Underrated Big East Players

  The Big East is a very difficult conference, with unknown teams upsetting a highly ranked team.  C.J. Fair of the Syracuse Orange scores many more points than other teammates and leads his team in rebounds.  He is a player who runs the court and this season in recent games has been playing 38 minutes per game.  He is a humble player who doesn't get too amped up after a big play. "Fair is Unfair" is a common thing that people put onto their posters for Syracuse.  Fair is an excellent three-point shooter and can drive to the hoop quickly.  He is skinny but muscles his way to the basket.  With his ability to shoot and drive to the basket, he will improve a plethora of NBA teams.  The other underrated player in the Big East is Davante Gardner from the Marquette Golden Eagles.  Marquette is also an underrated team.  Davante Gardner is coming off the bench and is an excellent sixth man player.  He has a broad body and uses that size to box people out.  Coaches look for this in players; that they use their body to do what they are supposed to do.  He can also make a jump shot.  When Syracuse came to play the Golden Eagles, he made a jump shot from the elbow, surprising many of the spectators.  Defenders don't usually think big men can make jump shots.  He is like C.J. Fair in many ways, including their ability to drive to the basket and shoot.  These players muscle their way to the basket.  Davante Gardner and C.J, Fair are underrated players in the Big East and lead their teams to victories.  By Ameen I.

Big East

  The Big East is one of the most difficult conference in the country.  I think that the most difficult conferences in the nation are the Big Ten, ACC, and the Big East.  Right now, I am focusing on the Big East.  The Big East is expected to have seven teams in the NCAA March Madness Tournament.  Michael Carter-Williams from the Syracuse Orange is drawing attention for being the Big East Player of the Year.  In my opinion, Carter-Williams doesn't deserve the prestigious award.  Many players have risen this season.  Some of these players weren't eve heard of until this season.  Georgetown is in first place in the Big East after upsetting Syracuse in front of an NCAA record breaking crowd.  I think the Big East Player of the Year should go to Otto Porter of the Georgetown Hoyas.  He is an amazing player who can do the three things that every coach wants; to pass, shoot, and dribble.  Porter has had success against Big East foes in crucial games.  Otto Porter has led Georgetown in his years in college. He has been heavily guarded and still is scoring many of Georgetown's points.  I like the way that he doesn't get too fired up when he makes an important bucket, he remains humble.  Otto Porter reminds me of a player; Brandon Triche from Syracuse.  Every time either player drains an important basket, they remain quiet and get ready to play defense.  Although, Otto Porter is a better shooter than Brandon Triche and scores more points than him.  I think there are only two players who should be in the running for the Sixth Man of the Year race, James Southerland from Syracuse and Davante Gardner from Marquette.  Both players have faced off this season, Marquette coming out on top.  James Southerland has the ability to drain long distance threes and get some boards.  If he is tired he can jog over and be the trailer, and drill a three-pointer.  Davante Gardner is a big man and pushes people out to get rebounds, legally.  I like the way he uses his body to push defenders out and make space in the paint for himself to get the rebound.  Both players should receive more credit.  In my opinion, C.J. Fair from the Syracuse Orange doesn't receive the credit that he should be receiving.  Also, Russ Smith from Louisville.  C.J. Fair leads his team in rebounds and scores many of the Orange's points.  Russ Smith is a fast athlete with great cardiovascular endurance.  He has a great shot and can be relied upon in clutch moments.  Both of these players should receive more national spotlight and lead their teams to victories.  I think the most disappointing player of the year in the Big East is Peyton Siva from the Louisville Cardinals.  Last year he scared teams with his speed and passing abilities.  Now, he's barely an offensive threat for opposing teams.  He also backs down in rivalry games and doesn't score in the moments needed.  I think he needs to start scoring now, or else his career will start going down and won't return to hat he started at.  By Ameen I.

Spurs Outlast Hawks

Yesterday was very thrilling, from college basketball to the NBA to the NHL.  Last night the San Antonio Spurs visited the Atlanta Hawks.  Tony Parker led the way for the Spurs with 23 points and 12 assists.  Tim Duncan did not play due to a team decision.  Tony also led the Spurs with 12 assists.  Tony Parker was feeling it last night.  Tiago Splitter and DeJuan Blair led the Spurs in rebounds with 7.  DeJuan Blair went to Pittsburgh in college and carried the Panthers, making other teams in the Big East very frustrated.  This is why the Spurs brought DeJuan Blair, because he is energized and gets the rest of the team pumped up.  On the other side, the Atlanta Hawks were keeping themselves in the game.  Josh Smith led the way for the Hawks with 21 points.  The Hawks haven't been themselves ever since Joe Johnson went to the Brooklyn Nets.  Al Horford though, wow.  Al Horford grabbed 15 boards, giving the Hawks a new rebounder.  Finally, Jeff Teague led the Hawks with 8 assists.  This game was very close, and came down to the wire just like the three college basketball games:  (6) Syracuse vs. (1) Louisville, (11) Ohio State vs. (18) Michigan State, and (8) Gonzaga vs. (13) Butler.  Anyways, the final score was 98-93 with the San Antonio Spurs on top.  For those of you who want to know how it came so close, here are the scores for each quarter.  In the first quarter, the Spurs outscored the Hawks 25-16.  In the second quarter the Spurs outscored the Hawks 27-26.  The halftime score was 52-42 with the Spurs on top.  In the third quarter the Hawks outscored the Spurs 28-20.  Finally, in the fourth quarter the Spurs outscored the Hawks 26-23.  The final score was 98-93 Spurs.  The Spurs are now 32-11.  Meanwhile, the Atlanta Hawks are 22-18.  By Ameen I.