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It's easy to forget how quickly Jimmermania overtook college basketball last year. Especially when you consider it really didn't happen until late-January. Looking back, it was Fredette's 43-point performance to sink previously-unbeaten San Diego State that made him an unmistakable cult hero virtually overnight, regardless of the fact that he'd been ripping through box scores all season.
Creighton's Doug McDermott, after a 44-point explosion on Saturday, is now teetering dangerous close to Fredette territory from a numbers perspective. And with insane shooting percentages and impressive rebounding totals propping up his scoring average, there's a strong case that McDermott, to-date, has been more unbelievable than Jimmer was a year ago.
But the key to any successful public campaign is publicity. And sadly, this appears to be the area where Doug is lacking a bit. The minions of college hoops have yet to embrace McDermott for the legit mid-major player of the year candidate that he is, and it seems like it will take a few more 40-point showings to change their minds. Even so, with some of the stoutest mid-major competition located in the MVC, Creighton might need its star to keep up his ridiculous pace just to stay ahead.
Even if he doesn't reach cult status like The Jimmer, McDermott's player of the year chances are very real, even for a humble kid from the Valley.
Week 10 after the jump..
Rank | Change | Player-School | Notes |
1 | -- | Thomas Robinson-KAN | Needs repeating: 9 points & 10 rebounds in the 1st half vs. K-State |
2 | -- | Jared Sullinger-OSU |
After four B10 games: 3-for-4 from 3P range, 19.8 ppg & 65.9% FGs. |
3 | -- |
Anthony Davis-KEN |
Davis' insane 15.12 block percentage ranks No. 4 in America. |
4 | +2 |
Harrison Barnes-UNC |
51.2% on 3Ps. Overall more efficient- improved FT rate has been key. |
5 | +2 |
Marcus Denmon-MIZ |
The nation's best ORating (137.1) among 20%+ possession players. |
6 | +3 | Doug McDermott-CRE |
The Game? 44 points (hello 18-of-23 shooting) & 8 rebs vs. Bradley. |
7 | -3 |
Jeremy Lamb-CON |
Buzzkill: Has only gone over 20 points once in last 10 games. |
8 | -- |
Draymond Green-MSU |
Green's Spartans are the Big Ten's last undefeated team in league play. |
9 | -4 |
Tu Holloway-XAV |
ZERO POINTS AGAINST FORDHAM. Was it the Zip 'Em Up sign? |
10 | +3 |
Kevin Jones-WVU |
Fact: Right now he's the frontrunner for Big East Player of the Year. |
11 | -- |
John Henson-UNC |
The Lank Factor: 1.029 (PTS+REB+BLK+STL/Tot. Min. Played) |
12 | -- |
John Jenkins-VAN |
Impossible to ignore a guy making 4.0 3PM/gm w/ a 66.2% TS%. |
13 | +1 |
Scott Machado-ION |
Last season's line: 41%/32%/67.5%..vs. Now: 47.7%/41.5%/83.3% |
14 | +2 |
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist-KEN |
37 minutes in the SEC opener vs. S.Carolina was a sign of things to come. |
15 | -- |
Kendall Marshall-UNC |
Only made 30 FGs all season. (McDermott made 18 in a game yesterday) |
16 | +2 |
Will Barton-MEM |
Interesting: KenPom matches Barton's year to that of Kyle Singler in '09. |
17 | UNR | Herb Pope-SHU |
Almost like a Kevin Jones-lite at this point. 17.9 pts, 10.8 rebs, 1.8 blks. |
18 | UNR | Damian Lillard-WEB |
This may have been long overdue. Posted 38-5-5 w/ EIGHT triples on Sat. |
19 | -2 |
J'Covan Brown-TEX |
Hot-and-cold; but has hit a three and made a FT in six straight. |
20 | -- | Kenny Boynton-FLA |
9-for-19 from 3P range last wk. Still, an uninspired performance vs. UT. |
Five who just missed: Mike Moser-UNLV, Isaiah Canaan-Murray State, Jordan Taylor-Wisconsin, John Shurna-Northwestern, Arnett Moultrie-Mississippi State
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