Men's Basketball

A Closer Look at the Midwest Region

Published

5 years ago

March 19, 2019

On Sunday, as Duke was put into a cakewalk, Kentucky was selected as the two seed in the toughest region of the bracket, the Midwest Region. Now being called the “Blue-blood Region”, the Midwest hosts the three most winningest programs in college basketball history in North Carolina, Kentucky, and Kansas.

Getting to the Final Four in this region is no easy task, lets look at the competition.

1. North Carolina Tar Heels

Record: 26-5 (16-2) NET: 7 KenPom: 6
Best win: 103-90 vs. Gonzaga, Dec. 15
Worst loss: 92-89 vs. Texas, Nov. 22
Three-pointers: 37.3% Free throws: 74.1%
NOTABLE PLAYERS: G Cameron Johnson 16.9 ppg; G Coby White 16.4 ppg, 4.1 apg; F Luke Maye 14.9 ppg, 10.3 rpg

SCOUTING REPORT
Carolina ranks third in the nation in points per game (86.6 ppg) and plays at one of the fastest paces in the country. Not to mention the Tar Heels are the best rebounding team in the country (43.9 rpg). Cam Johnson has been on an absolute tear since the start of ACC play and is shooting 46.5% from deep on the season. The Tar Heels are capable of making the Final Four but they have the toughest road to the Elite Eight and could meet the Kentucky Wildcats in a rematch for a spot in Minneapolis.

2. Kentucky Wildcats

Record: 26-5 (15-3) NET: 5 KenPom: 7
Best win: 86-69 vs. Tennessee, Feb. 16
Worst loss: 84-83 vs. Seton Hall (OT), Dec. 8
Three-pointers: 35.9% Free throws: 74.3%
NOTABLE PLAYERS: F PJ Washington 14.9 ppg, 7.5 rpg; G Tyler Herro 14.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg; G Keldon Johnson 13.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg

SCOUTING REPORT
Many threw the Wildcats out as a title contender after the 34-point loss to Duke, but the Wildcats are here and look like preseason No. 2 they were thought to be. Kentucky is a post-oriented team that crashes the boards and gets to the free throw line. With four players averaging 11 or more points, any player on any given night can step up for the Wildcats and that’s a promising sign in the NCAA tournament.

3. Houston Cougars

Record: 29-2 (16-2) NET: 4 KenPom: 15
Best win: 85-69 at Cincinnati, March 10.
Worst loss: 73-69 at Temple, Jan. 9.
Three-pointers: 36.4% Free throws: 71.1%
NOTABLE PLAYERS: G Corey Davis 16.6 ppg, 2.9 apg; G Armoni Brooks 13.7 ppg, 6.5 rpg; G DeJon Jarreau 9.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg

SCOUTING REPORT
The Cougars haven’t been given enough respect all season long as a Final Four contender. Houston is a guard-oriented team that prides themselves on defense and ranks first in the country in opponent field goal percentage (36.7%). Houston led the AAC in three-point percentage (36.4%), rebounding margin (+7.9), and scoring defense (61.6 ppg). Houston is a consistent team that doesn’t beat themselves. Don’t expect Houston to be an easy out.

4. Kansas Jayhawks

Record: 25-9 (12-6) NET: 20 KenPom: 20
Best win: 87-81 OT vs. Tennessee, Nov. 23.
Worst loss: 65-64 at West Virginia, Jan. 19.
Three-pointers: 35.5% Free throws: 69.5%
NOTABLE PLAYERS: F Dedric Lawson 19.1 ppg, 10.6 rpg; G Devon Dotson 11.7 ppg, 3.5 apg; G Quentin Grimes 8.3 ppg, 2.0 apg

SCOUTING REPORT
The Jayhawks had a streak of 14 consecutive Big 12 championships snapped. After losing Udoka Azubuike and Lagerald Vick, things aren’t looking to great for Kansas and could be upset early. However, Dedric Lawson, Quentin Grimes, and Devon Dotson can carry this team to a battle against North Carolina.

