photo of UTEP’s Randy Culpepper: elpasotimes.com
Let’s be real. How many people, other than us true connoisseurs, were really up on Joe Dumars while he was killing it at McNesse State? Or John Stockton, Scottie Pippen, Karl Malone or Dennis Rodman during their college days?
In today’s Deep Cover Chronicles, we’ll take a quick peek at some of the young fellas who are leaving bodies in their wake, despite some minimal coverage by the national media. But in the days and weeks ahead, with the glare of March Madness upon them, they’ll get an opportunity to show the world their superfluous stylistics.
Cue the music!
I’m not saying that these guys are headed for the accomplishments of the above named legends. But you should know who they are now, before the world eventually jumps on the bandwagon.
Now before some of ya’ll get upset, let’s be clear that we’re not simply just talking about players toiling away in obscurity, like a Pippen at Central Arkansas.
We’re talking about players who are not household names, regardless of what conference they play in, whose teams are treated like wet food stamps by prime time broadcasts, who the average fan could not pick out of a lineup that includes Bin Laden, Rush Limbaugh, Alf, Billy Crystal, Max Julien, Tatoo and Mr. Rourke from Fantasy Island, Shirley from What’s Happenin’, the bat from There’s a Bat in my House, Butterbean, Don Cornelius, Gabourey Sidibe and Oprah.
Anthony Johnson, University of Montana. I’m assuming that most of ya’ll missed the Big Sky Tournament’s championship game between Montana and Weber State. Well, here’s all you need to know – Johnson pumped in 34 points in the second half, including his team’s final 21 and the game winner. He finished with 42. The Grizzles were down by 20 at the half, until Johnson spontaneously combusted.
Ryan Wittman, Cornell. Randy Wittman’s young fella, who stands 6′7″, is the school’s all time leading scorer, the Ivy League Player of the Year and a legit NBA prospect.
Jahmar Young, New Mexico State. The 6′5″ native of Baltimore is one of the top shooting guards, and scorers, in the country. He gets buckets within the game’s flow and hardly ever forces up bad shots. He could be the breakout player that emerges from the Midwest Region.
C.J. McCollum, Lehigh. The superb, slender 6′3″ freshman, who’s drawing comparisons to former Maryland great Juan Dixon, took home the ill double-double, capturing the Patriot League’s Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year Award.
Gordon Hayward, Butler. The 6′8″ big can take it to the rack, snatch boards and splash the long range Jimmy with a buttery-smooth touch.
Jimmer Fredette, BYU. The strong, 6′2″ native of upstate New York dropped 49 against Arizona and has put up 75 points in his last two outings. A scoring machine, the nation will know his name after this tournament. He gets buckets with a full arsenal – spot ups, pulling up off the dribble, through screens and fadeaways. And, by the way, his range extends waaaay beyond the NBA 3 point line. He could spark a Steph Curry-like tourney explosion.
Marqus Blakley, Vermont. Only two players in the country average over 17 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists per game. One is Ohio State’s super, duper stud Evan Turner. The other is Blakely, a native of Jersey. ‘Nuff said.
Randy Culpepper, UTEP. The 5′9″ jumping jack, who loves to slam in a big man’s face, is an excellent scorer and floor general. The electric native of Memphis is Conference USA’s Player of the Year.
Aubrey Coleman, Houston. The 6′4″ shooting guard has been putting up some numbers that are hard for pro scouts to ignore. He singlehandedly led Houston into the tournament behind a stellar season, averaging 26 points and 7 rebounds. The first round matchup against Maryland’s tough defensive specialist Sean Mosely should be worth the price of admission.
Reggie Holmes, Morgan State. The Bears’ all time leading scorer ripped Arkansas for 34 points, five rebounds and four steals in Morgan’s 97-94 early season victory over the Razorbacks. Holmes can flat-out score and reminds me of Hersey Hawkins.
There’s plenty of other Deep Cover candidates in the Field of 64. Feel free to share some of yours.
