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November Notes:

Preseason #1 ranked Michigan State had a perfect November going 7-0. They’re a stacked team with National Championship aspirations. Their top freshman, PG Javon Shumpert (#5 ranked overall) has started the season coming off the bench and has struggled with the adjustment so far. The Spartans are led by senior SG Kyree Giles, who came back for his senior season and currently leads the team in scoring with 22.5 points per game.

South Carolina is off to a hot start (6-1), and sophomore center Julius Walker has been a big part of the team’s success early on. Walker has done a great job during the off-season to get into “playing shape,” after struggling with weight and conditioning issues as a freshman. He’s been on a tear so far this season, and posted a career best 36 points and 16 rebounds in their last game.

The #1 recruit, PF Ibrahim Mobley has St. Johns at 7-0—they’re still unranked though. He’s averaging a double-double through November and has the Red Storm relevant again.

Preseason #2 ranked UCLA goes 6-1 through November and dropped a bit, down to #6 in the nation. The freshman duo of PF Paul Giddens and PG Tre Hunter has developed a good chemistry and it’s paying dividends for the Bruins.

UNC was ranked #7 in the preseason and went 7-0 through November and has moved into the #3 spot. UNC has a good mix of upperclassmen and underclassmen on the team. Senior PG Xavier Collier sets the tone offensively with his high IQ and passing ability. Junior PF Koby Alston has developed into a premier shot blocker/rebounder and they have top 10 talented SF with freshman Dontay Hopson

Kentucky is 6-1 through November, and they have a talented trio of freshman led by SF Kareem Livingston who is a potential top 3 pick in the draft. Center Elton Dawkins was the top ranked Center coming out of high school and has gelled well with the rest of the starting line-up.

Gonzaga have moved up to the #2 spot with a 7-0 to start the season. Gonzaga has another deep team this year, led by senior PG Myles Jackson. The addition of the #8 ranked recruit, PF Nico Claver has helped as well—his offensive game is in full swing—he’s averaging 19.7 points per game. They also added freshman Ian Bledsoe from Australia, he’s only seen limited playing time so far.

Previously unranked Memphis has shot up to #15 in the nation (7-0). They’re a much better team than people thought coming into this season. Senior combo guard Memphis Reed has improved each year, and is now at the point where he could possibly carry this team deep into the NCAA tournament. He does have some help, his younger brother sophomore SG Franklin Reed has gotten off to a hot start; and, freshman SF Tyson Camby has provided some grittiness to the team—he’s capable of defending multiple positions and has been a really good offensive rebounder.