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Washington Upset at Home by Washington State in Exhibition

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Seattle, WA – Washington State, led by Ronnie Harrison won 84-80 in Seattle against their cross-state rival, the Washington Huskies. WSU scored the first basket, however UW was able to jump ahead thanks to a 17-3 run. Just when the Huskies’ Lathan Sommerville got an electric alley-oop slam in transition and it looked like they had control, the Cougars started hitting 3’s going 4-of-7 in a three-minute span giving them the lead. After some gritty back and forth action, the first half ended with WSU in front 38-37.

Turnovers and fouls defined the start of the second half, there were six combined before LeJuan Watts kickstarted the Huskies, scoring a fastbreak layup. The teams went back and forth trading baskets again before Harrison scored 10 unanswered points putting the Cougars up by four. WSU stretched the lead to eight and, thanks to all the points scored from both teams being strictly from free throws after the 3:32 mark up to the 0:39 mark, the Cougars were able to put the game away.

LeJuan Watts set the pace for UW with 28 points on 7-of-12 from the field along with six rebounds. Watts was able to get to his spots, and despite the Huskies as a team going 6-of-23 from 3 point range, he made 2 of his 4. Nikola Dzepina had a strong performance in the paint, getting 12 rebounds, seven on the offensive end. Although he shot 4-of-12 from the field in 30 minutes off the bench, he was the only player on the Huskies who finished with a positive +/-  at +6. Lathan Sommerville has made a case that he will perform at a higher level on offense this year, posting 19 points on 6-of-7 from the field and 7-of-11 from the line. He played strong inside, finishing at the rim with finesse and control. He also ran hard in transition and was rewarded by his teammates.

Ronnie Harrison found a way to lead the Cougars to this win with 23 points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks. He showed he is willing to do the heavy lifting on offense and can be an explosive scorer. Two of his three offensive rebounds were tip-in baskets that resulted from hard crashes off the perimeter and came in key moments of the game, one sparking his 10- point run and the other when the Cougars needed to keep the lead late in the second half. Lazerek Houston may not have had the best day shooting the basketball (1-of-9), however he was the initiator for WSU, finishing with four assists. Even though he was poor from the field, he made 12-of-15 from the line, a sign that this shooting performance will probably not be a trend downward. Houston was able to push through a poor shooting day and find a way to contribute to the win.

This article was written by Landon Brewer of NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Instagram, or on twitter.

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Marquette’s Depth Propel Them Past Michigan State in Exhibition

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Milwaukee, WI – Marquette used an efficient offensive performance and balanced scoring attack to defeat Michigan State 86-79 in an exhibition matchup at Fiserv Forum on Sunday afternoon. The Golden Eagles shot 57% from the field while hitting half of their 3-point attempts going 9 of 18. The Spartans turned Marquette over 24 times, however struggled to get going offensively in the first half going 7 for 27 (26%) and 4 of 15 (27%) from beyond the arc. Marquette’s perimeter shooting and bench production (39 points) provided to be too much to overcome.

It was a point guard story from the tip as Marquette’s returning 6’0 sophomore Nigel James Jr. and Michigan State’s returning 6’2 junior Jeremy Fears Jr. had an intriguing matchup. Fears finished with 18 points and seven assists on six turnovers while James contributed 11 points and seven assists on eight turnovers. Fears relied heavily on his speed in the open floor with change of pace and craftiness to create opportunities. On the other side of the ball James displayed a strong frame using his physicality and explosive first step burst to gain advantages. Both guards consistently pressured opposing defenses by getting paint touches, drawing fouls, and finding open teammates. They also showcased their own styles of court vision through skip passes, drive and kick options, and transition assists while pushing for tempo.

The matchup also exposed areas of development for both future professional ball handlers. Fears struggled to find rhythm with his jumper in the first half going 0-of-5 from the field and finishing 3-of-8, however compensated by converting 12-of-14 from the charity stripe. James also struggled to find consistency from outside, going 0-of-2 from three but utilized his strength and ability to finish through contact to generate offense. Ball protection was another challenge during the afternoon affair as the two combined for 14 turnovers.

