On Episode 159 of the Ballislife In The Paint Show, Ronnie Flores hosts its annual WNBA Preview with ITP co-host and analyst Chelsea Hopkins, who takes an in-depth look at the '23 WNBA Season and recent WNBA Draft and NCAA and WNCAA Tournaments!

As an alum, Chelsea gives her insight on SDSU's incredible run to the NCAA Championship Game and background on the program built by former coach Steve Fisher and current HC Brian Duthcher. What does the portal and NIL do to future Cinderella runs? How does men's CBB deal with high roster turnover?

As far as the WNCAA, the stars of the most-watched WNCAA Tournament will be back in 23-24. Nearly 10 million people watched LSU-Iowa final and there is great anticipation for next season and the '24 WNBA Draft. Who is the NCAA favorite next year. Is NIL darling Angel Reese of LSU a sure-fire W star? Is Iowa's Caitlin Clark a generational prospect? Chelsea answers those burning questions!

What is the WNBA's next step to capitalize off the enormous popularity of women's NCAA basketball? Does the W need to expand? What areas is the 75 million dollar capital investment making inroads in? How can the W increase brand awareness?

The ITP crew also welcomes on a special guest for the WNBA preview in which Chelsea gives a in-depth rundown of each of the 12 teams, and offers her odds-on favorites (W title, reach the championship round, MVP and ROY).

Chelsea feels the W needs to do a better job of story-telling and marketing players other than the top stars and the ITP crew welcomes on a special guest Rebekah Gardner (Chicago Sky) to talk about her incredible W journey. She was named to the '22 W all-rookie team at 32, the oldest player ever to do so. Gardner talks about her journey from UCLA to pro ball and finally getting a shot in a WNBA training camp!

After breaking down the W, Chelsea dishes on '23 NBA Draft and whom she feels was the best pick and which team has best draft. Chelsea also dishes on what impact she expects Aliyah Boston (South Carolina) to have with the Indiana Fever and gives her overall perspective on this current draft class? Is it a strong or average class and are there any generational players? Chelsea breaks it all down!

The ITP Crew closes out the show taking a look into the future and the 2024 WNBA Draft. Clark and Reese have been getting unprecedented press, but what are their WNBA games like? Is Clark a generational prospect for next year? What kind of long-term prospect is Reese? Will W teams tank to have the top pick next season?

The ITP crew and special guest Rebekah Gardner offer some terrific insight on the girls game, both college and pro, on this special two-hour episode, so make sure to tune in to Episode 159 from start to finish!

(0:00) - Intro
(2:19) - NBA Playoffs & Play-In: Quick Reaction!
(5:32) - Ballislife A-A Game (5/6) & Upcoming Pods
(6:14) - Chelsea’s Reaction to SDSU's Title Game Run
(10:52) - SDSU Alum’s Reaction to Final Four Run
(14:16) - Reaction to NCAA Portal Reality & W NCAA Boom!
(24:00) - Can the W Capitalize on NCAA Popularity?
(26:08) - Who is the Early Line WNCAA Favorite?
(33:26) - How Will the W Capitalize on NCAA Boom & NIL Brand Buildup?
(46:23) - WNBA Preview: Team-By-Team Rundown (Phoenix Mercury)
(50:55) - Washington Mystics Preview
(52:09) - Seattle Storm Preview
(54:53) - Atlanta Dream Preview
(58:28) - Indiana Fever Preview
(1:01:22) - Minnesota Lynx Preview
(1:03:53) - Dallas Wings Preview
(1:10:17) - Connecticut Sun Preview
(1:14:56) - L.A. Sparks Preview
(1:19:03) - Chicago Sky Preview
(1:19:03) - N.Y. Liberty Preview
(1:25:07) - Las Vegas Aces Preview
(1:28:14) - Rebekah Gardner (Sky) Interview
(1:45:57) - Reaction To 'Bekah Interview
(1:50:20) - Advice For Sticking in W From a Pro
(1:53:50) - Chelsea’s WNBA Predictions
(1:57:08) - '23 W Draft Grades & ’24 W Draft Preview
(2:09:45) - Caitlin Clark & Angel Reese: Translatable Games?
(2:19:07) - www.ebooksnet.com Shout-Out & ITP Schedule

The post In the Paint: WNBA Preview & Draft Review, WNCAA Boom, Can W Capitalize? appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

On Episode 158 of the Ballislife In The Paint Show, hosts Ronnie Flores, Ani Umana and Chelsea Hopkins go in on March Madness, from the incredible Cinderella stories on the men's side to the heavyweight battles on the women's side, and get some 2023 McDonald's All-American Game insight from a special guest.

The ITP crew briefly touch on how mass shootings barely register in light of the latest casualties and how guns are now children's No. 1 threat. The crew also touch upcoming pods, including the WNBA Preview, slated for April 11.

Grant Rice, the coach of Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) and the West Coach in the McDonald's All-American Game, is the special guest with some insight on his club. Rice talks about the competitive nature of Ron Holland of Duncanville (Texas), the impact of Jared McCain of Centennial (Corona, Calif.) and how the sons of NBA players, Andrej Stojakovic of Jesuit (Carmichael, Calif.) and Bronny James of Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.) are faring. Rice talks about James' play and fitting in with his McDonald's teammates. Should Bronny be talking to the media?

