NC-Double-Eh Player of the Week - Jan 10

Today we have the first three time honoree of this weekly award who has managed to keep his name and his game under the national radar.  We have also honored a great player who had put together a triple-double performance last week.  Find out who they are in this edition of The Can Ball Report's NC-Double-Eh Player of the Week.

Player of the Week

Jared Mintz (Toronto) – Soph., Lafayette

Jared Mintz has probably been the steadiest of the Canadians in the NCAA this season and with his past week he has earned his third Can Ball Report Player of the Week honors.  This week Mintz averaged 21.5 points, seven rebounds, 1.5 assists and two steals for the Leopards in two games this week showing why he is a strong candidate for All Patriot League honors.

In the Lafayette 91-74 win over Columbia Jan. 6, Mintz showed the full repertoire the whole game.  In 31 minutes of action, he put up 27 points, five rebounds, three steals and an assist (which could have easily been more had teammates converted his many great passes).  But the story of the night was his shooting. Mintz shot 81.8% going 9 of 11 from the field including 2 of 3 from the arc.  He also shot 7 of 10 from the line for good measure in his 31 minutes on court time.

In his next game three days later against Holy Cross, Mintz continued his pace putting up 16 points and grabbing nine boards in the win.  He also added two assists and a steal as well.  Though he only shot 5 of 15 from the floor for the night, he was perfect from the line going 6 for 6 in 28 minutes of action.

For the season, Mintz is averaging a team high 15.1 ppg and 5.8 rpg as well 58.6 FG% and an 88.4 FT%.  He currently ranks fourth in the Patriot League in scoring, seventh in rebounding and second in FT%.  He is the conference leader in FG%.  Expect to hear about him a lot the rest of the season.

Honorable Mention:   Maurice Joseph, Vermont – 19.5 pts, 3.5 rbs, 12 of 24 FG, 5 of 15 3PT FG, 10 of 12 FT, two games.

Line of the Week

Courtnay Pilypaitis (Ottawa) – Sr., Vermont

Courtnay Pilypaitis is a great ball player and if you may not have heard of her in the circles of Canadian men’s basketball, well you shouldn’t have.  Courtnay is a female.  But if you’re wondering why she is listed her in this entry which is usually slotted for male players I’ll tell you why:  she recorded a triple-double.  You heard right, in the Lady Catamounts’ win this past Sunday against Albany, Pilypaitis posted game numbers of 12 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists while going 4 of 5 from the floor and a perfect 3 of 3 from the three line which earned her America East Player of the Week.  With a stat line like that, it was impossible to not blow her up in here.

It is the third triple-double in Vermont women’s hoops history with the other two times being done by the star guard also.  She is currently averaging 15.1 pts, 7.9 rbs, 5 asts, 2.9 stls, in 35.4 mpg while shooting 38.9 FG%, 38.9 3PT FG% and 79.1 FT%. 

For all you Canadian basketball fans out there, if you aren’t aware of her, get familiar.  She has been a star for Vermont since her Fresh(wo)man of the Year campaign and is a looking to close out her senior season as tops in many America East and school statistical lists.  Check her now while you can. 

Honorable Mention:  Harouna Mutombo, Western Carolina – 15 pts, 2 rbs, 1 ast, 1 stl, 6 of 9 FG, 2 of 2 3PT FG, 1 of 2 FT, 14 mins vs. Berea College on Jan 5.