carrying his team to a one-loss record and berth in the conference championship game.

But the SEC is the SEC! Yeah, I know, Georgia destroyed the Ducks and ‘Bama is still ‘Bama even in an off-year. However, you can’t use examples of teams like Arkansas, Ole Miss and Florida to defend against the Pac-12 supremacy argument and act like they would run the table in the West. They wouldn’t. Take your medicine and accept that the Pac-12 may never see a year like this again.

The quarterback-driven league which has featured the likes of Williams, Utah’s Cam Rising and Oregon’s Bo Nix only facilitates the argument that these teams can compete with the usual suspects – the SEC included. Let’s see how the bowl games play out before we know for sure, yet the Pac-12 has undoubtedly made a case for this year’s top dog among the Power Five.
Villanova’s return to national prominence isn’t unlikely, it’s inevitable

November 22nd, 2022

By: William Smythe

When Jay Wright abandoned his beloved Villanova program, a part of Delaware County died. The heart and soul of a hugely successful, “Fortune 500” program, Wright made the questionable move to take his talents to the broadcasting booth after retiring from the coaching grind – how do we feel about that, ‘Nova faithful?

Whether you hate him or love him after a Benedict Arnold-esque move, the ‘Cats have turned the page by hiring one of Wright’s former assistants: Kyle Neptune. Last a coach at the Atlantic 10’s Fordham, Neptune has been tasked with upholding the legacy of the winningest coach in Wildcat history – a two-time national champion who did the impossible by overshadowing the famed Rollie Massimino. Unfortunately, the silver fox is gone. Nonetheless, don’t expect the ‘Cats to skip a beat as they begin the Neptune era in Philly.

Yeah, but Villanova lost to Temple! Don’t read into it that much. This Villanova roster is incredibly depleted after the losses of senior guard Justin Moore and freshman phenom Cam Whitmore to injuries early in the season. Moreover, the eighth-year senior (how it looked from afar) Collin Gillespie is finally gone, forcing ‘Nova to search for a new facilitator after boasting the likes of Gillespie, Jalen Brunson and Kyle Lowry during Wright’s tenure.

Whitmore – the MVP of for the United States’ U18 squad in the FIBA Americas Championship last summer – is eyeing a return to the court either this week or later into December. I cannot emphasize this enough: the Wildcats need him to be competitive before Big East play. A seven-deep roster (that’s probably a stretch) hasn’t helped Neptune establish his dynasty thus far.

Current MVP: Senior forward Eric Dixon

An unlikely candidate for Villanova team MVP, Dixon has shouldered the offensive load while Moore and Whitmore recover. Averaging 19.8 points per game, the fifth-leading scorer on last year’s Final Four team has been thrust into the limelight as the anchor of the frontcourt alongside fellow senior Brandon Slater (13.0 ppg).

No slight to Dixon, but if he’s setting the pace for ‘Nova it’s pretty obvious that injuries are plaguing this team. When Moore and Whitmore return – the former will likely be back come Big East play – Dixon may thrive even more with opposing defenses’ focus targeted towards what will be a dynamic backcourt. So, the verdict: Moore will end the season as team MVP, but Dixon and company will thrive as a result of his return.

What will happen to ‘Nova this season?

It’s truly contingent on injuries, but I’m banking on a comeback season for the ages. I’m talking Big East regular season champions and a no. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament as a crowning achievement for Neptune’s first year. As I’ve learned from watching ‘Nova over the past few years, it’s unwise to bet against them – even if they receive far less acclaim than the media’s favorite blue-bloods.

