Wahoo fan checking in...looking forward to the 2nd round game.
Obviously we had hoped to be in the NCAA's...especially after the Duke win, but a weak finish and some bad early season OOC losses hurt us and cost us a bid. We're a relatively young team, but our 2 best players are JR's and we have a SR starter at PG.
PG - Jontel Evans is our SR starter. Good assist man, and doesn't turn it over much, but no outside game whatsoever. Whatever points he does score are on penetration, and one of the better on-the-ball defenders in the ACC. His back-up is FR Teven Jones who has played well at times, and is a much better scorer/shooter than Jontel. Not nearly as good defensively though, which will cost you minutes when you play for Tony Bennett.
SG - Joe Harris is our All-ACC, all around best player. Good size (6'6), strong, can get into the lane, and deadly on the perimeter. He lit up Duke for 36, but has struggled a bit down the stretch. His backup is FR Taylor Barnette. Don't give him on inch on the perimeter because he's an excellent 3 point shooter, but much like Jones, limited defense keeps him from getting more minutes.
C - Akil Mitchell is a converted wing, but excellent rebounder, can finish in the lane, and made 3rd team All-ACC. His improvement between his SO & JR seasons have been off-the-charts. Didn't play great against Norfolk State despite decent numbers, and is a double-double machine. FR Mike Tobey comes off the bench, but is a star in the making with an NBA future. He's only 18 and needs to bulk up, but very advanced offensive game, can hit on the perimeter from 18 feet, and finish with either hand near the basket. More strength is the only thing keeping him from starting.
SF - Paul Jesperson starts, and is a good shooter, but doesn't score much. Gets the majority of his PT because of defense. FR Evan Nolte comes off the bench, and is also a good shooter, but lately has had a tendency to pick up quick/silly fouls. Neither are super athletic, but Nolte has a much higher ceiling.
PF - We actually go with a small line-up...Justin Anderson isn't a true 4. By far our best athlete, and was our best player against Norfolk State. High energy guy who is my personal favorite player...he fills up the stat sheet in a variety of ways. Not a great perimeter shooter, but good enough to keep the defense honest. Coming off the bench is SO Darion Atkins...he started and played well the first half of the year, but has struggled with shin injuries the second half of the season. A great athlete, but only playing spot minutes right now while healing.
That's our personnel overview. We play great defense (top 5 nationally) but struggle at times on offense. When the outside shots are dropping, Evans is getting into the lane, and Mitchell/Tobey finishing near the basket, we're very very tough. When those things don't happen our offense struggles, and the game gets pretty ugly. We're very tough at home, and most of the games haven't been close, but honestly we're not playing our best basketball right now.
Haven't followed St. John's super close this year...how do you think we'll match up?