Men's Basketball Weekly Honors - Dec. 7
Rob Washburn
CAA MEN'S BASKETBALL WEEKLY REPORT - DEC. 7 (PDF format)
CAA MEN'S BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK:
Tanner Samson • Elon
Sr., G, 6-4, 205 - Littleton, Colo./Regis Jesuit
Samson averaged 23.0 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals in Elon’s 2-0 week. The senior guard set career-highs with 31 points and 11 rebounds as the Phoenix rallied for a 103-93 overtime victory against Kennesaw State and followed with 15 points and eight boards in a 77-71 road win at FIU. Samson was 13-of-27 from 3-point range over the two games and became Elon’s all-time treys leader with 267.
CAA MEN'S BASKETBALL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK:
Nick Harris • College of Charleston
Fr., F, 6-10, 245 - Dacula, Ga./St. Pius X Catholic
Harris averaged 9.5 points and 5.5 rebounds in College of Charleston’s 2-0 week. The freshman forward made his first career start in the Cougars’ 82-74 win at The Citadel and scored a career-high 13 points on 5-for-5 FG shooting. He also came off the bench to contribute six points, a career-high eight rebounds and two blocks as CofC knocked off LSU, 70-58.
CONFERENCE NOTES:
17-3 WEEK ADDS TO STRONG NON-CONFERENCE SHOWING: It was a sensational week for the CAA in non-conference play as the league posted a 17-3 mark. All 10 teams won at least one game. The CAA has performed well in non-conference action all season with the league’s 10 squads combining for a 50-27 overall record. Making the numbers more impressive is the fact that less than 45% of those games have been at home, and the CAA is 17-14 in true road contests. UNCW (5-0), which is off to its best start since 1994, is one of only 13 unbeaten Division I teams as of Dec. 7. Towson and James Madison are both on five-game winning streaks, while College of Charleston and Hofstra have captured three in a row.
FOUR CAA TEAMS AMONG TOP 90 IN LATEST RPI: Four CAA teams are ranked among the top 90 in the latest RPI report released by Collegiate Basketball News (rpiratings.com) on Dec. 7. Unbeaten UNCW leads all CAA squads at #19, followed by Hofstra at #33, William & Mary at #79 and College of Charleston at #89. The CAA is ranked #11 among the nation’s 32 Division I conferences and is one of only 10 leagues with four or more teams in the top 90 of the RPI.
CHARLESTON KNOCKS OFF LSU: The CAA earned another victory over a Power 5 conference opponent last Monday as College of Charleston topped LSU, 70-58. The Cougars, who got a team-high 19 points from Canyon Barry, limited the Tigers to 17 first-half points and improved to 3-1 against SEC foes at TD Arena since the building opened in 2008. The CAA has recorded three wins against the ACC this season as Northeastern upset #15 Miami (Fla.), 78-77, on Nov. 27, William & Mary defeated N.C. State, 85-68, on Nov. 13 and Hofstra knocked off Florida State, 82-77, on Nov. 20.
UNCW’S PONDER TIES CAA STEALS RECORD: UNCW senior guard Craig Ponder tied a CAA record and set a new school mark when he made nine steals in the Seahawks’ win over Coker last Wednesday. Ponder joins George Mason’s Tony Skinn, who had nine steals against Northeastern in 2006, atop the CAA thefts list.
OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS: There were numerous outstanding individual efforts turned in by CAA players again last week. Hofstra junior Brian Bernardi recorded back-to-back 20-point games in wins over La Salle (22 pts) and Appalachian State (23 pts). Northeastern senior David Walker averaged 21.5 ppg over two games, highlighted by a 29-point effort at Detroit. JMU junior Shakir Brown averaged 19.0 ppg in the Dukes’ 3-0 week, including a career-best 30 points in a win over Marshall. Drexel senior Tavon Allen matched his career-high with 25 points in the Dragons’ victory at La Salle. CofC junior Canyon Barry averaged 17.5 ppg as the Cougars beat LSU and The Citadel. Towson junior Arnaud William Adala Moto averaged 16.5 ppg and 9.5 rpg in the Tigers’ 2-0 week, including a double-double (16 pts/13 reb) vs. Sacred Heart. Delaware sophomore Kory Holden averaged 19.3 ppg and 4.0 apg over three games. W&M junior Omar Prewitt increased his double-digit scoring streak to 10 games by averaging 16.0 ppg against Old Dominion and Virginia. Elon junior Christian Hairston contibuted 18.5 ppg and 9.5 rpg in the Phoenix’s two victories. UNCW junior Chris Flemmings netted a career-best 21 points vs. Coker.
