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college basketball

Gonzaga Has No Trouble with Seattle

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Seattle, WA – Saturday in Seattle not only brought sunny skies (for the first time in some time) but also an action-packed sports line up. The Washington Huskies hosted Michigan State in Big Ten basketball. The Seahawks were at home against the San Francisco 49ers in Divisional Round NFL Playoffs.  And the Seattle University Redhawks were looking to avenge an earlier season overtime loss on the road to the 9th ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs.   

In the first game between these two teams, the Redhawks led for nearly 35 minutes thanks to superb guard play by Brayden Maldonado and a double-double from Will Heimbrodt. Local O’Dea High School graduate, John Christofilis provided a boost off the bench by knocking down four three-pointers in what has been his best performance so far. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough as the Zags pulled away in the extra period. As has been the case all year, Gonzaga got great production from Braden Huff and Graham Ike. Huff led all scorers with 28 points. Ike finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds.

The Zags came to Seattle looking to quickly extinguish any hope the Redhawks had of a victory.  They’d have to do so without Huff as he sustained a left knee injury in practice this week and will be out 4-8 weeks. Depleting Gonzaga further was a late scratch from Ike who sat out with ankle soreness. Seattle, having just ended a three-game skid by beating San Diego on Thursday, was cautiously optimistic it could take down the perennial power and firmly establish itself among the middle-tier teams in the West Coast Conference.

For Redhawks fans, the first four minutes were written to script as Seattle’s stingy defense smothered Gonzaga and Maldonado and Junseok Yeoeach drilled a three pointer.The next four minutes were off script. Several sloppy passes resulted in easy points for Gonzaga including the first of many dunks…this one courtesy of 7’0” Ismaila Diagne. The sophomore Senegalese finished his night with only 3 points but grabbed 8 rebounds in 20 minutes.  Seattle clawed back and were only down eight at the half, but they couldn’t get over the hump and eventually succumbed to a Gonzaga barrage of three pointers from Mario Saint-Supéry and the aforementioned dunkfest with Davis Fogle and Tyon Grant-Foster, among others joining the party.  But the 71-50 blowout belonged to Saint-Supéry.   

The 6’4” freshman from Malaga, Spain, had his best scoring night of the season with 20 points (7-10 FG, 4-6 3PT, 2-2 FT) along with 4 assists, 2 steals, and 1 rebound in 24 minutes. Saint-Supéry’s a 3 & D specialist hitting 45% of his 2.6 three-point shots per game. He can hit it from anywhere beyond the arc and certainly did so tonight.

Another freshman, 6’7”, Davis Fogle, also stepped up. Fogle finished with 13 points (6-9 FG, 0-0 3PT, 1-2 FT), 6 rebounds, including 3 on the offensive glass, and 3 steals. He’s averaging roughly 10 minutes per game this season and contributes as a pick and roll handler and in transition. Fogle but may be called upon to do more while Huff and Ike recover.

Ike is day-to-day and Mark Few and the Gonzaga coaching staff eagerly await the return of his 18 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists per game. Ike does most of his damage in transition and off both blocks, typically finishing off his right shoulder with a feathery hook shot. He has no outside game yet although he shoots over 75% from the charity stripe which suggests perimeter potential. Draft boards indicate he may go in the second round this year.  

In a losing effort, Maldonado finished with 12 points (5-12 FG, 1-7 3PT, 1-1 FT), 3 assists, 2 rebounds, and 1 steal. At 6’0”, Maldonado’s a little undersized at the point guard but he plays physical and runs on a high motor.  Tonight was a little rough, but he’s shot the three-ball well all season, particularly from the left and right wings. Overall, he makes just under 40% of his three-point attempts and shows a nice stroke from the free throw line where he’s among the Top 10 nationwide in free throw shooting percentage. In addition to his spot up shooting, Maldonado manages the pick and roll game well.  He can score whether he uses or rejects the screen and makes solid second level help reads to set up his teammates.

Maldonado’s a pesky defender. This evening, he drew a charge as the Gonzaga ballhandler came off the pick and roll screen. Fired up, Maldonado followed that defensive stop with an electrifying alley-oop to Houran Dan for three-point play.     

Will Heimbrodt had a tough night with only 3 points (1-10 FG, 0-2 3PT, 1-2 FT). He got a lot of looks in the paint, but nothing seemed to go down. The 6’7” redshirt sophomore has been blessed with length and springs. He’s disruptive in the passing lanes, and averages 5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game. This evening, Heimbrodt grabbed 6 rebounds and made 3 blocks. I counted at least 4 deflections.   