I don’t worry about the coaching change at all, especially since the ‘Cats showed some serious fight on the road against Michigan State and may impress in the Phil Knight Invitational this week. KEEP IN MIND, THEY ARE CURRENTLY WITHOUT THEIR BEST TWO PLAYERS. An unranked Villanova is not an indicator of where this team will be later this season. Just watch.
CBB’s New AP Poll: Alterations and agreements

November 21st, 2022

By: William Smythe

1. North Carolina

Who should be here: Houston

Shame on North Carolina for their cupcake schedule. In light of their four wins against mid-majors – nearly all of which entailed some serious stress – the Tar Heels have done nothing to convince America that they are worthy of the top spot. I can’t emphasize this enough: do NOT hold high expectations for teams that pulled off a Cinderella run in a prior tournament as a middling seed! That’s not to say that the Tar Heels won’t hang around the top 10 for the rest of the season – I’m sure they will – but there’s a host of teams behind them who have actually challenged themselves early into non-conference play. I’d take Kelvin Sampson’s Houston over any team in the country at the moment, and especially over a Carolina team who struggled against Gardner-Webb and UNC-Wilmington.

If the ‘Heels can escape the Phil Knight Invitational and either Iowa State or Villanova unscathed, they’ll earn more respect on the national stage. Keep in mind they’re a contender in nearly every game with senior forward Armando Bacot (18.3 ppg, 11.8 rpg) at the helm. It’s entirely possible that North Carolina only plays one or two ranked teams in all of November and December, especially considering that former no. 20 Michigan has already dropped out of the AP Poll. Hubert Davis’ crew needs a statement win against no. 11 Indiana to go along with a triumph in the Phil Knight Invitational; if not, we’ll say we were right all along.

2. Houston

Who should be here: North Carolina

It only took a half of the Oregon/Houston matchup to convince me that the Cougars are far and away the cream of the crop. They waltzed into Eugene – facing three seven-footers and a basketball court that is quite literally the ugliest in CBB history – and shut down the Ducks en route to a 66-56 victory on the road. Preseason all-American guard Marcus Sasser (16.6 ppg) didn’t even play much in the first half due to foul trouble, yet freshman Terrance Arcenaux (9.0 ppg) wreaked havoc as a defensive pest and shined as a lightning-quick player in transition. You can argue that none of the Cougars’ first five games has been remotely close. Unlike the ‘Heels, they’re executing as they should against inferior competition.

In Sampson’s system, the defense never rests. Guards Arcenaux, Sasser and Jamal Shead are as close to locksmiths as you can get on the perimeter, while freshman forward Jarace Walker has shown defensive prowess in a scheme predicated on chaos. The Cougars prey on turnovers and will make you pay in transition. It’s no wonder that year-in and year-out Houston finds themselves highly ranked in terms of scoring defense, while their offense will be able to hang with the best of them – largely thanks to Sasser and Walker. Upcoming games against no. 18 Alabama and no. 5 Virginia will finally test the Cougars before AAC play begins.

3. Kansas

Who should be here: Kansas

The Jayhawks haven’t blown me away, but let’s consider that Bill Self is coming off a four-game, self-imposed sanction from 2017’s FBI investigation. A 69-64 triumph over no. 7 Duke has catapulted Kansas into the third spot in the AP Poll – but hey, they really should be thanking Gonzaga, Kentucky and Baylor for their shortcomings. This is a new roster, full of pieces continuing to gel as the Jayhawks turn to – gasp – small ball. Freshman guard Gradey Dick (16.8 ppg) and junior forward Jalen Wilson (24.5 ppg) carry the Kansas offense on their backs and will undoubtedly be focal points of Self’s agenda once he returns.

Hey, Kansas, I do have to ask about what happened against Southern Utah three days ago. A 82-76 win against a sub-mid-major in the ‘Phog? I’ll give you guys one letdown pass, and that’s it. I don’t actually believe that the Jayhawks will struggle against the likes of Texas Southern and Harvard in the coming days; what embodies college basketball more than Kansas beating Duke by five and then Southern Utah by six? Kansas isn’t the sexiest team out there, yet you can always bet on Self to fly under the radar and lead his team to a Big 12 Championship. Excellence, not greatness, is expected in Lawrence once again.

