Potpourri, Jan 3

News Bits

iPacers.com: "Being historically great on offense is fun but even dating a pretty girl gets boring after awhile if she can’t guard anybody."

Rick Carlisle with one of the greatest quotes of all-time."

Talking with some coaches is valuable, some not so much. Put Carlisle in the former if he has uttered more gems like the above.

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Field of 68: "Shaka Smart with the ELITE help defense."

Hit the above link for very good defensive form by Coach Smart.

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The latest community college poll.

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North Bay Basketball Academy (NBBA): "North Bay X NorCal Elite Joining Forces to Represent Northern California on the Rise Circuit🔥 Workouts Coming Soon. Interested players DM us or fill out the form at https://shorturl.at/flvJ7"

A new opportunity for recruiting visibility.

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Verbal Commits: "Auburn and California offered 2025 White Hall (AR) G/F Jai’Chaunn Hayes."

Can Coach Mark Madsen top Bruce Pearl? Cal obviously wins if academics is a consideration.

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Rocklin Thunder Boys Basketball: "Rocklin finished the non-conference undefeated at 18-0 with their third tournament title in 3 tries by defeating El Capitan 78-36 to win the Coach Corn Classic at Yuba College. @kanyonrice, @ielston2024 and @jodeedrews were All Tournament and @marklavrenov_was named MVP."

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Ronnie Flores: "FINAL 3rd place: Salesian 62, Damien 59  Final 3 point attempt by Xavier Clinton is off. That's the shooter Damien wanted on the attempt. Aaron Claytor and Zander Jimenez, Nate Garcia and Xavier Clinton, all four lads named all-tourney @ClassicAtDamien"

Zander Jimenez rises yet again.

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Jerry Hernandez wrote with his usual spot-on insights. Who will wise up and sign Connor Amundsen?:

"Classic at Damien Platinum Division: 15 Standout Performers (Part 1)"

"5’11 Connor Amundsen 2024 Clovis North (Fresno CA)

Amundsen has bounced back from the wrist injury he suffered in mid-September and followed up his MVP performance at the Mission Prep Christmas Classic with a tremendous run at the Classic at Damien, including a 42-point game in the Platinum Consolation Semifinals loss to Windward. That was a career high for Amundsen, as he scored the ball from all over the floor. Amundsen is one of the more coveted available seniors in California and also did a great job of facilitating and making plays throughout the week. Amundsen has shifty moves, keeps the ball on a string, has the body control to make tough shots off the dribble, and the court vision to find open teammates when on the attack. Amundsen is accurate with the 3-ball off the dribble or the catch and shoot and makes quality decisions with the ball in his hands.

6’4 Jase Butler 2024 Branson (Ross CA)

Butler is coming off a great showing at the Tarkanian Classic and kept it rolling at the Classic at Damien, as he would lead his squad to the Consolation Game before falling short to Windward of Los Angeles. The Bulls opened up with eventual Platinum Division Champs, Roosevelt of Eastvale, in a thriller where Butler did all he could to help lift his team over the Mustangs. He would go for 25 points connecting on 3 threes in the process, scoring 16 of those points after halftime before falling 68 to 64. Butler led the Bulls with 19 points in the Consolation Semifinal win over Campbell Hall of North Hollywood, as he would come in clutch from the line down the stretch going 5 of 6 on free throws in the fourth quarter. The Illinois commit has great court vision, keeps the ball on a string, has the size to see over most perimeter defenders, does a solid job on the boards to push the ball up the court, and is a versatile defender capable of guarding the 1 through 3 positions effectively. Butler has the handles and moves to create off the dribble, is an efficient 3-level scorer, has the physicality to finish through traffic in the lane, and the footwork and body control to hit tough jumpers when attacking the defense.