Offensively, he’s still striving for consistency. Heimbrodt’s had several games with 20 or more points and several games, like this one, where he’s been quiet. He makes 32.5% of his three-pointers on 2.3 attempts a night. His post-up game, from either block, stands out.  Although Heimbrodt has a few years of college basketball under his belt, he missed significant portions of his high school varsity sophomore and junior seasons due to injury and therefore developmentally, he’s still learning the game.  

Seattle faces Loyola Marymount at home on Wednesday followed by Pacific on the road on Saturday.  Both games are winnable. Gonzaga heads home to Spokane to play Pepperdine, San Francisco and Saint Mary’s. In related basketball news, the Washington Huskies lost 80-63 to Michigan State. Seattleites rejoiced, however, as the Seahawks slaughtered their bitter Bay Area rivals.

This article was written by Justin Pallari, 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.

Butler Gets Upset Win at Seton Hall

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Newark, N.J. – Entering Saturday afternoon’s matchup, the Butler Bulldogs were mired in a four-game losing streak and in dire need of a Big East victory to regain some momentum. They responded with a poised and disciplined performance. Led by the steady play of combo guard Finley Bizjack and efficient team free-throw shooting down the stretch, Butler was able to create just enough separation to hold off the Seton Hall Pirates, securing a 77–66 win. The victory provided a much-needed confidence boost for the Bulldogs as they looked to reset their season and reestablish themselves in conference play.

Junior guard Bizjack was outstanding today, finishing with a game-high 25 points as the Pirates struggled to find any answers for him. Bizjack was particularly effective playing off the ball, showing a strong feel for the game by orchestrating actions that consistently put him in position for clean, open looks, which he converted with confidence. He also displayed excellent poise when attacking the heart of Seton Hall’s defense, using well-timed pump fakes to get opposing bigs off their feet and drawing multiple fouls, which he capitalized on at the free-throw line. With the ball in his hands, Bizjack was equally impressive operating out of the pick-and-roll, showing the ability to make the right read by either hitting the roller or getting all the way to the rim himself.

Playing from behind has been a recurring theme for the Pirates all season, and it proved costly once again in this matchup. Seton Hall went into the break trailing by double digits and was forced to rely on a late comeback to try to steal a win. This time, however, Butler never let up, keeping consistent pressure on the Pirates and refusing to take their foot off the gas. For the first time this season, Seton Hall’s full-court pressure failed to significantly disrupt its opponent, and the difference was evident. Butler freshman guard Azavier Robinson was particularly composed against the press, advancing the ball quickly and efficiently while consistently avoiding the coffin corner—an area the Pirates typically target for traps, turnovers, and jump-ball situations.

During non-conference play, the Pirates’ top scorer AJ Staton-McCray averaged 14.2 points per game, but that production dropped sharply once Big East play began, as he entered the day averaging just 6.8 points per contest in conference action. In need of a confidence-boosting performance, Staton-McCray delivered signs of a turnaround in this one. He finished with 17 points and played with noticeably better pace and composure. On the opening possession, head coach Shaheen Holloway ran a perfectly designed set to get him attacking downhill; although the initial attempt missed, Staton-McCray stayed with the play, secured the offensive rebound, and converted the putback. From there, he consistently applied pressure at the rim, finishing through traffic and drawing fouls, going a perfect 8-for-8 at the free-throw line. For Seton Hall to find consistent scoring moving forward, getting Staton-McCray back to this level of play will be essential.

Saturday’s result offered a clear snapshot of where both programs currently stand. For Butler, the win served as a much-needed reset, showing the value of disciplined execution, strong guard play, and composure late in games as they snapped their skid and regained momentum in Big East play. The Bulldogs will look to build on that performance when they return home to host DePaul on Tuesday. For Seton Hall, the loss reinforced familiar challenges—slow starts and difficulty generating consistent offense against prepared opponents—but also provided encouraging signs from Staton-McCray. The Pirates will have little time to dwell on this one, as they head across the Hudson on Tuesday for a challenging road matchup at St. John’s, where addressing those early-game lapses will be critical.

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

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Seattle Pacific Edges Central Washington

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Seattle, WA – The Seattle Pacific Falcons hosted the Central Washington Wildcats in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) battle between two teams fighting to improve their middle of the pack position in the conference standings. This game was going to be not only a fight to move up in the standings, but also a contrast in styles with the Falcons favoring half-court offense and the Wildcats looking to run.   