Ron and Ani break down their insights from scouts and contacts in Houston and how the East is the favorite in Tuesday night's game. Will the game action play out that way?

Speaking of Houston, the ITP crew break down the miraculous run of San Diego State to the Final Four. Chelsea, a former point guard for the Aztecs, gives his insight on the men's program and his personal take on SDSU head coach Brian Dutcher. Ron and Chelsea also talk about one of the breakout players in this year's NCAA Tournament: SDSU point guard Darrion Trammel, who was twice passed over for scholarships before heading to a JUCO before landing at Seattle University.

Ron also breaks down his other top breakout performer, Miami's Jordan Miller, a transfer from George Mason who was not well known nationally. Chelsea and Ani talk about the play of KSU's Marquis Nowell, arguably the top individual of the tourney who led K-State to the Elite 8, while Ani dishes on two more top performers: guard Jordan Hawkins of UCONN and Sir'Jabari Rice, a Texas native who spent five seasons at New Mexico St. before helping the Longhorns reach the Elite 8.

Has the NCAA men's basketball landscape changed forever with the portal and older players, or will the cycle reverse itself once again in a few years? Ani gives his insight.

The ITP crew also gives their Final Four predictions!

Chelsea breaks down the W Final Four, which is a heavyweight affair with unbeaten South Carolina going for it all. Can No. 2 seed Iowa upset the Gamecocks? In the other semi, it's No. 1 seed Virginia Tech vs. No. 3 seed LSU.

Is the Iowa-SC game the most anticipated W semifinal ever? Chelsea breaks it down plus gives insight on two more players you should know: LSU's double-double machine Angel Reese and V-Tech's Georgia Amoore.

The ITP crew offers some terrific insight on the MCDAAG and both Final Fours, so make sure to tune in to Episode 158 from start to finish!

(0:00) - Intro
(1:33) - Mass Shooting in America: Going To Happen Again!
(5:09) - Ballislife A-A Game (5/6) & Upcoming Pods
(5:35) - Chelsea’s Hot Take on SDSU Final Four Run
(8:47) - Grant Rice (West McDonald’s A-A Coach) Interview
(16:39) - More McDAAG Insight From ITP Crew
(23:42) - Bronny James at McDAAG: Fitting In & Expectations vs. Reality
(31:50) - No Mickey D's in Final Four: New Era or Cycle?
(37:40) - Are Recruiting Labels (HM, MM, LM) Relevant Anymore?
(41:33) - Chelsea’s In-Depth Insight on SDSU & Coach Dutcher
(48:42) - Final Four Predictions
(55:54) - Ron’s and Ani’s Dish on Amari Bailey & UCLA’s Injuries
(1:02:12) - ITP Crew’s Tourney Breakout Players
(1:10:18) - Chelsea’s Dish on W March Madness
(1:19:40) - BIL Podcast Network Shoout-Outs & ITP Schedule

The post In the Paint: NCAA Cinderellas & Heavyweights, SDSU, Bronny at McDAAG, & More appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

Betting Odds, Money Line, Spread, Under/Over

*All lines are taken from Draft Kings*

Money Line

Duke: -265
Oral Roberts: +225

Over/Under: 146

Over: -110
Under: -110

Spread:

Duke: -6 (-115)
Oral Roberts: + 6 (-115)

Regular Season Recap

Duke

The Duke Blue Devils are without their head coach of 42 years, Mike Krzyzewski. This season was a big test for the Blue Devils, who played under first year head coach, Jon Scheyer. Scheyer was previously an assistant to Coach K from 2014-2022 and is familiar with the system and school. Duke has FIVE National Championships in school history, and is under pressure to continue the winning tradition with a new head coach. Duke has a similar record last year, and lost to UNC 81-77 in the final four. Before New Years Day, Dukes record was 11-3. Since the start of 2023, the Blue Devils finished with a second half record of 10-2, and won their last 9 games in a row. Duke had loses to high ranked teams, such as Kansas (69-64), Purdue (75-56), Miami (81-59), and Virginia (69-92 in OT). They redeemed themselves in the second half of the season, with wins against Virginia, Miami, and OSU. Lead by Freshman Center Kyle Filipowski, and Junior Guard Jeremy Roach, Duke had the 15th hardest strength in schedule, according to CBS. Duke is 4-4 against Top 25 teams this season. Duke has tournament experience, and this will be their 26th NCAA Tournament appearance in 27th Tournaments. Duke may average only 72 points, however, they are extremely efficient on the defensive end, especially in rebounding. Duke is hot at the right time and could make it far in this year’s tournament.

