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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.

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

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.

USC’s Frontcourt Onslaught Too Much For Ducks

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Eugene, OR – In the opening night of Big Ten conference play, USC had a huge first half from Jacob Cofie, a huge second half from Ezra Ausar, and a steady showing of dominance from Chad Baker-Mazara to edge out Oregon, 82-77. The game was close throughout, with Baker-Mazara sealing it down the stretch with several floaters in the lane, and a massive three-pointer he created off the bounce. USC maintains a perfect 8-0 record while missing junior guard Rodney Rice, who is averaging 20.3 ppg through 6 games. Oregon, after finishing 0-3 at the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas, is now at 4-4 on the season.

Auburn transfer and super senior, Baker-Mazara, was the game high scorer with 25-points, consistent in his impact during both halves. The lithe, 6’7” wing, showed good touch, unorthodox drives, and used his length to create space and angles. He’s also a strong defender and a steadying presence. Turning 26 in January and would be very light by NBA standards, he is averaging 20.9 ppg on the season, is a career 87.8% FT shooter and 39.5% 3PT shooter in college. He should at the very least be on two-way radars and have a chance to prove he can carve out a role in the G League.

The first half saw a dominant performance from sophomore Virginia transfer, Cofie, who took advantage of mismatches, drained a couple from long range and showed his ability to handle in the open floor at 6’10”. Cofie had 16 of his 17 points in the first half, as Oregon stifled him with doubles and kept a closer eye on him, which led to opportunities for the 6’9” senior Utah transfer, Ausar. After playing just over 5 minutes in the first half due to foul trouble, Ausar used his physicality and athleticism to finish around the basket and get to the foul line. He had all 13 of his points in the second half. Cofie also finished with 3 steals and 2 blocks, with he and Ausar able to move their feet and make it tough for Oregon to score in the paint.

The other two double figure scorers for the Trojans were freshman guard Jerry Easter II, and stretch forward Jaden Brownell, both finishing with 11. Easter II has taken on much more of a role the past two games without Rice, and he left a mark on this game with his ability to get to the paint and his defensive pressure. All three of his field goals were blow by’s, and he sealed the game for the Trojans at the FT stripe. Brownell, the 6’10” transfer from Samford, had three corner three-pointers, with his quick release being something you have to account for.

Oregon had a big performance from junior Kwame Evans, Jr., who tied a career high with 23 points and pulled down 9 rebounds. He showed a blend of his ability to stretch the floor, how dangerous he can be as a cutter, and that he can punish closeouts. He did a good job through contact and finished 9-of-11 at the line. Evans, Jr. also is an event creator defensively with his length and anticipation. This was his fifth game in a row over double figures, and the Ducks are a much better team when he is aggressive, taking advantage of mismatches with his blend of length and movement ability. While he still can work on his hands, reacting more quickly once he gets the ball, and his balance going to the basket, he was the absolute bright spot for Oregon and kept this game competitive.

After a rough start from deep for Oregon, senior Elon transfer Takai Simpkins is now hitting 40.9% 3PT on the season and was 4-of-6 from 3 in this game, finishing with 17 points and 5 assists. It has been a streaky season for Simpkins thus far, but he gives the Ducks a secondary creator, with some pop and someone defenses need to respect from deep. 

Junior Jackson Shelstad had 11 points and 4 assists in the first half, as the Ducks went into halftime tied 39-39. The second half was a real struggle, as he finished 0-4 from three, making his lone FG with the game out of reach to finish with 13 points and 5 assists. Also, in a game that saw Oregon shoot 10-of-23 (43%) from three, Shelstad finished 1-of-6. Teams have started to trap him consistently, pressuring him up court often and being physical off ball. The Ducks second leading scorer on the season at 15.3 ppg, Shelstad and Oregon will have to adapt to what is now common practice in trying to take him out of the game.

The Trojans were not the only team missing a crucial piece, as 7-footer Nathan Bittle missed his second game in a row dealing with an ankle injury. Bittle is averaging 16.3 ppg, 7.8 rpg, and 2.3 bpg on the season, and will be a crucial element if Oregon hopes to compete in the Big Ten. Rodney Rice, the junior Maryland transfer, missed his third game in a row as he deals with a shoulder injury.

Oregon and USC will both be in California on Saturday December 6, playing their second Big Ten conference games at 3 pm, with Oregon facing UCLA at Pauley Pavilion, while USC will host Washington. USC has done all they have needed to so far this season, while Oregon hopes to cut down on turnovers that have plagued them as a team, and get all of their main players on the same page. 

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.

UConn Tops Illinois at Madison Square Garden

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

New York, NY – It was a highly anticipated matinee matchup at Madison Square Garden in the Sentinel One Showdown between No.5 UConn and No.13 Illinois in a game where we expected fireworks on the offensive end from both teams. It would ultimately be a defensive beatdown that had UConn take a wire to wire 74-61 win on Friday afternoon. UConn had solid offensive showings from key contributors Alex Karaban, Malachi Smith, and Solo Ball who would combine for 41 of their 74 points. The Huskies would also hold the Fighting Illini to well below their season average at 94.6 PPG. as Illinois’ only provider of offense today was Kylan Boswell who had 25 points.