The Falcons built an early nine-point lead on strong post play, three-point shooting, and even some surprising buckets in transition but the Wildcats clawed their way back into the game with help from their bench and the free throw line. At halftime, the Seattle Pacific was up 41-36. The Falcons extended their lead to seven points at the fifteen-minute mark before an offensive burst pushed the game seemingly out of reach to 56-42.  But once again, the Central Washington chipped away until the Falcon lead was only one point with 2:28 remaining. Two big plays from Trace Evans, including a jump hook off the glass to extend the lead to three and a block shot on a put back in the closing seconds sealed the victory—much to the relief of the raucous Royal Brougham Pavilion crowd. The Falcons won 66-63 to improve to 8-5 on the year. Central Washington falls to 8-9.

The 6’9” Aussie, Trace Evans had 17 points (7-23 FG, 0-1 3PT, 3-4 FT) plus 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 block shots, and 4 steals. The mustachioed graduate student does his best work in the post—from both blocks and scoring off either shoulder. On the season, he makes 60% of his post up attempts. Evans had a lot of inside looks in this game but got some tough bounces and couldn’t always convert.

Seattle Pacific’sleading scorer on the season, Julian Mora, had an uncharacteristically tough night shooting before fouling out. The 5’11 redshirt junior finished with 7 points (3-9 FG, 1-4 3PT, 0-0 FT) along with 4 rebounds and 3 assists.  Although undersized, Mora’s an excellent athlete, having been a First-Team All-Conference baseball and First Team All-State basketball high school player in Oregon.  He leads on the court and makes the hustle plays that help a team win. Coming into tonight, Mora was averaging 14 points per game on 1.09 points per possession. Mora’s most efficient scoring off the spot up, handoffs and basket cuts. He grabs 3.3 rebounds and dishes 2.4 assists per game.

Picking up the scoring slack for Mora, was 6’2” guard, Theo McMillan, and 6’5” guard, Connor Drinkwine. McMillan finished with 16 points (8-16 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT), 9 rebounds, and 6 assists in what was easily his best game. Drinkwine, also having his best game so far this season, added 16 points (7-9 FG, 1-2 3PT, 1-3 FT), 3 rebounds, and 1 steal. On a typical night, these players score 7 and 5 points, respectively.    

Fresh off having earned his second GNAC Player of the Week honors last week in an incredible two game performance against the Alaska schools, Anchorage and Fairbanks, Central Washington’s 6’2” junior Jordan Clark impressed at guard. Against the Falcons, Clark scored 22 points (4-12 FG, 1-2 3PT, 13-15 FT), secured 4 rebounds and made 3 assists–a nice homecoming for Clark who prepped at Seattle Christian, only a short drive away. 

For the year, Clark’s averaging 18 points per game on 58% true shooting percentage.  Add to that 3.5 assists, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal and Clark fills out a stat sheet. The Wildcats love fast break basketball and Clark is excellent in transition as the ball handler taking it to the rim or pulling up for a jumper.  Clark also capably runs the high pick and roll game, albeit not without turnovers, and knocks down the catch and shoot.  He makes 41% from three with his preferred spots being the top of the key and the left and right wings. He’s still developing his dribble drive and dribble pull up game, although he showed an ability tonight to get downhill and draw fouls. He contributes 1.05 points per possession and maintains a 2.0 assist to turnover ratio. With another year of eligibility, Clark seems poised to play overseas at the conclusion of his college career.

Bradley Swillie usually balances out the Wildcat attack. The 6’3” junior finished with 10 points (4-11 FG, 0-3 3PT, 2-2 FT).  He grabbed 2 rebounds to go with 3 assists. For the year, he’s averaging 15.6 points per game and plays similarly to Clark although a bit more productive as a pick and roll ball handler. That said, tonight may have been the exception as he had 5 turnovers.

The 6’9” Chae Haynes typically cleans up the glass. The sophomore matched his season average with 6 rebounds tonight.  His 6’9” companion, Garrett Marrs, also came up big on the boards with 9 total.  Just a freshman, his performance so far this season has been uneven. He’s scored as many as 18 points but also has had several games in the low-single digits. He’s been averaging 4.5 rebounds so perhaps his work tonight on the boards bodes well for the Wildcats if they can get greater consistency from this 34% three-point shooter.  

Next up, the Seattle Pacific Falcons play at home Saturday against Northwest Nazarene. The Nighthawks are a perennial GNAC power and sitting in second place just behind Saint Martin’s. Central Washington takes on Montana State—Billings on the road.

This article was written by Justin Pallari, 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.

