Low, Weaver Make First Cut

Derrick Low and Kyle Weaver are one step closer to the Pan-American Games. Both made the cut from 30 to 14, with one remaining cut from 14 to 12 still to go. Needless to say, I will be throwing a fit if both Low and Weaver are the two cuts, but it seems unlikely. The final 14:

"Kyle Weaver (Washington State), Derrick Low (Washington State), Bryce Taylor (Oregon), Maarty Leunen (Oregon), Roy Hibbert (Georgetown), Wayne Ellington (North Carolina), Shan Foster (Vanderbilt), Eric Maynor (VCU), Josh Carter (Texas A&M), D.J. White (Indiana), Drew Neitzel (Michigan State), Scottie Reynolds (Villanova), James Gist (Maryland) and Joey Dorsey (Memphis)." (from Cougfan article)

The selection committee is Jim Boeheim (who wants you to know Gerry McNamara is not overrated), Ernie Kent (who is likely responsible for the odd selection of Maarty Leunen, more on that later), Tom Izzo, Bill Self, and two other guys you probably haven't heard of. Jay Wright, the coach, apparently isn't involved in the selection.

The notable cuts include Jon Brockman, Brian Butch, and two Dukies: Jon Scheyer and DeMarcus Nelson (wrist injury). The latter two officially raised Dickie V's blood pressure to 155 over 100.

But I digress. Maarty Leunen over Brockman? Brockman averages 14.2 points and 9.6 boards per game, and shoots 55% from the floor. Leunen averages 10.8 points, 8.2 boards, shoots 47%, and enjoys a smoke and a pancake. But in Leunen's defense he leads Brockman in bogus last minute foul calls by a margin of 1-0. Andy Katz says he "proved to be the best face-up forward of those trying out", which is a scary thought for the future of USA basketball. My personal hope is that Leunen and 38%-shooting marksman Scottie Reynolds of Villanova are the final two cuts. Of our two, I'm more concerned about Low getting cut as I think Kyle's defense alone is enough to grab a roster spot. I love the comment about Low being a good "floor leader". We'll need him next year, and it's my opinion Team USA needs him now.