What Sophomore Slump?

(St. Louis, MO) – Who are some of the emerging sophomores in the Missouri Valley Conference? You hear phrases about ‘sophomore slumps’ in other sports, but college basketball coaches often tell me they expect the biggest improvement in players from their freshmen to sophomore seasons.

There are some super solid sophomores that are starting to take ownership of the Valley. We talked with their coaches to find out about some of stand outs in this years sophomore class.

Redbird Duo

Perhaps the most electric pair of sophomores are found in Normal, Illinois, but there is nothing ‘normal’ about MiKyle McIntosh and Deaontae Hawkins. They are long (both over 6’7) athletic, talented and growing into their huge potential.

Hawkins to a circuitous route to Illinois State and great things were expected from the Dayton, Ohio native. His freshman season included some injury problems, some disciplinary issues and he finished the season with 7.4 point and 5.2 rebound averages, and he made good on 30 three-point attempts. Decent numbers for someone less heralded, but disappointing for one who arrived with such fanfare.

McIntosh joined Dan Muller’s team with less hype, but no less physical skills. The Pickering, Ontario native averaged 5.8 points and 4.2 rebounds while playing a bit in Hawkins’ shadow.

Both players can operate in the open floor and have adequate inside skills, but their explosiveness athletically is what sets them apart. Since the Redbirds have entered conference play, these twin engines have taken off.

McIntosh in particular has found a different level to his game. Averaging 10.7 points per game and five rebounds, McIntosh has made 21 treys after making eight all of last season. In Tuesday’s win over Drake, he tied a career high with 25 points, and both of those 25 point performances have occured over the last three weeks.

Don’t get the idea he’s a finished product just yet. In nine MVC games, he’s had four where he scored a combined 11 points. In the other five games he’s AVERAGING 19.4.

Muller says McIntosh is learning how to avoid foul trouble and is just scratching the surface of his outstanding talent.

 

 

Hawkins still seems to be trying to figure out who he is on the court. He’s a good 3-point shooter,with very good post moves. He’s 6’8 but likes to hang out on the perimeter. Like McIntosh, his numbers are up significantly from his freshman season (10.0 ppg & 5.3 rpg). Notably his outside shooting is much better, improving from .323 to .367 on shots from beyond the arc.

Muller believes the sky is the limit for Hawkins, and because of that he wishes ‘Teddy’ would not ‘settle for threes’ and would be more assertive in the paint.

 

 

Ironically, Hawkins had 17 points in Tuesday’s win by converting five of six attempts from long distance.

Great Scott

Since Valley teams have entered the conference portion of their schedule, there have been few players as productive as Indiana State’s Brenton Scott.

The 6’1 guard is the third highest scorer (18.9), 11th in rebounding (5.1), has made 50% of his three-pointers, 83 % of his free throws and has reached double figures in all eight MVC games, topping the 20 point mark in four of the last five outings. Last year’s MVC ‘Freshman of the Year’ has had no sophomore slump.

Head Coach Greg Lansing says Scott is extremely confident and has a unique ability to score.

 

 

Drake’s Bright Spot

Despite a winless MVC record, Drake has a glaring bright spot in sophomore guard Reed Timmer. The 6’1 guard leads the Bulldogs with a 17.5 points per game average, makes over 80% of his free throws, almost 45% of his three-point attempts and is a fearless driver of the basketball.

The New Berlin, Wisconsin native still has to learn some other facets of the game, but has a bright future in the Valley.

Head Coach Ray Giacoletti says Timmer has been Drake’s best and most consistent player all season, but he still needs to learn how to help his teammates improve.

 

 

Zach & Shaq

No Valley discussion would be complete without looking at the Wichita State roster and two ascending sophomores are found there too. Zach Brown and Shaq Morris have had some significant moments this season and the best is still out in front of these two.

While they play the ‘understudy’ roles to all-Americans Fred VanVleet and Ron Baker, and have less hype behind them than fellow sophomore Conner Francamp, these two will be the backbone of everything Shocker related the next couple of years.

I met Morris during his redshirt season immediately following that fateful loss to Kentucky in the 2014 NCAA tournament. In the bowels of Scottrade Center, my conversation with Morris led me to believe that he would be a player that would leave his mark on the Valley and Wichita State.

Zach and Shaq have had some impressive games. Brown has seen his playing time trimmed a bit by the arrival of Francamp at the semester, but has had some impressive performances and has helped the Shockers on the defensive end.

Morris is part of a three and four player rotation in the post, so his numbers don’t jump out at you. But Shocker watchers know Morris’ role has grown to where he is starting in front of senior transfer Anton Grady. He’s had just six double digit scoring performances, but two of them have come in Wichita’s last two games.

Head Coach Gregg Marshall says Morris recently played his best game and Brown has been a superior defender. Marshall says it has taken Morris a long time to realize his large potential.

 

 

Often we see sophomores truly emerge at the conference tournament, so Arch Madness 2016 could be an introduction of what is to come. Great seniors are graduating, but these and other solid sophomores speak to a secure future in the MVC.

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