Through the first half, Marquette established control taking a 43-31 halftime advantage behind great shooting efficiency and continued to knock down shots through the second. Michigan State’s 6’8 forward Jordan Scott provided one of the Spartans’ strongest two-way games finishing with 18 points on 6-of-13 including 3 treys. The versatile and lengthy wing showed confidence shooting off the dribble and spotting up in transition off Fears’ transition game. Defensively, Scott disrupted passing lanes and challenged shots finishing with four blocks in the contest.

Michigan State’s 6’4 true freshman Jasiah Jervis had the game high of 19 points and connected on 4-of-6 three-point attempts. Jervis displayed a smooth perimeter touch particularly from swing passes on catch and shoot opportunities with several of those coming from BLOB actions. His outside shooting helped keep the Spartans competitive throughout. Athletic 6’6,-237 pound senior forward Coen Carr added a quiet 11 points on 3–f 7 shooting while using his explosiveness to finish above the rim and attack in transition. Although his perimeter shot making activity remains limited, his vertical athleticism and strong finishing capability provides intriguing professional upside.

The Spartans were able to trim Marquette’s lead to 52-47 early in the second half before 6’4 sophomore guard Adrien Stevens responded with timely perimeter shooting. Stevens went 2-of-3 from beyond the arc finishing with 12 points while adding five rebounds and four assists. Marquette’s 6’5 guard transfer (St. Thomas) Nolan Minessale contributed nine points and four rebounds settling in during the second half through aggressive drives and defensive pressure. 6’9, 235-pound junior forward Royce Parham supplied a strong interior presence recording 12 points and nearly having a double-double with eight rebounds. The lengthy athletic forward consistently pursued to battle on the glass and finished above the rim to provide second chance buckets. His physical activity helped Marquette win the rebounding game 33-23.

Despite Michigan State forcing 24 turnovers and converting them into 33 points, Marquette’s big time shots, rebounding, and offensive balance ultimately provided to be deciding factors. Both programs will look to November 2nd to open up their regular season play.

This article was written by Michael Schneiderman of NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Instagram, or on twitter.

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Illinois State Shows Promise in Exhibition Win Over Northwestern

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman


NORMAL, IL – Illinois State overcame a halftime deficit to defeat visiting Big Ten opponent Northwestern 70-64 in both teams’ first exhibition game Sunday evening. The matchup marked the first time Illinois State hosted a Big Ten opponent since Purdue visited Redbird Arena in 1999 nearly 27 years ago. The Redbirds forced 20 turnovers and held an 18-9 advantage on the offensive glass, outscoring the Wildcats 38-29 in the second half.

Illinois State was led by 6’9″ forward Noah Cleveland, a 2025-26 Division III 1st Team All-American and the D3hoops.com National Rookie of the Year at Illinois Wesleyan. The Bloomington native recorded a double-double with 10 minutes remaining and finished with 16 points and 15 rebounds. Senior point guard Johnny Kinziger added 15 points while controlling the tempo and helping Illinois State maintain its preferred pace.

Northwestern started the game off by attacking the paint behind 6’3″ sophomore guard Jake West, who finished with 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting and seven assists in 28 minutes of work. 6’6 Junior Guard Angelo Ciaravino scored six first half points and finished with 12 points, five rebounds, and three assists. His aggressive drives and activity around the basket helped establish Northwestern’s early offensive rhythm.

Illinois State generated transition opportunities through defensive pressure. Cleveland’s fast-break dunk gave the Redbirds a 25-24 lead with five minutes remaining in the opening half. Northwestern then responded behind West’s play extending its advantage 35-29 before Illinois State 6’3 Sophomore Guard Mason Klabo’s hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer to cut the halftime deficit 35-32.