4. Texas

Who should be here: Texas

I am so unbelievably tempted to fade Texas because I predict their eventual demise. Texas? A basketball school in the post-KD era? Not so fast. However, a coaching change, dynamic transfer and new arena have brought the excitement back to Austin amidst the football program’s mediocrity. The reason for Texas’s ascendance? A 92-73 thrashing of Gonzaga at home. The ‘Horns – whose win looks even better after Gonzaga’s subsequent blowout of former no. 4 Kentucky – deserve a spot in the top-five after securing a major resume booster for March. Now, Beard and company will have a brutal stretch in early December against no. 10 Creighton and no. 16 Illinois – two teams who have recently defeated top-20 teams (no. 21 Texas Tech and no. 8 UCLA, respectively).

I foresee Texas splitting the two contests, a result which wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. If sophomore guard Tyrese Hunter (18.0 ppg, 40% from three) catches on fire like he did against Gonzaga, the Longhorns may have an easier road than they expected in some serious non-conference matchups. Moreover, the depth at Beard’s disposal will allow him to wear opponents down, especially against a team like Creighton who is dangerously reliant on their starting five for production. I’m betting on the Longhorns’ gradual decline, but there’s a chance they prove me wrong as they head into the belly of the beast.

5. Virginia

Who should be here: Virginia

I’m so happy for my Virginia Cavaliers and the way in which they have played these past few days. It’s been a traumatic, emotional week for the program and all of Charlottesville, yet these young men made us all proud to be Wahoos after claiming two top-20 victories in the Continental Tire Main Event. If there were any doubts about Coach Tony Bennett’s effectiveness as a coach, we can safely put them to rest. A near-blowout over no. 7 Baylor and a late surge against no. 16 Illinois have launched the Cavaliers into the top five – a whopping 11 spots above their previous ranking. Do they deserve it? 100%. Does anyone have a better resume than the ‘Hoos at the moment, and more importantly, have any teams played two teams in the Top 25 and won both?

The answer is no. A pitch-perfect start for Bennett’s squad – anchored by junior guard Reece Beekman and a balanced offensive attack – looks to re-write the narrative after bowing out in the NIT last season. Beekman is, in my opinion, the nation’s finest defender, and erased Illinois’ Terrence Shannon Jr. (21.2 ppg) after his 29-point performance against UCLA. Virginia will lean on Beekman more as they take on Michigan, Houston and North Carolina, while senior guard Armaan Franklin (16.0 ppg) and forward Kadin Shedrick (10.8 ppg, 5.8 ppg) will play their roles as drastically-improved scorers. Virginia’s matchup with no. 2 Houston will be particularly note-worthy after last season’s embarrassment against the Cougars. A matchup of mind-numbing defenses, masterminds of the game and underrated programs will take place on December 17, a game which may have many AP Poll implications.

6. Gonzaga

Who should be here: Creighton

7. Baylor

Who should be here: Gonzaga

8. Duke

Who should be here: Baylor

9. Arkansas

Who should be here: Arkansas

10. Creighton

Who should be here: Duke
Heisman Tracker, Post-Week 11

November 20th, 2022
By: William Smythe

What a whirlwind weekend of college football. Well, TCU has successfully staved off my pessimism as they willed themselves to yet another win – one step closer to the CFP and arguably the most impressive first year coaching job I’ve seen in a long time. With a crushing injury to Heisman candidate Hendon Hooker, Tennessee saw their dreams fade into the wind at Williams-Brice Stadium as the old Spencer Rattler returned with a vengeance. Tennessee’s vacancy in the top-five will create further chaos, with no. 5 USC, no. 6 LSU and no. 7 Clemson still in the hunt for the playoff.

The Heisman race, however, is as boring as they come. Why can’t players just dominate and simultaneously be on a top team anymore? Names such as Burrow, Newton and Jackson come to mind as guys who embodied the Heisman description and never had an “off-day” in their respective winning seasons. If Stroud wins, will we all feel that he is deserving, or are we spoiled by legends of the past? Let’s get into it.

