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Miami Rolls Past Stetson

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Miami, FL – The University of Miami came out dominant once again, overpowering Stetson in a 102–61 win that displayed their size, strength, and composure on both ends of the floor. What began as a slow offensive start against Stetson’s compact 2–3 zone quickly turned into a one-sided contest, as Miami imposed its physicality and discipline throughout. The Hurricanes’ ability to stay patient, execute in the halfcourt, and make adjustments reflected the maturity of a team already finding rhythm early in the season.

Stetson opened the game organized defensively, sitting in a structured zone that initially gave Miami some issues. The Hurricanes missed several open shots early and looked stagnant from the perimeter, but their size advantage was immediately evident. They consistently crashed the glass and attacked the middle of the zone, forcing Stetson to collapse and open driving lanes. Once Miami started converting in the paint, everything else followed. Around the seven-minute mark of the first half, the Hurricanes went on a 15–0 run and never looked back, building a 55–36 halftime lead. Stetson battled, but the difference in athleticism and physical strength was clear, Miami simply operated at a higher level.

In the second half, the Hurricanes stuck to what worked. Their halfcourt offense continued to run through senior forward Malik Reneau, who set up on either side of the post and dictated tempo. His efficiency and composure anchored Miami’s attack as they kept breaking down Stetson’s defense. Once Miami started connecting on kick-out threes and transition looks, the game quickly got out of reach. Defensively, Miami’s man-to-man pressure suffocated Stetson’s rhythm, with active hands generating consecutive steals and transition opportunities. By the 16-minute mark of the second half, the Hurricanes had blown the lead open to 67–38, and the rest of the night was a formality.

Freshman Shelton Henderson continues to intrigue me as a prospect. At 6 ‘6”, 240 pounds, Henderson just looks like an NBA wing already from a physical standpoint, and he’s learning how to leverage that frame in live competition. Against Stetson, he posted 15 points, five rebounds and three assists, showing flashes of what could become a powerful skill-strength combination. He can be a downhill force, capable of bullying smaller defenders, but still struggles to finish through traffic and convert efficiently around the rim. The foundation is there, once he develops touch and consistency in the paint, he projects as a highly impactful two-way player.

Another freshman, Timotej Malovec, added 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting from three. His role remains limited in Miami’s system, primarily as a floor spacer, but he continues to make the most of his opportunities. His shot form looks more unconventional every time I see him, but the results speak for themselves, it goes in. While his game hasn’t expanded much beyond spot-up shooting yet, his size and feel give him long-term upside as a stretch forward who can complement Miami’s inside attack.

Senior forward Malik Reneau continues to be the Hurricanes’ interior anchor. He finished with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists, showcasing his touch and strength around the basket. He’s a natural finisher with solid footwork and better athleticism than expected. The next step for Reneau is expanding his offensive range. He rarely looks for mid-range or three-point shots, which limits how versatile he can be in professional settings. Still, his efficiency and physicality in the paint remain consistent strengths.

Point guard Tre Donaldson orchestrated the offense with poise, finishing with 15 points, five rebounds, and ten assists.  The senior played with command, setting the tone early and creating opportunities for teammates. His confidence attacking the rim despite being undersized at 6’3” shows strong body control and competitiveness. Donaldson needs to look to become more of a true floor general, balancing scoring and facilitating effectively.

For Stetson, Sophomore James Phillips Jr. was the player to watch. As their best player this year, averaging 22 points per game, he finished this game with seven points shooting just 2-for-11 from the field. He’s a strong, 6’5” guard with sneaky athleticism and natural scoring instincts, though his defensive mobility remains limited. He has to get in better shape to maximize his big frame. His feel suggests potential as a shot creator if he can refine his efficiency and conditioning and possibly transfer to a power at some point.

Miami is now 3-0 and continues to pay well. This team has shown signs of a veteran, disciplined, and physical squad that has been dominant early in the season, though the schedule suggests it has been more than easy so far. Their defense was connected, their ball movement improved as the game progressed, and I would argue even though Miami won by 30 points they did not play a great game.

