Jimmy V Classic Notes
by Ray Floriani
NEW YORK – The Empire State Building was lit up in blue on this cool December night. Maybe it was for Memphis, which was making its second Garden trip this young season and an annual regular under John Calipari.
No, it wasn’t for the Memphis colors, rather the blue was to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah. On this evening though, Memphis was here with three other programs of note.
The Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday gave an opportunity to see a few talented “one and done” frosh and a good look as well at Notre Dame. The Irish earned a hard fought 68-59 victory over Kansas State in the opening contest. In the nightcap Memphis edged Southern Cal 62-58 in overtime.
A rundown on the teams:
Notre Dame – Showed a nice zone that basically kept K-State off balance. The Wildcats had opportunities in transition but struggled in a half court set. Luke Harangody did a great job inside. The 6’10 sophomore said he added a few post moves and worked on his left hand over the summer. It showed, as did his willingness to mix it up inside, as Harangody led the Irish with 19 points and 14 rebounds, 7 of which came on the offensive end. Kyle McAlarney scored 18 points and hit a big three for the Irish. Point guard Tory Jackson did a commendable job for a Notre Dame team that could make significant noise in the Big East.
Kansas State – The Wildcats can get out and run plus there is the presence of Michael Beasley (the nation’s top scorer and rebounder entering the V) and Bill Walker. The big story, though, was how they struggled in a half court set. The Notre Dame zone clogged passing lanes and the Wildcats did not have the outside threat (they were 3 of 20 from three-point range) capable of exploiting the zone. Rebounding was close, but coach Frank Martin was upset his club surrendered a few big offensive boards at crunch time.
Memphis – They were challenged by Oklahoma and came from behind to win the 2K Classic here a few weeks back. They survived a big scare from USC on this night. Suffice to say it’s harder to find another undefeated team in America who is as criticized and called “overrated” as much by the critics. All they do is find ways to win. The Trojan triangle and two gave them a world of trouble, which is not good news. Too many times the Tigers would dribble penetrate and pass to a wing for a three-point shot. Given their talent and size few teams, if any, will go man against Memphis for the full forty. As Calipari said on his last MSG trip his club better get used to seeing zones. Add a few combination defenses in that mix.
USC – The Trojans finished a murderous stretch that saw games against Southern Illinois, Oklahoma, Kansas and Memphis in a ten day period. They shot 29 percent and committed 21 turnovers, yet they were a missed free throw with seconds remaining from gaining the upset. O.J. Mayo led the way with 16 points, but that came at the expense of a 6-of-20 shooting night. They do not have the physical inside size of a Memphis, but 6’8″ freshman Davon Jefferson (12 points, 13 rebounds) is a worker and finisher in the paint. Give coach Tim Floyd a world of credit for utilizing the triangle and two that gave Memphis fits all night. As Calipari said afterward, “I was out-coached tonight.”
Notes
- About the only discernible difference in that first game was rebounding on the offensive end. Notre Dame had a slight 19-15 edge but that was enough in this close contest. K-State coach Frank Martin addressed the rebounding as he led off his press conference. With a one-possession game in the stretch, several times the Irish kept or built their lead by rebounding a miss. Martin, a former Cincinnati assistant, knows the Big East and said, “I told them this would be the most physical team we’ve faced to date. The Big East is about rebounding.”
- Highly-touted Michael Beasley, the nation’s leading scorer and rebounder, had 19 points and 13 rebounds versus the Irish. Beasley had 15 points and seven boards at the half when ND mentor Mike Brey instructed his club to double down more and get physical in the paint. It worked as the Wildcat freshman cooled off the final 20 minutes.
ND showed a lot of balance and toughness in this win. As Brey noted, “It was a big win against a very good team on the big stage with the bright lights on.” The only real criticism was Irish were bothered a bit by some of K-State’s full court pressure. - The much awaited O.J. Mayo-Derrick Rose matchup was relatively uneventful. Mayo, as noted, led the Trojans with 16 points but had a tough shooting night. Rose shot 0-3 the first half and finished with 9 points but did lead the Tigers in rebounding with 10. Rose was limited by USC’s triangle and two but neither he nor Mayo had a night to remember.
- For Notre Dame’s Kyle McAlarney, it was an emotional trip that he handled with poise and class. The junior guard was suspended last January by the university for marijuana possession just before the team’s trip to New York against St. John’s. This was his first time back to the Garden, and facing the media and playing in front of Staten Island friends and family there was the possibility of losing focus. He never lost it and hit a crucial three with ninety seconds left to put ND up by five and in the driver’s seat. “When he (McAlarney) hit that shot,” Brey said, “I turned to our chaplain and said our prayers are answered.”
- Frank Martin, the K-State coach who assisted Bob Huggins last year has nothing but admiration for his former boss. “People talk about the off the court stuff,” Martin said, “but they fail to remember he’s one of the best coaches in America. He is an outstanding defensive coach, one of the best, and he’s doing the right thing at West Virginia by taking the players he has and adapting to their strengths (three-point proficiency). Too many guys come in and force their philosophy but he’s (Huggins) adjusting to his personnel.”
- It was hard to find an NBA team not represented by a scout or someone with input on making a draft selection at the Garden on Tuesday night.
On the Baseline
Only Memphis brought cheerleaders. Their visit was a good one as highlighted by a trip to see the tree at Rockefeller Center. A nice win at the Garden capped it off.
