10 Arizona Wildcats vs 12 Michigan State Spartans Player Ratings and Recap

Welcome back to the start of another college basketball season. Once again, I will be reviewing and assigning player ratings following the big games I watch throughout the season. I think this is important as the season continues, and team's enter conference play. I am a huge soccer fan, so player ratings are assigned much as they are in soccer recaps. Team Ratings are weighted based on playing time. A player's rating that played 35 minutes, for example, is weighting heavier than one who played only 10 minutes, etc. Here's the first big game of the season. 
10 Arizona 65 defeats 12 Michigan State 63

Arizona: 7.75

C Dusan Ristic Jr. 4

Despite starting, Ristic only played 18 minutes, sitting in favor of the more productive Comanche. Ristic was just 1-6 from the floor, scoring 2 points and adding 3 rebounds. Arizona doesn't need his size with 7'0 Markkanen in the lineup, and Comanche is the better player.

F/C Lauri Markkanen Fr. 8

The freshman had a good showing in his first college game. Markkanen showed a good inside out game, using his height against a smaller MSU team, and playing the pick-and-pop well, shooting 2-3 from 3pt range. Markkanen finished with 13 points and 6 rebounds. Markkanen also showed good stamina playing 34 minutes. That's impressive from a 7'0 freshman.

G Rawle Alkins Fr. 5

Alkins played the majority of minutes, but was quieting than fellow guards, Jackson-Cartwright, Allen, and Kobi Simmons off the bench. Alkins does look like a good perimeter defender though. He finished just ¼, scoring 3 points, with 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 turnovers. He has better days ahead of him this season.

G Kadeem Allen Sr 6

Allen played well down the stretch to help cinch up the win, but he struggled to find his offense at times. Allen took the most shots (11), along with Jackson-Cartwright, shooting 3/11, and missing his only 3pt attempt. He had 10 points. Allen did look good on the perimeter on defense though, making a nice pairing with Jackson-Cartwright up top. He finished with three steals.

G Parker Jackson-Cartwright Jr. 7

PJC led Arizona, especially on the defensive end. He was very good pressuring the ball handler, disrupting the offense, and forcing turnovers. He had three steals in the game, but his full defensive value doesn't show up on the stat sheet. On offense, PJC could have been more consistent shooting. He was just 4/11 from the field, and a dreadful 1/6 from three. He scored 9 points, and added 3 assists, while turning the ball over twice.

G Kobi Simmons Fr. 9

In the absence of Allonzo Trier, Kobi Simmons stepped up, and was the team's go-to player for most of the game. The freshman showed off great athleticism, and first step, to blow past defenders, and get to the basket with ease. It also helped that MSU didn't really have a rim protector to challenge him. Simmons exploited the weakness at the hoop. Simmons' ability to drive also caused MSU to get into foul trouble early. UA took 27 foul shots in the game, making 20 of them, and Simmons alone was 8/10 from the stripe. Simmons also showed off his shooting ability; he was 2/3 from beyond the arc. Simmons finished the game with 18 points.

C Chance Comanche So. 7.5

Arizona looked like a transformed team when Comanche was in the lineup. He gives them a threatening low post scorer. However, he needs to stay out of foul trouble. Comanche picked up four in just 18 minutes of play. Arizona is a more dangerous team with Comanche playing alongside Markkanen.

F Keanu Pinder Jr. 6

Pinder seems like Arizona's energetic defensive substitute. He played alongside each of the other big men and just did all the little things a coach loves. He grabbed 6 rebounds, played good defense down low, created turnovers, etc. He finished with just 2 points, but looked more useful than Ristic when he was in there.

Team Overview:

Allonzo Trier was supposed to come back his sophomore season, and be the leader of this team. In his absence, and who knows if he will return this year, Arizona could have looked lost against the twelfth ranked team in the country. Instead, they overcame an early deficit to win a big game early in the season. This victory will give the team confidence looking forward. Kobi Simmons looks like one of the best freshman in the country, and should have no ploblem stepping in for Trier. Jackson-Cartwright and Allen look like much improved perimeter defenders, who can set the pace on both sides of the floor. Arizona also have a pair of talented big men that gives the team size, and multiple paths to score. Arizona proved their a top ten team without Trier. Of course, if they do get him back, they could be very difficult to beat.