Frontrunner: CJ Stroud, junior quarterback, Ohio State

The loss of Tennessee’s Hooker has unfortunately widened the gap for Stroud’s Heisman bid. Don’t get me wrong, he’s posted a gaudy 35 passing touchdowns even with struggles against Rutgers, Northwestern and Maryland – games in which he combined for a measly 471 yards and three passing touchdowns. It’s crazy to consider that Stroud could have three massive letdown games on his resume yet still stand atop the Heisman leaderboard, but here we are. In a college football landscape without the bevy of quarterback depth we’ve seen across top teams in past years, Stroud’s relative consistency as a passer makes his case the strongest – especially since he has played largely without star wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Everything – I mean everything – depends on The Game next weekend. If Stroud can put together a 300-yard, 2+ touchdown performance and seal a win against the Wolverines, he’ll almost be a shoo-in – assuming Ohio State has no problem with the mighty Boilermakers of Purdue or some combination of Iowa and Minnesota. I’m not a fan of letting Stroud run away with the award, so he’ll have to work for it on Nov. 26.

Heisman Moment: Still The Game

2. Caleb Williams, sophomore quarterback, USC

NFL franchises would be salivating over Williams if he was draft eligible in 2023. The sophomore transfer from Oklahoma has unfortunately made the right choice by following offensive guru Lincoln Riley to SoCal, while his nearly telepathic rapport with former Biletnikoff winner Jordan Addison continues to work wonders. With no room for error on a one-loss team, Williams just put on a show against no. 16 UCLA in yet another PAC-12 After Dark Showdown. A not-too-shabby, 503 total yard performance against the Bruins has elevated Williams into this second spot.

Similar to North Carolina’s Drake Maye, Williams makes up for a defense that is certainly not doing him any favors. What a stark contrast to Zach Wilson and the Jets! Without their sophomore gunslinger, the Trojans would be flying blind in a difficult Pac-12 schedule. Now, to secure the Heisman, Williams must hope for a supreme letdown/Ohio State loss that would essentially eliminate Stroud from contention. This is all assuming that Williams takes care of business against no. 18 Notre Dame – a team that could sneakily pry victory away from the Trojans in their last regular season contest – before presumably taking on no. 10 Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship. If the stars align – a.k.a. the Buckeyes cave and the Trojans win both – we could be looking at a second consecutive sophomore Heisman winner.

Heisman Moment: Against no. 18 Notre Dame and no. 10 Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship

3. Blake Corum, junior running back, Michigan

What a bummer that Corum missed nearly all of the second half against Illinois due to some injury concerns. No wonder the Wolverines struggled down the stretch against the 7-4 Illini, who nearly put away any hope of a playoff appearance for the current no. 3 seed. Corum is far and away the most relevant tailback in college football at the moment. His 18 rushing touchdowns are good for second in the nation behind Minnesota’s Mo Ibrahim, but the difference is Michigan’s 11-0 record. Sure, this isn’t a Derrick Henry-esque season or anything close to what Christian McCaffrey did in the same year, but it’s a product of circumstances. The lack of elite, consistent candidates at the top of the Heisman ladder has allowed Corum to sneak into the top-3 without making a sound.

He’ll truly need a performance akin to that of teammate Hassan Haskins (169 yds, 5 TDs) against Ohio State in 2021 to make a compelling case for the Heisman over Stroud and Williams. It’s just the pitfall of living in a quarterback’s world. With a lower body injury leaving his full availability in the balance, Corum’s odds of putting together an otherworldly performance are unlikely. He says he’ll be ready to go, but will the Wolverines feed him more than fifteen-carries if injuries begin to rear their ugly head again? The nation’s most prolific running back should prioritize his health over a mammoth workload as Michigan prepares for war.

