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Gonzaga Pulls Away from Oregon State Led by Ike

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Corvallis, OR –  Coming off a surprising loss at Portland, No. 7-rated Gonzaga came on in the second half and pulled away to an 81-61 victory at Oregon State. The Beavers had no answer for Gonzaga’s 6’9 center Graham Ike. The Bulldogs continually fed Ike inside as he  matched his career-high with 35 points and added seven rebounds to lead Gonzaga to the win before a season-high 7.865 fans in Gill Coliseum.

Ike was 13-for-18 from the field and got to the foul line nine times, converting eight. The Zags’ point guards Braeden Smith and Mario Saint-Supery combined for only seven points but had 11 assists against only one turnover. Gonzaga registered a total of 20 assists against only two turnovers for the game. That matched a record turnover low for any road game that Gonzaga has ever played.

Tyon Grant-Foster was active throughout the contest for the Zags, finishing with 15 points and seven rebounds in 26 minutes of action. Grant-Foster adds athleticism on the wing and helps inside in the absence of 6-10 Braden Huff who is out with a knee injury. Freshman Davis Fogle added eight second half points with five rebounds and showed athleticism and toughness. He’ll be someone to watch moving forward. Fogle’s dunk put the Zags up by ten points (60-50) midway through the second half and they pulled away from there. Isaiah Sy, from France, led the Beavers with 13 points, hitting 3-of-5 from deep. Dez White added 12 points and six assists against only one turnover.

The first half was close, with Gonzaga taking a four-point (38-34) halftime lead. The game was tight until midway through the second half when Gonzaga pulled away. The Zags dominated inside with Ike and Grant-Foster having their way against the Beavers’ bigs. Gonzaga finished the game with a 50-10 advantage in points in the paint and a 30-21 rebounding advantage.

Oregon State is now an even 13-13 on the season and 6-7 in West Coast Conference play. Gonzaga moves to 23-2 overall and 11-1 in the WCC.  Oregon State will now hit the road next week to take on San Francisco and Seattle. Gonzaga heads home to face Washington State on Tuesday night.

This article was written by Carl Berman, Managing Partner of NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Instagram, or on twitter.

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Portland Gets an Upset Win at LMU

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Los Angeles, CA — Despite entering the matchup as the favorite, Loyola Marymount never found its footing Saturday night, as Portland controlled the game from start to finish in a 71–58 road victory at Gersten Pavilion.

Coming into the contest, much of the intrigue centered around individual matchups. For LMU, former four-star USC recruit Jalen Shelley and Virginia Tech transfer Rodney Brown Jr. were players to monitor. On the Portland side, the focus was on Australian point guard Joel Foxwell, the conference leader in assists, and a player known more for craft than physicality.

Foxwell’s 6’1” frame appeared vulnerable during warmups, and LMU immediately tested him on the opening possession. Any concerns about his size, however, were quickly erased. From that point forward, Foxwell dictated the game with poise and precision, operating as the engine of Portland’s offense.

LMU attempted multiple defensive looks to disrupt him, picking him up full court, hedging hard on ball screens, and showing early help but none of it slowed him. Foxwell consistently split coverage, hit timely pull-ups and floaters, and delivered perfectly weighted passes to rolling big man James O’Donnell, his fellow Australian and ideal pick-and-roll partner. When help rotated, Foxwell punished it by finding open shooters. Portland’s offense flowed almost entirely through him, and it flowed effortlessly.

While Portland’s offense looked organized and confident, LMU’s attack never established rhythm. The Lions spent much of each possession swinging the ball several feet beyond the three-point line without creating advantages. Too often, possessions ended with late, low-confidence perimeter attempts or forced drives into a crowded paint.

Portland’s much-discussed defensive issues were not evident in the first half. Operating out of a 2-3 zone with high corners and guards sagging into the gaps, the Pilots clogged the interior and dared LMU to shoot. LMU obliged and missed although none of LMU’s shots looked like it was meant to be the result of their offense.

The disparity showed clearly on the scoreboard and in the box score. Portland led 39–21 at halftime, shooting 15-of-31 from the field and 4-of-8 from three, while LMU managed just 8-of-28 overall and 3-of-12 from deep. Portland also dominated the hustle categories, winning the rebounding battle 24–14 and forcing 10 LMU turnovers. Nearly every loose ball, long rebound, and transition opportunity favored the Pilots.