5. Auburn Tigers

Record: 22-9 (11-7) NET: 17 KenPom: 13
Best win: 84-80 vs. Tennessee, March 9.
Worst loss: 80-77 vs. South Carolina, Jan. 22.
Three-pointers: 37.5% Free throws: 70.5%
NOTABLE PLAYERS: G Bryce Brown 15.7 ppg, 2.0 rpg; G Jared Harper 15.2 ppg, 5.9 apg; F Chuma Okeke 11.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg

SCOUTING REPORT
At one point this season Auburn was ranked in the AP Top 10, that quickly changed after seven losses in the SEC. The Tigers won four straight games to end the regular season, then trampled Tennessee for the SEC Tournament Title. Guards win in March, and Auburn’s Bryce Brown and Jared Harper can make plays. The Tigers have made ten or more threes in nearly two-thirds of their games and can catch fire at any time.

6. Iowa State Cyclones

Record: 20-11 (9-9) NET: 23 KenPom: 16
Best win: 68-64 at Texas Tech, Jan. 16.
Worst loss: 90-75 at West Virginia, March 6.
Three-pointers: 36.2% Free throws: 72.8%
NOTABLE PLAYERS: G Marial Shayok 18.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg; G Lindell Wigginton 13.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg; G Talen Horton-Tucker 12.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg

SCOUTING REPORT

The Cyclones are talented but are wildly inconsistent. Iowa State had lost 6 of their last 8 games before going on a run to capture the Big 12 Tournament Title. The Cyclones have five players scoring 9 or more points and have one of the most efficient offenses in the country, ranking top 10 in KenPom. It comes down to which Iowa State team shows up.

7. Wofford Terriers

Record: 29-4 (18-0) NET: 13 KenPom: 19
Best win: 72-64 vs. Furman, Feb. 23.
Worst loss: 75-64 vs. Oklahoma, Nov. 18.
Three-pointers: 42.0% Free throws: 70.2%
NOTABLE PLAYERS: G Fletcher Magee 20.4 ppg; F Cameron Jackson 14.4 ppg, 7.5 rpg; G Nathan Hoover 13.2 ppg

SCOUTING REPORT
Wofford is riding the nations longest win streak with 20 games. The Terriers are one of the best outside shooting teams in the country with the nation’s second-best three-point percentage (41.6%). Wofford is capable of lighting up any team with those kinds of shooting numbers.

8. Utah State Aggies

Record: 25-6 (15-3) NET: 30 KenPom: 34
Best win: 81-76 vs. Nevada, March 2.
Worst loss: 78-77 vs. Fresno State, Jan. 9
Three-pointers: 35.3% Free throws: 74.7%
NOTABLE PLAYERS: G Sam Merrill 21.1 ppg, 5.3 apg; C Neemias Queta 11.8 ppg, 8.8 rpg; F Quinn Taylor 8.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg

SCOUTING REPORT
Making the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2011 Utah State is definitely a seed or two too low, as one of the most well-balanced teams in the country. Utah State ranks top 50 in both field goal percentage(47.4%) opponent field goal percentage (39.1%). The Aggies are far from selfish with the country’s 6th highest assist rate and crash the boards at a high rate, ranking 9th in the nation in rebounds per game (40.2 rpg)

9. Washington Huskies

Record: 24-7 (15-3) NET: 67 KenPom: 51
Best win: 69-53 at Utah, Jan. 10
Worst loss: 76-73 at Cal, Feb. 28
Three-pointers: 34.7% Free throws: 70.1%
NOTABLE PLAYERS: G Jaylen Nowell 16.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg; F Noah Dickerson 12.9 ppg, 7.2 rpg; G David Crisp 12.6 ppg, 2.6 apg

SCOUTING REPORT
The Huskies have one of the best defenses in the nation, with a defensive rating of 94.9, ranking 32nd the country. Washington also ranks top in blocks (5.7 bpg) and steals (9.0 spg). The Huskies have an explosive duo in Nowell and Dickerson, in addition, Matisse Thybulle might be the best all-around defender in college basketball.