Heisman Moment: Still The Game
- Oregon’s Bo Nix needs to go wild against both no. 22 Oregon State and no. 5 USC in the conference championship game
- I’m talking 400+ yards, 3+ touchdowns in each to give him a chance
- A Rose Bowl appearance and an Ohio State loss to Michigan would actually give Nix a great chance at securing the Heisman
- TCU’s Max Duggan needs to do the same, leading TCU to an undefeated record and a playoff appearance
- However, I fear that his stats are not in the same airspace as the other three quarterbacks I’ve mentioned (2,858 yards passing, 31 total TDs)
‘Zags, Bears and Bruins take a tumble in another unpredictable week of CBB

November 19th, 2022

By: William Smythe

The AP Poll Committee has some serious decisions to make come Monday. Are we witnessing one of the most chaotic starts to a college basketball season in recent memory? Did three top-10 teams really just fall (in a big way) over the span of three days? Yes, and don’t scratch your eyes, this is really happening. The no. 11 ranked Longhorns, no. 16 Virginia, and no. 19 Illinois captured potentially season-defining victories over the likes of Gonzaga, Baylor and UCLA as David felled the mighty Goliath. Instability is the name of the game, just how we like it. So, should ‘Zags fans doubt their team’s ability to withstand adversity early in the season? Should we consider that Texas – I can’t believe I’m saying this – may be back? We’ll analyze the wild past few days of college basketball and look at the inevitable changes which will take place in the next AP Poll.

No. 2 Gonzaga vs. no. 11 Texas:

If you mess with the Beard, you’ll get the Horns. I don’t imagine anyone foresaw the 93-74 drubbing of the ‘Zags by Texas, even in Austin’s brand new arena which has notably “trapped” sound to enhance home court advantage. I’ll admit, I think that Mark Few’s team may be in serious trouble. Senior forward Drew Timme (20.7 ppg, 8.0 rpg) bears too heavy of a burden on this roster, as it’s clear that the loss of Chet Holmgren has made this frontcourt ever so one-dimensional. What’s odd is that the Bulldogs shot 47.4% from three and were still run out of the gym. That speaks volumes to the pace at which Chris Beard’s Longhorns play, best exemplified by sophomore guard Tyrese Hunter’s 26 points and five three-pointers.

I hate to jump on the Texas bandwagon because it has wronged me so many times before. The addition of the Iowa State transfer in Hunter, however, combined with the depth that Beard deploys – something Gonzaga could not match – makes this team uniquely dangerous. Thirty-three shots from behind the arc is ABSURD, but hey, you’re not complaining when you’re completing 39.4% of those attempts. Texas will be able to run with anyone considering their high-octane pace of play, and they should challenge both Baylor and Kansas for the Big 12 Crown. What a year it should be for this conference.

Now, if you’re Gonzaga, you have to play no. 4 Kentucky next, so congratulations! Oddly enough, this is a perfect opportunity for Timme and company to re-establish themselves and get back in the winning column. If Timme can neutralize Kentucky’s Oscar Tshiebwe, the Bulldogs may remain in the top-10. That’s a big if, and it’s highly probable that Few leans on his guards – senior Rasir Bolton and junior Julian Strawther – to pick up Timme’s slack in such a tough matchup.

No. 5 Baylor vs. No. 16 Virginia:

What a win for my Virginia Cavaliers. In the wake of an unimaginable tragedy, Coach Tony Bennett orchestrated a near-perfect performance and secured a victory that this University desperately needed. I’m not going to reference 2019 – it’s just a little too early – but the buzz hasn’t been this palpable in Charlottesville for a long time. Senior guard Armaan Franklin took the negative press personally after a horrendous showing from the three-point line last year, finishing the Baylor game with a career-high 26 points. The difference between last year’s roster and this one is night and day. Sixth-man and Ohio transfer Ben Vander Plas continues to excel as a reliable three-point shooter and a stretch big. Junior guard Reece Beekman is, in my opinion, the indisputable glue-guy for the ‘Hoos and the top perimeter defender in the country. Everytime I watch Beekman on his assignment, I can’t help but beam and think of Malcolm Brogdon’s defensive chops less than ten years ago.