Oral Roberts

Could Oral Roberts be the Cinderella team we are all waiting for this season? We all remember St. Peters last year, and Oral Roberts could be THAT team. Last season, the Golden Eagles did not make it into the tourney, and this team is proving their NCAA tournament Regional Semifinal loss in 2021 was NOT an upset. According to ESPN, at least one No. 12 seed has won against a No. 5 Seed in 32 of the last 37 tournaments. In this case, it could absolutely be Oral Roberts. This team has far impressed this season, landing in the top 5 in points differential, and Blocks. Although the Golden Eagles were blown out by Houston 83-45 week 3, they did not have a single loss in their conference. To be fair, Oral Roberts had the 179th strength in schedule, and plays in a weak Summit division. Only South Dakota State and North Dakota State were the only other teams in the conference above .500. Oral Roberts doesn’t have as much experience as Duke against top 25 teams, going 0-1 this season. The Golden Eagles are coming off a 17-game win streak, and it is certainly hard to ignore that. This is a team that’s very efficient on both sides of the ball, can shoot well and thanks to their star Max Abmas and Connor Vanover, this team has offensive and defensive talents. Shout out to head coach Paul Mills, who led the Golden Eagles to their FIRST ever 30th win season.

Injury Report

Duke

None
Oral Roberts
None

Key Players

Duke

Freshman Center Kyle Filipowski has been a pleasant surprise this season. Duke has become one of the best rebounding teams, thanks for Kyle. The center is always there for offensive rebounding, especially when Duke misses mid-range and 3-point shots. He provides that interior defense that is often a factor in these tournaments. He’s leading the team in points with 15.4 and rebounds with 9, nearly averaging a double-double. He can occasionally shoot 3’s when necessary. Kyle can also score inside the paint and make quality passes. The 7- footer was elite against Virginia for the ACC Championship. He finished the night with a double-double, which was #15 on the year for the Freshman.

Junior Jeremy Roach has been another staple of this team, averaging 13.3 points per game. He is not the biggest 3-point threat, averaging 34.1 percent from the arc. Roach has a solid free throw percentage, and shot 42 percent from field goal range this year. In the ACC Championship against Duke, Roach contributed 23 points on 7-12, and was 2-2 from the 3-point line.

Oral Roberts

Senior guard Max Abmas has been the star of this team. Not only did he shoot 44 percent from the field goal range this season, he is 7th in the nation in points per game with 22.2. He averages 4-5 rebounds a game, along with 4 assists. His 3-point percentage has been down from previous years, however, he knows how to get to the free throw line, and make quick buckets. In their last game over NDSU, he contributed 26 points on 7-15, and was 9-10 from the line. However, he was cold from beyond the arc, shooting 37.5 %. In their only game against Houston, he did struggle, shooting 1-13, 1-9 from the 3-point, with 3 points.

Senior Center Connor Vanover, has been a solid interior presence for the Golden Eagles. Oral Roberts is top five in blocks overall, and Vanover is the conference defensive player of the year. He has had more than 100 blocked shots at 7 foot 5.

Key Stats

? Duke is averaging 72.5 points per game, while Oral Roberts is averaging 84.2 points per game.

? Duke ranks 33rd in points allowed with 63.9 opponents per game.

? Duke ranks 21st in rebounds per game with 38.7.

? Duke ranks 33rd in point differential at +8.5

? Duke is ranked 39th in blocked shots with 4.5 per game

? Oral Roberts is ranked #5 in Points Differential at +14.1, and Blocks per game at 5.4.

? Oral Roberts ranks third in points per game with 84.2.

? Oral Roberts ranks 24th in field goal % at 47.9 %

? Duke Averages 33.6 % from the 3-point, while Oral Roberts averages 36.9 beyond the arc.

LAST 10 GAMES + GAME PREDICTION

? SPREAD: Oral Roberts +5.5

-Oral Roberts covered the spread in just TWO of their last 10 games.

-Oral Roberts has a 13-16-1 ATS this season

-Oral Roberts covered the spread last against NDSU at -11

-Duke covered the spread in six of their last 10 games. However, the spreads were all close with Virginia at -3.0, and Miami at -2.5

-Duke is a 15-19-0 ATS this season

-Duke is 14-15 as a favorite to cover the spread this season.

? MONEY LINE: Duke

-Duke won the Money Line 9 out of their last 10 games

-Oral Roberts won the Money Line in all 10 of their last games.

-Oral Roberts money line has been over -1000 in 5 out of their last 10 games.

? OVER/UNDER- UNDER

-Duke Avg +/- vs O/U Line: -3.91

-Duke Overall O/U Record: 13-20-1

-Duke 5-5 against O/U last 10 games.

-Oral Roberts hit the UNDER 8 of their last 10 games.

-Oral Roberts O/U Record: 13-17-0

-Oral Roberts Avg +/- vs O/U Line: -1.33

For More Betting Info & Game Predictions, Follow us at @BallislifeBets

Sara Jane is a full-time content creator, focusing on both college basketball, the NBA, NFL, and writer of www.ebooksnet.com. Don’t forget to follow her on Twitter: @GGirlSports

The post Oral Roberts V. Duke: Betting Odds|NCAA Tournament Round of 64 appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

On Episode 157 of the Ballislife In The Paint Show, hosts Ronnie Flores and Chelsea Hopkins go in on the latest high school and NBA news and give their hot takes on the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

Ron and Chelsea talk about the latest gun incident (surprise) involving Shawn Kemp and Ja Morant's rehab stint away from the Memphis Grizzlies. Is this the first step to a total re-make for Ja?

