Phenom Hoops continues to bring you terrific college basketball coverage, as we enjoyed a great night with the State Farm Champions Classic. It brought four big-time programs all to the court, as first No. 4 Kentucky took on Michigan State, and then No. 6 Kansas took on No. 7 Duke. We dive into the games and our thoughts.
Final: Michigan State 86 – No. 4 Kentucky 77 2OT
Stats:
Kentucky:
Oscar Tshiebwe: 22 points (9-for-17), 18 rebounds, 4 blocks
Sahvir Wheeler: 16 points, 8 assists, 2 steals
Cason Wallace: 14 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 8 steals
Jacob Toppin: 10 points, 4 rebounds
Michigan State:
Joey Hauser: 23 points (8-for-16), 8 rebounds, 1 steal
Malik Hall: 20 points (7-for-11), 5 rebounds
Mady Sissoko: 16 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals
Tyson Walker: 14 points, 6 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal
AJ Hoggard: 4 points, 9 assists, 5 rebounds
Thoughts:
- What a showing by Oscar Tshiebwe for Kentucky, as he made his season premier on the biggest of stages to start the season. It was going to be interesting to see how many minutes he was going to get but he was an absolute difference-maker for the Wildcats. Unfortunately, he fouled out in overtime but played 34 minutes and finished with 22 points and 18 rebounds.
- I was really impressed as well with the freshman Cason Wallace. We spoke about him earlier in the year about his presence on the court and he could really be a difference-maker more towards the end of the season with what he provides on both sides of the court. He filled it up, finishing the night with 14 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 8 steals. His ability to get in the passing lane, make plays in creating steals and turning into points, and his ability to get downhill but also at times knock down shots from outside, Wallace is going to be a huge piece for Kentucky. Senior Sahvir Wheeler posted strong numbers as well with 16 points and eight assists.
- Michigan State’s Joey Hauser looks to be one of the clear leaders for the Spartans this year and he showed why in this game. He started out slow but came up big late in the first half and then in the second half, showing his ability to find the open spots, pick and pop with his range, and really display his confident pull-up game.
- Hauser wasn’t the only one who had strong games. Senior Malik Hall really stepped up in key situations including two game-tying buckets late in regulation and in the first overtime. The senior stepped up and really helped with the scoring load, finishing strong and playing 42 minutes. But you have to like also how Tyson Walker elevated his play late in the game with big shots and plays, and the big man, Mady Sissoko, making plays scoring around the basket, finishing strong, rebounds, and making a strong presence defensively.
Final: No. 6 Kansas 69 – No. 7 Duke 64
Stats:
Kansas:
Jalen Wilson: 25 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists
Gradey Dick: 14 points
Kevin McCullar 12 points, 6 rebounds
Dajuan Harris: 6 points, 10 assists
Duke:
Kyle Filipowski: 17 points, 14 rebounds
Jeremy Roach: 16 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist
Tyrese Proctor: 9 points
Mark Mitchell: 7 points, 5 rebounds
Thoughts:
- Duke’s freshmen class is quite impressive and will be counted on in a big way this year once again. The biggest star of the night for the Blue Devils was Kyle Filipowski, who recorded another double-double to start the season. A highly-touted prospect, Filipowski really showcased just how skilled he is as a 7-footer; showing the ability to be a threat from outside (but shots didn’t quite fall from three) but also being a strong force inside finishing through contact, creating second-chance opportunities, and showing off his footwork. Impressive prospect who is showing why he could be one of the top freshmen in the country.
- How about the play of Jalen Wilson, a 6’8 junior who is the veteran for the Jayhawks this year, really step up and show why he is going to be the go-to players this season for his team. He has been terrific to start the season, averaging 20ppg and 10rpg, and he was able to continue his strong play vs. Duke finishing with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists. Wilson struggled from behind the arc but did a terrific job in getting into the paint, finishing strong around the basket, and showing his versatility.
- Freshman Gradey Dick started the season off incredibly strong but struggled for much of the game against the Blue Devils. But when he needed to step up, he did just that late. He scored on three consecutive possessions late in the second half to help complete the comeback. Dick is a high-IQ player with great size and one that is smooth in pulling up and scoring; when it counted, he showed up.
- Though they may not get the praise as others for Kansas, Dajuan Harris (6pts, 10asts), Kevin McCullar (12pts) and Ernes Udeh Jr. (4blks) also made some strong plays for their team.
- Duke’s Jeremy Roach is the clear leader for the Blue Devils and I’m expecting the veteran point guard to have a big season. He finished with 16 points on 6-for-17 shooting, but he only finished with one assist on the night.
- A few stats that stood out on the night:
- Duke only finished with 8 assists on 24 made field goal attempts
- Kansas finished with an astonishing 13 blocks in this game
- The teams finished a combined 6-for-40 from three
- Duke outrebounded Kansas 46-35 and 21-12 on the offensive boards.