March 17th, 2010 at 3:17 pm
fan says:
The Good Bad & Ugly
Good: The players got to excel & get a degree with minimal amount of pressure
Bad: Due to lack of exposure & big name school/or conference. They will struggle to land in the N.B.A. even though they’re deserving
Ugly: Ali is a better scout & judge of talent than most scouts in the N.B.A. now. With years of experience. I thought I knew & watch basketball. You could tell this is his joy & he takes it serious. Where as he doesn’t do it just for the paycheck $$$.
Not one of these players are on any mock drafts & could have helped a lot of the struggling teams this year. Along with their H.O.F. coaches. If you’re good enough they’ll send you a scholarship. These are the players right here that end up overseas where they’re not wanted. Some give up on their dream & pursue a job. It shouldn’t matter what school you go to or who you know. Yet we all know politics & money may never subdue to the fact it’s wronged many.
I agree 98% with most of your basketball knowledge & opinions. In my dreams I would own the Knicks & have you as a scout. We’d pry away Jennings & Bogut. Court Lebron & Amare. Even settle for JJ. Pick up DeAndre Jordan or Mcgee. Better yet Marc Gasol
My 2011 Knick team:
PG Jennings or CP3
SG JJ or Gilbert Arenas/WADE
SF Rudy Gay/M.Beasley/
PF Marc Gasol/ Tyrus Thomas/C.Budinger
C Bogut/ D Howard
Bench: Corey Fisher/Daryll Showtime Hill/Ryan Special Fx Williams/Sean Kennedy from MARIST for some NY flavor
Juan Carlos Navarro or Rudy Fernandez/Nick Young/R.Lopez
R.HIbbert
Head Coach:Mark Jackson
Asst:Pat Ewing/Kenny Smith/Drexler
(Big Man Coach:D.Robinson & Olajuwon
(NY Knicks Champions BACK 2 BACK) The Parade NYC would go absolutely nuts in a good way. Obama front row with Spike/Denzel/Jay/50/Nas/T.I./
Kanye/Beyonce/Alicia/K.Hilson/Clinton/Dicaprio/Tiger/
Jeter/A.RodThe whole Bounce crew especially my man 40 cal. The Original And 1 Team. Basketball players only-NO HOT SAUCE (lol)
Ali we could dream cant we. What would be your squad?
I didn’t want to leave out Quinton Holsey who is Matt BArnes & Mike Glover who’s a young Ryan Gomes & would beast Jarid Dudley. Also Andre Barret/N.Brown/S.Burtt/
C.Williams/Rashard Bell would be on the summer league every year to impress other scouts. I would use the leverage to bring back NYC. Rafer Alston would also be considered for a job in the organization. Just for being such a trandscendent talent. I’ve never seen anybody handle the ball like that.
March 17th, 2010 at 4:30 pm
Ali says:
hey fan,
although i don’t always agree with your thoughts, i always love and appreciate your energy. first off, if you own the knicks, why am i just a scout? don’t get me wrong, i’ll take that monday thru friday and twice on saturday, but i’m thinking either the GM or Head of Groupie Security positions would be more appropriate.
now, you are 100% correct. this is my joy and passion. and i am no way in it for the paycheck. because, quite honestly, i’d do this for food stamps (which is more than i get right now)
even though these schools don’t appear regularly on national tv, believe that some of these guys will be playing NBA ball down the road.
wow! i’m lovin the dream sequence of the knick parade down the canyon of champions. but where is keyshia cole? she gets a personal invitation, so long as she leaves frankie at home.
March 18th, 2010 at 8:56 am
fan says:
Ali,
It’s funny. I was thinking that position wouldn’t be high enough. Your salary would more than please. Alright Co-Owners like the Giants. Keyshia,Kerry Washington,Jada Pinkett,Stacey Dash,Halle, & whoever you’d like. We’d also have to change the name from Groupie so they don’t feel to bad for loving the movement needed to resurrect this town & city. Jolie/Pitt,Scarlett Johanson,Megan Good & Fox. They look like twins to me.
Courtside or V.I.P. Box. I’d also have all the old
players back. Would be more than a dream come thru.
