Guess what? It's early! But honestly, it's not that early as everyone except Boston College has played at least three games, and this week's docket offers very little break. There are oodles of youngsters getting their feet wet, and some trends are starting to take shape. Let's recap the plethora of early action - it's caught me unprepared for hoops and this is my time to atone!
Week 1 (and 2) MVP
Chris Singleton, F, Florida State Seminoles
There may not be a hotter player in America right now than the 6-foot-9, 227 pound junior. Singleton was a consensus top 15 recruit who has failed to live up to the hype - until now. After a pedestrian opening night against North Florida, Singleton has simply been a man among boys. Through four games, he's putting up 19.3 points, 10.3 boards, 2.5 assists, 3.8 steals, and 2.8 blocks. Did I mention he's shooting 58.1% from the field and 81.5% from the line? How's that for a guy who went somewhere in the mid to late rounds of most Tier 1 drafts? The defensive stats have always been there for Singleton, but it seems like the light bulb has finally gone off and this 'Nole is ready to fulfill his previously untapped potential.
Dimes a plenty in Durham
There are two things I've been consistently willing to overpay for in college hoops leagues. Centers and assists. The early results in the ACC are returning quite a bit of value in both fields, and we'll start with those sharing the rock. As much as I loath the defending national champions, you can't argue about the team ball they are playing out of the gates. I'm typing this as Nolan Smith has a 2:5 assist to turnover ratio against Marquette, but the senior has shocked me in the early going. The player I couldn't rate low enough to start the year is not only leading the Devils in scoring (16.0 ppg) but is dishing out a sickening 7.3 assists through three games. And he isn't alone in his distribution, as frosh Kyrie Irving is chipping in 6.7 assists - obviously second best on the team. Irving is also second on the team in scoring with 14.3 points. I'm completely willing to predict a lesser drop for Irving than I am for Smith, but I'm also just about ready to stop discrediting Smith, as he continues to develop into a premier player.
Emerging Big Man
Reggie Johnson, C, Miami
A big heading for this giant 6-foot-10, 295 pound sophomore. I won't give him much ink however. The important info is he has three straight double-doubles, missed a fourth by two rebounds, and is averaging 12.3 points and 11.0 rebounds in 23.3 minutes of action. His long term success is 100% dependent upon his conditioning and ability to stay out of foul trouble. With his size however, you won't be able to argue his center eligibility.
Impressive Debuts
There are loads of rookies on the East Coast, but it's hard to argue there has been a more impressive debut than Wake Forest's Travis McKie. He slid in recruiting rankings last year, but on a team that desperately needs players, McKie is making the most of his opportunities. He's leading the team with15.8 points, and is second in rebounding, grabbing 8.3 on average. Trust me here, the scoring chances and missed shots to snag won't diminish as the year progresses.
The Wolfpack's impressive trio of rookies isn't disappointing either. Lorenzo Brown is leading the way with 12.5 points, 5.3 boards and 3.8 assists. Back court mate Ryan Harrow is chipping in 11.8 points and 4.5 dimes, while forward C.J. Leslie is averaging an inconsistent 11 points and 5 rebounds.
Struggling out of the gate, and other early trends
While we are mentioning rookies, I'd be remiss and biased if I didn't throw preseason everything, North Carolina freshman Harrison Barnes, under the bus. 12.5 points and 5.5 boards is certainly respectable, but it's not nearly good enough, and he's hit just four of his last 24 shots. It'll get better, because it has to, but Carmelo Anthony he isn't. Virginia Tech guard and sure fire first round selection Malcolm Delaney has been his typical self out of the gate - scoring at will (23.3 ppg), chipping in just over three boards and assists, but shooting 43.6% while turning it over 22 times in three games. His value will vary greatly depending on your scoring. Georgia Tech guard Iman Shumpert is another established player who can't throw it in the ocean (34.7%) but leads the 'Jackets in points (15.3), rebounds (an outstanding 7.3), and assists (3.3). Maryland forward Jordan Williams may be the best player in the conference, both now and come March. He's already posted four double-doubles on his way to averaging 18.4 points and 12.4 boards. And he's shooting better from the field (57.1%) than he is from the foul line (55.6%). Finally, Virginia's Mike Scott (15 ppg, 9 rpg )is going to be the most underappreciated player in the conference, and possibly nationally.