LMU briefly showed signs of life to open the second half, cutting the deficit to 10 with increased aggression on both ends. However, the underlying issues remained. The offense still lacked structure and spacing, and the shots that fell early were not sustainable.

Whenever LMU threatened to build momentum, Foxwell calmly extinguished it. He forced timely turnovers, hit key shots, and delivered highlight-level passes that led to layups or wide-open threes. Portland continued to look like a team with a clear identity, while LMU appeared disjointed and uncertain.

Jalen Shelley was the lone consistent bright spot for the Lions. He finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds on an efficient 7-of-12 shooting night, clearly establishing himself as LMU’s most impactful player. Yet even in his strong performance, Shelley was often underutilized. Instead of being featured as a primary option, he frequently stood in the corner or moved the ball quickly without being given the chance to dictate possessions. When Shelley attacked, LMU’s offense improved but those moments were too rare.

LMU’s second-half effort on the glass was commendable, as they won the rebounding battle 21–16 after intermission. The Lions also played with better energy defensively. Still, Portland’s structure and composure never wavered.

The Pilots closed the game with confidence, finishing 24-of-56 from the field and 8-of-17 from three. LMU ended the night shooting just 18-of-57 overall and 8-of-28 from deep, numbers that reflected an offense unsure of both its identity and its options.

Portland’s 71–58 victory was not simply a result of shooting variance or short stretches of momentum. It was the product of a disciplined game plan, executed by a team led by a point guard who controlled every phase of the contest. Foxwell played with the calm of a professional, and his leadership gave Portland a consistent advantage possession after possession.

LMU showed effort, particularly in the second half, but effort alone could not overcome Portland’s clarity of purpose. Until the Lions establish a defined offensive identity and commit to empowering their most effective players, performances like this will continue to follow.


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

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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.

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.

New Mexico Extends Win Streak Topping Santa Clara

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Albuquerque, NM – The University of New Mexico extended its win streak to four with a commanding 98–71 victory over Santa Clara. The game opened with both teams struggling to gain momentum as defensive pressure on both sides created early turnovers. Once UNM settled in, the Lobos established control, using forced turnovers to generate transition layups and push the tempo. In the second half, Santa Clara made a brief run to tighten the score, but the Lobos responded immediately with a decisive 10 point lead fueled by active hands-on defense, sharp passing, and cohesive teamwork.

Deyton Albury delivered a breakout performance, scoring 22 points along with six assists, three steals, and a block, his first 20-point game as a Lobo. He dominated the pace of play with his ability to accelerate and decelerate on drives, read defensive rotations, and make quick decisions in traffic. His court vision opened up clean shots for his teammates, while his wingspan and defensive anticipation created early frustration for Santa Clara’s ball-handlers. His all-around impact made him the most influential player on the floor.

Tomislav Buljan added 16 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks in an efficient and controlled performance. Rather than forcing difficult finishes, Buljan consistently converted high-percentage opportunities with strong footwork and positioning. His lone dunk came off a well-read steal, highlighting his awareness and timing on both ends of the court.

Off the bench, Uriah Tenette provided an offensive spark with 15 points, proving himself a reliable scoring option. While his defensive effort was strong, he will need to reduce hand usage to avoid unnecessary fouls and maximize his time on the floor. Depth continued to be a key strength for the Lobos, with multiple players contributing across scoring, rebounding, and defensive categories.

Santa Clara entered prepared, assigning their top defender, Christian Hammond, to chase UNM sharpshooter Jake Hall and limit his perimeter looks. The strategy was effective in reducing Hall’s scoring impact, but the Broncos were unable to capitalize offensively. Turnovers, missed shots, and foul trouble prevented them from maintaining pressure as the game progressed. Hammond led Santa Clara with 22 points on 60% effective field-goal shooting, but foul trouble limited how aggressively he could defend. Elijah Mahi added 13 points and led the Broncos with eight rebounds, while Allen Graves contributed 12 points, though he struggled to find consistency amid UNM’s high defensive energy.

Both Albury and Hammond showcased their dual-threat capabilities and stood out as key players for their respective teams. Ultimately, UNM’s depth, defensive discipline, and high-level ball movement dictated the game’s flow. Their ability to convert turnovers into fast-break points, execute sharp offensive sets, and maintain intensity for 40 minutes powered the 98–71 victory. With strong chemistry and growing confidence, the Lobos continue to establish themselves as a dynamic, well-balanced team with significant early-season momentum.

This article was written by Rebecca Lucero, 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.