Maui Invitational: A Surprise Finale

The Maui invitational continues to be one of the premiere early season tournaments in college basketball. This years field was not as star studded as years past and the championship pairing definitely reflected that. We can look back to Kemba Walker dazzling us in 2010 (a prelude to the NCAA tourney) or Adam Morrison scoring 43 in an epic triple OT thriller against Maurice Ager and Michigan State. 

This year the championship game was a rebuilding Illinois squad against a new look Butler team? Not what the event coordinators had in mind, but there were many takeaways from the tournament. We will look at the performances of 3 teams who either exceeded expectations or left me with a lot more questions heading into December.

Illinois

The Illini were crowned champions of the event after a convincing 78-61 victory over the Butler Bulldogs. Before the season I had Illinois pegged at 8/9th in the Big 10. They really fell apart at the end of last year under the tutelage of Bruce Weber. In comes John Groce and a fresh system for this unproven roster. Illinois had a relatively easy road to the championship with USC, Chaminade and a tired Butler team. Regardless, their average margin of victory was 23.3 and Groce deserves a lot of the credit. 

Groce's first step at Illinois was to change the culture. The team had talent last year but played very uninspired basketball. Against Butler, Illinois showed a grit about them on defense that was unforeseen coming into the season. AJ Abrams did his best to chase Rotnei Clarke around the court and DJ Richardson showed young Kellen Dunham what big 10 defense looks like. They held butler 36% shooting from the field and everyone not named Rotnei to 1-15 from behind 3 point land. Illinois' defense on the pick and roll was also impressive. Tyler Griffey and Nnanna Egwu hedged and recovered very effectively and took Butler out of its offensive rhythm. The Illini also add 5th year transfer Sam McLaurin to the big man rotation. McLaurin looked to be more than capable and was also voted team captain. Between the three, Illinois' rotation won't be overly talented but will definitely be able to compete in the big 10.

Guard play will determine how far Illinois will go this season. Brandon Paul and DJ Richardson return as seniors and will be mainstays in the scoring column. Paul needs to be more consistent game to game in order for U of I to be successful and also to improve his lofty NBA aspirations. I believe the x-factor for this team is AJ Abrams. Abrams had a solid freshman campaign but looks to take the next step as the lead guard in this offense. He was very impressive against Butler. Constantly probing the defense and always in control. He made a couple moves in transition that also drew "oohs and ahs" from the crowd as well. If Illinois wants to make the NCAA tournament, Abrams will have to take big steps in forward in a very competitive big 10 conference.

Bulter

Butler once again was a runner up in a tournament format... All kidding aside the bulldogs had two very impressive wins against a well coached Marquette team and made North Carolina look very ordinary in an 11 point victory. They definitely still have all the trademarks of a Brad Stevens coached team. Very tough on the glass, not afraid of any team regardless of ranking and routine offensive execution. I think the biggest difference from year's past will be their on ball pressure defensively. Rotnei Clarke is an amazing shooter and becoming a play maker with the ball in his hands, but him and Dunham really won't be able to get into opposing guards quite like Ronald Nored did on prior teams.  They will need to make up for this on the offensive end and they have a player who can do that.

It all starts with Clarke, who at the moment has the ultimate green light from Brad Stevens. If he has space within 27 feet of the rim, the shot is going up and it normally will go in. He seems to be a much improved ball handler from his days at Arkansas as well. He will be ball dominant a lot this season and he's gonna go down shooting. Butler's main problem might be who becomes their second scorer. I like Roosevelt Jones' ability to get to the bucket but have you seen the guy shoot? It looks like he is afraid to fully grip a basketball. Andrew Smith is solid, but has struggled from the filed this year so far. Kellen Dunham can fill it up from outside, though i'm not sure he can be relied on night in, night out. So for me, the burden falls on Khyle Marshall. Marshall is an impressive athlete who does most of his damage near the rim. Listed at 6'6" finishing around the tin will be key. Against North Carolina he did a good job of this. Converting multiple and-1's against a bigger Tar Heel front line. Then against Illinois he could not buy a bucket. His shot was constantly altered and he was making it look difficult which isn't a good sign.

It will be interesting to see how Butler fairs in the A10. This conference could get up to 5 teams in the dance this year and the bulldogs will be tested most nights. They have suspect depth and you won't see the same defensive pressure on the perimeter, but never bet against a Brad Stevens coached team. They will continue to get better.

North Carolina 

I only watched one of Carolina's games, and it just so happens it was the one where they decided not to show up for the first 30 minutes. The Tar Heels got hit in the mouth against Butler and never really recovered. How could a team who is so much more athletic than Butler end up with 0 blocks? Their most talented player James Michael McAdoo had 5 turnovers in the first half. Lastly they settled for jump shots against a team who can not match their athleticism on the perimeter. They made it really easy on Butler to win this game and they didn't show any fight until it was a little too late. 

Roy Williams has never been known for his in game strategy adjustments, but to his credit he picked up the pressure in the second half and it started paying dividends with about 12 minutes to go. Rotnei Clarke was out of the game and Carolina proceeded to create 5 turnovers in a 4 minute stretch. PJ Harriston went on an 11-0 run by himself and cut the lead to 62-45 (which is still a lot i know, shows how bad they played in the first half). Brad Stevens called a time out to settle his team down and Chase Stigall responded with back to back trey bombs and the Tar Heels never could make it back. 