The Wildcats opened the second half aggressively extending its’ lead to 44-37 following a layup by 6’7″ graduate forward Jack Karasinski. The Bellarmine transfer finished with 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting, including 2-of-3 from beyond the arc. Illinois State then gradually shifted momentum through volume defensive activity and second-chance opportunities. Kinziger connected on a transition three-pointer helping the Redbirds tie the game at 44 with just over 13 minutes left to play.

The Redbirds would then reclaim the lead 50-48 with 9:47 remaining following a Klabo three-pointer. Cleveland converted a contested putback before 6’9 Senior Forward Chase Walker connected from beyond the arc and finished a transition dunk providing a comeback spark. Walker’s tough physical presence provided another productive interior option. Cleveland added another putback before Kinziger converted a turnaround midrange jumper which extended the lead further 61-54 with just over five minutes remaining.

Northwestern made a final push trimming the deficit 63-60 with 2:38 to go. West exited with cramps around this time and did not return. Illinois State maintained its composure and converted free throws down the stretch to secure the victory.

Cleveland was arguably the game’s most impactful player. In the first Division 1 game of his career, he shot 5-of-8 from the field and demonstrated his ability to finish against Northwestern’s size, including 6’9″ junior Okku Federiko and 7’3″ freshman Symon Ghai. His offensive rebounding, ability to establish positioning against bigger defenders, and consistent rim running activities while finishing in transition were particularly valuable during the second-half comeback.

Kinziger provided valuable perimeter shooting finishing 3-of-7 from three-point range in 34 minutes of action. He showed confidence coming off Cleveland’s and Walker’s screening actions being able to draw opposing bigs away from the basket and creating tight pocket passing opportunities for diving teammates to hit them in stride toward the rim. His ability to read defensive coverage and create separation helped generate clean offensive opportunities. Walker added 11 points and six rebounds while demonstrating continued development as a floor-spacing big option.

For Northwestern, West provided productive court vision while remaining aggressive offensively. Karasinski offered efficient perimeter scoring while Ciaravino’s 12 points on 6-of-10 shooting provided another reliable offensive option.

Despite shooting 51% from the field compared to Illinois State’s 35%, Northwestern struggled with turnovers and free throws committing 20 turnovers and converting just 8-of-17 attempts. Illinois State committed only 10 turnovers, held a 40-37 rebounding advantage, and converted on 17-of-24 from the charity stripe.

Looking ahead Northwestern will host Iowa State next Sunday in its final exhibition contest while Illinois State travels to Green Bay on Saturday to face the Phoenix in its exhibition finale.

This article was written by Michael Schneiderman of 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.

Minnesota Rolls Past Oregon on the Road

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Eugene, OR — The Oregon Ducks faced the Minnesota Golden Gophers with both teams vying for momentum as the Big Ten Tournament ramps up in March. Minnesota dominated the second half by outscoring Oregon 32 to 14 in the final 13 minutes of actions to roll to 61-44 road win at Matthew Knight Arena in front of 5,204 fans.

Isaac Asuma set the tone early, scoring Minnesota’s first five points on his way to a game-high 15 points on 6-of-14 shooting. The point guard added five rebounds and four assists, though he also committed four turnovers. Minnesota’s defense proved just as impactful, holding Oregon to 30 percent shooting in the first half and just 1-of-12 from three-point range. For the game, the Ducks finished a very poor 2-of-20 from beyond the arc.

Midway through the first half, Minnesota endured a nearly seven-minute stretch without a field goal. Senior Cade Tyson, who entered the night averaging 19.5 points per game, broke the drought late in the half. His five first-half points sparked a 12–2 run that pushed the Gophers ahead 22–13 before they carried a 22–17 lead into halftime. Tyson finished with 12 points on 3-of-10 shooting, along with eight rebounds and three assists.

