The competition for the American Athletic Conference’s regular season title has been quite a race, with three teams tied for first place at the start of February. The league’s battle for Player of the Year has been no less exciting, with outstanding contenders up and down the conference standings.
As the final month before March begins, some things are beginning to become clear in conference races across the country. As the best teams fight for their chance at a title, individual stars have shone brightly. March is a time for star performers and Shining Moments, and these are the types of players who have shown that they’re ready for the spotlight.
Kevin Cross – Tulane
18.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 4.5 apg, 1.4 spg, 0.9 bpg – 53.3% FG, 62.3% TS – 24.3% Usage Rate
He may be the Green Wave’s biggest starter and function as an undersized pivot, but Kevin Cross possesses versatility which defies easy categorization. The fifth-year forward has been the primary driver of an excellent Tulane offense all year, creating myriad opportunities for his teammates out of the post while scoring with tremendous efficiency. Uptown’s favorite skilled big has posted a host of career-bests this year, and has even notched a pair of triple-doubles. Since league play began, he’s found ways to take his game up even another notch; Cross is averaging 20.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game since the start of the AAC slate. His line of 21/7/5 with two blocks and two steals a few games back led Tulane to a big upset over Memphis. Cross is a smooth and patient operator inside, he can step out to score or create from the perimeter or turn defenders into pylons with clean footwork and a variety of fakes in the lane. The Green Wave will be looking to earn some big wins and get back above .500 in conference action before the AAC tourney, and Cross will be the most important element in their efforts. He has proven that he can make just about everything happen, and Tulane will continue looking to its post maestro for even more MVP play.
Johnell Davis – Florida Atlantic
18.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.7 spg – 51.2% FG, 63.7% TS – 27.2% Usage Rate
With the Owls returning a loaded, well-rounded cast of veterans from last year’s incredible run to the Final Four, one of FAU’s key strengths this season has been their balance. Also, Johnell Davis has stepped forward as an undeniable star and go-to guy. Last year’s Conference USA 6th Man of the Year, Davis has taken the Owls’ new league by storm. Though Florida Atlantic has had some wobbles against surprising foes as winter has gone on, Davis has been there time and again to see his team through. A dangerous scorer from anywhere on the floor, Davis is nearly impossible to stop when he put his head down and heads towards the rim. He’s also gone for five or more triples in a game three different times this year, and has made an outstanding 49.5% of his three-point attempts overall. Against top ten-ranked Arizona, Davis stole the show as he played 49 minutes, scored 35 points, grabbed nine boards, and snagged three steals. Against UAB, Davis got 30 points and seven boards, and three calm free throws to force overtime and eventually earn a win were among his 34 points at UTSA. Against North Texas, he didn’t quite go for 30; Davis got 28, and the dagger three he hit with less than a second on the clock gave FAU a 66-63 victory. What heroics does he have left in store for March? Owl backers – and, after the team’s performance last year – fans around the country are excited to find out.
PJ Haggerty – Tulsa
19.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 3.5 apg, 1.9 spg – 47.9% FG, 59.7% TS – 28.7% Usage Rate
After redshirting last season in Fort Worth, freshman PJ Haggerty decided to transfer away from TCU in search of a better chance at a role all his own. He’s certainly found that in Tulsa, and the Golden Hurricanes’ rebuild has been jump-started by his outstanding debut. Though it’s been a struggle in the W-L column this year, head coach Eric Konkol’s second team has already made clear strides. The most obvious improvement in Tulsa is that Haggerty isn’t just young and a high-impact scorer: it’s that he can already do everything. Haggerty ranks second in the AAC in scoring, fourth in FG%, sixth in steals, and ninth in assists. Oh, and the attribute which makes him such an efficient and consistently dangerous scorer is that Haggerty has a veteran’s savvy to go with his youthful athleticism: he leads the conference – by 30+ of each – in free throws both attempted and made. Haggerty is a wonderful fit in Konkol’s press-happy defensive system, using his height, length, quickness, and growing anticipation to trap, disrupt, and turn opponents over. Haggerty’s first season in Tulsa has been incredibly impressive, and he is a tremendously hopeful place for the program to start when looking forward.