The first half of this game was a UConn domination led by  Ball who had 13 first half points and was red hot from the field to kick off the afternoon. A key point heading into this matchup was would Illinois be able to play at their high-level pace and score effectively while also being dominant on the glass as well. Unfortunately for the Fighting Illini nothing went right, as they struggled to get stops and get out on the run, allowing UConn to shoot 46% from the field and 41% from 3 in the 1st half. They would also go on to lose the glass 21-19 while getting nothing offensively from their leading scorer Andrej Stojakovic. He had just three points at the half on 1-of-6 shooting as the team shoot 38% from the field. These factors lead to a Huskies’ 43-32 lead heading into the locker room.

The game was more tightly contested in the second half but even though Illinois tightened up defensively they continued to underperform on the offensive end. Illinois would go 6-of-26 from the field and 2-of-16 from 3 as they finished the night shooting 20.7% from 3 and 31% overall. UConn started off the second  half going up as many as 17 points, as Malachi Smith was able to make his mark on the game scoring nine points in the half finishing the afternoon with 14 points and nine assists off the bench. For Illinois their only source of offense would continue to come strictly from Boswell but their defensive effort picked up and they had the deficit reduced to seven points late in the game. They would go on to continue to misfire from long range and UConn came down with some big rebounds and buckets to finish Illinois off for their sixth win of the season. 

UConn is obviously in the conversation for being the best team in the country, but the individual talent on this roster is something that deserves praise. Two of their potential NBA draft prospects who played well today were Solo Ball and Alex Karaban. Karaban excels off shooting off the catch, he moves efficiently off the ball whether that’s coming off pin-downs or reading his defender playing him aggressively and slipping backdoor for cutting opportunities. He may not be a high-level athlete or an elite on ball creator but he provides high level spacing which is valuable for any team at the next level. Ball is more of a willing tough shot taker and shot maker. He can also move off the ball especially getting looks off screens, he gets 3’s up at a high volume and has more of an in between game compared to Karaban. Ball also is comfortable getting his shot off the dribble as he’s a more versatile scorer. Where the similarities lie are they both aren’t consistent defenders and they aren’t high level playmakers but they both have the potential to be contributors on an NBA rotation. 

As for the Fighting Illini, they have a few draft prospects as well. The two that most effected today’s game were Boswell and 6’9 forward David Mirkovic. Boswell dominated as he was able to get into the paint showing off his strong frame at just 6 ‘2 and showcased his shooting and defensive tenacity. The only question for Boswell at the next level is that he’s undersized and what level of a shooter he is? Mirkovic, although he didn’t have the greatest game, is someone that can be a productive offensive big. He isn’t by any means an elite on ball creator but he’s a really good playmaking big that has potential to effectively space the floor as well. He also is a high-level rebounder despite not being a major vertical athlete. Mirkovic has great feel for the game and he still has room to grow even more as a player as he’s just a freshman.

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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Michigan Wins Title at Players Era Championship with Dominant Performance

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Las Vegas, NV. – Michigan completed an amazing performance, winning the title at the  Players Era Championship in Las Vegas with a 101-61 shellacking of previously undefeated Gonzaga. The Wolverines won their three games by a combined 110 points in the best performance at any major basketball event that I have witnessed. Yaxel Lendeborg led the winners with 20 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and two highlight reel dunks.

Michigan notched dominant wins over San Diego State (94-54) and Auburn (102-72) before tonight’s performance. This game was never in doubt as the Wolverines raced out to a 20-5 lead and went into the half leading by 24 points. The second half was the same as Michigan kept increasing their lead to as much as 46 points. Michigan’s frontcourt of 7’3 Aday Mara, 6’9 Morez Johnson Jr. and the 6’9 Lendeborg bottled up the inside and took Gonzaga’s Graham Ike out of his game. Ike finished with one point missing on all of his nine field goal attempts. Michigan outscored Gonzaga 30-0 on layups. Besides Lendeborg’s efforts, Johnson Jr. finished with 11 points (5-6 FG), five rebounds and two blocks. Mara added 13 points, four rebounds and three blocks while Lendeborg added two blocked shots of his own.

Beside completely dominating the game inside, the Wolverines receive excellent performances from their guards. Starting point guard Elliot Cadeau dished out 13 assists against only two turnovers. Nimari Burnett (14 points) connected on all four of his three-point attempts and added six boards. Freshman Trey McKinney came off the bench to score 17 points over 21 minutes and made 3-of-5 from deep. Roddy Gayle Jr. connected on all his three shots and scored nine points.  The thought on Michigan prior to the season was that if they could get good play and decent three-point shooting from their guards they could be one of the best teams in the nation. That has been happening, as tonight their rotation guards combined to shoot 8-of-14 on 3’s and contributed 23 assists against only 10 turnovers.

The Wolverines shot 13-of-27 from deep in total while shooting 60% from the field overall. They held the Zags to 3-of-22 shooting on 3’s and only 33.8% overall.  For Gonzaga, Tyon Grant-Foster played hard throughout, scoring 14 points and grabbing eight rebounds. Braden Huff had some success inside, finishing with 14 points and six boards before fouling out. All in all, it was a performance to remember from Michigan this week in Las Vegas.

This article was written by Carl Berman, Managing Partner 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.

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