Here are two very impressive freshman.
- Neoklis Avdalas (Kalamata, Greece)
Stats: 20.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 7.5 APG, 44.4% FG
When I watched this kid yesterday, there were two thoughts that came to my mind. The first? Lottery pick. The second? Luka Doncic. The way that Avdalas plays is very smooth. The freshman from Greece put up 33 points in an impressive 107-101 win over a very talented and reloaded Providence squad. It seemed every possession he was able to get off a shot or get to the basket with ease. He reminds me of Luka with the pace he plays. Slow, with a smooth mid range stepback that is #unguardable. Look out for this kid throughout the year. I, for sure, think he will be a lottery pick this upcoming year.
- Koa Peat (Chandler, Arizona)
Koa is yet another intriguing prospect. Coming into Arizona with very high expectations, being ranked #11 in the country and a five star recruit, the Wildcats hopes were realized in game one. Not every first college basketball game is easy for freshman, especially when playing the reigning national champions who are returning all four of their centers/power forwards. However, Koa made it look easy against the Florida Gators. Converting on 11/18 shots, Koa scored 30 points in his first game ever as #13 Arizona defeated #3 Florida. It might be a reach, but he looked like a freshman Zion. His ability to score inside with his strength is unmatched as a freshman. Keep an eye out for Koa.
Does Alabama have the best two guard backcourt in the country? Philon and Holloway
Just yesterday (I was in attendance at the game), #15 Alabama took down #5 St. Johns at Madison Square Garden. The 103-96 performance wasn’t just impressive due to the high scoring; it was even more eye-opening due to the performance of the Alabama backcourt of Aden Holloway (Junior) and Labaron Philon (Sophmore). Many people assumed Philon would go to the NBA after his freshman year at Alabama, however, the freshman guard decided to return to his home state school for a second year. Similarly, Holloway, the transfer from Auburn two years ago, has taken a bigger role in the offense this year and is looking for a big jump in his game this year. Each of the star guards delivered in their game versus the Johnnies. The two combined for 46 points with Philon scoring 25 and Holloway scoring 21. Play after play, the St. John’s guards couldn’t keep up with their speed and their shiftiness. They made it look easy to score versus a very talented and reloaded St. John’s team. Imagine how they will do versus other teams. Look out for this electrifying and high-motor duo in the SEC. They will be tested in their three upcoming games against #1 Purdue, #17 Illinois, and finally #21 Gonzaga.
Upcoming games to look out for this week
11/10 #16 Iowa state vs Mississippi state– A battle of returning junior star guard Josh Hubbard vs senior star guard Tamien Lipsey
11/11 #7 Michigan vs Wake Forest- Is Michigan the real deal? Last year they dropped this game to Wake Forest. There are high hopes in Ann Arbor this season with #1 transfer Yaxel Lendenborg and others.
11/11 #9 Kentucky vs #11 Louisville– Two new rosters reloaded. The rivalry is back! Huge game at the KFG Yum! Center in Louisville. Watch out for star freshman Jasper Johnson of Kentucky and star freshman Mikel Brown Jr of Louisville in this one. Elite transfer classes for both teams. Should be a close and exciting one.
11/11 #10 Texas Tech vs #17 Illinois- Will JT Toppin and Christian Anderson show the country that the players Tech lost won’t matter or will Brad Underwood show the country why he went a different route and recruited internationally for this team?
11/13 #1 Purdue vs #15 Alabama- Is Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, and TKR last run legit or will the Crimson Tide’s star studded backcourt overrule them?
11/14 #12 UCLA vs #13 Arizona- Donovan Dent of UCLA vs Jaden Bradley of Arizona
11/15 #8 BYU vs #4 UCONN- #1 recruit AJ Dybantsa vs a highly talented UCONN team in his hometown at TD Garden. This should be a fun one on primetime Saturday night.