After a sluggish offensive first half, Oregon turned to senior center Nate Bittle to generate momentum. Using high-low action to attack Minnesota’s zone defense, the 7-footer converted several interior looks to keep the Ducks within striking distance. Bittle totaled 15 points (7-for-15 FG), adding eight rebounds, four assists, and two blocks.

Oregon briefly reclaimed the lead at 30–29 when Kwame Evans Jr. knocked down a three-pointer from the wing, marking the Ducks’ first lead since 2–0. Evans finished with 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting, along with eight rebounds and four assists. Dezdrick Lindsay chipped in eight points off the bench, but consistent scoring options were limited.

Minnesota quickly responded behind key contributions from Grayson Grove and Bobby Durkin. Grove, who entered averaging just three points per game, scored 13 points (5-for-9 FG) and grabbed eight rebounds. Durkin added 11 points, connecting on three shots from beyond the arc. The pair combined for 21 of Minnesota’s 39 second-half points. 

The Gophers also controlled the glass, outrebounding the Ducks 38–28 and holding a 13–7 advantage on the offensive boards to seal the road win.

Oregon (9-17, 2-13) travels south to challenge USC (18–7, 7-7) on Saturday. Minnesota (12–14, 5-10) will return home to face Rutgers (10-15, 3-11) .

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

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Iowa’s Stirtz Drops Career-High 32 Points to Take Down Oregon

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Eugene, OR — The Oregon Ducks squared off against the visiting Iowa Hawkeyes in a Big Ten clash Sunday evening, with the two teams heading in opposite directions in the race for an NCAA Tournament bid. Iowa’s Bennett Stirtz delivered a dominant performance, scoring a game- and career-high 32 points on an efficient 12-of-15 shooting night to lead the Hawkeyes past the Ducks, 84–66, at Matthew Knight Arena in front of 5,807 fans.

The opening half featured consistent shooting from both sides, as the team’s traded baskets and saw several lead changes. Oregon guard Takai Simpkins returned to action after missing the previous game with an ankle injury, and the injury appeared to be a non-factor. Simpkins led the Ducks with 10 first-half points and finished with 15 points on 5-of-11 shooting, along with four rebounds and four assists. A Simpkins lay-in gave Oregon a 17–15 lead with 12 minutes remaining in the first half — the Ducks’ final lead of the game.

Iowa responded with a decisive 13–2 run, fueled by interior scoring from 6-foot-10 junior Alvaro Folgueiras, to build its largest first-half lead at 11 points with just under four minutes remaining. The Hawkeyes dominated the paint early, holding an 18–8 advantage in the first half and finishing with a commanding 44–26 edge for the game. Folgueiras scored eight points before the break on 4-of-6 shooting and ended the night with 15 points (6-of-9 FG) and eight rebounds.

Oregon opened the second half with renewed aggression, as Kwame Evans Jr. attacked the basket for a quick layup and followed it up by drawing a foul on the next possession. The Ducks cut the deficit to five in the opening minutes behind Evans Jr.’s effort. The 6-foot-10 junior, coming off a 24-point performance in his previous outing, posted 18 points (6-of-14 FG), with most coming in the second half. While he struggled from beyond the arc (1-of-7 from three), Evans Jr. added three rebounds and three assists. Dezdrick Lindsay chipped in 10 points on an efficient 4-of-7 shooting night, but Oregon received limited production elsewhere.

Stirtz took full control after halftime, orchestrating the offense as Iowa’s primary ball handler and scorer. The 6-foot-4 senior was surgical offensively, finishing with 32 points on just 15 shot attempts. Iowa committed only five turnovers all game, with Stirtz recording seven assists and zero turnovers. Beyond the box score, he consistently made smart backdoor cuts and simplified the game for his teammates, showcasing his high basketball IQ.  Stirtz is currently projected as a mid-to-late first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, with the potential to climb into the lottery with a strong finish to the season.