St. John’s Destroys Marquette

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

New York, NY – St. John’s came into last night’s matchup vs Marquette winners of their last two games both on the road against Big East rivals. They were now back at home in the mecca to host yet another Big East foe in the Golden Eagles who have been struggling this season and were desperate for a pivotal win. St. John’s had a hold on this game early grabbing a 15-4 lead in the first four minutes. Marquette would answer back to close out the half keeping the game within striking distance down 40-34. The Red Storm got great production from Oziyah Sellers who had 15 of his game high 24 points and also some great energy off the bench from Dylan Darling as well. As for Marquette they struggled with taking care of the ball, but the play of guards Chase Ross and Nigel James Jr kept them alive with 24 of their 34 total points. 

As for the second half it would not go well for the Golden Eagles in the slightest. Zuby Ejiofor who dealt with foul trouble in the first half would go on to explode in the second half. He scored 15 points to finish the night with 22 total and his energy along with his physicality was too much for the Marquette bigs to handle. The tandem of Ejiofor and Bryce Hopkins destroyed the Golden Eagles in the second half with Hopkins having 10 points and 8 rebounds in the half alone. Marquette struggled on the glass and would continue to allow St. John’s to capitalize off of their careless turnovers. This would lead to the Red Storm dominating the second half and pulling away to a 92-68 victory, giving them their third straight win and moving them to 5-1 in conference play. 

St. John’s got great individual performances in this one but the two standouts to me were Oziyah Sellers and Zuby Ejiofor. Obviously Zuby is the head of the snake for this team but he continues to show potential as an NBA prospect. He plays with great energy on every possession and the physicality he displays is a problem for opponents every time he’s on the floor. Zuby is their offensive hub but he also does the dirty work at a high level. I believe Ejiofor is a consistent three point shot away from being a potential rotation level player at the next level despite being somewhat of an undersized big. Sellers also showed that he is going to be a huge part of St. John’s success this season. He showcased the ability to play on or off the ball and when his shot is falling he can mix his game up and attack closeouts or get to the rim.  

For the Golden Eagles I was extremely impressed by their backcourt duo of Chase Ross and Nigel James Jr. They were dynamic with their ability to get into the paint and finish around the rim. Their athleticism really stood out. Both can move well with a certain shiftiness that makes them hard to guard in a spaced out floor. James Jr. might be the better perimeter threat compared to Ross but they both are obviously the leading engines in Marquette’s offense. As for the defensive side they played with good energy and were active for the majority of the night. Ross was very good with going after guys from their blindside and generating some easy buckets off turnovers. I came out of that game thinking highly of both Ross and James Jr and I’m going to keep my eye on James Jr as his freshman campaign continues to be impressive.

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

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Washington Outduels Ohio State Behind Steinbach

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Seattle, WA – The Ohio State Buckeyes, fresh off a dominating performance at Oregon in which they blew the game wide open by holding the Ducks scoreless for five minutes, made their way to Seattle looking to sweep the Pacific Northwest teams.  Meanwhile, the  Washington Huskies were back home after two tough losses on the road at Indiana and Purdue.

The Buckeyes jumped to an early lead thanks to terrific shooting and domination on the offensive glass. The Huskies hung tough and held Ohio State scoreless for three minutes toward the end of the first half to whittle the deficit to two points at the break. Ohio State again started strong, but the Huskies answered the Buckeyes’ 5-0 run at the beginning of the second half with a 12-0 run of their own to take the lead 46-45. The Huskies held their lead, but it was tenuous and if not for several clutch rebounds, blocked shots, and made free throws by 6’11 Franck Kepnang with the game still in the balance, the Dawgs might have lost.  The Huskies won 81-74 to improve to 10-6 on the year. Ohio State falls to 11-5.

Continuing to impress, as he has all season, was Huskies’ 6’11 freshman Hannes Steinbach. In only his thirteenth game as a Husky, the former German Bundesliga professional scored 21 points (9-19 FG, 0-3 3PT, 3-3 FT), and added nine rebounds and two steals in 35 minutes. Steinbach displays excellent court vision and natural instincts. He also understands leverage, using his body to seal defenders for easy finishes in the flash post and outmuscle guys for putbacks. He runs well in transition and although it’s a smaller part of his game, he’s making nearly 40% of his three-point attempts on 1.5 shots per game. Steinbach’s averaging 1.2 points per possession on a 67% true shooting percentage.

Steinbach anchors the Husky defense. He disrupts shots in the paint and rotates effectively to help his teammates.  He’s not an elite mover laterally and therefore sometimes finds himself in trouble with quicker guards in the switch-heavy Husky defense. Steinbach’s an excellent rebounder averaging 11 boards and nearly one steal per game. Steinbach projects as a Top 20 NBA draft pick this year.