The ITP crew also talk about the issue of NBA load management and how guidelines could be put in place for player awards through the CBA.

Ron also breaks down the CIF state championships and the atmosphere of the California state tournament. Is there going to be change in order to make it more appeasing to the average fan? Ron also talks about how the CIF and UIL (Texas) state tournament affect the latest FAB 50 rankings.

Chelsea also gives her hot takes on the women's NCAA Tournament. Can anyone challenge South Carolina? Who are the favorites to reach the Final Four? Chelsea also breaks down players to watch.

Both Ron and Chelsea give their team and players to watch in the wide-open men's NCAA Tournament? It truly will be March Madness this season!

The ITP crew offers some terrific insight on all levels of the game and both genders, so make sure to tune in to Episode 157 from start to finish!

(0:00) - Intro
(1:16) - Gun Incident with Shawn Kemp... WTH!
(3:52) - Ja Morant in Rehab: Will He Turn the Corner?
(10:49) - New NBA CBA Will Address Load Management
(13:28) - NBA MVP Debate: A Racial Thing or Flawed Process?
(17:11) - Life of Pro: Preparing for Adjustment or Staying in Moment
(19:45) - Ballislife Podcast Network Shout-Outs
(20:04) - Ron’s CIF Championships Hot Takes
(27:21) - Ron’s FAB 50 Update
(28:24) - Ron’s UIL Final Four Break Down
(35:15) - Chelsea’s Women’s NCAA Tourney Breakdown!
(49:09) - Hot Take on Men’s NCAA Tournament!

The post In the Paint | March Madness Hot Takes, State Champs, Guns (Again), & More appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

The post In the Paint: Mick Cronin to UCLA, Virginia wins first National Title appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

It’s all good, though, because as someone who watches quite a bit of college, NBA and high school hoops, my bracket burst into flames after the second weekend and all the money I confidently wagered in the pools of my own is now buried deep in someone else’s pockets.

But let’s forget about the first four rounds and get into what really matters this weekend: The four teams left in the field - Virginia, Michigan State, Texas Tech and Auburn, Virginia - and how you can redeem yourself to your friends, family and significant others by spitting out some in-game stats and knowledge that will blow them away.

What are there strengths and weaknesses of these four squads? How do they match-up against each other? Who will advance to the National Championship game? The complete guide is below.

Auburn (30-9)

Strengths: The Tigers’ bread and butter is clearly the back-court of Bryce Brown and Jared Harper. The duo is averaging a combined 31.4 points per game, while Brown has connected on 137 3-pointers at a 41 percent clip and Harper has drilled 96 from deep. Auburn features an offensive rating of 120.9 in KenPom.com's system of points per 100 possessions, ranking it sixth in the country in that category with two other Final Four teams (Virginia and Michigan State) among the five teams above it. In addition to being able to hit the 3-point shot a good rate, Auburn defends against the deep ball very well. The Tigers have held opponents to just 34.4 percent from three on the season and 8.1 3-point makes on average per game.

Weaknesses: The Tigers’ front-court play has to be its most glaring deficiencies, especially with the loss of forward Chuma Okeke to a season-ending injury. Okeke was the team’s leading rebounder (6.8 per game) and shot blocker (1.2 per game) with the next closest in those respective statistics being Austin Wiley (4.1 and 1.2) who has played in 10 less games and started only five of his 28 appearances. In Auburn’s four NCAA Tournament games, front-court personnel not named Chuma Okeke have combined for 95 total points on 37-for-80 from the field, respectable numbers, sure, but will those figures translate against Virginia’s vaunted pack-line defense.

Michigan State (32-6)

Strengths: A little bit of everything, really. The Spartans are as solid as they come on both sides of the ball, even with a couple of key injuries. Cassius Winston is an experienced, trustworthy and high IQ point guard who you can count on to make the right basketball decisions more often than not while Matt McQuaid is a knock-down 3-point shooter and the interior combination of Nick Ward and Xavier Tillman has been difficult for opponents to deal with for 40 minutes of game action. Michigan State ranks fifth in KenPom’s rating for points scored per 100 possessions at 121.6, while ranking ninth in the adjusted defense statistic, allowing opponents to score just 90.1 points per 100 possessions. The Spartans are holding teams to 31.4 percent from 3-point range on the season.

Weaknesses: The biggest concern for Michigan State entering Saturday’s match-up with Texas Tech is its lack of depth. We touched on two key injuries above, the first being guard Joshua Langford who was lost for the season after just 13 games to a left foot injury. He was averaging 15 points per game at the time. The second hit came when redshirt junior forward Kyle Ahrens went down in the Big Ten Tournament championship game against Michigan. Ahrens played a solid role off the bench, contributing 4.7 points in 18.8 minutes of action. Michigan State coach Tom Izzo has tightened the screws on how many guys he plays beyond his five starters. In the Sweet 16 win over LSU, Izzo gave seven players 10 minutes of court time and in the Elite Eight win over Duke, Michigan State played only six players more than 10 minutes.