Michigan State: 6.25

F Kenny Goins So. 5

Goins is going to have a tough task playing the five for this team. He was able to secure 8 rebounds, but he was not bale to stop Comanche and Markkanen inside, or prevent Arizona's guards from driving to the basket. MSU needs to find an answer for their interior defense. Goins also finished with four points.

F M.Bridges Fr. 8.5

Miles Bridges was the highlight of the team. He is a big game player, and really attacked Arizona, especially early. He has an excellent combination of strength and athleticism, which allows him to drive in traffic, and finish. Bridges is a little undersized at power forward, but would dominate at the college level as a small forward, and will be capable of playing shooting guard in the NBA. Bridges was best attacking the basket, where he could finish, or pass out. He showed off good passing ability this game. Bridges needs to be a more consistent shooter though. He shot 9/19 from the field for 21 points, and was just 1/6 from beyond the arc. He also pulled in 22 rebounds. Bridges is a freshman, and Arizona's perimeter defense looked great. So, I will forgive him the four turnovers, especially since his handle actually looked pretty good.

G Matt McQuaid So. 6.5

McQuaid really struggled in the first half before knocking down some shots in the second half to keep the game as close as it was. The sophomore finished 3/9 for 9 points. All, but one of his shots were taken from 3pt range. McQuaid's value is almost exclusively his shooting ability.

G Eron Harris Sr. 4.5

Harris struggled this game, and Izzo limited him to just 20 minutes because of it. Harris was the team's leading returning scorer, and he will need to be a leader on this team if they're going to succeed. That simply didn't happen. He finished with 7 points, and was just one of four from 3pt range. He also had 4 turnover, and no assists.

G L.Nairn Jr. Jr. 5

Nairn is not a big scorer. He finished with just 5 points on 2/3 shooting. He did have 4 assists, while also turning it over 4 times.

PF Nick Ward Fr. 7.5

Nick Ward is going to be one of the key players to MSU's season. There is very little size on the team, which will put pressure on their lone big man, especially since he's a freshman. Ward looked good when on the court. He showed a lot of hustle, and toughness inside. He finished with 9 points, and 4 rebounds, 3 of which were on the offensive end. Ward also had the team's only block. Perhaps, most impressively, he committed just one foul. Surprising since he is a freshman, Arizona attacked the basket, and the team committed 23 total fouls. Ward needs to be playing more than 14 minutes a game.

G A.Ellis III Sr. 6.5

Ellis had his moments, and he seemed like one of the leaders for the team when he was on the court. He made a big 3-pointer in the second half at a crucial moment, but that was his only field goal. Ellis finished with 3 points and 3 assists.

G Joshua Langford Fr. 6

Langford was a top-30 recruit coming into the season. He played only 12 minutes this game, scoring five points on 2/4 shooting, and making his only attempted three.

G Cassius Winston Fr. 6

Winston is another top-30 recruit. He played just 10 minutes, but seemed to have a good handle on the point guard position. He needs to take better care of the ball, turning the ball over twice in 10 minutes. However, he also had 3 assists in a short period.

G Kyle Ahrens So. N/A

Did not play enough to qualify.

Team Overview:

This game showed the Spartans were over-ranked at twelfth. They are going to have a tough time against bigger teams due to their lack of size. Miles Bridges is an exciting prospect. He will challenge for Big Ten freshman of the year, and is the best player on this team. However, there is not enough talent around him, especially if Eron Harris plays as poorly as he did last night. Nick Ward is going to be a key player for this team. He needs to be a starter, and play starter's minutes (20+). He is MSU's only true interior player. I didn't get to see much of Langford and Winston this game, but their development is going to be important as well.

College Basketball Player Ratings 12/6/15: Syracuse, Georgetown, Zona, & Zaga

Player Ratings and Recap for a pair of Saturday's games:
Syracuse @ Georgetown & Arizona @ Gonzaga

14 SYRACUSE @ GEORGETOWN

Syracuse Orange

C DaJuan Coleman: 6.5

Coleman had his best game of the season against Georgetown. I knew it would be necessary he see more minutes against the Hoyas, who can play a pretty big lineup. Coleman scored 10 points, shooting 3-5, and making all four of his free throw attempts. He grabbed five rebounds, all of which came on the offensive end. The trouble was defensive rebounding, like it was for everyone on the team. He couldn't keep Georgetown's bigs away from the basket. Coleman also turned the ball over four times.