Leading Ohio State’s balanced attack this season is 6’2 senior Bruce Thornton  Thornton has had a terrific career with the Buckeyes so far and brings a wealth of on-court experience having started every game since arriving in Columbus. He’s a high motor, physical point guard with an outstanding outside shot and ability to get downhill—mostly to his right. Thornton manages the high pick and roll game dribbling off the screen to make the correct read. He’s equally effective in transition whether as a finisher or creator. Thornton takes care of the ball, maintaining a 2.7 assist to turnover ratio. He averages 1.2 points per possession on 69% true shooting percentage. He shoots 43% from three with most of his shooting success coming from the top and left wing. Thornton grabs 5.3 rebounds per game.

Against the Huskies, Thornton scored 28 points (9-17 FG, 3-7 3PT, 7-8 FT), to go with 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, and 1 steal in 37 minutes. He had one turnover. NBA front office concerns about his height may prevent him from being drafted but he’ll have an opportunity as a free agent.

Also coming up big on the scoreboard for the Buckeyes was 6’6 freshman Amare Bynum. In his highest scoring output of the season so far, Bynum finished with 20 points (8-19 FG, 2-6 3PT, 2-3 FT) and four rebounds in 37 minutes. He’s a reliable finisher in the paint but has struggled from beyond the arc, shooting 26%. Nonetheless, his length, athleticism and touch from the free throw line (75% shooter) suggest he’s a future prospect.

Things won’t get any easier for UW as first Michigan and then Michigan State come to Seattle to take on the Huskies. The Buckeyes fly home to face UCLA and Minnesota later this week.

This article was written by Justin Pallari, 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.

Dramatic Comeback Gets Seton Hall Past Creighton

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Newark, NJ – With 15 minutes remaining, the Seton Hall Pirates trailed Greg McDermott’s Creighton squad by 16 points, but from that moment on, the game belonged to the Pirates. Head coach Shaheen Holloway cranked up the defensive intensity in an effort to ignite the offense, and the adjustment paid off. Seton Hall stormed back to complete a hard-fought 56–54 victory, capped by a dramatic finish in which freshman big man Najai Hines secured an offensive rebound and converted the go-ahead basket with one second remaining, drawing the foul in the process.

The calling card for the Pirates all season has been their tenacious defense, and it was on full display this afternoon. Adam “Budd” Clark’s on-ball defense stood out in particular, as he consistently stayed in front of his assignment despite navigating through multiple hard screens on each possession. His relentless pressure paid off whenever ball handlers let their guard down, as Clark was quick to strip the ball away, finishing with four steals. TJ Simpkins was another key defensive presence, doing an excellent job containing his man and forcing difficult shots. Simpkins’ impact showed up across the stat sheet as well, as he recorded two steals and two blocks to help anchor the Pirates’ defensive effort.

One of the few bright spots for Creighton in today’s loss was Miami transfer Austin Swartz, who has been on an impressive run. Swartz continued to establish himself as the Bluejays’ most reliable shot-maker, showing poise with the ball and advanced shot-creation ability. He knocked down several tough, contested three-pointers and finished with 16 points on 6-of-14 shooting, including 4-of-9 from beyond the arc. Through four Big East games, Swartz is averaging 18.5 points per game while shooting an outstanding 46% from three on 37 attempts. It will be worth watching whether he can sustain this level of play as conference competition continues.

The Pirates’ scoring was well balanced this afternoon, a product of strong ball movement and consistently finding the open man. Seton Hall recorded 11 assists on 19 made field goals, highlighting their unselfish offensive approach. Elijah Fisher led the way with 10 points. NC State transfer Trey Parker added nine points and has flashed real potential when sharing the floor with Budd Clark, a pairing Coach Shaheen Holloway has leaned on at times.

Four additional Pirates finished with eight points apiece—Clark, AJ Staton-McCray, Najai Hines, and Josh Rivera—further illustrating the team’s depth. Dating back to Holloway’s Elite Eight run with Saint Peter’s, his teams have thrived by playing 10 deep with little drop-off, and that identity is beginning to take shape in South Orange. Down the stretch, Clark was the only starter on the floor, surrounded by rotational pieces Parker, TJ Simpkins, Rivera, and Hines, a group that played with relentless energy and was rewarded with the win.

Ultimately, Seton Hall’s comeback victory served as a testament to its defensive identity, depth, and resilience under Shaheen Holloway. The Pirates leaned on relentless pressure, timely contributions from their rotation, and poise in the game’s biggest moments to erase a 16-point deficit and secure a statement Big East win. As conference play continues, Seton Hall will look to carry this momentum on the road when it travels to Georgetown on Saturday, while Creighton will aim to regroup and respond as it heads to Villanova on Wednesday in search of a bounce-back performance.

