F68 Opening Day Tipoff: Overnight Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I attended the Field of 68 opening day tipoff and the first four games happened overnight with tipoffs at midnight, 3 AM, 6 AM and 9 AM. In this article I'll break down my standouts from the four overnight games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1560719"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aecd71e894d9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The freshman point guard was one of the highest ranked players to commit to a mid-major program in the 2026 recruiting class and Pearson is expected to make an immediate impact for High Point this season. His pace and feel for the game is advanced well beyond his years as he played 21 minutes without a turnover. Pearson was also efficient as a slasher, going 5/7 from the floor and providing excellent on-ball defense. This combination of skills should make Pearson a contender for Big South freshman of the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1089524"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aecd71e89512"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Despite leaving the game with cramps, Carter still led all scorers with 21 points as he was making shots off the catch and attacking closeouts at a high level. Carter is one of the few returners for Liberty this season as he's experienced in their system. Carter has the strength to handle the physicality that High Point has across the board and finished through contact multiple times. Defensively, Carter has good instincts and finished with a game-high four steals as well. Carter looks set for an all-conference season for the Flames.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1081858"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aecd71e89534"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Miranda was one of the more talented bigs to come out in the 2023 high school class. Miranda didn't quite find his fit so far in his college career as he bounced around from three different programs but finally made the transfer to Grambling State where he could be a breakout star in the SWAC. Miranda made just five 3-pointers in his entire college career and knocked down four on Monday morning alone! Miranda also had a major height advantage in the paint and took advantage with multiple put-back slam dunks. Miranda is as talented as anybody in the SWAC and if this is the type of production he is providing this season, he'll be a conference POY contender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1540137"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aecd71e89552"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In his first Division I game, Gross impressed against a team with a lot of size and athleticism. Gross is a big man who can handle the basketball and serve as an offensive hub with his passing ability and decision making on the perimeter. Gross was a big reason why his team scored 87 points as his floor spacing from the center position was valuable for his guards to have space to rock out. I'd expect Gross to have a big season after he was dominant as a freshman at Walsh in the GMAC.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2046352"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aecd71e89572"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 6 A.M. game was definitely the sleeper of the group as Appalachian State used their physicality and size to hold Merrimack under 50 points and cruise to a double-digit victory. Neal impressed as he did a little bit of everything as he finished with the second most points, rebounds and assists on his team. Neal was efficient from the floor going 5/7 from the field and a perfect 2/2 from the foul line. In a game that was hard to find offense, Neal did enough to help his team pull away with the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1145334"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aecd71e8958e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Queens has had a monster start to their season with two signature wins and Watford is averaging 23 PPG through two contests. A dominant slasher, Watford wants to attack downhill and use spin moves and crossovers to find the space to finish at the rim. His ball handling and positional size (he's grown since starting his college career) makes him a bit of a mismatch for smaller guards or slower footed wings. As the season continues I'd bet defenses try and make Watford knock down perimeter jumpers and play off of him because his slashing ability has dominated both contests in the opening week of play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2554894"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aecd71e895a9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A freshman who was not afraid at all to make an impact, McLean is a floor spacer from the power forward position as he was letting it fly from downtown with seven 3-point attempts. McLean was confident in his first career college game and made quick decisions with the ball in his hands, which is essential with the pace Queens wants to play at. With McLean and Caleb Jones making early season impacts, it appears Queens nailed multiple evaluations from the 2026 high school recruiting class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->