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December Notes:

International News: Marcel Uthoff, the 7’1 20 year old center has gained traction as the #1 player overseas and most scouts believe this year he will enter the draft. PF/C Jovan Krsitc is the #2 ranked player and it sounds like he’ll be staying at least one more year overseas.

Kentucky’s trio of freshman has showed flashes, but has been inconsistent so far this season. PG Kyree Summers is lightning quick and has been solid on defense so far. Trey Watkins is a slashing guard that has already thrown down some posterizing dunks this year. Center Wendell Thurmond is an athletic big who’s coming off his most impressive game of the year, when he dropped 22 points, hauled in 15 rebounds and blocked 6 shots. They’re currently 9-4 on the year.

Duke’s team continues to impress, they’re still undefeated (13-0) and ranked #1 in the nation. Fr. PF Malcolm Wilcox has been dominating the competition the last few weeks, and is coming off of back to back 20+ points and 10+ rebound games. Meanwhile, fellow freshman, center Trayce Hamilton has been a force in the paint with his shot blocking ability.

UNC was only able to grab one top 20 recruit, 20th ranked Rashawn Franklin, he’s currently the starting PF for the team and is averaging 8.5 points and 9 rebounds per game. Sr. SG Quentin Johnson currently leads the league in 3pt% (.481), and So. SF Everson Blackwell has taken the lead they hoped they would get from him. He’s averaging just over 16 points per game thru December.

Florida State lost SG Jaykwon Owens to FIU, but Fr. SG Avery Qualls has stepped right into the starting line-up and has played well so far. Jr Center Jace Moore currently leads the nation in block per game (3.4). So. PF Jarod Skiles is currently averaging a double-double with 11.4 ppg and 10.0 rpg.

Louisville’s Jr. PG Cordell Pointer is one of the nation’s leaders in assists (4th – 6.9), his improved playmaking ability has helped teammates like So. PF Treven Warren and So. Center Bruce Temple become better players on the offensive end of the court.

Gonzaga doesn’t have any household names and is a young team this year starting two freshmen (PG Triston Sellers and PF Greg Burgess) and two sophomores (SF Joe Bellamy and SG Carl Wittman). They continue to win games though, and are 11-2 through November and ranked 7th in the nation.

LSU Jr. PF Lamar Banks is having a breakout season; he’s currently 5th in the nation in rebounds. He’s also averaging 16.7 ppg and is the main reason for the team’s success thus far, they’re not ranked, but are trending upwards, and they’re 9-4 on the year right now.

Recruiting News: The #4 ranked recruit in the nation, SG A.J. Matthews has committed to UNC. The 5th ranked player SG Laron Quarus (Brother of Latrelle Quarus) has followed in his brothers footsteps and committed to Michigan. Duke received 2 more commits: 8th ranked Micah McKnight (6’10 PF) and 59th ranked Richard Plumlee (6’11 C).