Super Sophomore Sensations

Green and Freeman-Liberty Writing a New Script

(St. Louis, MO) – Super sophomore sensations A.J. Green and Javon Freeman-Liberty put on a spectacular display Wednesday night. The Missouri Valley Conference’s top two scorers combined for 57 points during Northern Iowa’s back and forth win over Valparaiso.

Green’s Panthers (15-2, 4-1) defeated Freeman-Liberty’s Crusaders (9-9, 2-3), but that is the subplot. When you think of MVC history, these two are writing a new script. Freeman-Liberty will likely destroy the Valparaiso season record for steals and is currently leading the league in scoring (20.9 ppg). That is a rare feat.

Green is leading the Valley in free throw percentage and is second to Freeman-Liberty in scoring (19.4). Ever since league play started, Green’s game has exploded. He’s making nearly five three-pointers a night on the way to averaging 26 points per game.

We wanted to go beyond the numbers so we spoke to the beat writers for these two schools. Nick Petaros (NickatCourier) is the Panther beat writer for the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier and Paul Oren (@NWIOren) covers the Crusaders for the Northwest Indiana Times.

How Did They Get There & Will They Stay?

College basketball’s ever-changing landscape makes us wonder, how these two elite level players ended up at their Valley schools and should we expect them to stay the full four years of possible eligibility.

Freeman-Liberty (JFL) nearly left Valparaiso after last season and Oren tells us JFL was under recruited out of high school and it was only natural to look around after last season.

 

 

Green was recruited by many high-major programs, but to no one’s surprise he chose Northern Iowa. His father Kyle Green is the associate head coach and A.J. has grown up watching and loving Panther basketball.

Petaros says the Greens did consider other programs, but family and chemistry was too much to pass up.

 

 

We see players transfer for greener pastures or pursue early exits to play professionally. Petaros says we should expect Green to play his four full years in Cedar Falls, but Oren says ‘probably not’ where JFL is concerned. He believes the Valpo star will likely test the professional waters.

Different Styles – Amazing Results

Both players are scoring at an elite level and distribute the ball well. JFL is arguably the Valley’s best defender. Green is the MVC’s most dangerous shooter.

Petaros says Green can score from any place on the floor.

 

 

Freeman-Liberty is a super athlete, but Oren says the Chicago native understands the game and routinely makes the right and wise play.

 

 

(To listen to ‘Part One’ of our entire interview with Nick Petaros and Paul Oren to Valley Hoops Insider Podcast)

Wednesday’s Showdown

Northern Iowa won the contest 88-78 and it was a game that had that ‘electric’ feel. Panther fans were stoked to have their team, that is receiving votes in the national polls at home and people were excited to see the two super sophomore sensations.

Petaros says he learned a lot about Freeman-Liberty by seeing him up close.

 

 

Green was unstoppable during the game’s second half. He finished with 29 points. Nick Petaros says Green had a different look about him in the game’s pivotal second half.

 

 

Freeman-Liberty scored 28 points, grabbed eight rebounds and recorded four steals. He has topped the 20-point mark ten times.

The two super sophomore sensations did not disappoint.

What Are They Really Like?

Javon Freeman-Liberty is soft spoken and is a bit reserved (you can read our previous interview with the Valpo Star), but Oren tells us he is a fun-loving and genuinely nice young man.

 

 

(for more on Freeman-Liberty’s Twitter habits, listen to Part Two of our podcast, NOW UP AND READY FOR LISTENING!)

Petaros tells us A.J. Green is highly competitive and has an incredible work ethic.

 

 

Northern Iowa plays a first place battle with Bradley on Saturday, but I am looking forwar to the February 5^th rematch between these two super sophomore sensations at Valpo.

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