ELON’S SAMSON BREAKS 3-POINT RECORD: Elon senior Tanner Samson broke the school’s career record for three-pointers. Samson went 8-of-15 from beyond the arc and recorded career-highs of 31 points and 11 rebounds in a 103-93 overtime victory vs. Kennesaw State last Monday and followed with five treys and 15 points in a 77-71 win at FIU last Friday. His 267 treys surpassed the mark of Jack Isenbarger (264). The 267 career threes is second among all active Division I players. Last season, Samson drained a school-record 103 three-pointers, which was the third-highest total in CAA history.
MILESTONE VICTORIES: Hofstra coach Joe Mihalich picked up his 300th career victory last Wednesday by defeating his alma mater, La Salle, 84-80. Northeastern coach Bill Coen earned his 150th career victory when the Huskies topped Miami on Nov. 27.
THREE-POINT SUCCESS: Several CAA teams are among the nation’s best at scoring from the 3-point line and defending it. James Madison (10.2 pg/18th), Elon (9.8 pg/30th) and Hofstra (9.5 pg/36th) are among Division I leaders in 3’s per game and the Pride is 18th (41.5%) and the Dukes are 23rd (40.8%) in 3-point FG percentage. Defensively, William & Mary is 5th in 3-point FG percentage defense (24.2%) and College of Charleston is 24th (27.7%). Individually, Hofstra’s Brian Bernardi (3.25 pg/24th), Northeastern’s David Walker (3.25 pg/24th), Elon’s Tanner Samson (3.13 pg/32nd) and William & Mary’s Daniel Dixon (3.0 pg/40th) are among Division I leaders in treys per game, while Bernardi (52%/13th), JMU’s Shakir Brown (51.9%/16th) and Walker (48.1%/31st) are ranked in 3-point FG%.
CLEANING THE GLASS: Nine of the CAA’s 10 teams are out-rebounding their opponents for the season as of Dec. 7. Towson has a league-best +7.3 rebound margin, followed by Delaware (+7.1 rpg) and James Madison (+5.1 rpg).
UNCW LEADS NATION IN TURNOVER MARGIN: UNCW leads the nation in turnover margin (+10.0 tpg) through games of Dec. 6. The Seahawks are forcing 22.4 turnovers per game while committing 12.4. UNCW is second in Division I in turnovers forced.
HOFSTRA’S GREEN RANKS 7TH IN ASSISTS: Hofstra guard Juan’ya Green ranks 7th nationally in assists with 7.4 apg, while UNCW’s Craig Ponder is 9th (2.8 spg) and W&M’s Terry Tarpey is 12th in Division I in steals (2.75 spg) through games of Dec. 6. Northeastern’s David Walker ranks 25th in scoring (21.0 ppg) and CofC’s Canyon Barry is 37th (20.0 ppg). Delaware’s Marvin King-Davis is 20th in double-doubles (4) and 31st in rebounding (9.7 rpg).
College of Charleston
• Knocked off SEC foe LSU 70-58 last Monday and used a late 9-0 run to beat city rival The Citadel 82-74 on Saturday.
• Canyon Barry scored a team-high 19 points vs. LSU and a team-best 16 points at The Citadel. He’s tallied double digits in six of CofC’s seven games.
• Cameron Johnson added 13 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists vs. LSU He’s reached double digits in five of seven games.
• Freshman Marquise Pointer came off the bench to contribute 12 points, 6 rebounds and 4 steals vs. LSU.
• Freshman Nick Harris scored a career-high 13 points on 5-of-5 FG shooting in only 17 minutes at The Citadel.
• James Bourne tallied a season-high 12 points on 5-of-5 FG shooting at The Citadel.
• CofC held LSU to 17 first-half points. The Cougars lead the CAA in scoring defense (64.1 ppg) and are 4-0 this season when holding foes under 60 points.
Delaware
• Defeated Bradley (70-47) and USF (67-58) to go 3-0 at home for the first time since 2011-12, before losing 82-69 at Columbia.