Got to think it to believe it. Stranger things have happened. LOL. Wishful Thinking.
I may also have to have Kenny Anderson back as VP of operations. My childhood idol. He deserves a chance & I’m sure he’d make more than the most of it.
Legends Night (Courtside) Joe Hammond,Pee Wee,Llyod,MJ
B.King. On you for the rest. That’s when it gets crazy & on point.
March 18th, 2010 at 9:04 am
ali says:
fan, as soon as david stern approves your ownership deal, you know where to reach me.
March 18th, 2010 at 9:35 am
Ali says:
here are some other deep cover cats that will get their shine on during march madness –
Ekpe Udoh, Baylor – a shot blocking menace to society! money had 9 blocks against texas tech, 8 against arkansas and 7 against oklahoma. he’s avergaing 4 blocks per game, a colin ferguson-like number. but he’s more than just a defensive force. he puts in 14 points and snags 10 boards for a nightly average and when you combine his skills and potential with his 6′10″, 240 pounds, he looks more appealing to NBA scouts than J-Lo all dolled up at the oscars.
we might as well also throw his Baylor backcourt and Tweety Carter and Lacedarius Dunn in the deep cover folder as well. Dunn is a scorer supreme who can bang away from three with ease. he made 7 in a game this year. i’m fiending for a sweet 16 matchup of them against ‘Nova’s deep, fleet backcourt, headed by Scottie Reynolds and Corey Fisher.
Al Farouq Aminu, Wake Forest. yeah, i know he plays in the ACC, but duke, john wall, demarcus cousins, evan turner and others have had the spotlight this year. what makes the sophomore sensation so nice is his ball handling. he can get separation for his jumper and get to the rack with his dribble.
and i know i mentioned him earlier, and kansas should wipe the floor with lehigh, but you gotta peep the freshman stud CJ McCollum for the Mountain Hawks.
Edwin Ubiles, Siena. the athletic, 6′6″ wing from poughkeepsie, ny has a huge wingspan. he has a nice midrange game and can also stroke from deep. he’s creative and aggresive, with a nice shake to free himself up to do some offensive damage. he’s got a soft touch, uses the glass and is an effective finisher at the rim.
March 18th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
funkalot says:
Also, check out the following, in addition to Ali’s prodigious list of characters:
Vandy’s – Jermaine Beal and Aj Ogilvy
Missouri’s – Kim English ( Bmore son)
Xavier’s – Jordan Crawford and NYC’s Terrel Holloway
Temple’s – Juan Fernandez – scorer deluxe
UNLV transfers – Tre’von Willis fromelry of Memphis and former UCLA Bruin – Chace Stanback – they are fun to watch.
Texas A&M’s – Donald Sloane
E. Tennessee State’s – Tommy Hubbard ( son from the Bean)
St. Mary’s – Omar Samhan – 20p and 11r per outing
Murray State has five players all averaging a dime, who will be a tough opponent in the Tourney.
to name a few. Let the games begin!
March 18th, 2010 at 2:00 pm
ali says:
i woke up this morning like it was christmas funk!!! kim english was a beast at randallstown high school here in b-more. when he strikes, it’s like the uncoiling of a violent snake.
March 18th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
ali says:
fredette came strong w/ 37 in the opening round for byu. and harangody went out like debo.
we should have included robert morris’ lil’ man, karon abraham from jersey, in the deep cover chronicles. he got biz against nova.
and the puerto rican sensation, gilberto clavell, at sam houston state as well. baylor was my surprise pick to make it out of the south region and get to the final four, but clavell’s trying to send them packing in round one. udoh’s balling, but dunn and tweety better step up in the 2nd half.
and did seton hall’s robert mitchell bug out on himself or what, robbing 8 people at gunpoint? dummy move!
