The 75th NIT is ready for the archives. Stanford imposed their defense en route to a 75-51 rout of Minnesota in the championship. Here, a quick look at the Manley/NBA efficiency numbers. Each player with at least ten minutes of action was accounted for.
Stanford |
Efficiency |
Minnesota |
Efficiency |
A. Bright |
20 |
Aus. Hollins |
12 |
J. Mann |
17 |
R. Williams |
11 |
B. Randle |
12 |
J. Coleman |
11 |
A. Brown |
12 |
A. Ingram |
8 |
C. Powell |
12 |
J. Welch |
5 |
A. Zimmerman |
8 |
D. Eliason |
0 |
J. Huestis |
8 |
C. Armelin |
-2 |
J. Owens |
7 |
And. Hollins |
-3 |
The most valuable, or in this case, most outstanding players usually is the one that has a big championship game. Aaron Bright certainly filled the bill. The 5-11 sophomore came off the bench in the first half providing an offensive spark to give Stanford some ‘separation’ in what was a close contest. Bright logged 25 minutes but they were significant as he tied Chasson Randle for game scoring honors with 15 points while handing out 6 assists. Plus, providing an immeasurable lift to his teammates.
All-Tournament:
MOP- Aaron Bright, Stanford
Terrence Ross, Washington
Rodney Williams, Minnesota
Andre Hollins, Minnesota
Josh Owens, Stanford
Yours truly was one of the voters and in a somewhat of a rare occasion, my picks completely agreed with the outcome. Owens had a relatively quiet final (8 points, 3 rebounds) but put up a game high 23 efficiency in the semifinal win over UMASS. Owens, a 6-8 senior, had a 15 point, 12 rebound, 3 steal effort against the Minutemen.
Ross scored a game high 21 points in the overtime loss to Minnesota in the semis. His efficiency number was a productive 17 but actually trailed teammate Darnell Gant (12 points and 19 efficiency). Ross was hindered by 7 of 19 shooting and 4 turnovers.
A record of sorts. Andre Hollins of Minnesota posted negative numbers in the final. He shot 1 of 3, scored 4 points and had zero assists and 5 turnovers. The all-tournament honors often see voters, as myself, look at more than just the final. Hollins had a good tournament and the freshman guard scored a team high 20 points with 5 assists in that win over Washington. Among the Minnesota team, Hollins efficiency of 16 only trailed that of Williams (18) in that semifinal triumph.