Michigan State defeated Duke, 68-67, in the Elite Eight to advance to the Final Four where it will face third-seeded Texas Tech. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

Texas Tech (30-6)

Strengths: DEFENSE. Jarret Culver is one of the top perimeter defenders in the nation and Tariq Owens is a shot blocking and rim protecting maniac, which is why the Red Raiders are KenPom’s most stingy defense, ranking No. 1 in the country in points allowed per 100 possessions at 84 and are third in scoring defense, allowing just 59 points per game on the season. Opponents are shooting just 36.9 percent from the field against Texas Tech, while shooting the deep ball at a 29.3 percent clip, good for a top 20 ranking in the country. Texas Tech’s defense has held teams to under 60 points on 19 different occasions this season, including three out of its four NCAA Tournament games.

Weaknesses: Texas Tech isn’t a barn burner when it comes to the offensive end of the floor, but it certainly is not an inept scoring team. The Red Raiders average 73 points per game and rank in the top 30 in KenPom’s adjusted offense for points per 100 possessions at 113.5. One thing to look out for is the lack of second chance opportunities that Texas Tech creates as it ranks 272nd in the country in offensive rebounds per game at around 8.7.

Virginia (33-3)

Strengths: A year after becoming the first No. 1-seed to lose to a 16-seed in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, the Cavaliers find themselves as the lone surviving top-seed in 2019 edition of March Madness. That’s because Virginia is good. Very good. The Cavaliers have very few holes as a team, ranking atop the country in scoring defense, allowing opponents to put up  just 55.4 points per game on the season. The Cavaliers are another team that won’t blow you away with offensive firepower, but rather wear you down with execution and hitting big shots at the right time. Virginia has three players scoring in double figures on the season - Kyle Guy (15.2), De’Andre Hunter (14.9) and Ty Jerome (13.3).

Weaknesses: The most difficult part of picking apart the Cavaliers is finding something that they aren’t good at. Sure, some will point to the pace they play at, which ranks dead last among the 353 Division I basketball programs at 59.2 possessions per 40 minutes, but since that tempo is by design, can it really be considered a weakness? Eh, probably not. A lull in scoring against a fiery Auburn offense, however, could spell some trouble for the Cavaliers. Freshman point guard Kihei Clark has been a big game player all year for Virginia and it will need him to be good again to advance.

Take that information as you will, because in a pressure-packed situation like the Final Four, numbers seemingly go out the window and the team who played best that day usually advance. Which two teams do I think will face-off in Monday’s National Title? I’m taking Virginia and Michigan State, but please don’t reference this when I’m wrong.

The post Final Four Examination: Strengths and Weaknesses of the remaining NCAA Tournament Teams appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

CLICK HERE for more information on the 2019 BILAAG scheduled for May 4 at the Long Beach Convention Center!

BILAAG Alumni Still Dancing in the 2019 NCAA Tournament

Marques Bolden, Duke

Bolden tallied four points in the 2016 BILAAG and is now a key contributor for one of the favorites to win the National Title. The 6-11 center has appeared in 33 games this season, starting 21, and is 5.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game for the Blue Devils. Duke will play Virginia Tech in the Sweet 16.

Ahmed Hill, Virginia Tech

Hill participated in the 2014 BILAAG and scored 21 points with three 3-pointers. The 6-5 guard has helped lead the Hokies into an All-ACC match-up against Duke in the Sweet 16. Hill has started all 34 games for Virginia Tech this season, averaging 13.1 points while leading the team in minutes played at 35.2 per game. Virginia Tech will play Duke in the Sweet 16.

Nassir Little, North Carolina

Little totaled 17 points in the 2018 BILAAG, helping his team to a 146-143 victory. Now, the 6-6 wing is playing a major role off the bench for a Tarheels’ team many expect to make a run to the Final Four. Little is averaging 10 points and 4.7 rebounds in just 18.4 minutes of action per game. North Carolina faces Auburn in the Sweet 16.

Miles Norris, Oregon

Norris scored four points in the 2018 BILAAG and finished second to Mac McClung in the dunk contest. The 6-foot-10 forward is playing a bench role for the 12th-seeded Ducks, scoring 3.3 points and 1.9 boards per game. Oregon will take on Virginia in the Sweet 16.

Naz Reid, LSU

Reid scored a team-high 23 points in a victory in the 2018 BILAAG. The 6-foot-10 forward is having an impressive freshman season for the Tigers, scoring 13.7 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, while shooting better than 47.3 percent from the field. Reid dropped 14 points with 10 boards in the first round win over Yale and had 13 points in the second round victory over Maryland. LSU will face Michigan State in the Sweet 16.

2018 Ballislife All-American Game standout Naz Reid has had a strong freshman campaign for LSU (Photo by Matt Marriott/NCAA Photos via Getty Images).

Ja’vonte Smart, LSU

Smart dropped 21 points with four rebounds in the 2018 BILAAG. Smart, a freshman for the Tigers, is putting up 11.4 points and 3.4 rebounds per game while shooting nearly 84 percent from the free throw line. The 6-4 guard has scored nine points in each of his first two NCAA Tournament games.