Iowa also received double-digit scoring from Cooper Koch and Brendan Hausen, giving the Hawkeyes four players in double figures. Koch finished with 10 points (4-of-7 FG), three rebounds, two steals, and two assists, while Hausen added 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting. As a team, Iowa shot an impressive 59 percent from the field (33-of-56 FG) and clamped down defensively, holding Oregon to just 20 percent shooting from three-point range (5-of-25). The loss marks Oregon’s eighth straight defeat.

Oregon (8–14, 1–10 Big Ten) travels east to face preseason No. 1 Purdue (18–4, 8–3) on Saturday, February 7. Iowa (16–5, 6–4) continues its road trip against Washington (12–10, 4–7) on February 4.

This article was written by Chad Mart, 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.

UCLA Overpowers Short-Handed Oregon in Win

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Eugene, OR — The Oregon Ducks hosted the UCLA Bruins in a Big Ten showdown with UCLA looking to solidify its spot in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. The Bruins outmanned a depleted Ducks roster, led by their starting trio of Donovan Dent, Eric Dailey Jr., and Tyler Bilodeau. The three combined to score 47 of UCLA’s 73 points as the Bruins jumped out early and never looked back, earning a 73–57 victory at Matthew Knight Arena in front of 5,721 fans.

Oregon was without three of its top four scorers due to injuries, and it showed throughout the game. After scoring on their opening possession, the Ducks went nearly six minutes without a basket as UCLA built an early 8–2 lead. While the teams traded baskets for a stretch, Kwame Evans Jr. knocked down two three-pointers in quick succession to help the Bruins gain momentum.

Evans Jr., who has appeared on NBA mock drafts throughout his career, delivered one of the strongest performances of his season. He was aggressive attacking the rim and crashing the offensive glass, finishing with 24 points on 9-of-18 shooting, eight rebounds, and two blocked shots.

UCLA’s size and strength were evident early in the first half. Eric Dailey Jr. pushed the Bruins’ lead to 30–16 with a driving layup, and UCLA carried that same 14-point advantage into halftime at 36–22. Dailey Jr. recorded a double-double with 14 points (5-of-13 FG) and 11 rebounds, including three on the offensive end. While UCLA narrowly edged Oregon on the glass, 40–36, the biggest disparity came in second-chance points, where the Bruins dominated 19–5.

The Bruins maintained control throughout the second half, continuing to exploit their advantage against the undermanned Ducks. Dent, who opened the game 0-for-5 from the field, found his rhythm after halftime. He sparked a fast break with a steal and score, then followed it up by leading another break and throwing an alley-oop to Dailey Jr. for a slam. Dent finished with 15 points (6-of-17 FG) and four assists against just one turnover, consistently attacking Oregon’s weaker perimeter defenders.

Oregon briefly cut the deficit to 10 points around the 13-minute mark after an 8–0 run that began with Evans Jr. completing a three-point play. That was as close as the Ducks would get. Head coach Dana Altman experimented with multiple lineups in search of a spark, but the talent gap created by injuries proved difficult to overcome.

Jamari Phillips provided a bright spot for Oregon, knocking down three three-pointers for nine points (3-of-10 from deep). UCLA’s leading scorer on the season, Bilodeau (18.2 PPG), closed out the game with poise, displaying soft touch around the basket and repeatedly getting to the free-throw line. He finished with an efficient 18 points (4-of-9 FG), shooting 9-of-11 from the stripe, while adding seven rebounds to push Oregon’s losing streak to seven games.

Oregon (8–13, 1–9 Big Ten) remains at home to close out the week against Iowa (15–5, 5–4) on Sunday, February 1. UCLA (15–6, 7–3) returns home to host Indiana (14–7, 5–5) on January 31.

This article was written by Chad Mart, 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.