This article was written by Matias Deya, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Instagram, or on twitter.

We are looking for those interested in our basketball scout apprenticeship program. For information contact us and forward your resume.

George Washington/Virginia Tech Win at Hall of Fame Tip-Off

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Uncasville, CT – Four teams along the East Coast squared off at Mohegan Sun on Saturday, delivering a full day of high-level, back-and-forth college basketball. Both matchups went down to the wire, showcasing competitive energy, strategic adjustments, and standout individual performances. In the first game, George Washington stifled USF’s perimeter attack, consistently running shooters off the line and disrupting their rhythm from deep. That defensive effort proved crucial, helping the Revolutionaries secure a hard-fought 99–95 victory in a game that featured multiple lead changes and momentum swings.

The second matchup was equally thrilling, as Virginia Tech battled through a high-scoring, fast-paced contest that ultimately required overtime for them to defeat Providence. The Hokies displayed poise in crunch time, executing offensively and getting key stops when it mattered most. From clutch shot-making to late-game composure, Virginia Tech’s performance capped off a dramatic afternoon of basketball at Mohegan Sun. Overall, the event delivered everything fans could hope for—intensity, elite shot-making, and games that stayed competitive until the final buzzer.

One of the key factors in George Washington’s win was the team’s ability to neutralize USF’s top perimeter threat, Joseph Pinion. Coming off a season in which he hit 85 threes at Arkansas State, Pinion entered the game as a major concern for GW’s defense. However, the Revolutionaries held him to just 1-of-13 from beyond the arc and only seven total points, a defensive effort that proved crucial in such a tight matchup.

Despite early foul trouble, George Washington’s big man Rafael Castro remained one of their most reliable offensive options. His unique skill set – putting the ball on the floor, attacking the rim, and kicking out to shooters – makes him an unconventional and highly versatile weapon for his size. Castro fouled out after only 21 minutes, and had he been able to stay disciplined defensively, he might have turned a close win into a comfortable one, as USF’s only consistent answer for him was to send him to the free-throw line.

USF, however, refused to go away, thanks largely to a spectacular performance from Robert Morris transfer Josh Omojafo. The senior poured in 33 points on 9-of-14 shooting, including 3-of-5 from deep and an impressive 12-of-14 at the line. Omojafo erupted for 20 points in the first half, prompting the GW staff to emphasize denying him touches after the break. Their adjustments worked for a stretch, his first points of the second half didn’t come until the 10-minute mark, but he continued to attack the rim with ease and showed he could score at all three levels. His effort kept USF within striking distance throughout, making the game far more competitive than the Revolutionaries might have preferred.

The game of the day came from Virginia Tech and Providence. In a hostile environment, the Hokies made the key plays late and escaped with a hard-fought six-point victory. The undeniable star of the night was freshman Neoklis Avdalas, who delivered an elite all-around performance that will undoubtedly elevate his draft stock. The 6’9″ wing from Greece finished with 33 points, five rebounds, and six assists, serving as a point forward and running the offense seamlessly whenever Ben Hammond was off the floor. Avdalas used his size and poise to get downhill, finish through contact, and consistently create for teammates. His shot selection was outstanding, every jumper looked smooth and controlled, and he knocked down shots at all three levels, going 13-of-23 from the field and 5-of-8 from three.

Providence’s transfer duo of Jaylin Sellers and Jason Edwards refused to let their team go quietly, combining for 54 points and keeping their team alive possession after possession. Sellers showcased his smooth lefty stroke and deep shooting range, hitting four timely threes while using his strong frame to finish through contact and converting 6-of-6 at the line. Edwards injected pace into the Friars’ offense, repeatedly pushing the ball in transition and generating easy baskets as Virginia Tech struggled to match up in time. Even without a strong night from deep, Edwards silenced questions about his size by rising over the Hokies’ rim protectors and finishing several impressive drives through traffic.