10. Seton Hall Pirates

Record: 18-12 (9-9) NET: 6 KenPom: 55
Best win: 84-83 vs. Kentucky, Dec. 8.
Worst loss: 66-64 vs. St. Louis, Nov. 17.
Three-pointers: 32.5% Free throws: 71.5%
NOTABLE PLAYERS: G Myles Powell 22.6 ppg; G Myles Cale 10.4 ppg; G Quincy McKnight 9.4 ppg, 4.1 apg

SCOUTING REPORT
This season the Pirates have picked up wins against Kentucky, Maryland, Villanova, and Marquette. Finishing one game short of the Big East Tournament title, Seton Hall has been one of the hottest teams in the country. Seton Hall is led by guard Myles Powell who emerged as one of the country’s best guards and finished 14th in Division I in scoring.

11. Ohio State Buckeyes

Record: 18-13 (8-12) NET: 55 KenPom: 45
Best win: 64-56 vs. Cincinnati, Nov. 7.
Worst loss: 63-56 vs. Illinois, Feb. 14.
Three-pointers: 33.8% Free throws: 73.1%
NOTABLE PLAYERS: F Kaleb Wesson 14.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg; G C.J. Jackson 12.1 ppg; F Andre Wesson 8.5 ppg

SCOUTING REPORT
Outside of free throw percentage (74th), Ohio State does not rank in the top 100 of any major offensive statistic. Instead, the Buckeyes pride themselves on their defense ranking top 50 in the country in opponent points allowed (66.2 ppg). The Buckeyes also rely heavily on sophomore center Kaleb Wesson, as went 0-3 without Wesson following a suspension for “a violation of the Ohio State Athletics Department policy.”

12. New Mexico State Aggies

Record: 27-4 (15-1). NET: 43 KenPom: 49
Best win: 83-78 vs. Utah Valley, Jan. 19.
Worst loss: 82-76 vs. Cal Baptist, Jan. 3.
Three-pointers: 32.8% Free throws: 67.5%
NOTABLE PLAYERS: G Terrell Brown 11.1 ppg; F Eli Chuha 10.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg; F Ivan Aurrecoechea 9.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg

SCOUTING REPORT
New Mexico State doesn’t make the three at an efficient rate but they shoot an average of 28 threes per game, ranking 8th in the country. The Aggies have a balanced scoring attack with seven players averaging six or more points. What sets the Aggies apart from most double-digit seeds is their ferocious rebounding and defense. The Aggies have a plus-8.6 rebounding margin ranking fifth in the nation and rank top 25 in opponent points allowed (64.1 ppg)

13. Northeastern Huskies

Record: 23-10 (14-4) NET: 79 KenPom: 79
Best win: 82-74 vs. Hofstra, March 12 in the CAA final.
Worst loss: 75-72, at Towson, Jan. 24.
Three-pointers: 38.8% Free throws: 75.1%
NOTABLE PLAYERS: G Vasa Pusica 17.8 ppg, 4.2 apg; G Jordan Roland 14.7 ppg, 2.4 rpg; G Bolden Brace 10.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg

SCOUTING REPORT
The Huskies have one of the most efficient scorers in the country in Vasa Pusica. Pusica a senior from Serbia, shoots 84.3 percent from the foul line, 58.2 from 2-point range and 40.1 from three. Pusica’s efficient offense reflects the Northeastern offense as a whole ranking top 20 in two-point percentage (56.4%) and three-point percentage (38.8%). However, they lack size and have an inferior paint defense. The Huskies can give Kansas all they want and more.