March 19th, 2010 at 9:22 am
ali says:
what an amazing first day of the tourney. buzzer beaters and OT’s galore. the only upset that really shocked me was ohio over georgetown. that ohio bakcourt is bananas. i knew armon basset was decent from his time at indiana. but the freshman from chicago, dj cooper had me open. dude looks like he’s 14. but he was giving g-town the grown man, chi-town, slinky-smoove okey doke.
and even though they lost, it was good to see derrick caracter get his 20 and 9 against butler. seems like el paso was the right place for him. the way he went out out louisville had people saying he was washed up at the ripe age of 20. i’m sure that humbled him and gave him some hunger and urgency to prove that all of the accolades from his young days are still warranted.
speaking of big east reclamation projects from the ny tri-state, i’m also happy for the bronx’s curtis kelly, the former uconn husky, at kansas state. they’ve got an opportunity to so dome big things. they’ve got one of the tourney’s premier backcourts with puerto rico’s dennis clemente and chicago’s jacob pullen.
another young cat that balled out was florida’s kenny boynton. he got overshadowed by fredette’s ill 37, but the youngster went down blazing, with a nice 27 point outburst.
and i can watch pondexter and isaiah thomas for washington all day.
i’m hyped like flave for today’s games.
March 19th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
funkalot says:
Yo Ali,
The first day was one of the best in tourney recent memory. I love the parity in college ball. The element of surprise is real every game, to the point where we have to reconsider outcomes as upsets.
I like you, love snaking in the grasses of college ball and finding rich food sources like a Quincy Pondexter, who reminds slightly of Damien Wilkins, Omar Samhan from St. Mary’s who dropped 29p 12r on Richmond yesterday, Jimmer Fredette is cold, and Kansas’ secret weapon, the guy who gets little notice, but is their best low post guy , shh – Marcus Morris.
Today, again, peep Juan Fernandez of Temple, Gonzaga’s crew – Bouldin, Sacre & co., New Mexico St. – Jahmar and Troy Gillenwater, Houston’s- Aubrey Coleman with Crooklyn’s Zamal Nixon and Joisy’s – Desmond Wade – Ok. State’s – James Anderson is possibly a lottery pick.
March 19th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
ali says:
it’s the best first day i can remember in quite some time funk. samhan has quietly been doing that all year at st. mary’s. cornell’s wittman and dale were ballin’ against fran dunphy’s tight temple D. YO! did you peep the freshman pg from chicago last night, ohio’s dj cooper? money was my march madness revelation of 2010. he’s real deal!!!
and xavier’s jordan crawford was a one man wrecking crew, taking out the gophers and they don’t know how he did it!
i’m itching for that cal-louisville matchup tonight, just to see mr. randle.
and anderson is a lottery pick, no doubt. the best player that no one, outside of us fiends, really knows about.
March 21st, 2010 at 9:37 pm
Blk Caesar says:
Wow… I am still in shock about Kansas getting knocked out by Northern Iowa. Dude I didn’t even watch the game and when I got home I saw the score and my mouth dropped!! Did Kansas just not show up or did Northern Iowa flat out beat them?
March 22nd, 2010 at 11:23 am
funkalot says:
Caes,
Northern Iowa just outplayed them. There are no more upsets. The landscape of college ball is such that there is an abundance of talented players and coaches, which evinces itself in parity. Davids are not fearful of Goliaths anymore, as AAU Ball has provided ample opportunities for kids to gain experience on the highest levels of comp.
I love it, good by to the hayseeds from Kansas.
If you are a fan you gotta dig how some of these squads are giving it out. A common thread that I have noticed is the employment of Pete Carril’s “princeton” style offenses, which if learned correctly are difficult to stop, given their constant motion, back door cuts and good spacing for usually open 3s, preventing defenses time to recover.
Keep the shockwaves flowing!
March 22nd, 2010 at 1:04 pm
Jaquam says:
Ryan Wittman and that cornell team can give Kentucky a scare in the Sweet 16 i really think kentucky is gonna win but there is no way Cornell is backing down. Ali Farouqmanesh and Northern Iowa is another team who is going to be dangerous in the sweet 16 going up against Michigan state but lets just see how this plays out. Experts say that Sweet 16 is a time where the teams from the Power confrences raise the bar and get more serious.