6’3 Aaron Hunkin-Claytor 2024 Salesian College Prep (Richmond CA)

Claytor had his lead guard skills on display in the Pride’s opening round win over a tough Winward squad, as he would score 11 points and ensured that the offensive schemes were set-up and executed. Claytor does not force the issue as a scorer and orchestrates the offensive system, but against Centennial Corona in the quarterfinals, Claytor sensed his team needed him to be more aggressive as a scorer, which is what he did to lift his team over the Huskies. Although I did not stat the game, I did watch it live and, after falling behind by double-digits in the third quarter, Claytor flipped the switch. He hit on multiple threes, off the dribble and the catch and shoot, attacked the basket to get a few and one opportunities, and hit some high-level mid-range jumpers to help his team claw back and get the win. Claytor has great court vision, keeps the ball on a string, constantly surveys the floor to make the right play, and plays with good pace and control. He has the moves to create off the dribble, and is capable of scoring from 3-levels. Solid on-ball defender that can guard the 1 through 3 positions effectively."

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"Hall of Fame Coach Passes Away   Tony Nunes led DeAnza from 1967 to 1991"

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Opinion

What's happening with NCAA college basketball in Los Angeles?

USC, now 6-7 overall and 0-2 in league, just received an 86-70 whomping from Oregon State over the weekend as the Beavers won both 20 minute periods by nine points and then seven points respectively.

USC has a very talented backcourt in Boogie Ellis and Isaiah Collier, both of whom should be drafted high. Bronny James has been mentioned as a first-round draftee but that remains to be seen with his recent heart problem. A 7-foot-1 sophomore center resides on the roster as well as a 6-foot-11 redshirt senior center.

One major issue is meshing. The current players aren't necessarily playing together, the concept of making each other more effective. A lot of one-on-one play is occurring beginning with the guards.

But California and Stanford are coming to town next so that should help out Coach Andy Enfield and his beleaguered Trojans.

Meanwhile, UCLA is also struggling at 6-7. Ben Boich, who covers the Bruins for the Los Angeles Times, recently tweeted: "Mick Cronin pointed to Sebastian Mack gambling for a steal that sparked an Oregon run, a habit Cronin has been trying to break in practice: "On a veteran team he’d play about five minutes a game, but I gotta play him."

Sebastian Mack meet bus. Where did those treadmarks come from?

The move to the Big 10 for these two programs appears ominous.

Also, Loyola Marymount stands 7-7 but that includes victories over the likes of Westcliff, Jackson State, Florida International, University of Central Arkansas and Detroit Mercy.

Pepperdine stands 7-8 but that includes powering past such juggernauts as Concordia-Irvine, Lafayette, Long Island, Idaho State plus taking down always dangerous Westcliff.

Game Scores

NCAA scores, Mon, Jan 1

• Texas Tech 85, North Alabama 67 full box score Chance (Bethel High/Golden State Prep/Grand Canyon University) McMillian tallied 16 points for the victors.

Pacwest Conference scores, Mon, Jan 1

• Biola 76, Chaminade 75 full box score Guard Jamir (Berkeley High/CCSF) Thomas finished with 18 points for the Silverswords. Casey (Las Lomas High/Diablo Valley College) Cappo enjoyed 14 points plus nine rebounds for victorious Biola.

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NCAA scores, Tue, Jan 2

• Wyoming 75, San Jose State University 73 full box score SJSU lost on the road to a shot at the buzzer.

CCCMBCA scores, Tue, Jan 2

• West Valley College 97, Feather River College 51
• Merced College 78, Monterey Peninsula College 63

Pacwest Conference scores, Tue, Jan 2

• Academy of Art 65, Hawai'i Pacific 51 full box score HP's Diggy (Chabot College) Winbush led all scorers with 15 points.
• Hawai'i Hilo 53, Concordia 51 full box score

CalPac Conference scores, Tue, Jan 2

• UC Merced 76, Simpson University 62 full box score 6-foot-2 sophomore guard Cameron (Bishop O'Dowd) Brown powered up for 23 points plus 11 boards for the victors.

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