14. Georgia State Panthers

Record: 23-9 (13-5) NET: 121 KenPom: 111
Best win: 83-80 at Alabama, Dec. 4.
Worst loss: 77-75 at Troy, Jan. 19.
Three-pointers: 38.8% Free throws: 65.9%
NOTABLE PLAYERS: G D’Marcus Simonds 18.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg; G Devin Mitchell 12.4 ppg, 2.0 rpg; F Malik Benlevi 11.9 ppg, 5.7 rpg

SCOUTING REPORT
Georgia State and Ron Hunter are back in the NCAA Tournament. We all remember Hunter’s chair-fall back in 2014 when the Panthers upset Baylor and made it to the Sweet 16 as a 14 seed. The Panthers have five players who average double-figure points and as a team shoots 38.8% from three, ranking top 20 in the country.

15. Abilene Christian Wildcats

Record: 27-6 (14-4) NET: 155 KenPom: 145
Best win: 77-60 vs. New Orleans in the Southland Conference tournament final, March 16.
Worst loss: 61-60 at Stephen F. Austin, Jan. 23.
Three-pointers: 38.7% Free throws: 71.7%
NOTABLE PLAYERS: F Jaren Lewis 13.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg; G Payten Ricks 11.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg; G Jaylen Franklin 10.2 ppg, 4.9 apg

SCOUTING REPORT
Head coach, Joe Golden has coached his alma mater to their first NCAA appearance since moving up to Division I in 2013. The Wildcats dismissed two key players in Jalone Friday (13.1 ppg.) and B.J. Maxwell (9.2 ppg.) from the team for “violating university policies”. However, this a formidable team that ranks top 20 in the country in three-point percentage (38.6%) and opponent points allowed (63.1 ppg)

16. Iona Gaels

Record: 17-15 (12-6) NET: 205 KenPom: 197
Best win: 81-60 vs. Monmouth in the MAAC title game, March 11.
Worst loss: 99-95 at Niagara, Jan 11.
Three-pointers: 35.1% Free throws: 74.1%
NOTABLE PLAYERS: G Rickey McGill 15.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 5.0 apg; G-F E.J. Crawford, 17.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg; F Tajuan Agee 13.3 ppg, 8.1 rpg

SCOUTING REPORT
Iona is making its fourth straight NCAA appearance after winning the MAAC title for the fourth straight year. While this team has a fun and explosive offense, the Gaels are very bad on the defensive end ranking in the bottom 100 in opponent three-point percentage (36.8%) and points allowed (75.6)

Men's Basketball

Best Quotes from Mark Pope’s Exciting Introductory Press Conference

Published

3 hours ago

April 16, 2024

Tristan Pharis

A compilation of the best quotes from new Kentucky basketball head coach Mark Pope at his introductory press conference.

Sam Upshaw Jr./Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Mark Pope era of Kentucky Basketball is here and it couldn’t have kicked off to a better start. A packed Rupp Arena, 21,500+ with ~5,000 people getting turned away, to watch an introductory press conference. That is something only one program in the country can do. Kentucky.

With thousands of fans in attendance on Sunday, Mark Pope gave them a Kentucky basketball sermon (even taking a subtle shot or two at John Calipari). Here are some of his best quotes:

“Every coach in America at every other job in America stands up at the press conference and they try and moderate expectations. We don’t do that here at Kentucky. (Cheers). When Mitch called me and talked to me about being the head coach here at Kentucky, I understood the assignment. We are here to win banners. (Cheers). And as we go through this journey, we’re here to win banners in Nashville.”

“With those high expectations there will come criticism. But I don’t want you guys to worry, because I am in a group chat with every one of my single ’96 championship teammates and they will destroy me every time something goes wrong“

I learned about resilience here. And here at Kentucky resilience is a requirement. It is not an exception, it is a requirement, and I learned that here. I learned here about the passion wins championships; passion wins championships.

Our guys will know quickly, and it is hard not to know, it will be one of the great honors of their life to put that jersey on… There is only a select few players in the world that ever get to wear a Kentucky jersey, to wear a Kentucky jersey, it is one of the greatest honors guys can ever have as a basketball player/

You know that my team last year made the second most 3’s in all of college basketball. (Cheers). But at Kentucky we don’t come in second. (Cheers). My team last year had the fourth most assists in the country, and at Kentucky we share everything. (Cheers). We’re going to be aggressive on offense, we will change it up and keep people on their heels on defense.

