Player of the Week:
Bennett Stirtz (Jr., Drake)
Drake has not lost a game since January 5th. They are on a 9-game winning streak and one of the hottest teams in the country as of right now, looks like no one is able to stop them either. A lot of that can be of the play of Bennett Stirtz and they way he has been playing recently this week was another testament of that. In the first game this week Stirtz finished with 30 points 4 rebounds and 5 assists. Then the next game he finished with 23 points 3 rebounds and 4 assists and giving Drake two wins. On the season he is averaging 18.6 points on the season which is 47th in the country then also 6.2 assists on the season which is 18th in the country. He is the star of this team and the motor for this team.
Who’s Hot:
Josh Uduje (Sr., San José State)
San José State has not had a great season but a bright spot of this season and team has been the play from Josh Uduje. Once again, this week he has had a great week. The first game against Air Force he had 24 points 4 rebounds and 2 assists. He then followed that game up with a huge double-double Josh had 30 points 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Both games ended in wins for San José State. Both games he finished over his average points on the season where he is averaging 16.8 points per game.
Marcus Williams (Sr., San Francisco)
San Francisco picked up two huge wins this week and a lot of it can be from the play from Marcus Williams he played a huge part in those wins. The first game this week against Washington State where he had 17 points 6 rebounds and 7 assists. Then San Francisco picked up a pretty big upset over Saint Mary’s where Marcus finished with 16 points 5 rebounds and 2 assists. He has been a very solid piece for this team that is having a solid season.
Who’s Not:
Efrem Johnson (Jr., UAB)
The last two games Johnson has been under his season averages for points per game and also rebounds per game. In the first game Efrem only finished with 7 points 2 rebounds and 3 assists while only shooting 33.3% from 3pt line and then 50% from the field. Then next game he only had 2 points and no rebounds or assists. While shooting 33.3% from the field and did not make a 3pt shot. He averages 27.6 points per game he has had some big games just needs to be more consistent.
Carlos Stewart Jr (Sr., Santa Clara)
This week was rough for Carlos he usses in double figures pretty much every night but not this week in the two games they played. The first game of the week he finished with 8 points 1 rebound and 3 assists which were under his season averages besides the assists. Next game was rough he finished with 3 points 1 rebound 3 assists while shooting 25% from 3pt and from the field. He will look to get back on track February 8 against San Diego.
Top 5 teams outside the Power 5 Conferences
5. Utah State – Mountain West
Utah State has dropped in my rankings this week after getting blown out by New Mexico where the final score was 82-63. With that said Utah State was one of the better teams outside the Power 5 and still one of the best teams in their conference. They are still 20-3 on the season and then 10-2 in conference play 1 game behind New Mexico.
4. Drake – MVC
Still Drake is one of the hottest teams in the country they are still on a 9-game winning streak looking to add to that. The Bulldogs are just taking care of business and everyone in front of them still. They are 21-2 on the season and 11-2 in conference play with a 2-game lead for first place in conference. They will stay in my top 5 until they stumble which looks like they wont be doing that if they keep this play up.
3. Gonzaga – West Coast Conference
The question was answered after the Saint Mary’s game where Gonzaga would lose that game at Saint Mary’s with a final score of 62-58. With that loss to Gonzaga has dropped again in my rankings has they struggle to pick up good wins. Gonzaga is 17-7 on the season and 8-3 in conference play and now are 2 games back from 1st in conference play. The season is not over for them but the chances at making it where they thought they were going to is slimer and slimer.
2. Saint Mary’s – West Coast Conference
Saint Mary’s picked up the huge win over Gonzaga but then followed that up with a 1 point loss to San Francisco which did not help them after that huge win. The Gaels still went up in my rankings after that big win but that loss did hurt. They are 20-4 on the season and 10-1 in conference play and sitting in 1st in their conference.
1. Memphis – AAC
Now ranked 17th in the AP Poll the Memphis Tigers is still ranked 1st in my rankings for obvious reasons. They are now on a 6-game winning streak and have big wins already on the season and now are taking care of conference play. Memphis is now 19-4 on the season and 9-1 in conference play. The Tigers are still first in their conference with a 1 game lead.