This article was written by William 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 Tops Pittsburgh with Second Half Surge

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Miami, FL – Miami erased a double-digit halftime deficit and closed strong to defeat Pittsburgh 76–69, flipping the game with second-half defense, physicality, and star-level shot making. What began as a Pitt-controlled contest turned into a statement win for Miami, powered by Malik Reneau’s dominance and timely execution late.

The first half belonged to Pittsburgh. Defensively, Pitt set the tone early with length and activity across all five positions, making life difficult for Miami’s guards and wings. Passing lanes were crowded, drives were cut off early, and Miami struggled to generate clean looks. Through the final three minutes of the half, Miami shot just 9-of-27 from the field and an alarming 1-of-10 from three-point range, a reflection of both poor rhythm and Pitt’s disciplined closeouts.

Offensively, Pittsburgh complemented that defensive effort with efficient execution. They shot 14-of-27 from the field in the first half, consistently getting quality looks within their offense rather than forcing plays. Ball movement was sharp, and their ability to finish inside against Miami’s interior defense stood out. Miami’s problems were compounded when veteran forward Reneau went to the bench with foul trouble for the final five minutes of the half, limiting Miami’s best interior options. At halftime, Pittsburgh held a 43–33 lead and looked firmly in control, outplaying Miami in effort, execution, and overall physicality.

The game shifted quickly after the break. Miami opened the second half with a compact 3–2 defensive look that disrupted Pittsburgh’s rhythm almost immediately. Pitt struggled to find the same spacing and flow they enjoyed in the first half, missing several early possessions as Miami’s activity level spiked. The Hurricanes began winning second-chance opportunities and pushing the pace selectively, turning defense into offense without playing rushed.

Offensively, Miami simplified. Rather than overcomplicating sets, they leaned into physical drives, post touches, and straight-line actions that allowed their size to become an advantage. That approach brought them back into the game quickly and set the stage for  Reneau to take over.

Reneau delivered the most dominant individual performance of the game. He finished with 28 points on 8-of-13 shooting, went a perfect 10-of-10 from the free-throw line, and added eight rebounds. Pitt had no real answer for him in the paint. Reneau scored through contact, finished over length, and showed patience when double-teams came. His ability to get a quality look whenever Miami needed a basket completely changed the game’s momentum. Every Pitt run in the second half was answered by Reneau’s poise and touch around the rim.

Tre Donaldson was the other difference-maker late. He posted 19 points, four rebounds, and three assists, but his impact went beyond the box score. Donaldson controlled the tempo in crucial moments, balancing when to attack and when to involve teammates. His back-to-back three-pointers in the closing minutes effectively sealed the game, swinging the pressure firmly onto Pittsburgh. His command as a floor general stood out, particularly against a defense that had been strong for much of the night.

Despite the loss, Pittsburgh had notable individual performances. Cameron Corhen was highly effective, finishing with 17 points on 8-of-12 shooting and grabbing eight rebounds. At 6’10”, 235 pounds, Corhen showed good athleticism, fluid body coordination, and a relentless motor. He was aggressive on both ends and consistently made plays around the rim. While he may not yet project as a top-60 NBA prospect, his size, movement skills, and energy should continue to draw evaluators’ attention.

Brandin Cummings also flashed his natural scoring instincts, finishing with seven points, two rebounds, and two assists. Offensively, he has real shot-making ability, but his 6’3”, 175-pound frame limits his impact against physical lineups. Added strength and conditioning could significantly elevate his effectiveness at the college level.

In the end, the final score was  Miami 76- Pittsburgh 69. Pittsburgh dictated terms early with defense and execution, but Miami’s second-half adjustments, star power, and composure closed the door. It was a reminder that games often swing not on schemes alone, but on who can impose their will when it matters most.

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.

Villanova Tops Seton Hall in Willard’s Return

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Newark, N.J. – In Kevin Willard’s return home to South Orange, his Villanova Wildcats earned a hard fought 64-56 victory that, despite the final score, was rarely in doubt. Villanova controlled the tempo from start to finish, leaning on its backcourt to dictate the flow of the game. The Wildcats’ guards consistently got to their spots, creating quality looks and breaking down a Seton Hall defense that entered the matchup as the best in the Big East. While the Pirates showed flashes of resistance, Villanova’s poise and execution proved decisive, allowing the Wildcats to maintain control and close out a convincing road win.