Horace Spencer, Auburn

Spencer participated in the 2015 BILAAG. The 6-8 senior forward has appeared in all 37 games at Auburn this season, averaging 4.4 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.

PJ Washington, Kentucky

Washington filled up the stat sheet in the 2017 BILAAG, scoring 16 points to go along with seven rebounds and four assists in a winning effort. The 6-8 forward has missed the first two games of the tourney due to injury, but had been having a stellar season before getting hurt. Washington is averaging 14.8 points and 7.6 rebounds per game for the Wildcats but it’s still unclear whether he will be back in action against Houston.

Coby White, North Carolina

White had a solid effort in the 2018 BILAAG, scoring five points with four rebounds and four assists. The 6-5 guard is one of the best players in the country regardless of  in the country averaging 16.1 points, 4.1 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game. White had 10 points, six boards and four dimes against Iona and followed up that performance with 17 and six rebounds against Washington. North Carolina faces Auburn in the Sweet 16.

Emmitt Williams, LSU

Williams was the Co-MVP of the 2018 game along with UCLA center Moses Brown as his 31 points ranks as the third-most scored in the 8-year history of the BILAAG. Williams, now a freshman at LSU, is averaging 7.1 points and 5.4 rebounds per game for the Tigers while shooting 61.3 percent from the field.

Cassius Winston, Michigan State

Winston scored eight points with seven assists while leading his team to victory in the 2016 BILAAG. The 6-1 junior is one of the top players in the country, averaging 18.9 points and 7.6 assists per game for the second-seeded Spartans. Winston dropped 26 points in Michigan State’s opening win over Bradley and had 13 points with nine dimes the second round win over Minnesota.

The post Ballislife All-American Game Alumni Still Dancing in the 2019 NCAA Tournament appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

In episode No. 16 of our  In The Paint Show," Devin Ugland and guest host Matt Kovach break down the NCAA Men's Basketball Championships, AKA March Madness, and go in on the state of junior college basketball.

Dev and Matt (who closely follows the high school hoops scene) pick their upset specials, teams that can make potential Cinderella runs, and talk top players like Duke's Zion Williamson, Tennessee's Admiral Schofield and Grant Williams, and Gonzaga's Josh Perkins and Rui Hachimura.

The fellas also go in on the state of JUCO basketball and talk about why it gets a bad rap, and its benefits and drawbacks. The fellas also break down the California state championships (won by Fullerton College) and bring in regular host Ronnie Flores (who is out on assignment) to talk about some of the great JUCO players of the past and when elites began to look at other options, including extra seasons on the grassroots circuit.

To learn more about our hosts, Ronnie Flores and Devin Ugland, and to get more information about what "In The Paint" is all about, check out our intro below!

Subscribe to our new Podcast on iTunes here

The post March Madness: Podcast Goes In On What To Watch! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

Last year it was 11th seeded Loyola Chicago which made an unforgettable run to the Final Four. In 2017, another 11-seed, Xavier, won its way to the Elite Eight and 7-seed South Carolina willed its way into the Final Four. In 2016, 10th seeded Syracuse advanced to the Final Four while another 7-seed Michigan State reached the national semifinals in 2015.

But what truly constitutes a Cinderella Run in the NCAA Tournament? Certainly a Low to Mid-Major double-digit seed making the Elite Eight or better is a good barometer, like the above-mentioned Loyola Chicago team. So, which programs have a chance to be this year’s surprise team?

Double-Digit Seed Cinderellas

10. Seton Hall

The 10-7 match-up between the Pirates and Wofford should be a dandy because both teams feature high-powered offenses. Myles Powell has the game takeover ability to carry a team to an NCAA Tournament victory, and sometimes, especially in March, that’s all an upstart club like Seton Hall might need.

The Pirates’ best wins this season came against Kentucky at Madison Square Garden and splits with Villanova, Marquette and St. John’s in Big East Conference regular season play. Seton Hall defeated Georgetown and Marquette before falling to Nova in the Big East Conference Tournament. The Pirates are 7-8 against teams that fall under the “Quadrant 1” category.

11. Saint Mary’s

The Gaels enter the field as the No. 11 seed and, if you put stock into what history says, that seed is known to make some noise in March. But it’s not just about the seed number with St. Mary’s. The Gaels are as well-coached as any team in the country as evidenced by their WCC Conference Tournament championship win over the then-No. 1 team in the country, Gonzaga.

Jordan Ford is as dynamic of a scorer as you’ll find, while wings Malik Fitts and Tanner Krebs are both shooting the three-ball at over 40 percent. Though Villanova isn’t the same team it was last year, getting by the defending national champs will be a tough task.

11. Belmont

The Bruins advanced with a First Four win over Temple on Tuesday and 6-seed Maryland better watch out, because this squad can put points on the board in a hurry. Belmont is led by 6-foot-8 senior Dylan Windler who is putting up a double-double on average this season pouring in 21.4 points and pulling down 10.7 rebounds a game. Windler just missed the elusive 50-40-90 shooting percentage mark with a 54.8 overall field goal percentage, while connecting on three-pointers at a 43 clip and free throws at an 84.6 rate.