David Jones – Memphis
21.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.6 apg, 2.0 spg – 46.4% FG, 59.9% TS – 31.8% Usage Rate
The Tigers have sailed into some serious midwinter doldrums, but it’s not for a lack of trying on the part of David Jones. The physically-imposing scoring wing has been one of the nation’s most durable and explosive star scorers. Jones leads the conference and also ranks among the top ten players in the nation in scoring average. He’s proven to be as explosive and productive as just about anyone, anywhere, and Jones has done it consistently. He’s played top ten minutes in the league while hitting for 24 or more points in eight of the Tigers’ 21 games. Though there has been in-season player movement on a Memphis roster which has been remodeled around him multiple times, Jones has, along with point guard Jahvon Quinerly, remained the backbone of the Tigers. With his size, strength, and athleticism, Jones is the type of high-impact athlete who can change a game defensively or by getting on the boards as well as by scoring. Memphis will need even more of the excellence Jones has shown already in order to finish the season strong, and it sure seems like Jones has the skill level and desire to rise to the challenge of making a run.
Jason Edwards – North Texas
18.2 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 1.2 apg, 0.8 spg – 43.0% FG, 57.2% TS – 32.3% Usage Rate
Some guys show up at the Division I level just knowing how to get buckets, and Jason Edwards is that type of dude. After spending last season in junior college and then picking the Mean Green instead of following former North Texas head coach Grant McCasland to Texas Tech, Edwards has settled comfortably into his role in Denton. A shifty, confident scorer who can break down defenses and hit tough shots even when closely guarded, Edwards has proven himself highly dangerous. He has gone from microwave 6th man to starting and getting all the minutes he can handle – sort of a Tylor Perry speed run which UNT fans didn’t dare hope for after their previous hero departed for Kansas State. In AAC play, he’s averaging 22.1 points per game while playing 37 minutes per contest. Especially when established veterans Rubin Jones and John Buggs III were out due to injury, Edwards has provided the spark for new head coach Ross Hodge’s offense. In eight different games, Edwards has scored at least 20 points; and across the last eight games North Texas has played, Edwards has put up performances of 31, 31, and 37 points. The Mean Green have had a bit of a snake-bitten year overall. In addition to the injuries to an almost completely overhauled backcourt as Hodge has sought to establish himself in Denton, UNT has lost seven games by five points or less. Still, it’s clear that the Mean Green have uncovered a gem in Edwards, and given the way UNT guards and competes, he’s likely to be the headliner in Denton for contenders to come.
Honorable mention: Jordan Ivy-Curry – UTSA
(12 games played) 18.8 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 3.8 apg, 0.9 spg – 41.4% FG, 56.0% TS – 32.6% Usage Rate
He may have gotten away to the West Coast for a year and then been denied the chance to play immediately upon his return to the Roadrunners, but since mid-December, Jordan Ivy-Curry has been making up for lost time. UTSA’s once and future lead guard has enjoyed the most impressive stretch of his career since getting back onto the floor this year. Though he’s not yet played enough games to rank among the league’s leaders, Ivy-Curry’s 18.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists prove both his value and versatility to the Roadrunners. He won’t be winning this season’s award for top player, but Ivy-Curry deserves recognition for a fabulous stretch of basketball back where they appreciate him in San Antonio.
Current Favorite: Johnell Davis
Such was the excellence of Florida Atlantic’s run last March and their returning core that the Owls have played a loaded schedule. They’ve been in position to make more memories and put more defining performances on display: and Davis has seized those opportunities. Per CBB Analytics, only 15 players in America have scored at least 20 ppg on at least 60.0% true shooting (minimum 3 games played) against Quad 1 opponents by NET ranking. Of those 15 players, only defending National Player of the Year Zach Edey is potting more than the 23.8 points Davis is averaging versus elite competition – and Davis owns an extraordinary 67.6% true shooting rate in the bargain.
In making the jump from being a key cog in a highly-functioning machine to becoming The Guy for FAU, Davis has transitioned to being a star to know on the larger landscape of college basketball. The numbers he’s put up are very impressive, and Davis has also shown a penchant for making important things happen when his Owls need him most. Look for that talent most of all to be on steady display as Florida Atlantic makes its stretch run to lay claim to their new conference’s crown.
Leave a Reply