F Tyler Roberson: 7.5

Roberson was the only positive part of the team in the first half. He had 10 points in the first frame. Unfortunately, he slowed down in the second. Roberson finished the game shooting five of seven, and making all five of his free throw attempts, scoring a total of 15 points. He also had eight rebounds. Roberson did put up a good effort. He needs to contribute like this more often, even when Syracuse is shooting well. Unfortunately, Roberson doesn't have the size to take on Bradley Hayes himself.

F Malachi Richardson: 3.5

Richardson's shooting % continues to plummet. He made just one shot, while attempting eight, and this was the first game this season in which he failed to make a 3pt shot. Richardson scored just two points. The freshman's confidence looked visibly shaken this game, especially in the second half. He was missing jump shots badly every time he threw one up, and was called for offensive fouls on multiple occasions while driving to the basket. Worst of all, Richardson drove to the basket, and actually got a blocking foul called (it was close), and he missed both free throws, at a key juncture of the game. I don't have inside information in regards to the psyche of Malachi Richardson, but I would consider benching him next game. He was no help to the team in the second half of this game; he was shot mentally. I'd bench him, give Joseph his shot, or play big with Lydon and Roberson on the wings. Then bring Richardson off the bench, and see how he responds. It could reinvigorate him (or, it could bring his confidence down further. But, if he's that frail mentally, I'd rather know now). Richardson did grab a couple steals, and brought his turnovers down to two. Both of those were the aforementioned charges.

G Trevor Cooney: 5

Cooney shot 3-12. Last game I'd give him 10 shots without complaining, but anything above will draw my ire if he isn't shooting well. Well, I'm not going to be so hard on him. Many of his shots came late in the game, when Syracuse was still down by quite a bit relative to the time on the clock. He did shoot three for nine from 3pt range, and made both his free throws. He also stole the ball twice, and had three assists and three rebounds. Still, if he's going to take 12 shots, I'd like him to be scoring 15 points.

G Michael Gbinije: 9

If Gbinije keeps up this form, he will enter the ACC season as one of the favorites to be player of the year. Gbinije continues to play exceptionally well, but he needs his teammates to step up their game. The fifth year senior shot 7-16, 3-8 from 3pt range, and 6-7 from the charity stripe, totaling 23 points. He's now averaging 20 points per game. Gbinije stepped up his game down the stretch, scoring 13 points in the final ten minutes of the game. He finished the game with five rebounds, and five assists. He also only turned the ball over once, which is nice to see against a tough opponent.

F Tyler Lydon: 5.5

Lydon did not have his most effective game. In fact, he has struggled offensively in both of Syracuse's losses this week. He shot 3-7 against Georgetown (including 1-3 from 3 pointers), for seven points. Lydon isn't going to surprise anyone moving forward, and he will not get as many open looks as he received earlier in the season. Syracuse will need to do a better job of working to get him open. Lydon struggled with Georgetown's bigs. Hayes and Derrickson consistently got inside of Lydon to grab boards, especially on the offensive end, giving the Hoyas extra looks. Lydon is becoming a good shot blocker though; he got two more this game, and does a good job getting steals, with his long arms, and solid hands.

G Franklin Howard: 5.5

Good for Howard for getting to play down the stretch. He gave Syracuse a different look, and was able to grab four rebounds due to his size. He pushed the tempo of the game, and took the ball straight to the basket in transition. He got his first two field goals of the season, finishing with four points, on eight attempts. Howard also had two assists.

Team Rating: 5.90

A lot will be made of the NCAA's decision to have Boeheim's suspension begin immediately. However, Syracuse shot just 25.9% from 3pt range, despite taking 27 shots from there. They were also out rebounded, especially in the first half. Syracuse allowed Georgetown to have as many offensive rebounds, as the Orange had defensive rebounds. Meanwhile, yes, Syracuse had 18 offensive rebounds themselves, but that was facilitated by the team missing so many shots in the first place. I said before after the loss to Wisconsin, Syracuse was overrated this past week in the polls. They'll either be ranked 23-25, or unranked next week, and I think that's about right right now. I think it makes sense that this team has gone 2-2 against quality opponents, beating Uconn and Texas A&M, while losing to Wisconsin and Georgetown. Losing to Georgetown in D.C. isn't even an upset. The season begins anew when Syracuse travels to Pittsburgh on the 30^th. Thus far they have two quality wins, and no bad losses. I'll take it.