The difference between Kentucky and every other program in the country is that this is not my team. It is not even our team. It is OUR team.

When I look up at the banners, when I look up at the rafters, it looks super crowded, if I know anything in the world about Mitch Barnhart, he will make more room.

We are talking to all of the guys on the current team, all those recruited and every player in the portal right now. And we will find — (cheers). We are going to find the guys that fit here, the way we play, and the guys that will come here and understand what a gift it is to play here at the University of Kentucky.

Building a staff now you are not looking just for the skill sets for just recruiting but considering GM positions that navigate a roster, considering NIL positions. Let me say something about NIL. It is more than just cash. It is building a future and contributing to a community. And doing that right takes a lot of effort.

Let’s say sometime in the future we can find our way into this Maui tournament. Would anybody come? (Cheers). Maybe. We will see.

That’s the job, guys. We are not ducking it. We know the assignment. That is what it is, right? (Cheers). And, frankly, if you are too cautious or too worried to take on the challenge, don’t come to Kentucky because there is nothing else that is acceptable.

Before Richie (Farmer) and after Travis (Perry) and everybody in-between that is an instate Kentucky kid, these young men that grow up in Kentucky, they bring a spirit to the team that cannot be fabricated or replaced. And it helps us to win, and we will continue to recruit them.

I would try to temper expectations, but that is not happening, you are not allowing that. So why try? We are trying to win and our goal is to win every game we play… That is the DNA at Kentucky. If Kentuckians know one thing, they know a hard day’s work and getting up the next day and having another hard day’s work. That is what we know here.

There are great programs. There is no doubt. And that’s true and it is also true that there is nowhere like the University of Kentucky. There is nowhere. There is nowhere.

We are taking a lot from Coach P’s DNA and growing into it. I think he looks at us and thinks, you copycat, man, stop taking my stuff. If I can take anything from him, it would be every second of desperate relentless fight on the court he inspired of us.

Those guys that fit here sometimes will be one and done, burger boys for sure, and sometimes they will be guys that come here and play four years and grow in your hearts and minds and become Kentucky legends and everything in-between. That is what Kentucky deserves.

I would say I‘m someone that loves Kentucky from the depths of my soul, loves the game from the depths of my soul, loves my family and am a believer and loves God from the depths of my soul. That is who I am.

I don’t know how to say this, but part of what is different about Kentucky is there is a really fantastic, strong, young man, older man somewhere up here in the stands, right? And his heart is in Kentucky. And my heart is in Kentucky exactly the same way. It makes us different. This is just different. I feel like I have been everywhere and there is nowhere that shares this all together like we do here in Kentucky.

Every (recruiting) call will be an incredible moment because, you know, kids are answering a little bit different when I talk about Kentucky.

BB Recruiting

Mark Pope Lands First Kentucky Commit, Four-Star Collin Chandler

Published

5 hours ago

April 16, 2024

Matt Upchurch

2022 4-star recruit, Collin Chandler

And the first domino falls! Collin Chandler, bright and early Tuesday morning, announces his commitment to UK.

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A post shared by col (@collinxchandler)

Chandler is a former BYU commit, recently released from his BYU commitment, and now Chandler will join Coach Pope at UK, according to Travis Branham. Not only is this Coach Pope’s first commitment in his tenure at UK, it’s also a major one. Chandler is a projected NBA player, and the highest-rated recruit to ever commit to BYU.

Collin Chandler, 2022 4-star combo guard

Chandler is a 4-star recruit from the 2022 class, a 6’4 do-it-all guard. 247Sports had Chandler rated as the #33 player in the nation, and the #6 player at his position in the 2022 class. Chandler has spent the last 2 years – since HS graduation – on his mission for The Church of Latter-day Saints.

