NCAA Men: Duop Reath and the Aussie big men dominating
Duop Reath led a host of Aussie big men who dominated in Division I college hoops across the past week.
As one of the most impressive Australian's in college hoops this season, Duop Reath led the way in guiding Louisiana State to two important wins over Texas Southern and Charleston. In LSU's 88-80 win against Texas Southern, the 6'10 forward compiled a game-high 21 points on a sizzling 9-of-14 shooting with 8 rebounds and 1 blocked shot. He would receive great support from fellow Aussie Kieran Hayward who chipped in 8 points (2-of-2 3PT) with 3 rebounds and 2 blocks in 17 minutes off the bench. Charleston had no answer for Reath as LSU prevailed 75-65. Reath would again register another game-high performance, this time delivering 23 points on 10-of-16 shooting with 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 blocks. It was a third 20-point outing this season for the big man who is now averaging an impressive 15.3 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.
Jock Landale was his usual reliable self in Saint Mary's wins against Western Kentucky and Texas A&M-CC, with the 6'11 center delivering back-to-back 15 point and 13 rebound double-doubles for the Gaels. In the 73-51 win against Western Kentucky, Landale received great support from Emmett Naar who compiled 14 points (6-of-9 FG) including 2 three-pointers, 2 rebounds and 6 assists without a turnover. Dane Pineau came off the bench to chip in 10 points and 6 rebounds as the Gales bench provided 28 points.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eguhlImSrE
In the Gaels' 67-46 win against the Islanders, Naar went close to a double-double of his own with 7 points, 4 rebounds and 9 assists. Pineau again came off the bench with energy, gathering 4 points, 11 rebounds and 3 steals, while Tanner Krebs connected on a triple in his 2 minutes on court. Saint Mary's remained in the top 25 with a national ranking of 19 and now have a 9-1 record.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIfGqlCm_Rg
Jo Lual-Acuil Jr has had a busy week with the #4 ranked Baylor Bears, playing in 4 more wins across just seven days. Baylor thrashed Southern, Jackson State, Johnbrow and Texas Southern to maintain their unbeaten record, with Lual-Acuil Jr posting double-digit scores in each of the wins. He would average 13 points, 7 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game, with his best coming against Texas Southern where he piled on a 14 point and 10 rebound double-double with 3 blocks. He is shooting over 62% from the filed and is a big reason why the Bears are right now one of the best teams in the country.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WR1rIgXpZtM
Current #11 ranked Louisville easily accounted for Eastern Kentucky 87-56 last week. Both Australians were solid, with Mangok Mathiang pulling down 13 rebounds with 4 assists and 3 blocked shots. Deng Adel chimed in with 6 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists, but his best was yet to come. In a marquee match up against #6 ranked Kentucky, it was the Cardinals who would prevail in a narrow 73-70 home win. Adel delivered what could be argued as his best performance of the season.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hItqMfNT1CI
Charged with guarding Malik Monk, who was coming off a record-breaking 47-point game, Adel not only restricted him to 16 points on just 6-of-17 shooting, but he delivered offensively too. The 6'7 Adel registered an impressive 18 points (5-of-10 FG) with 6 rebounds and 2 assists in a terrific all-round game, including pulling down the rebound to seal the win. Mathiang was also good defensively with 5 rebounds and 2 blocks as the Cardinals improved to 11-1 and maintained their 8-0 record at home ahead of their opening ACC encounter with #12 ranked Virginia. Isaac Humphries played just 5 minutes for the Wildcats in their narrow loss.
Winthrop are currently on a 4-game winning streak, with 6'8 athletic forward Xavier Cooks playing an integral role in that run. Sandwiched in between wins against Hampton and Saint Louis, Cooks delivered a massive 27 points (8-of-18 FG) with 10 rebounds, 2 assist and 2 blocks to ensure the Eagles held off Georgia Southern 86-84. It took a block at the buzzer to guarantee the win, which now has Winthrop boasting an 8-3 record - the best in the Big South. It was a contest in which Cooks registered his second double-double of the season.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onqEl8S-pf4
In a breakout season, Sam McDaniel exploded for back-to-back double-doubles for Louisiana Monroe. The 6'6 junior guard erupted for 21 points 10 rebounds in firing the Warhawks to a 65-53 win in playing the full 40 minutes against Coppin State. He backed up again with a 15 point and 10 rebound effort in a 65-78 loss to Virginia Commonwealth. McDaniel has lifted his season output to 12.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game and has been a shining light for the Warhawks in their current 5-7 season.
Continuing on his great form was Chima Moneke as UC Davis split their two games this past week. In an 87-64 victory over William Jessup, Moneke contributed 18 points and 6 rebounds in 26 minutes. In their next contest the Aggies lost to Air Force 67-77, with the 6'6 forward adding 13 points and 4 rebounds.
Senior guard Matt Donlan delivered two solid performances across the past week for Youngstown State. In a 101-97 overtime win against Niagara, Donlan poured in 15 points (5/9 FG) with 5 rebounds and 3 assists. He would back up to contribute 10 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists in a tough 40-77 loss to Iowa State. The Sharpshooting swingman was the lone Penguin to score in double figures in the drubbing handed out by the Buckeyes.
https://twitter.com/EnthusiAdams/status/811203290566377472
Boise State forward Nick Duncan had a good night out in the Broncos 82-59 win against Idaho state. Duncan connected on 4-of-8 from downtown to deliver 15 points with 8 rebounds in 30 minutes. The 6'8 sweet-shooting big man has been good for 10.2 points per game for the 7-4 Broncos.
https://twitter.com/BroncoSportsMBB/status/811759213445681152
Taking on Kansas State, Jamaal Robateau picked a great time to light up the scoreboard. The 6'5 guard connected on 5-of-9 three-pointers in compiling 17 points with 4 rebounds and 2 steals at Gardner-Webb fell short 54-67. The loss saw the Runnin' Bulldogs run of two straight wins broken.
https://twitter.com/voiceofthecards/status/810581025587798016
Gerard Martin delivered two 13 point outings for Grand Canyon in wins over Mississippi Valley State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff. In those games he also added 3 assists each with 2 and 3 steals respectively. He has been a solid contributor as a starter for the Lopes, and integral in their current 3-game winning streak.