Belmont has plenty more options outside of its 6-8 wing, including Kevin McClain (16.3 points per game) and freshman forward Nick Muszynski (14.9 points per game), but keep an eye on point guard Grayson Murphy. The 6-foot-2 freshman scores around 10 points a game, but he orchestrates one of the most potent offensive attacks in the country as Belmont ranks second in scoring offense, producing 87.4 points per game.

12. Murray State

Like Seton Hall, Murray State is paced by one of the fastest-rising stars in all of college basketball this season: The electric Ja Morant. Morant, a 6-foot-3, 175-pound sophomore point guard, is leading the country in assists at 10 per contest and is eighth in the country in scoring average at 24.6 points per game. Morant has shot up the mock draft boards and is projected to go as high as No. 2 in the 2019 NBA Draft.

While Morant alone makes the Racers dangerous, Murray State has three others scoring in double figures this season. Shaq Buchanan (13.0), Tevin Brown (11.7) and Darnell Cowart (10.4) are all capable of supplementing Morant’s high scoring nights with ones of their own. Murray State opens with Marquette which features a high-level guard in its own right in National Player of the Year candidate Markus Howard. This match-up should be one of the most entertaining games of the opening rounds.

UC Irvine is the trendiest upset pick in the 2019 NCAA Tournament field. Can the Anteaters make a deep run in march? (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

13. UC Irvine

The Anteaters are the No. 13-seed in the South and will take on Kansas State in the first round on Friday. UCI is in the midst of one of its best seasons in program history, winning a school-record 30 games compared to just five losses and the ‘Eaters lost only one game in Big West conference play. Irvine is riding a 16-game winning streak into the NCAA Tournament, including a 92-64 waxing of Cal State Fullerton in the Big West championship game. UCI ranks fourth in the country in field goal percentage defense, holding opponents to 37.9 percent from the field on the season.

The Anteaters have the ideal combination of size and skill in the paint to go along with multiple guards who can knock down open three-point shots. Six-foot-10 senior center Jonathan Galloway is the defensive anchor in the middle, while Tommy Rutherford, Collin Welp and Elston Jones are all capable of getting a basket in isolation on the block. Max Hazzard has had a breakout season at the guard position and is joined in the back-court by another sharpshooter in Evan Leonard. UCI boasts a lot of depth, as well, as head coach Russell Turner has six guys who play big minutes off the bench.

14. Yale

The Bulldogs are the prototypical team that “shocks” people come March. Yale is experienced, well-balanced offensively, paced by senior leadership and have a potential NBA prospect on the roster in Miye Oni, who is just a junior. Oni leads the team in both scoring and assists at 17.6 points and 3.5 dimes per game, while also pulling down 6.3 rebounds per contest. The Bulldogs score at a feature three others who score in double-figures in Alex Copeland (13.8), Blake Reynolds (11.4) and Jordan Bruner (10.2).

Yale ranks in the top 30 in the country in points scored per game at 81.1 and will need to put plenty of buckets on the board to keep pace with the hyper-athletic LSU team they face in the opening round. LSU might be more susceptible to upset seeing that it is without head coach Will Wade who was suspended for his alleged role in the college basketball pay-for-play scandal.

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While those players are bonafide first round picks in the 2019 NBA Draft, the guys you’ll find below are more along the lines of under-appreciated or unheralded based on their skill and production.

Jordan Ford, Saint Mary’s

Ford is the catalyst for the Gaels offense. A First-Team All-West Coast Conference selection, he tied BYU’s Yoel Childs for the conference scoring title at 21.5 points per game. Ford polished off his stellar pre-NCAA tournament campaign with 17 points in St. Mary’s upset of then-No. 1 Gonzaga in the WCC Tournament title game.

We already discussed Ford’s ability to score in bunches, but it’s the variety of ways in which he does it that makes him so fun to watch. The 6-foot-1 point guard has the ball on a string, which allows him to take advantage of his elite speed and stop-and-go ability. Ford is a master space creator both on the perimeter and in the paint, which lends to his ability to create shots in just about any situation. He’s shooting 42.3 percent from distance this season and 80 percent from the free throw line. St. Mary’s is the 11-seed in the South and will begin tournament play against 6-seed Villanova Thursday on TBS.

Wofford senior Fletcher Magee leads NCAA Division I with 151 three-point field goals made this season. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Fletcher Magee, Wofford

Magee is perhaps the most lethal three-point shooter in all of college hoops. The senior leads the country in trifecta’s made with 151 and is second to Campbell’s Chris Clemons (376) with 353 attempts from deep, those figures are good for just under a 43 percent clip from behind the arc. The senior, who is averaging 20.5 points this season, has made the second-most three-point field goals in NCAA Division I men’s basketball history, recently passing Duke’s J.J. Redick and trials the all-time mark of 504, set by Oakland’s Travis Bader, by two.