• Kory Holden scored a season-high 23 points against USF and Columbia and averaged 19.3 ppg and 4.0 apg for the week. He’s 9th in the CAA in scoring and 3rd in assists.
• Marvin King-Davis had 16 points and a career-high 18 rebounds vs. USF. He leads the CAA with four double-doubles and is averaging 13.7 ppg and a league-high 9.7 rpg. He’s scored double digits in all 7 games.
• Cazmon Hayes scored a career-high 24 points at CU, including 16 of UD’s first 18 points. He averaged 16.3 ppg for the week.
• Anthony Mosley scored a career-high 15 points on 7-of-10 FG shooting vs. Bradley in his 3rd career start.
• Curtis McRoy, who had never scored for UD, started at Columbia and hit two 3-pointers.
• UD allowed less than 60 points to consecutive opponents for the first time since 2013.
Drexel
• Downed city rival La Salle 66-53 on Saturday for their first win of the season. It was DU’s first victory over the Explorers since 1997.
• Senior Tavon Allen tied his career-high with 25 points at La Salle, hitting 7-of-11 from the floor, 3-of-3 from three and 8-of-8 at the line. It was his third 20-point effort of the season and sixth time in double digits.
• Forward Rodney Williams posted his first double-double of the season and the 3rd of his career with 14 points and 13 rebounds in the La Salle win.
• Terrell Allen added 9 points vs. La Salle. He’s second among CAA freshmen in scoring (11.3 ppg) and has a team-high 29 assists.
• Sophomore Rashann London chipped in 12 points against La Salle. He’s scored double figures in six of seven contests and is second on the team with 12.0 ppg.
• Sammy Mojica tallied double digits in all three games and averaged 17.0 ppg at the Great Alaska Shootout.
Elon
• Rallied for a 103-93 overtime win over Kennesaw State last Monday and posted a 77-71 victory at FIU on Friday.
• Tanner Samson averaged 23.5 ppg and 9.5 rpg last week, including career-highs of 31 points and 11 rebounds vs. KSU. He tied his career-high with 8 treys vs. KSU and made five more against FIU to become Elon’s career 3-point leader with 267.
• Christian Hairston recorded a double-double with career-highs of 21 points and 13 rebounds vs. KSU and added 16 points and 6 rebounds at FIU. He had only 32 points and 26 boards in Elon’s first 6 games combined.
• Freshman Dainan Swoope tallied 11 points vs. FIU, which was his 8th straight game in double figures. He leads all CAA freshmen in scoring with 12.5 ppg.
• Luke Eddy had 12 points and 5 assists vs. KSU and forced OT by hitting three FT’s with one second left in regulation. He added a team-high 17 points and 6 assists at FIU.
• Elon topped the 100-point mark vs. a Division I opponent for the first time since 2004.
Hofstra
• Have won three straight after an 84-80 win at La Salle and an 86-80 victory over Appalachian State at the Holiday Festival.
• Brian Bernardi was Hofstra’s top scorer in both games with 22 points at La Salle and 23 vs. ASU. He made 7-of-13 from threes and leads the CAA with 26 treys.
• Juan’ya Green averaged 13.5 ppg and 7.0 apg last week. He’s tallied double figures in 42 straight games and is 3rd in the CAA in scoring (18.3 ppg) and 1st in assists (7.4 pg).
• Ameen Tanksley had 18 points and 5 rebounds vs. ASU. He’s scored double digits in all eight games and is averaging 16.0 ppg.
• Rokas Gustys recorded his 3rd double-double (15pts/12reb) vs. ASU. He leads the CAA in FG percentage (63%) and is second in rebounding (9.1 rpg).
• Denton Koon posted his second double-double (12pts/10reb) at La Salle.
• Hofstra won at Madison Square Garden for the first time since Dec. 29, 2006.
James Madison
• On a 5-game win streak after beating Radford (70-68), Western Michigan (63-57) and Marshall (107-84) last week. JMU is 3-0 on the road for the first time since 1981-82.
• Shakir Brown averaged 19.0 ppg and 7.3 rpg last week, including a career-high 30 points and 8 boards vs. MU. He netted 20 points at RU and has five 20+-point games this year.
• Ron Curry tallied a game-high 21 points and 7 rebounds vs. WMU and followed with 20 points and 7 boards against MU. He’s scored double digits in 12 of his last 14 games.
