Senior Series: Matthew Dellavedova

Dellavedova as a freshman, photo by SD Dirk

Matthew Dellavedova had an amazing career at Saint Mary's. The 6'4'' guard from Maryborough, Victoria, Australia made an immediate impact as a freshman and continued to do so through his senior season.

Dellavedova was honored many times over his career. He was named WCC Player of the Week three times and once Player of the Month. As a junior, he was named the WCC Player of the Year and WCC Tournament MVP. He made all-WCC teams in all four of his years at Saint Mary's. In his first year he made the all-Freshman team as well as being named an all-WCC Honorable Mention. In his sophomore, junior and senior years he was named to the all-WCC Team.

He received national honors as well. Twice he was named an all-America Honorable Mention. He's made watch lists for the Naismith and Wooden Awards. The Cousy Award, for best point guard, had him as a finalist in his junior and senior seasons.

The accolades, the stats and most importantly, the wins, make Matthew Dellavedova the greatest Gael ever.

Senior Series: Raymond Cowels III

Santa Clara's Raymond Cowels III was Mr. Consistent over his four years as a Bronco. His freshman year average of 7.3 PPG is less than one point below his career PPG average. The only reason his numbers aren't higher is a slight sophomore slump.

The 6'4'', 215lbs, guard from Minneapolis spent his time at Santa Clara mostly out of the spotlight. Guys like Ben Dowdell, Marc Trasolini and Kevin Foster received the most accolades. Trasolini and Foster were, however, far less consistent than Cowels. He missed just one game over his entire career, in order to attend his grandfather's funeral.

Senior Series: Derrick Rodgers

Derrick Rodgers was the only senior on the Pilots this past season. Unlike any of the other seniors being profiled in this series, he did not play for the Pilots for his whole career. The 6'1'', 210lbs guard from Rancho Cucamonga, CA spent a year at nearby Citrus College before moving into Division I.

Rodgers was a point guard while at Citrus College. As a Pilot he would play at both guard spots. This past season, on top of being the only senior, he was forced into another leadership role (point guard) when David Carr suffered a torn ACL on January 5th. His leadership earned him the honor of being voted, by his teammates, a team captain.

Derrick Rodgers evolution, shown in key statistics for point guards, from his junior to senior season. Click image for full size view.

Senior Series: Mike Hart

Recruiting is a very important part in building a team and a program. You need the right guys to play for you if you want to win games. For Butler that means getting guys willing to play in Brad Stevens' style, in the so called "Butler Way". Memphis coach Josh Pastner only gets guys who can play above the rim. Kentucky recruits only the best players regardless of the fact that they will play for just one season. Those teams, and many others, have found success through a certain style of player that fit into the style of the program.

Mike Hart has been called many things. He's a defensive specialist, a hustle player, a glue guy and a liability on offense. Those are all fairly accurate descriptions. What he is more than anything though, is a personification of Gonzaga Basketball.

 

To understand what I'm saying you need to go back to when Gonzaga and Mike Hart were unknowns.

Say it Aint So, KO!

The day that Gonzaga fans have expected and dreaded has arrived; Kelly Olynyk has declared for the NBA Draft.

It may seem like this day has been a long time coming. In reality however it has only been a few months, five tops, that "Kelly Olynyk" and "NBA Draft" have been in the same sentence. When the season started back in November if you knew of Kelly Olynyk you knew of this Kelly Olynyk.

Olynyk on the bench during his three game suspension.

Senior Series: Ashley Hamilton

Loyola Marymount fifth year senior Ashley Hamilton has had a long and winding basketball journey. Born in Hamburg, though a native of London, his path to Los Angeles went through Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain and Boston, Massachusetts.

Like the Lions teams of late, Hamilton battled through injuries. His initial freshman season was cut short after six games. Despite all the time spent hobbled or too hurt to play, he put up some impressive statistics.

Green = Played, Yellow = DNP, Red = Redshirt.
Click image for full size view.

Senior Series: Ken Rancifer

Ken Rancifer's college basketball career went the way college basketball careers used to go. Four years spent at the same school, with steady improvement each season. His four year career culminated in being a full time starter and team captain.