The difference-maker in tonight’s game was freshman Acaden Lewis. The former top-50 recruit delivered a stellar performance, consistently knocking down tough, contested shorts. As the game wore on and Lewis became the primary focus of the Pirates’ defensive game plan, he adjusted seamlessly – creating dribble penetration and, when the defense collapsed, he used his excellent court vision to find open Wildcat shooters on the perimeter. On the defensive end, Lewis allowed nothing easy. While he finished with three steals, his impact went well beyond the box score. He denied Pirate guards access to their preferred sports, forced them into difficult, contested looks, and helped initiate transition opportunities by quickly getting the ball back into his hands after defensive rebounds. Lewis finished the game with 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists. He was a complete two-way presence tonight and performances like this make him the clear frontrunner for Big East Freshman of the Year.

The key factor entering this matchup for Villanova was how its perimeter shooting would hold up against the Pirates’ defense, and the Wildcats delivered. More than 50% of Villanova’s shots came from beyond the arc, where they connected at an impressive 43% clip. James Madison transfer Bryce Lindsay knocked down three triples, while Lewis and fellow freshman Matt Hodge each added two. The reliance on the three-point shot was not unique to this game, but rather a reflection of Villanova’s season long identity, as 47% of the Wildcats’ total shot attempts this year have come from deep. How that approach translates over the grind of Big East play will be worth monitoring, because on nights when the perimeter shots aren’t falling, Villanova risks allowing games to slip out of reach quickly.

For the Pirates they will look to use this game as a learning experience. The heart of their team in point guard Adam “Budd” Clark found a seat on the bench early as he picked up his second foul in the first two minutes and the team was all out of sorts from that point forward. The team never found in rhythm looks and often found themselves deep into the shot clock and were forced to heave bad looks to avoid the violation. If there was any bright spot in this game it came from Fordham transfer Josh Rivera. Rivera never stopped fighting until the final whistle and that is what earns you minutes when playing for Shaheen Holloway. He finished the game with 10 points, 3 rebounds, an assist, and a steal in 15 minutes of game action.

Ultimately, this matchup highlighted Villanova’s poise, perimeter shooting, and guard play, while exposing areas of growth for a young Seton Hall group still searching for consistency on the offense end of the floor. The Wildcats will look to build on this performance as they return home for a New Year’s Eve matchup against Depaul. Meanwhile, the Pirates will aim to respond and apply the lessons learned when they hit the road for another test at Marquette on Tuesday, a game that will require sharper execution, discipline, and composure from the opening tip.

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

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Washington Rolls Past San Diego

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Seattle, WA – The San Diego Toreros left sunny Southern California for rainy Seattle to face the Washington Huskies in a non-conference battle last night. The Toreros were looking to improve their record to 6-6 before beginning West Coast Conference play next week.  Although 7-4 so far, the Huskies have been dealing with injuries and nursing a loss last Friday to cross-town rival, Seattle University.  Led by senior point guard, Brayden Maldonado, the Redhawks beat the Huskies for the second year in a row.  Maldonado is having an outstanding season under Coach Chris Victor.

The Toreros climbed out of a 7-0 deficit to take an 11-10 lead.  The Huskies responded with a three-pointer from the left corner. It was smooth sailing thereafter. The Huskies dominated points in the paint, points off turnovers, and points in transition.  Three-point shooting, ironically, since it sealed the victory early, was the only rough edge.  Washington was 5-of-21 from behind the arc. They’re now 6-of-36 in the last two games.  They’ll need to find their three-point range soon. The Huskies easily won 86-56 over the visiting Toreros.

Leading the Huskies was freshman Hannes Steinbach. In his ninth game as a Husky, the former German Bundesliga professional scored 21 points (6-13 FG, 1-3 3PT, 8-10 FT), and added 14 rebounds, one assist, three steals, and two blocks in 27 minutes. He also drew nine fouls while committing none. Steinbach has terrific instincts, footwork, and polish. He finishes through contact at the rim and creates his own shots off the low post-up. He’s a reliable roller. Steinbach shoots over 50% from three on low volume—approximately one attempt per game. He’ll become an even greater offensive threat as he continues to develop from long-range. Steinbach’s averaging 1.17 points per possession on a 67% true shooting percentage. He’s a great passer for a big man and takes care of the ball. His assist to turnover ratio sits at 1.27.

Steinbach anchors the Husky defense.  He disrupts shots in the paint and rotates effectively to help his teammates.  He’s not an elite mover laterally but uses his basketball intelligence and strength to position himself in the right spot and to contain quicker guards coming off ball screens. Steinbach’s an excellent rebounder averaging a dozen boards per game. He outlets the ball immediately to initiate the Washington’s transition offense and runs the floor on the break. Steinbach projects as a first round NBA draft pick.