• Jackson Kent netted a season-high 12 points vs. WMU and had nine points, a career-high 11 rebounds and seven assists vs. Marshall.
• Joey McLean scored a season-high 13 points in only 14 minutes off the bench at RU.
• Dimitrije Cabarkapa hit 4 threes and scored 18 points vs. Marshall. He’s made at least one trey in 18 consecutive games.
• Tom Vodanovich posted his first double-double (10 pts/10 reb) vs. Marshall.
UNCW
• Moved to 5-0 for the first time since 1994 after beating Coker 93-73 last Wednesday.
• Chris Flemmings led five players in double digits vs. Coker with a career-high 21 points. He’s averaging 19.3 ppg over his last three games and has been the top scorer in each.
• Senior Craig Ponder set a school record and tied a CAA record with nine steals vs. Coker. He also scored 12 points and is averaging a team-best 15.2 ppg.
• Freshman C.J. Bryce chipped in 10 points on 4-of-5 FG shooting. He’s made 10-of-12 from the floor over the past two games.
• Freshman Devontae Cacok had a team-best 8 rebounds vs. Coker while rookie Mark Matthews added 10 points and 7 boards.
• UNCW has won 10 straight games at Trask Coliseum dating back to last year.
• UNCW’s five victories have been by an average of 20.4 points per game.
Northeastern
• Defeated Harvard 80-71 last Wednesday, but fell 76-73 at Detroit on Saturday. NU started 6-1 for the first time since 2005-06.
• Senior David Walker averaged 21.5 ppg last week, including a game-high 29 points at Detroit. He was a career-best 7-of-9 from 3 at UD and recorded his fifth 20-point game.
• Quincy Ford posted his 2nd double-double of the season with team-highs of 22 points and 10 rebounds vs. Harvard and scored 14 points at Detroit. He’s reached double figures in all eight games.
• Zach Stahl added 17 points on 8-of-11 FG shooting and six rebounds at Detroit.
• Freshman Jeremy Miller scored 11 of his career-high 12 points in the first half against Harvard. He also had four rebounds.
• Sophomore Devon Begley chipped in 10 points off the bench against Harvard.
• Northeastern out-rebounded Harvard 38-30 and is +4.5 in rebound margin for the year.
Towson
• On a five-game winning streak after beating George Mason 75-54 on Wednesday and Sacred Heart 83-61 on Saturday.
• Arnaud William Adala Moto posted his first double-double (16pts/13reb) in the SHU win and tallied 17 points and 6 boards vs. Mason. He’s averaging 16.3 ppg and 8.0 rpg over his last four contests.
• Mike Morsell scored 16 of his career-high 20 points in the 2nd half vs. Mason and had 11 points on 5-of-8 FG shooting vs. SHU.
• Guard Byron Hawkins added 11 points vs. Mason and has reached double digits in five of his last six games.
• Walter Foster scored a career-high 15 points in only 19 minutes against Sacred Heart.
• Towson committed a season-low five turnovers against Mason and is averaging only 12.4 TO’s per game.
• The Tigers scored a season-best 45 points on 59.3% shooting in the 2nd half vs. Mason and had 40+-points in both halves vs. SHU.
William & Mary
• Defeated rival ODU 55-48 last Tuesday, but dropped a 67-52 decision at 10th-ranked Virginia on Saturday.
• Omar Prewitt scored 15 of his team-high 18 points in the final 10 minutes vs. ODU and also had 7 rebounds and 4 assists. He added 14 points at Virginia and has reached double figures in 10 straight games.
• Daniel Dixon tallied a team-best 15 points at Virginia. He hit three 3-pointers and leads the team with 24 treys.
• Terry Tarpey scored all 7 of his points in the final 2:33 vs. ODU and grabbed 7 rebounds. Tarpey is 3rd in the CAA in rebounding (8.8 rpg) and 2nd in steals (2.8 spg).
• Sean Sheldon tallied 8 points and a team-high 9 rebounds vs. ODU. He’s shooting 58.5% from the floor for the season.
• Point guard David Cohn has 30 assists and only 11 turnovers this season.
• W&M failed to make a 3-pointer (0-15) vs. ODU for the first time since Dec. 31, 2005 - a stretch of 305 straight games.