I liked that Hopkins rotated players down the stretch. Boeheim will typically leave the same five players in the game down the stretch, regardless of the situation, but Hopkins mixed things up. My complaint last game was, Boeheim doesn't make adjustments in game. It's refreshing to see changes made as Syracuse tried to come back down the stretch.

Georgetown Hoyas

C Bradley Hayes: 9

Hayes does not always receive consistent playing time, and his minutes will often depend upon the flow of the game, and opponent. He proved to be a valuable asset against Syracuse though. Hayes dominated the Orange inside, scoring a season high 21 points (8-12). He had eight total rebound, and four on the offensive end. He scored a couple of times after grabbing his own rebound.

F Marcus Derrickson: 8.5

Derrickson, like Hayes, does not play more than 20 minutes consistently, despite starting. He came up big against Syracuse though, especially on the glass, where he had ten rebounds, and defensively; he drew three offensive charges just outside the restricted area in the second half. Derrickson also scored 13 points on 4-7 shooting, including making two of his four attempts from beyond the arc.

F Isaac Copeland: 7

Copeland got his usual 14 points, shooting 5-9. But, was quieter than the two big men, particularly in the second half.

G LJ Peak: 4.5

Peak struggled against Syracuse, and the zone. He shot just 1-5, scoring three points. He also fouled out with more than three minutes remaining in the game.

G D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera: 5

Smith-Rivera has struggled at times this season. He's coming off a 30 pt effort, but shot just 3-9 from the field this game, scoring 11 points. He did have five assists against Syracuse, but also turned the ball over four times.

C Jessie Govan: 5.5

Govan did not play much this game, because Hayes was so effective. He played just 11 minutes, but did manage four rebounds, and an assist in that time.

F Reggie Cameron: 6.5

Cameron continues to be a reliable scorer off the bench. In 14 minutes he shot 2-3 from the field, and made 4-5 free throws, to finish with nine points.

G Tre Campbell: 7

Campbell received more minutes than usual, because of Peak's foul situation. He scored six points, while adding three assists, and three steals. Those are nice contributions from them.

Team Rating: 6.85

Georgetown now has two quality wins, against Syracuse and Wisconsin, although they still have that bad loss to Radford (see Syracuse fans, it could be worse). They played great against their Big East rival. Dominating inside, and on the boards. They also got just enough shooting, while aided by Syracuse's own inability to make consistent jump shots. Georgetown still needs D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera to get going consistently. If he can become reliable, and play like he did last season, along with Copeland's solid shooting, and the way Hayes and Derrickson played against the Orange, this team could be very good.

19 ARIZONA @ 13 GONZAGA

Arizona Wildcats

C Dusan Ristic: 6.5

F Ryan Anderson: 7

G Allonzo Trier: 8

G Kadeem Allen: 4

G Gabe York: 9

F Mark Tollefsen: 5.5

G Parker Jackson-Cartwright: 5.5

G Elliot Pitts: 5

Team Rating: 6.85

Gonzaga Bulldogs:

F Domantas Sabonis: 8.5

F Kyle Wiltjer: 9.5

G Eric McClellan: 5

G Josh Perkins: 5.5

G Kyle Dranginis: 5

G Silas Melson: 4

Team Rating: 6.65

I'm not going in depth on this game. I watched it, but I wasn't watching it with any intention of analyzing the game. I just really wanted to see these two teams play. Arizona looked great coming back to win this one on the road. I thought Arizona would be great this year because of the incoming freshmen, even with Ray Smith's injury they have three top-50 freshmen. However, it's been seniors Gabe York and Ryan Anderson leading Arizona thus far. York's performance down the stretch, and complete confidence in himself, was impressive, and really fun to watch him play. Alonzo Trier was one of the best players I watched last summer. He's a dynamic offensive player. Gonzaga's bigs are really good. Wiltjer looks like he can be the best player in the nation, and Sabonis is great inside. However, the rest of this team, the backcourt, isn't good enough to make the Bulldogs a top-ten team. Sorry. It's too bad Karnowski and Tarczewski were unavailable for this game. But, at least each team was missing a big man.