Having only just arrived in the United States two weeks ago, Nikola Dzepina has already made an impression.  The Serbian, who most recently played for Valencia Basket in Spain, scored 7 points (2-7 FG, 1-5 3PT, 2-2 FT) and added 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and one block in 20 minutes. He’s a modern big who can stretch the floor with his perimeter shooting and physicality inside.  Keep an eye on him.

Adrian McIntyre and Juanse Gorosito chipped in 15 points apiece for San Diego. Notably absent from the starting lineup was Toneari Lane. The 6’5, 205-pound guard comes to San Diego as a graduate student after time spent at Winthrop and Georgia State. At Georgia State last year, he averaged 13.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. His stats are down slightly through the first 11 games of this season but he’s more efficient (1.17 vs. 0.96 points per possession) and shooting better (62% vs 52% true shooting percentage).  Against Washington, the left-handed Lane knocked down a three-pointer from the right wing a few seconds after first entering the game at the 12-minute mark but didn’t get many touches the rest of the night. Lane finished with 5 points (2-4 FG, 1-2 3PT), two rebounds and one assist. He’s a high-motor guy who could fill a mid-market slot overseas.

Next up the Huskies play Utah at home before battling Indiana and Purdue on the road in Big10 action. Husky fans remain optimistic that the purple and gold can return March Madness to Montlake. Right now, bracketologists give the Dawgs a 1 in 3 chance of an at-large bid.

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

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Texas Tech Tops Duke with Second Half Comeback

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

New York, NY – On Saturday night we had an exciting showdown at the mecca between two top 25 programs in No. 3 Duke and No. 19 Texas Tech and it would live up to the excitement. The first half of this matchup was pretty much dominance from the Blue Devils. Texas Tech started out strong going on a 9-0 run to open up the night, Duke would then go on to outscore them 46-27 from that point on giving them a 46-36 lead at the half. Although Duke had a balanced scoring in the half leading the way was projected top 3 draft pick Cameron Boozer who filled up the stat sheet with 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. As for the Red Raiders the frontcourt duo of LeJuan Watts and JT Toppin combined for 24 of 36 of their team’s points. 

Coming out of the locker room Texas Tech needed some production out of their backcourt, specifically Christian Anderson who had a quiet first half with 4 points despite being the Red Raiders second leading scorer this season. Anderson would go on to deliver greatly in the second half scoring 23 of his 27 points going 8-of-10 from the field. It proved to be even more important considering Watts fouled out  half way through the second half in finishing with 20 points. The Blue Devils started the night hot from beyond the arc going 7-of-14 in the first half but they would go cold in the second.

Cameron Boozer continued to generate many quality looks for his teammates throughout the half but the shots wouldn’t fall as they did earlier in the game. The Red Raiders’ star duo of Toppin and Anderson would continue to take advantage of Duke’s missed opportunities from the perimeter and the charity stripe. That eventually led to a big 82-81 Tech win over Duke, handing the Blue Devils their first loss of the season and snapping their 11 game winning streak. 

This matchup gave the fans a show with some excellent individual performances from both teams. From the Blue Devils the obvious standout was Cameron Boozer who showed exactly why he’s in the discussion to be the potential number one pick in the upcoming NBA draft. He finished the night with 23 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists showcasing his talent on one of the biggest stages in college basketball. Boozer displayed high IQ and overall great feel for the game, making some impressive reads out of the post for quality shots for his teammates all night. He was also strong on the glass. His ability to use his strength to get box out position and grab rebounds despite not being an elite vertical athlete is stellar. His scoring came naturally tonight with his soft touch around the rim getting opportunities by sealing his man and scoring out of the post in addition to the offensive glass. 

As for the Red Raiders they got great games out of the trio of Christian Anderson, JT Toppin, and LeJuan Watts. Toppin and Watts dominated the game in a similar way by doing their work on the block with their back to the basket and scoring in the paint with tough shot making at the rim all night. Toppin also was a monster on the boards grabbing 10 rebounds against a highly regarded Duke frontcourt. However, despite all these big-time performances the player of this game was hands down Christian Anderson who had 27 points on 9-of-14 shooting with five made 3’s. Anderson’s shot making was nothing short of incredible; he was dynamic being able to score off the dribble out of the pick and roll and getting to pull up jumpers from range. He also showcased an in-between game getting into the teeth of the defense for short range shots and mid-range shots. Anderson’s ability to get clutch time buckets was the main key for the Red Raiders significant win over the Blue Devils.

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

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