BSN Summer League Playoffs: Elite 8 Preview
HYATTSVILLE, MD — Just 8 teams remain alive in the 2016 BSN Summer League Playoffs. The elite 8 set to begin this evening, and Vantage Hoops will be in the gym to check out the action. Below is a brief preview of what to expect.
5:00 PM | Georgetown Prep vs. St. Mary’s Ryken
Matchup to Watch: Jared Bynum (Prep) vs. D’Angelo Tull (Ryken) – These two rising junior point guards each do a great job running their respective teams. Bynum’s ability to handle pressure, stretch the floor and get others involved will be important for Prep this evening. Tull hit the game winner for Ryken in their win for Sidwell earlier this week. He has been rock solid all week long. Getting into the paint, finishing among bigs, and most importantly leading his team on both ends of the floor.
X Factors: Mezie Offurum (Prep); Chris Greene (Ryken) – Offurum and Greene will likely draw the matchup against one another. At 6-foot-6, Offurum has the ability to play out on the wing and attack and score consistently in the paint. His versatility on both ends of the court will be critical for Prep. Greene is another versatile wing who will be asked to do a variety of things for his team. The athletic 6-foot-5 rising senior will be asked to stretch the floor, score in the paint, and command the glass for Ryken.
6: 20PM | St. Vincent Pallotti vs. Bishop McNamara
Matchup to Watch: Everett Hammond & D.J. Mitchell (Pallotti) vs. Jamir Moultrie & Johnathan McGriff (McNamara) – Pallotti’s talented duo have each seen their recruitment expand this spring. They’ll be asked to help contain McNamara’s talented back court tandem, who have been tearing it up this week at DeMatha. Moultrie went for 31 in a first round win vs. Gonzaga. McGriff held his own as well. The quick and crafty rising freshman did a great job creating space off the dribble and setting up teammates for easy looks.
X Factors: Makhi & Makhel Mitchell (McNamara) – The Mitchell twins are a formidable duo in the paint. Makhel Mitchell has made significant progress this summer. As his fitness continues to improve, he’s becoming more and more dominant down low. Makhi and Makhel work well together, and have connected several times from the high low look this week. The rising sophomore twins will be asked to control the paint are on both ends of the floor.
7:40 PM | DeMatha vs. Sidwell Friends
Matchup to Watch: Jelani Williams (Sidwell) vs. D.J. Harvey (DeMatha) – Harvey and Williams, who are teammates with Team Takeover EYBL, will face off for the third time in as many weeks on Friday. Sidwell defeated DeMatha twice in the same week in June. Williams, who scored 27 points in a win last night, has been the catalyst for their recent success. His ability to consistently get in to the paint, score, defend, and get others involved has been impressive. Harvey went for 29 points last night to lead DeMatha over IDEA in the first round. He played with notable aggression and played above the rim on both ends of the floor. Harvey scored at all 3 levels, rebounded, pushed it in transition, and consistently looked to get his teammates involved. He’ll be asked to do more of the same this evening.
X Factors: Saddiq Bey (Sidwell); Ryan Allen (DeMatha) – Bey and Allen each have the ability to consistently stretch the floor from 3 point range. In the absence of Jelani Williams earlier this week, Bey showed his scoring prowess by recording 22 points vs. Ryken. The rising junior will be asked to provide support for Williams again offensively, but will also be asked to rebound defend for Sidwell. Ryan Allen has absolutely scorched the nets this week. The downhill-type lead guard has also been aggressive when attacking and finishing around the rim. Allen’s ability to handle pressure, score, defend, and facilitate will be a key factor to his team’s success.
9:00 PM | Wise vs. St. John’s
Matchup to Watch: Brent Pegram (Wise) vs. Tre Wood (St. Johns) – This is a very intriguing point guard matchup. Pegram has been rock solid this week for Wise. He’s a very capable threat from long range who makes solid decisions with the ball. Pegram is also a very solid on-ball defender. One of his most important roles this evening will be to keep Tre Wood out of the paint. Wood has an extra gear that not many can match. The explosive rising junior is a very adept paint getter who pushes it quickly in transition and finishes consistently around the basket. Pegram’s ability to contain Wood off the dribble and force mistakes will be critical.
X Factors: Terrence Gibbons (Wise); Reese Mona (St. John’s) – While these two don’t play the same position, their respective performances should be a huge factor to the outcome of this contest. Rising junior Terrence Gibbons will be asked to solidify the paint area for Wise. He’s a big time leaper who actively contests shots, and rebounds well in traffic. Gibbons can consistently score in the paint and from mid range, but is also a willing passer. Another impressive passer, Reese Mona dished out several early assists for St. John’s in their win yesterday. A jack-of-all trades, Mona will likely impact the game in a number of areas. The 6-foot-3 rising junior is a solid defender who works hard on the glass, makes shots from the perimeter, and attacks the basket where he can consistently finish with either hand in traffic. Mona’s two-way impact will be significant to his team’s success.