In terms of senior forward Kadin Shedrick, Buy. Stock. Now. Thanks to Jon Rothstein for that off-season tip. Shedrick just showed a side to his game that we’ve never seen before: midrange jumpers. In addition to protecting the rim and thunderously cashing in alley-oops from fifth-year Kihei Clark, Shedrick’s development in the midrange would be massive in terms of preparing for the Cavaliers; is it possible that Coach Bennett will have at least six guys who can reliably shoot the ball in 2022? The two freshmen – guards Isaac McKneely and Ryan Dunn – have also looked impressively comfortable adjusting to the Pack-Line and will likely continue to see more minutes. The comparisons of Dunn to Cavalier legend De’Andre Hunter are well-founded, but we have to wait and see if Dunn contributes in a big way offensively. As Cavalier fans, this win means everything for Charlottesville and for the memory of Devin, D’Sean and Lavel. Virginia played with a heavy heart and delivered an emotional victory for their fellow ‘Hoos.

I don’t want to slight Baylor whatsoever. They’re an incredibly talented group with a freshman – guard Keyonte George – who will strike fear into the hearts of Big 12 defenses throughout the season. Also, Coach Drew’s remarks about the events in Charlottesville and the group prayer after the game give me reason to support the Bears the rest of the way. As for his team’s play, the Bears struggled to contain the ‘Hoos’ three-point barrage which widened the gap to as much as 22 in the second half. They showed some fight, however, clawing back in the final ten minutes and putting the press on the ‘Hoos. George, senior guard Adam Flagler and junior guard LJ Cryer will be the building blocks for an offense that is heavily guard reliant. The problem is the frontcourt, as Drew only received 21 total points from his forwards. This group will continue to gel and improve after the losses of several key contributors from last season.

No. 8 UCLA vs. No. 19 Illinois:

The rebirth of Terrence Shannon Jr. is upon us. At Texas Tech, Shannon filled more of a “slasher” role but nonetheless had an incredible ceiling; at Illinois, Shannon may be scratching the surface of All-American potential. A 29-point and ten-rebound performance – including eight three-pointers – has put the world on notice. Coach Brad Underwood has pulled out all the stops in the transfer portal by landing Shannon and Baylor transfers Matthew Mayer (6.5 ppg) and Dain Dainja (16.3 ppg). This team is nearly unrecognizable from last year’s considering the roster overhaul, but who’s complaining in Champaign? The Illini showed some serious heart after overcoming a 15-point deficit in the second half. Dainja – who tallied 13 points off the bench – and Shannon catalyzed an offense which absolutely blitzed the Bruins in Vegas.

If you’re a UCLA fan, where were you all? In what world does orange and blue completely fill an arena on the West Coast, not far from Westwood? Mick Cronin was unfortunately not as consistent as A Few Good Men on a rainy Sunday. The Bruins looked the part in the first half, but succumbed to the three-point shooting of Shannon and a pitiful 37.5% clip from the field. Cronin – rightfully so – was unapologetically honest about his team’s performance postgame. Where was five-star freshman Amari Bailey, who tallied only one point in 29 minutes? Senior guard Tyger Campbell and forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. – an All-American candidate – combined for 42 of their team’s 70 points and received little to no help from their fellow starters. Cronin will need more from Bailey and junior guard Jaylen Clark (14.8 ppg) to maximize this team’s potential.

Perhaps Illinois is far better than we thought initially, or perhaps UCLA is bound to disappoint. I’m in the former’s camp. The Illini have successfully groomed a transfer-laden roster which may benefit from improved three-point shooting and depth – especially if Dainja continues to come off the bench. The ‘Hoos will attempt to grind the game’s pace to a halt when facing the Illini, with junior guard Reece Beekman potentially taking the Shannon (or Skyy Clark) assignment. Virginia’s defense – whose Achilles’ heel is three-pointers – will hope that Shannon reverts to his old ways of slashing against another efficient, Bennett-led unit. With both teams eyeing a spot in the top-10, expect a hard-fought battle on the Strip.