Michigan State’s Second Half Onslaught Takes Down Oregon

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Eugene, OR – For around the first 30 minutes, Oregon hung tight with #10 Michigan State, with a Wei Lin three-pointer getting Oregon within 1-point at the 10:43 mark. Over the next few minutes, Michigan State’s Carson Cooper, Jeremy Fears, Jr., and Coen Carr went on a 12-1 run that led to a double-digit lead. It was a 68-52 final, with Oregon losing the second half 40-26. This happened even with Oregon holding Michigan State’s leading scorer on the season, senior Jaxon Kohler, to a single basket. Oregon also kept turnovers to a minimum, only 10 on the game, but really had a difficult time getting offense going, as seen by the final score.

Michigan State is now only behind Nebraska, being tied with powerhouse Michigan in the Big Ten ranks at 7-1. The leader of the charge tonight was senior center Carson Cooper, whose size, ability to get position and touch were on display against the smaller Oregon team. Cooper finished with 19 points (8-10 FG, 3-4 FT), 7 rebounds, and 4 blocks, while being a +26 on the game during his time on the floor. He was able to get deep post position, showed a soft turnaround fade, and on defense kept verticality quite well.

Spartans’ junior Coen Carr, known for his elite vertical athleticism, did a nice job showing off his perimeter ability in this one. He was 3-of-5 from three, had a midrange make, and a couple of layup finishes where he showed off the hang time he is well known for. He finished with 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists, along with two blocked shots. Carr is still only shooting 25.6% on 3’s on the season, but it was a positive to see his confidence from long range and becoming more of an offensive factor, as defense has been his calling card.

It took sophomore Jeremy Fears, Jr. a while to get going, as one of the top floor generals in the nation was held to 2 points and 1 assist in the first half. He was able to close the game strong, finishing with 14 points and 5 assists. Fears, the older brother of 2025 draftee and current New Orleans Pelicans point guard Jeremiah Fears, is second in the NCAA in assists  this season at 8.4 per game. He helped put the game out of reach and was a steady hand in keeping it there with his handle, court vision, and poise.

For Oregon, Takai Simpkins was the one real bright spot, finishing with 15 points, 7 rebounds, a steal and a block. He is a threat off movement as a shooter, while being able to create midrange opportunities, and finish with some craft. No one else besides him could get much going, with Wei Lin finishing with 7 points (2-5 3PT, 1-2 FT), and Kwame Evans, Jr. with 6 (3-13 FG). 

Some positives for Oregon came in the first half with their team defense, as they created three shot clock violations. They have also taken care of the ball, while taking fewer risks, showing more awareness. Outside shooting is still not seen as a strength, as they finished 7-of-20, identical to that of Michigan State. The Ducks have had a tough time creating opportunities close to the basket without Jackson Shelstad and Nathan Bittle in the line-up. Their lack of size typically puts them behind in the rebound battle, as they lost it 31-24 against the Spartans. 

Oregon dropped to 1-7 in Big Ten conference play, and 8-11 on the season. Their next game is January 25th in Seattle against the Washington Huskies, who are relatively close in the conference standings. Michigan State will play Maryland January 24th and Rutgers January 27th, before what should be a huge in-state rivalry game with Michigan on January 30th in Ann Arbor.

This article was written by Michael Visenberg,  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.

Oregon’s First Half Effort Cannot Hold Off #4 Michigan

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Eugene, OR – After being down double digits early, the undermanned Oregon Ducks went on a concerted run that got them back into the game against a Michigan team that looks to be one of the best in the country. With the clock winding down at the end of the first half, sophomore guard Wei Lin hit a three-pointer while being guarded by potential All-American, Yaxel Lendeborg, to give Oregon a 41-40 lead. The second half saw Michigan come out and dominate around the basket, with Aday Mara and Morez Johnson, Jr. getting deep post position, while Elliot Cadeau was able to attack and get to the basket, create. Michigan ultimately claimed a 81-71 victory, moving to 16-1 on the season.

With Jackson Shelstad and Nathan Bittle both sidelined for the foreseeable future, Oregon needed players to take on new roles. It had the potential to get ugly, coming off a 90-55 routing by #8 Nebraska. Former Montverde Academy teammates and juniors, Sean Stewart and Kwame Evans, Jr. both stepped up against Michigan’s front line that may be the best in the country. 

