The NC-Double-Eh Player of the Week - Nov. 29 - Dec. 5

Two weeks ago we honored a player that was poised for a big junior season.  Well, we honor that same player again for what we think will be a really big junior season for him ...

Player of the Week

Tyler Murray (Toronto) – Junior, Wagner

Toronto’s Tyler Murray has been steadily making a name for himself in the Northeast Conference this season as a complete player and last week only helped to serve to show that he is not slowing down yet.  In the Seahawks’ three games last week, Murray helped lead the team to a 2-1 record on the road, 4-3 overall.  In that span he averaged 20 points (on 18-of-36 from the floor including 6-of-14 from three and 18-of-19 from the free throw line), 8.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.7 steals in 37 minutes per game to earn his second nod as the Can Ball Report’s NC-Double-Eh Player of the Week. 

In Wagner’s close 77-73 win over Bucknell on the road Nov. 29, Murray posted his first double-double of the season going for 16 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals and a block in 36 minutes of court time.  He shot 4-of-9 from the floor and a perfect 8-of-8 from the line in the victory.

Two nights later in Jamaica, NY Murray helped lead Wagner in a near upset of St. John’s on their home floor.  After keeping it close the Red Storm would eventually pull away in the second half to beat the Seahawks 69-61.  Murray would have a game high 21 points on 7-of-15 shooting, which includes 3-of-6 from the three and 4-of-4 from the line, to go along with 5 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal in 37 minutes. 

In Wagner’s last game of the week against Sacred Heart in Fairfield, CT, Murray again was nothing short of spectacular.  In the Seahawks’ 73-68 overtime win over the Pioneers he posted his second double-double of the season, second on three games, going off for a game high 23 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and a block in 40 minutes.  Murray was 7-of-12 from the field, including 3-of-6 from behind the arc, and 6-of-7 from the charity stripe. 

For the season, Murray is averaging 18.7 points and 5.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.4 steals all of which lead the team in a team high 37.9 minutes.  He’s shooting 47.7% from the floor, 48.6% from three and 90.9% from the free throw line.  Murray is not only leading his team but he’s also leading his conference.  His scoring average is currently tops in the Northeast Conference while his ranked in the top 20 in rebounding (15th),defensive rebounds (tied for 4th),  assists (13th), field goal percentage (13th), free throw percentage (3rd), 3PT shooting (3rd), 3PT field goals made per game (tied for 5th), minutes played (2nd) and assist-to-turnover ratio (12th).

Honorable Mention:  Jared Mintz, Lafayette:  15 pts, 5 rebs, 2.5 asts, 1.5 stls, 12-of-19 FG, 2-of-4 3PT FG, 4-of-4 FT, 23 mpg in two games.

Rookie of the Week

Laurent Rivard (Saint-Bruno, PQ) – Freshman, Harvard

Laurent Rivard has been a great addition for the Harvard and has been providing instant offense for the Crimson off the bench.  And he has been exactly that this past week averaging 18 points, including shooting 10-of-17 from behind the three, and 4 rebounds in 26.5 minutes over two games.   For his efforts, Rivard earned Ivy League Rookie of the Week as well as earning The Can Ball Report’s Rookie of the Week honors. 

In Harvard’s 80-57 win over Fordham Dec. 1 at home against Fordham, Rivard posted his best scoring output in his young college career.  In 20 minutes of action, he hung a very efficient 21 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the floor which included 5-of-8 from the arc and 4-of-4 from the line.  Rivard threw in three rebounds as well for good measure. 

In the Crimson’s next game three days later against Michigan, Rivard was again very effective off the bench.  Playing 33 minutes in the contest, he had 15 points on 5-of-10 shooting including 5-of-9 from the three, 5 rebounds and a steal in Harvard’s loss to a tough Wolverines team 65-62 in Ann Arbor.

For the season, Rivard is averaging 10.3 points and 3.1 rebounds in 24.1 minutes of action.  He’s shooting 90.1% from the free throw line having missed only one foul shot this season while also shooting a 39% from behind the arc making 18-of-46.  Rivard’s currently the Crimson’s third leading scorer and is fifth in minutes played.  His scoring average ranks him 19^th in the Ivy League overall while he sits sixth in the conference in three made per game at 2.6. 

Honorable Mention:  Cory Joseph, Texas:  12.5 pts, 6 rebs, 3 asts, 1.5 stls, 9-of-20 FG, 3-of-8 3PT FG, 4-of-5 FTs, 35.5 mpg, 2 games.

Line of the Week

Jasonn Hannibal (Mississauga, ON) – Senior, Portland – 12 pts, 6-of-8 FG, 0 rebs, 0 asts, 0 stls, 0 blks, 10 mins. 

The above may not seem like a great line but believe me it is.  Jasonn Hannibal has been a deep bench player for the majority of his career largely because he’s been on really talented teams.  But on Nov. 30, the Portland Pilots beat Saint Louis at home and Hannibal set a career high in points.  For a guy that is largely supposed to defend, box out and clean glass, it’s nice to see him with a shooter’s stat line for once.  Check out the highlight video from the game and see for yourself.