What makes Magee such a difficult cover is, as mentioned with another great shooter above, how he sets up and comes off of screens to free himself up. The 6-foot-4, 200 pounder can stop-and-pop off of a dead sprint, square himself to the basket mid-air, and hit those normally tough looks with consistency. Wofford opens the NCAA Tournament as a 7-seed in the Midwest taking on 10-seed Seton Hall Thursday on CBS.

Sam Merrill, Utah State

Merrill is certainly a name making his way into more and more households after he was named the Mountain West Player of the Year after leading the Aggies to a share of the league title (with Nevada) and earned the MVP of the Conference Tournament as Utah State defeated San Diego State in the championship game to seal a berth in the NCAA Tournament behind 24 points from the junior.

At first glance, Merrill’s numbers pop off the screen with averages of 21.2 points and 4.2 assists per game while shooting 45.6 percent from the field and 90.7 percent from the charity stripe. What you’ll notice most about the 6-foot-5 guard is, of course, his smooth 3-point shooting stroke, but also his ability to move without the basketball. Merrill utilizes screens as good as anyone you’ll find in the college game, makes overzealous defenders bite with shot fakes and is a crafty finisher around the cup. Utah State is the 8-seed in the Midwest and will take on 9-seed Washington Friday on TNT.

Utah State junior Sam Merrill was named Mountain West Player of the Year and conference tournament MVP. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)

Myles Powell, Seton Hall

The junior has continued to make steady progress from very reliable role player as a freshman, to solid starter as a sophomore and now one of the breakout stars this season in college basketball. Powell’s 22.9 points per game rank 13th in the country and he’s producing buckets in every way imaginable. Powell is shooting 45 percent from the field, 36.3 from three-point range and 84.6 from the free throw line and has put up 28 or more points on nine different occasions this season, including a 40-point effort against Grand Canyon in a Wooden Legacy quarterfinal win over Grand Canyon.

Powell is not afraid to take and make the big shot with the game on the line and has hit a handful of clutch three-pointers over the course of his Pirates’ career. Many of the clips you’ll see on the 6-foot-2, 195-pounder will show that he isn’t bashful about when and where he pulls from and he gets great lift on his jump shot. Powell has nailed 103 triples so far this season. Seton Hall, a 10-seed, will find itself in a shootout against 7-seed Wofford Thursday on CBS.

Shizz Alston, Jr., Temple

Alston was named a First-Team All-American Athletic Conference performer after tying for the conference scoring title at 19.7 points per game and finishing top five in assists, three-pointers, free throws, assist-to-turnover ratio and minutes played. Alston has scored 20 or more points in each of his last eight games leading up to the NCAA Tournament.

The 6-foot-4 senior boasts a wiry, but strong frame at 180 pounds and creates well for himself and others off the dribble. Alston is a tough shot taker and maker and is also a knock-down free throw shooter, hitting freebies at a 90.6 percent clip this season. One of his best attributes is his willingness to move the ball ahead via the pass in transition. The Owls will take on Belmont Tuesday in a First Four match-up on TRUTV.

Payton Pritchard, Oregon

Pritchard won’t blow the viewer away with freakish athleticism or flashy passes, but the Ducks’ signal caller embodies what a true point guard brings to the table. The junior has started all 35 games for Oregon this season and ranks top 10 in the country in total minutes played at 1,234 (35.3 minutes per game).

Pritchard, who didn’t make either First or Second-Team All Pac-12, is averaging 12.7 points and 4.5 assists on the season, ranks among the top 50 in assist-to-turnover ratio and is hitting free throws at a 84.3 percent clip. Oregon needed to win the Pac-12 Tournament to make the field of 68 and did so with a convincing 20-point victory over top-seeded Washington. Oregon enters the field as a dangerous 12-seed, taking on 12-seed Wisconsin Friday on TBS.

CJ Massinburg, Buffalo

When you talk about a player who fills up the stat sheet, Massinburg fits that mold. The 6-foot-3, 195-pounder is averaging 18.7 points, six rebounds and 3.3 assists while shooting 46.6 percent from the floor and 39.6 from three in leading the Bulls to a 31-3 record on the season. Massinburg’s performance earned him the Mid-American Conference Player of the Year award as Buffalo won both the regular season and conference tournament titles.

The senior was an outstanding player last year as a junior and put his skill on display when the 13th seeded Bulls upset 4th seeded Arizona in opening round. Massinburg scored 19 points in that game and has the game-changing ability to lead Buffalo to a strong 2019 tournament run. The Bulls are a 6-seed and will play the winner of the Arizona State/St. John’s play-in game Friday on TNT.

Justin Simon, St. John’s

Simon was a highly-touted player coming out of high school and spent his first collegiate season at Arizona where he played limited minutes. The 6-foot-5 guard made his way back east to the Red Storm where he’s turned into one of the best perimeter and team defenders in the country.

Simon’s offensive numbers are respectable at 10.4 points and 3.2 assists per game, but it’s what he does as on-ball defender, defensive rebounder, shot blocker and ability to shoot passing lanes for steals that shows his true impact on the game. Those who watch a lot of Big East hoops know Simon well as he was named Defensive Player of the Year in the conference. St. John’s will take on Arizona State in a First Four game Wednesday on TRUTV.

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March Madness in full effect.

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