The 6'5'', 205lbs native of Oakland attended El Cerrito High School. ESPN gave Rancifer an 84/100 grade as a recruit. Along with San Diego, he was recruited by Fresno State, Weber State and Cal State Northridge.

Hover over the graph above for more information. For the sake of keeping the Y-axis a reasonable height, "Minutes" data represented in the chart is actually Min% rather than total minutes. Then, click read more for even more information!

Senior Series: Lorne Jackson

Without Head Coach Marty Wilson and senior guard Lorne Jackson, the steady foundation with connection to Pepperdine's past, the 2012-13 Waves may have fallen apart. Wilson has been involved with the organization for decades now. Prior to this past season, Jackson had already spent four seasons in Malibu. Due to a torn ACL, during the offseason after his junior year, he missed the 2011-12 season.

Injury kept Jackson off the court for a season, but it's also what got him more time in the court in the first place. To start his freshman season Jackson averaged just 8.3 minutes per game. In the fourth game of the year, when Senior guard Ryan Holmes sustained an injury, Jackson was thrust into the starting role. In 13 games without Holmes, Jackson was the starter and averaged 22.6 minutes.

Senior Series: Brandon Davies

Over the next couple of weeks I will be doing a series of pieces on the WCC's impactful outgoing seniors. There won't be any set style for the series. Some will be more biographical in nature. Some, like the Mike Hart piece I've been slowly building for the past month, will be long and awesome. Some will feature as much looking forward as looking back. To get things started I chose BYU's Brandon Davies, a perfect example of a player with a career worth looking back upon but a future worth looking forward to. Without further ado, here is the first installment in the Will's WCC Blog Senior Series: Brandon Davies.

While a student at Provo High School, Brandon Davies received interest from schools in sunny California (Cal and Santa Clara), a powerhouse school in Gonzaga and in state schools like Utah, Utah State and BYU. Davies chose the easiest trip. He chose to go, literally, across the street.

Brandon Davies, the versatile big man for the Cougars, ended his up, down and back up again career with a spot near the top of many BYU records. Davies was one game and one scandal from playing in every game of his career, a feat which would have set the all time record at BYU. Instead he finishes all the way down in third place on the games played list. Davies saw the floor in 135 of the 144 games BYU played during his career. He became the third and fourth (as a junior then a senior) Cougar to average at least one point, rebound, assist, steal and block per game.

Over the course of his career he helped lead the Cougars to a #3 ranking. He never played for a team that won less than 25 games. He played in two NCAA Tournaments. He played three games at Madison Square Garden. As a senior, he was a team captain.

Saint Mary's Point Guard Problem

Craig Neal was hired as the head coach at New Mexico on April 3rd, shortly after former head coach Steve Alford took the top job at UCLA. Since April 3rd there has been speculation surrounding his son, Cullen Neal. The 6'4'' point guard was ranked 150th in the class of 2013 and had committed to Saint Mary's. Today came the, somewhat expected, news that Cullen would play for Craig; Saint Mary's is allowing the prized recruit to decommit and go to New Mexico.

Neal is coming off a stellar, 26.5 points per game, senior season at Eldorado High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was in the mix to replace the outgoing, 15.8ppg, Matthew Dellavedova  in Moraga. So, not only are the Gaels losing a top recruit but they've further opened a gaping hole in their 2013-14 roster.

Portsmouth Invitational Tournament 2013

This year's edition of the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament will feature two of  Kevin Foster and Brandon Davies will be in Portsmouth, part of Virginia's Hampton Roads, along with 62 of the best seniors from across the nation.

The Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, or PIT as it will be henceforth referred to, is a 60 year old showcase for the best of college hoops' senior class. 64 players are spread among eight teams that battle it out over four days for the tournament championship.

This year's field includes some high profile players, including recently crowned National Champion Peyton Siva of Louisville, along with the two aforementioned WCC stars and Kenny Boynton of Florida, Durand Scott of Miami, Abdul Gaddy of Washington, Anthony Marshall of UNLV, Rotnei Clark of Butler, D.J. Cooper of Ohio and Mark Lyons of Arizona.