What troubles me the most about this North Carolina team is they always have had a go to guy since I can remember. This current team is still searching for that. McAdoo was supposed to be that, but in my eyes does know what he is yet offensively in order to carry that burden. Between Bullock, Harriston and Mcdonald, one of them is going to have to step up and be the legitimate three point threat they were claimed to be in high school. A lot of burden will be placed on freshman Marcus Paige as well. We are used to seeing Carolina point guards excel (felton, lawson, marshall), but it's asking a lot of the new comer. Dexter Strickland really needs to lead this team in multiple ways if the want to be successful. I think they will have a better showing in Bloomington tomorrow. Their size could bother the Hoosiers and I'm predicting a close game. The Tar Heels really need to dominate the glass if they want to win. 

11:45 left, 44-49, steigal barely catch iron on a 3. illini then go on a 10-0 run and butler had nothing left.

College Basketball is Back: The Point Guards Stole the Show

This was the first year I can remember where the college basketball season had a big opening day, with 15 of the top 25 teams scheduled to play. While early season games aren't truly indicative of how teams will look in March, there are still takeaways to be had.

I'll be highlighting 3 games where the point guard play made a huge difference and in a variety of ways. I've always felt good guard play was the key to success in college basketball, mostly because guards develop faster than front court players. This fact showed last night with a duo of dynamic lead guards in Europe, a walk-on showing out on a big stage and a freshman making an early name for himself in Bloomington.

Uconn vs. Michigan State

Watching the first half of this game it was hard not to be impressed by the huskies. They jumped out to a 20-7 lead on the Spartans who had a deer in the headlights look about them. They key to the huskies early lead was the play of their two guards, Shabazz Napier and Ryan Boatright. Both dynamic with their dribbling skills and play making ability, yet have tendencies to continually "heat check" with 30 seconds left on the shot clock. Boatright specifically changed the game with his on ball pressure and shot making ability in the last 5 minutes of the game. Boatright has never been afraid to take the big shots and he made Kieth Appling look a step slow on defense which is hard to do. Shabazz provided a stabling effect to the game. He hit a couple of threes late in the first half and continually made the right decisions in transition.

Michigan State usually starts off the season slow. We should know this by now. I have no doubts Tom Izzo will have this team ready by March, instilling defending, rebounding and toughness into this unproven roster. Though as my roommate pointed out, this games still begs the question, "When you have Napier and Boatright on your roster how was this team not ranked in the top 25?"

I could not think of answer right away but all you have to do is look at Uconn's performance last year. Even with two lottery talents like Jeremy Lamb and Andre Drummond, they under performed. Earning an 8-9 seed and getting bounced in the first round by Iowa State. The problem last year was leadership. All the headlines about Calhoun did not help the team, but I saw games where Shabazz ad Boatright would just look to get theirs and not play team basketball. No one on the team stepped up and it was a disaster for a team that was so talented.

At this point you have to give credit to Kevin Ollie. The new coach of the huskies had this team defending and believing from the opening tip. He looked comfortable on the sideline even with Jim Calhoun watching court side (he as doing a radio broadcast for Uconn). He looked like he belonged, lets call him the Anti Vinny Del Negro for now. Impressive showing from the huskies overall. With their two lead guards playing like that and a willing team, they can be more than competitive in the Big East.

Maryland vs. Kentucky

John Calipari's last 6 starting point guards: Marquis Teague, Brandon Knight, John Wall, Tyreke Evans, Derrick Rose and a payer who was involved in the most gut wrenching loss I have ever witnessed ( watch here), Darius Washington Jr. All McDonald's All Americans, the first 5 were first round picks after their freshman year. So we have come to expect excellence from Coach Cal point guards. Last night it was evident Cal's latest project, transfer Ryan Harrow, was not getting the job done. He is a player who boasts an amazing highlight reel, but his collegiate game has not caught up to the hype. Cal went with Archie Goodwin at the point for stints. Clearly his game is more suited for the wing though. Then Cal inserted former walk on Jarrod Polson.

Polson sticks out like a sore thumb compared to the star studded roster of Kentucky. He was offered a scholarship by Liberty coming out of high school, but chose to take his chances in Lexington. He has obviously practiced against pros the last two years, but only played in garbage time in previous seasons. Cal had faith in him, and when Polson made a couple good cuts to the basket while converting lay ups, Cal stuck with him.

Polson made the play of the game when stripping a Maryland player of a rebound and putting in a tough reverse lay up that put UK up by 4 with 3 minutes left to play. Also with 8 seconds left Polson showed great poise sinking 2 free throws. I have an intense dislike for UK and still was shouting "ICE! He's got ice in his veins". Clearly I was rooting for the kid. It will be interesting to see how the point guard situation will play out in Lexington, but you can't take this moment away from Jarrod Polson. On basketball's newest and brightest stage with Jay Z sitting court side, he was the difference maker. That's why college basketball is so easy to love.

Indiana vs Bryant University

Being a graduate from Indiana University just last May, the Hoosiers are a team I will follow closely all year. I will also do my best to stay unbiased and I think you'll find I can be harder on IU than most other analysts. Watching the Hoosiers grow as a team last year was amazing. Roles were defined and the team fell into place. IU really tried to push the tempo last season and we saw that exemplified in the last game of the season in a loss to UK in the NCAA tournament. Whats amazing about IU's efficiency on offense was they were void of a true point guard. Hulls was serviceable, but folded under the pressure of VCU like teams. Arguably Indiana's player with the tightest handles, Verdell Jones III, was the one they could least trust with the ball in his hands. It made for an interesting brand of basketball.

Insert Kevin 'Yogi' Ferrell. The highly touted recruit really jumped off the tape in IU's opener. He was ultra quick, decisive and made great decisions with the ball. He alone will add a dimension that Indiana's offense did not have last year. He can break down the defense and distribute to others in scoring areas. Yogi also made his first appearance on Sportcenter's top 10 plays with a nifty no look pass to Cody Zeller. I still expect Yogi to go through the freshman growing pains just like any other player, but it is clear he is ready to lead the Hoosiers with some cheeky play along the way.