Stewart in particular scored in double digits both halves, finishing with 22 points (10-14 FG), 8 rebounds, and two blocked shots. He banked in a couple of midrange shots, while hitting his lone three-point attempt on a BLOB action. With Oregon desperate for some offensive firepower, their current fifth leading scorer stepped up and did not back down from the Michigan team with a frontcourt full of projected 2026 Draft picks.

Evans, Jr. had 12 of his 18 points in the first half, with 2 steals and 2 blocks. He could draw the defense outside, manipulate his way to the basket on closeouts, and drew fouls. With Evans, the quicker he can get into his moves and decision making, seems to do wonders for offensive creation for the team. There were times when the ball stopped, and so did opportunities for easy baskets. 

Wei Lin scored all 11 of his points in the first half, held to 0-of-8 shooting in the 2nd half. Takai Simpkins finished with 12 points, with 4 steals, many of which led to transition opportunities. He did not make any of his three-pointers, with the Ducks only finishing 6-of-18 on 3’s on the game. With Shelstad and Bittle sidelined, the long range shooting of Lin and Simpkins cannot be the combined 1-of-11 that they shot in this game.

For Michigan, Aday Mara made a massive statement to begin the second half. He went on a self 8-2 run, with a massive dunk taking Evans under the basket. He also showed his passing ability from both the low and high post, along with rim protection that made Oregon players think twice about taking it to the basket. The 7’3” junior transfer from UCLA finished with 12 points, 3 blocks, and led the early second half barrage that saw Michigan control the rest of the game.

Junior North Carolina transfer Cadeau led Michigan in scoring with 17 points, and while he finished with 5 assists and 4 turnovers, his impact on their offensive creation was notable. He used screens very well, and multiple times was able to get to the rim unabated. He was also 2-of-4 on 3’s, and the player that teams once loved to leave open is shooting 41.2% on 4 3 3-point attempts for the season. His quickness, stop/start ability, and tight handle, plus ability to make post entries fit really well with the current pieces the Wolverines have up front.

Fifth-year senior Nimari Burnett scored 10 of his 15 points in the first half, making 3-of-7 3’s while making all his two-point field goal attempts. He is a pesky defender, timely cutter, and is dangerous as a catch-and-shoot option. Morez Johnson, Jr.’s first half was brief due to foul trouble, but he scored 8 of his 9 points in the second half, all around the basket. He’s another major interior presence for Michigan, who have an array of weapons, and a bench that goes nine deep.

It was a season low point total for star UAB transfer, Yaxel Lendeborg, but he showed his value and versatility. Playing with two more traditional big men, Lendeborg handles the ball well, has over a 3:1 assist to turnover ratio currently, plus has greatly increased his three-point volume and is shooting 87.3% FT on the season. He also was the two-time American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year, and finished with 2 steals, 2 blocks, and 10 rebounds today. 

Lendeborg’s lone basket was on a post seal, and he did tend to float around the perimeter rather than assert his dominance considering his physical tools, which include a 7’4” wingspan. Regardless, he did what he had to do and drew a lot of attention, while not making mistakes. Certainly not a banner game for a player who still is among first team All-American consideration, but the value of Lendeborg goes well beyond scoring, which is why he is such a tantalizing NBA prospect.

Oregon moved to 8-10 on the season, with a game against Michigan State taking place on Tuesday at 6 pm PST. This was their fourth loss in a row, and they will need continued presence from their junior Montverde duo, while greater shooting efficiency from their guards. They did a much better job holding onto the ball, with just 11 turnovers on the game, compared to Michigan’s 14, which certainly helped keep the game closer than anticipated. The Big Ten schedule is going to be tough, but this was a step in the right direction in terms of remaining competitive against a top ranked opponent.


This article was written by Michael Visenberg, 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.

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.

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.

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

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