The PIT, though not necessarily a big event for fans, is a major part of the transition to the NBA for college players. None of the players I listed above are high on any draft boards but, thanks to the PIT, they could well get there. Last season 15 seed Norfolk State went from unknown to March darling with a round of 64 upset of 2 seed Missouri. Kyle O'Quinn, the star for the Spartans of Norfolk State, went from unknown to PIT MVP to playing in 53 NBA games this season for the Orlando Magic.

In the past players like John Stockton, John Lucas, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman and Tim Hardaway  have made their way from the NCAA to NBA stardom and the journey has gone through Portsmouth Virginia.

Brandon Davies' team, K & D Round's Landscaping, plays its first game at 4:00 PM PDT on Wednesday. Kevin Foster's team, Portsmouth Sports Club, plays its first game at 4:00 PM PDT on Thursday.

There will be live streaming for all PIT games this year. For more information on the PIT as well as streaming information click here.

CBI Champions!

CBI Championship Series Game Three

 Santa Clara Broncos 80 at George Mason Patriots 77

Patriot Center, Fairfax, Virginia.

Santa Clara finishes the season at 26-12.

For the second time in three years Santa Clara finishes the season with a win. Two years ago the Broncos won the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT). This season they win the College Basketball Invitational.

Only four teams get to finish their season with a postseason win. Santa Clara, along with East Carolina (CIT champs), Baylor (NIT champs) and the to-be-determined NCAA Tournament champs, is one of those teams. 

The 2012-2013 Santa Clara Broncos become only the fifth WCC team to finish the season with a win. San Francisco did it three times, twice by winning the NCAA Tournament (1955 and 1956) and once by winning the NIT. The other? The 2010-2011 Santa Clara Broncos that won the CIT.

BYU has won two NITs, in 1951 and 1966, well before becoming a WCC team.

Kevin Foster had 24 points, Marc Trasolini had 20, Evan Roquemore had 19 and Raymond Cowels III had 9. Foster hit a big three with 1:13 left to give the Broncos the final lead of the game, he also scored the final point of the game on a free throw. Marc Trasolini was dominant early in the second half, scoring eight of the Broncos' first 12 points, as the Broncos rallied from a 33-37 deficit at the break. Evan Roquemore hit clutch free throw after clutch free throw in the waining minutes to keep the lead with Santa Clara. Raymond Cowels III scored all nine of his points in the first half, which kept the Broncos from falling out of striking distance.

This was the last game for seniors Kevin Foster, Marc Trasolini, Raymond Cowels III, Niyi Harrison and Kyle Perricone. 

One Last Game

Friday, April 5th, 4:00 PM PDT

CBI Championship Series Game Three

Santa Clara Broncos at George Mason Patriots

Patriot Center, Fairfax, Virginia.

George Mason hails from the Colonial Athletic Association. The Patriots are 22-15 on the season, 10-8 in CAA regular season play, 9-6 at home and are currently on a one game winning streak.

Santa Clara is 25-12 on the season, 9-6 away from home and currently on a one game losing streak.

TV: AXS TV

(Honestly, I don't know anything about AXS other than Mark Cuban owns it. Find out if you have it here.)

Radio: KDOW 1220 AM in the Bay Area (at 7:00 PM).

Online: Free live audio from Santa Clara Athletics and live video from Santa Clara Athletics ($9.95).

 

For the fifth time in the six year history of the CBI a third game is needed to determine the champion. Santa Clara won game one on Monday, at home. George Mason came back to win game two on Wednesday, at their practice facility. Today's game three will be held at the regular home of George Mason, the 10,000 seat Patriot Center.

Not much was going well for the Broncos in game two. A poor shooting night combined with an inability to follow the rules (as decided by the officials) resulted in a 66-73 loss. Considering the 37.5% shooting, 32 fouls, -6 rebounding margin and making only 5 threes, the Broncos did pretty well to keep the scoring margin so close. That bodes well for this game. George Mason, in game two, was a completely different team than in game one. However, the Patriots were pretty much the same team they had been all season long. The Broncos happened to have one of their worst games of the season on the same night that George Mason had one of it's most regular games of the season.

