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By CHRIS RUSSELL
Louisville junior forward Montrezl Harrell has been selected the ZAGSBLOG National Player of the Week.
The electrifying power forward put on a clinic against his childhood dream school North Carolina on Saturday by scoring 22 points and grabbing 15 rebounds in 44 minutes as the Cardinals roared back from an 18-point second-half deficit.
North Carolina coach Roy Williams described Harrell as ”possessed.”
”It seemed like he got every rebound and ran the floor, posted our guys up,” Williams said of the North Carolina native.
On the week, Harrell averaged 17.3 points and 9.0 rebounds in Louisville’s three conference victories.
Harrell is currently projected as the No. 16 pick in the 2015 Draft according to DraftExpress.com.
As for how he projects in the NBA, one NBA scout said, “He has to be a Dennis Rodman-Kenneth Faried-type player.”
A second NBA scout added: “Harrell is a 4 who will be an energy guy off the bench. He needs to become a more consistent rebounder and a power forward who can consistently make an open 15-17-foot perimeter jump shot. Overall, he has had a good year but I think people were expecting a more consistent and dominant presence every night.”
Next game: Feb. 3 at Miami @ 8 PM
OTHER NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
Jahlil Okafor, Duke – The pre-season All-American was instrumental in Saturday’s road victory over undefeated Virginia in posting a near double-double, 10 points and 9 rebounds. On the week, Okafor averaged 16.3 points and 12.0 rebounds per game. Okafor has arguably been the most consistent player in the nation all season, posting double-doubles in 7 games this year while guiding Duke to an impressive 18-3 record.
Next game: Feb. 4 vs Georgia Tech @ 7 PM
Sterling Gibbs, Seton Hall – A former ZAGSBLOG Player of the Week, Gibbs scored 16 of his game-high 22 points in the second half Saturday when Seton Hall beat Xavier, 90-82, in OT. Gibbs also went for 24 points and 10 assists last Wednesday in an 80-70 win at Marquette. The Pirates are 5-4 in Big East play thanks in large part to Gibbs.
Next game: Feb. 3 at DePaul @ 9 PM
D’Angelo Russell, Ohio State – The reigning ZAGSBLOG Player of the Week continued his great play this past week in Ohio State’s lone game against Maryland. The former McDonald’s American went for 18 points, 14 rebounds and six assists against the Terrapins, en route to 80-56 victory. In a highly anticipated matchup between for McDonalds All-Americans, Russell outshined fellow freshman of the year candidate Melo Trimble, who struggled mightily, shooting 0-for-8 and scoring just 3 points in defeat.
Next game: Feb. 4 at Purdue @ 6:30 PM
Askia Booker, Colorado – One of the best kept secrets in the Pac 12 is Colorado’s Askia Booker. The secret was let out this past Thursday as Booker scored 43 points in a triple-overtime victory over conference foe USC 98-94. On the season, consistency and shot selection has been an issue for the 6-foot-2 guard from Los Angeles. Booker didn’t score in double figures until his fifth game of the season and is currently shooting 41% from the field. Booker is averaging 17.6 points and 3.3 assists per game for the Buffaloes.
Next game: Feb. 7 vs Utah @ 10 PM
Jordan Mickey, LSU – Despite the loss to Mississippi State on Saturday, the 6-foot-8 Mickey posted a monstrous performance, scoring 25 points and grabbing 20 rebounds. 25/20 is a feat only Duke star Jahlil Okafor has accomplished this season. On the season, the sophomore from Dallas, TX is averaging 16.4 points, 10.9 rebounds and 3.6 blocks per game.
Next game: Feb. 5 vs Auburn @ 7 PM
Seth Tuttle, Northern Iowa – Tuttle shined in Saturday’s win over Wichita State, ending the Shockers’ 27-game conference winning streak. The senior scored a career-high 29 points on 9-for-13 shooting and grabbed seven rebounds in the victory. Tuttle leads Northern Iowa in scoring (15.8) and looks to lead the Panthers to a Missouri Valley conference championship for the first time since 2010.
Next game: Feb. 3 at Indiana State @ 7 PM
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