Washington could give west virginia a scare but Da’sean Butler is gonna handle his biz on that one..
March 22nd, 2010 at 1:47 pm
illest says:
funk….a 16 beating a 1 will always be an upset. and northern iowa beating kansas even though they outplayed them is a major upset. one of the most major ever.
cornell has a chance. if they shoot 60 percent they will beat anyone. this might be walls coming out party right here. cornell will have home court advantage with all the old white scholars and everyone else going from ithaca to the cuse. should be interesting.
March 22nd, 2010 at 2:08 pm
ali says:
i wasn’t that shocked that kansas got caught. did we not learn anything from george mason’s mad dash to the final four? it’s a brand new day. and st mary’s is no cinderella to me. they would have competed for a title in any conference in america.
March 22nd, 2010 at 2:17 pm
Blk Caesar says:
Dude I am sorry but I am shocked they got caught by Northern Iowa.. I knew Kansas might lose but I thought mayeb Tennessee would catch them again, not Northern Iowa.. That’s an upset in my book fellas b/c Kansas arguably played like the #1 team for most of the season. I like when the mid majors move on b/c it makes it fun, but that’s an upset!
March 22nd, 2010 at 3:11 pm
funkalot says:
Fellas,
The playing field is different now in college basketball. Just because you play in a major conference does presuppose that you are overwhelmingly a favorite. Like Pete Edwards says at IS8 “bring your game , not your name”. Similarly in summer ball , where we see Mookie giving it to a Jamal Tinsley and Steve Burt, Jr or a Homicide Williams giving it to pros up in ProCity. Are we really that stunned by what happened over the weekend? Yo, it ain’t an aberration, it is what it is.
It is not that shocking, as I stated before, since AAU has changed the game. Kids are much more experienced and accustomed to playing against the best comp, to the point where are no more surprises and as a result, fear or intimidation abates , once in college. Dudes are like: I done seen’t you before, ball up!
Good coaching is pervasive too. Major conferences do not have a lock on the best and the brightest anymore. Parity son, is here to stay in college ball. Oh, it is coming soon, as a 16 will upend a 1.
Shockwaves are forever coming!
March 22nd, 2010 at 4:01 pm
ali says:
it’s an upset, no doubt about that one caese. but for me, even though kansas was #1, i felt that they were vulnerable. they’re good, but not like the unlv crew in ‘90 or the kentucky “untouchables” crew in ‘96, which i felt, deep in my sole, were indestructible.
i don’t know if this makes any sense, but i’ve been following the koch kid at n. iowa for a couple of years. last year, in the first round, they came back from down 14 in the second half and lost a close one to purdue in the opening round.
they’re very well balanced and experienced, the type of team that can catch you b/c they play with that underdog chip on the shoulder, especially if you walk out there and think, b/c of the name of the front of your jersey, you’re supposed to win.
i was more shocked by georgetown’s loss to ohio, b/c only bowling green, n. illinois and toledo had worse records in MAC league play, before their sprint through the conference tournament. and even if i had seen the slinky smoove freshman pg, dj cooper playing alongside armon bassett earlier in the year, i doubt i would have given them a shot against monroe, wright, freeman and crew.
that’s the beauty of the tourney. bring your A game, or you’ll get knocked the f*&% like DEBO!!!
March 22nd, 2010 at 4:41 pm
Blk Caesar says:
Ali. They definitely were not as good as any of those incredible teams. However, they were definitely one of the better teams of this year’s college season. Funk I don’t disagree that the gap between major and mid-major teams is alot smaller than it used to be.. But that was an upset my man.. I don’t know but I wasn’t surprised that G’town lost to Ohio.. I wasn’t sold on them all season. I knew Nova was going to lose once I realized during the game that none of the guards realized the speed advantage they had with Pena against Shamran.. Pena was not as big as him, but he was beating him down the floor consistently and going around him in the post.. I was screaming at the TV for them to use his speed to their advantage and get the big dude from St. Mary’s in foul trouble.. I just didn’t get it that they didn’t realize that as well.