Tag: Stacy Beckton Jr.

Game 7 of 37 American @ UMBC

Game 7 of 37 American @ UMBC

UMBC shoots the lights out with 16 three’s and shooting 65% overall to blow out American 98-67

#AUMBB #RetrieverNation #AEHoops

I had some decent expectations with this game. I was interested in seeing UMBC for the first time this season, with their roster that is loaded with seven seniors. American is intriguing as well. My main focus was going to be on Stacy Beckton Jr. He is a fifth year guy with plenty of tools and has potential to carve out a solid career overseas. Well tonight wasn’t his night, or any of the American Eagles for that matter. UMBC shot 65% from the field including 16-23 from three. So yeah, UMBC won 98-67.

For American, Johnny O’Neil and forward Matt Rogers played well. O’Neil had 15 points, five rebounds and made 3 three pointers. Rogers showed a solid motor and an ability to be effective in the dribble hand off situations. He finished with 14 points, five rebounds, on 7-11 from the field. Another player of note was Jaxon Knotek, a senior wing who played three years at North Dakota State. Knotek has a nice shooting stroke and is built solidly. I think he will be a better pro than college player if he choses to pursue that.

Beckton made zero impact on the game. He was 1-7 from the field and finished with just four points.

UMBC shot the ball quite possibly the best I have ever seen a team shoot in person. Keondre Kennedy was the main source of offense throughout the game. He was hitting from three going 4-5, as well as showing the ability to score in transition as well. At 6’6 180, Kennedy has the physical tools and abilities to effect the game positively on offense and defense. He did just that in this game. I am still not sold on his three point shot. He tends to short arm it some and lacks a consistent follow through. Keondre had a game high 21 points and three rebounds.

Darnell Rogers is a lot of fun to watch. One of the refs before the game I guess saw him for the first time and said to the other ref he was shocked how small Rogers is in person. Well at 5’2 150 Rogers plays more like a 6’2 190 pound guard. He uses angles well and his quickness to cut off defenders. He is a lot stronger than he looks as well. Rogers was causing issues for American all night. He gets in the lane at will and has the ability to find others for open perimeter shots. He had ten points and seven assists.

Rogers on defense

UMBC has a ton of depth at guard. L.J. Owens, ex American guard Jacob Boonyasith and Ray Salnave. Owens is a smooth and slithery mid range shooter. He still has to develop from three and tends to lack arc at times, but he is solid overall. Boonyasith definitely came out with more energy this game. He was playing his old squad and played with an edge and intensity. He has deep three point range and is a physical defender as well. Salnave was very efficient off the bench. He plays with intensity and provides another veteran piece that is needed for teams looking to win their conference title.

Szymon Wojcik, a 6’9 220 big, stepped up big for the Retrievers. He had seven points, five rebounds and two tone setting blocks in the paint.

Wojcik shooting a free throw

I went to this game Wednesday November 24th. I am posting this today November 29th, because I have been busy with Thanksgiving and all that good stuff. Since then UMBC defeated Pittsburgh 87-77. Yes, Pitt is not good. But, UMBC seems to be pretty solid because beating a power conference team on the road is a big deal for any lower conference team.

Up next for me is Virginia Tech @ Maryland on Wednesday.

The Life of a Freelance Basketball Scout – Game 4

The Life of a Freelance Basketball Scout – Game 4

American vs UMBC

Sam Iorio game winner against UMBC

The Life of a Freelance Basketball Scout – Game 4 

November 24 – American @ UMBC

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The next day after my trip to College park to see Marshall vs Maryland, I made the short trip to see American University vs UMBC. UMBC was coming off a successful trip to the Bahamas, where they went 2-1. They had wins over High Point and Air Force. There loss was against South Dakota. UMBC was 4-2 on the season. American was 2-1 on the season, with wins over George Mason and New Hampshire. Their only loss was to Northwestern.

This game was a back and forth affair. UMBC led most of the way but faltered to execute on defense down the stretch. Sa’eed Nelson, the quick and craft point guard for American consistently shredded the defense. He got to the rim at will and also found his teammates regularly. He found teammate Sam Iorio for the eventual game winning 3, with under 2 seconds left.

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Nelson is a problem at the college level. If he can hit the three consistently, he will have a shot in the NBA G-League and for sure a legit chance to be a solid pro overseas. The junior point guard had 18 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Iorio does a little bit of everything for the Eagles. He is the leading rebounder on the team and provides a 3 point threat, as well as playing solid defense. He had 11 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. Stacy Beckton Jr. had a solid game also. He chipped in 14 points and 4 three-pointers.

For UMBC it was a disappointing finish. They had the game in hand, but let American score 46 points in the second half. Max Curran had a nice game. The slender built junior, had 20 points, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks and a highlight dunk over Marvin Bragg. Sometimes the skinny tall guys can extend and yam over the broader shoulder fellas.

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This dunk is a different one. This is actually the game tying one late in the second half.

Senior Joe Sherburne did his normal thing contributing a steady presence on offense and defense. He could still be more aggressive at times though. He had 11 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 steals. Arkel Lamar also was not as aggressive as he may need to be. Junior point guard K.J. Jackson filled the stat sheet with 6 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists and 6 steals. Problem is he shot only 1-10 from the field. Brandon Horvath the other slender man on the team(see what I did there?), who also yams on people from time to time, had 14 points and 8 rebounds.

Overall the issue was UMBC could not stop the penetration from Nelson. He carved them up and American passed the ball very well in the second half. They could be more of a factor in the Patriot league than people originally thought.

Food for thought – UMBC had breakfast food in the media room. I chose to pass. I ate a muffin and had some water….. Very basic I know…… But I did get carryout Indian food for dinner from Tandoori Kabob in Pasadena. Spicy ginger chicken with garlic naan. Well worth the price.