A standout under-the-radar performance came from Providence freshman Stefan Vaaks, who flashed the tools to become a key contributor this season. With three seconds left in regulation, Kim English trusted the young guard to take the potential game winner, designing an inbound play for him. Vaaks curled off multiple screens, caught the ball near midcourt, and came inches away from burying the shot. That level of trust from the coaching staff speaks volumes about his long-term potential.

Despite Providence’s strong individual performances, the Virginia Tech staff delivered a masterclass in game management, making timely adjustments and keeping their composure in a back-and-forth battle. Their execution down the stretch allowed the Hokies to escape with a narrow but well-earned victory, capping off a thrilling showdown at Mohegan Sun.

Overall, Saturday’s slate at Mohegan Sun delivered everything fans could ask for—elite individual performances, compelling storylines, and games that stayed competitive until the final possession. George Washington’s defensive discipline and offensive versatility powered them past a dangerous USF squad, while Virginia Tech’s late-game execution and breakout performance from Avdalas lifted the Hokies in the overtime thriller against Providence. Both matchups highlighted the depth of talent across the East Coast and offered an early glimpse at teams capable of making noise as the season progresses. If this event is any indication of what’s ahead, college basketball is in for an exciting year.

This article was written by Wiliam Murphy, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Instagram, or on twitter.

We are looking for those interested in our basketball scout apprenticeship program. For information contact us and forward your resume.

Miami Dominates Bethune-Cookman Behind Balanced Attack

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Coral Gables, FL – The University of Miami rolled past Bethune-Cookman with a 101–61 victory, displaying a connected, disciplined group on both ends of the floor. Their defense stood out most with sharp rotations, consistent effort, and complete control of tempo. This performance came against a Bethune team that had just lost by only five points to No. 20 Auburn, making Miami’s dominance even more impressive.

From a scouting perspective, two freshmen in particular stood out as long-term prospects: Shelton Henderson and Timotej Malovec. Both have the physical and skill foundations that translate beyond the college level. Henderson (6’6, 240) finished with seven points, nine rebounds, and three assists in 22 minutes. He already carries an NBA-ready frame and strong defensive tools. The next step for him will be tightening his handle and becoming more confident offensively. With time and development, Henderson has the potential to become a first-round caliber player, possibly even a lottery pick if he continues refining his offensive package.

Malovec (6 ‘8, 214) was efficient in his minutes, shooting 3-of-5 from the field and 3-of-3 from three for nine points. His fundamentals are raw but clearly present. The jumper looks clean, his shot arc is smooth, and he plays within himself offensively. He’ll need to keep adding strength, but the foundation of a modern stretch forward is there. Henderson and Malovec are my two favorite pro prospects on this Miami roster, both carry real long-term potential if their development tracks upward.

Veteran forwards Malik Reneau (6’9, 238) and Tre Donaldson (6’3,198) led the way with experience and composure. Reneau was dominant around the rim, scoring 22 points with six rebounds and five assists on 9-of-12 shooting. His footwork and balance in the post were advanced, particularly finishing through contact with his left hand. Donaldson played with pace and control, adding 23 points and four assists on 9-of-11 from the floor. His handle and scoring feel were strong, though he’ll need to show more as a pure floor general to earn NBA looks.

Jakobi Heady (6’6, 200) also had a solid showing, posting 19 points on 6-of-13 shooting and 4-of-7 from three. His size and outside touch are valuable, but consistency and defensive intent will determine his next step.

Overall, Miami looked sharp, disciplined defensively, balanced offensively, and deep across positions. The upperclassmen brought stability, while the freshmen flashed legitimate NBA potential. Against a Bethune team that’s more competitive than the score suggests, this was a complete performance from a Miami group that seems built to keep climbing.

This article was written by Matias Deya, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Instagram, or on twitter.

We are looking for those interested in our basketball scout apprenticeship program. For information contact us and forward your resume.

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