 

If the Broncos' offense can return to form tonight on a real basketball court (game two was at the practice facility/volleyball arena), anything short of a stellar performance by the Patriots should come up short. 

Wins

Gonzaga 32-3

Saint Mary's 28-7
Santa Clara 25-12

For the second time in as many years, and the second time ever, the WCC is home to three teams with 25 or more wins.

Over the recent history of the conference, let's say the past six years, it was Gonzaga and Saint Mary's job to break the 25 win mark. Those two schools managed to do that in each of the past six seasons (only Kansas and Duke can say the same).

Last season, when this record was first set, realignment deserved the credit. BYU joined Gonzaga and Saint Mary's with 25+ wins. This was to be expected, as you see BYU had managed to hit 25 wins in the previous four seasons (along with Gonzaga, Saint Mary's, Kansas and Duke). It was a record, that is true. But, it felt almost like a first year coach who succeeds with the players recruited by the previous coach.

This season it is different. It is not BYU that joins Gonzaga and Saint Mary's in the 25+ club. It's Santa Clara. A team that, two years ago, fell one win short of setting this record. Interestingly, this season, it is BYU that falls one win short of setting a new record.

NIT Semis: BYU vs. Baylor

National Invitation Tournament Semifinals

#3 BYU Cougars vs. #2 Baylor Bears

Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York.

Monday, April 2, 2013, 4:00 PM PDT.

Baylor hails from the Big 12 conference. The Bears are 21-14 on the season, 9-9 in Big 12 regular season play, 6-9 away from home and currently on a three game winning streak.

BYU is 24-11 on the season, 10-6 in WCC regular season play, 7-8 away from home and currently on a three game winning streak.

TV: ESPN2

Radio: KSL 1160 AM & 102.7 FM along the Wasatch Front, KMGR 95.9 FM in Manti, KSUB 590 AM in Cedar City, KDXU 890 AM in St. George and KTHK 105.5 FM in Idaho Falls.

Satellite Radio: BYU Radio, Sirius XM 143.

Online: Live audio from KSL and video from ESPN3.

Comparison of the Cougars' stats over the season, in the NIT and in their first game against Baylor. Colors are 100% subjective. Click for full size view.

CBI Championship Series Game One

CBI Championship Series Game One

George Mason Patriots 73 at Santa Clara Broncos 81

Leavey Center, Santa Clara, California.

George Mason falls to 21-15 on the season. 

Santa Clara improves to 25-11 on the season.

Next game at George Mason on Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013 at 4:00 PM PDT.

It was an off night by recent Broncos' offensive standards. Santa Clara shot just 44.2% from the field tonight, compared to 48%, 48% and 51% in the first three of its CBI games. That proved to be enough though, thanks in part to a 10-24 night behind the three point arc and another large scoring output from senior guard Kevin Foster. 

Santa Clara vs. George Mason

Monday, April 1st, 7:00 PM PDT

CBI Championship Series Game One

George Mason Patriots at Santa Clara Broncos

Leavey Center, Santa Clara, California.

George Mason hails from the Colonial Athletic Association. The Patriots are 21-14 on the season, 10-8 in CAA regular season play, 12-8 away from home and are currently on a three game winning streak.

Santa Clara is 24-11 on the season, 15-5 at home and currently on a three game winning streak.

TV: AXS TV

(Honestly, I don't know anything about AXS other than Mark Cuban owns it. Find out if you have it here.)

Radio: KDOW 1220 AM in the Bay Area.

Online: Free live audio from KDOW and live video from Santa Clara Athletics ($9.95).

Here we have a game between two former Cinderellas for whom the clock struck midnight long ago. Santa Clara's Steve Nash led 15 over 2 upset of Arizona is pretty much forgotten save for the times (like this year) when a 15 beats a 2 in the NCAA Tournament. George Mason opened the door for mid-majors to run to the final four when the Patriots did so in 2006. Neither team has had nearly the same level of success in the years since, but now they're playing for a national championship.