Want reason for excitement? Chandler was the #6 rated combo guard in the 2022 class. The 5 players ranked higher: Nick Smith (1st round draft pick), Cason Wallace (lottery pick), Amari Bailey (NBA, 2nd round pick), JJ Starling (Syracuse, potential 1st round pick), and Jalen Hood-Schifino (#17 overall NBA selection). So of the 5 players ranked ahead of him, 4 are currently in the NBA and the 5th is on his way. So by these metrics, Chandler is a future NBA combo-guard that belongs in Pope’s system.

Just the first domino to fall…

Now that Chandler has made his commitment to Kentucky, expect other announcements to soon follow. Pope has “his guy”, and now he can assemble a full roster with that in mind. BBN should expect a couple of transfers from BYU to follow, and some Portal movement by the end of the week as well.

My take on this situation: BBN has been a little restless with how quiet it’s been on Pope’s recruiting. The Portal is full of talent, and rumors of players dying to play at UK have been circling. But yet, no announced commitments from anyone. Collin Chandler is the highest-ever recruit to commit to BYU in the program’s history. I think Pope wanted Chandler to be the first announcement, the first domino to fall. As far as recruiting, Chandler is Pope’s shiniest jewel, the highest touted recruit he ever landed at BYU. Pope, playing the “PR” game here, wanted Chandler to be the headline commitment of his era at Kentucky. And for me, personally I love it.

Men's Basketball

The Details of Mark Pope’s Kentucky Contract, Top 10 Paid Coach in the Country

Published

1 day ago

April 15, 2024

Tristan Pharis

Clare Grant/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

Per an open records request, here is Mark Pope’s Kentucky contract details. It is a 5-year, $27.5 million deal. This contract gives Pope a significant raise, as he was estimated to be making around $2-$3 million at BYU (private university). Pope’s salary now puts him in the top 10 highest paid in the country and tied for third in the SEC with Nate Oats (Alabama, $5 million), behind Bruce Pearl (Auburn, $5.7 million) and Rick Barnes (Tennessee, $5 million).

Annual Compensation

YR1 (2024-25): $5,000,000 (Date of hire-March 31, 2025) (annualized)

YR 2(2025-26): $5,250,000 (April 1, 2025-March 31, 2026)
YR 3(2026-27): $5,500,000 (April 1, 2026-March 31, 2027)

YR 4(2027-28): $5,750,000 (April 1, 2027-March 31, 2028)
YR 5(2028-29): $5,750,000 (April 1, 2027-March 31, 2028)

Guarantee (University Terminates Without Cause)

75% of total remaining Annual Compensation due through the otherwise unexpired term.

Payable in monthly installments over the overwise unexpired term
Coach shall have affirmative obligation to mitigate/offset with other employment.

Buyout (Coach Terminates Without Cause)

33% of the total remaining Annual Compensation otherwise due Coach through the remainder of the Term if current athletics director is in the athletics director position

20% of the total remaining Annual Compensation otherwise due Coach through the remainder of the Term it current athletics director is no longer the athletics director

Benefits to Coach

Standard University benefits package (retirement, health, etc.)
Coach’s choice of use of two (2) late model, luxury automobiles or standard, University head coach stipend

Private air travel for personal use for 30 hours per Contract Year (up to 15 unused hours may roll over to the following Contract Year)
Twenty (20) prime, lower-level basketball tickets for each men’s basketball home game and eight (8) football tickets for each home football game
Ten (1 0) Lower level, prime tickets for each men’s basketball away or neutral site game(s)

Membership in one private mutually agreed upon club/golf club membership

Assistants and Support Staff Salary Pools

Such amount shall be set at a level commensurate with high-level SEC programs and peer institutions.

Annual Performance Incentives

Such amounts shall be due and payable at the next regular payroll date subsequent to the achievement(s); incentives are earned as long as Coach is serving as Head Coach on the date upon Which any bonus incentive is achieved. Maximum bonus is $700,000 per season (i.e. $500,000 for National Championship plus $100,000 SEC Regular Season plus $50,000 for SEC Tournament Championship plus $25,000 for a Cumulative Team GPA of 3.0 or greater plus $25,000 for a Team GPA of $25,0000).