All of New Jersey had some outstanding performances this week in college basketball. These are the picks for men’s and women’s players of the week and overall team performance of the week.
Men’s Players of the Week
Princeton’s senior guard Matt Allocco has been on fire this past week for the Tigers. He was able to knock down 22 points against Bucknell on Wednesday, shooting 72.7% on field goals and 66.7% from beyond the arc. On Saturday, Allocco put 13 points on the board during a very close game against Furman. His most important shot in the game was a three-pointer in the last 10 seconds of the game to secure the Tigers a win to continue their undefeated season. Allocco shot 61.9% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc.
Seton Hall’s senior guard Al-Amir Dawes recorded 25 points in the Pirates 88-75 win against Northeastern on Wednesday. After two consecutive losses for Seton Hall against USC and Iowa, Dawes was definitely showing much improvement going into Wednesday’s game. He shot 57.1% from the floor and beyond the arc and was able to collect five rebounds and five assists. Dawes will be essential for the Pirates as they take on No.9 Baylor on Tuesday.
Saint Peter’s senior guard Latrell Reid was a driving force in the Peacocks back-to-back wins against Niagara and Canisius this past weekend. He recorded 15 points against Niagara, shooting 85.7% from the field and 100% from beyond the arc. Reid knocked down 10 points against Canisius on Sunday, shooting 4/9 and collecting seven rebounds and four assists.
Women's Players of the Week
Smikle has been leading Rutgers this past week in their wins against Delaware State and Lafayette. She recorded a career-high 33 points against Delaware State on Wednesday, shooting 65% from the field and 55.6% from beyond the arc. She also tallied four rebounds and three assists. Smikle knocked down 13 points in the Scarlet Knights' win against Lafayette and recorded six rebounds. She will be essential for Rutgers in their upcoming games as their schedule starts to become much tougher.
Seton Hall’s forward Azana Baines recorded 12 points and 11 rebounds in the Pirate’s double overtime loss against Princeton on Wednesday. Although facing a very tough, ranked opponent, Baines was able to put points on the board. The senior guard scored 17 points in Seton Hall’s win against Maryland-Eastern Shore on Saturday. She shot 6/12 and tallied five rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Monmouth’s senior guard Kaci Donovan recorded 15 points and five rebounds in the Hawk’s 59-58 loss to Brown last Sunday. Donovan scored 23 points on Saturday, leading her team to a win against Rider. She tallied five rebounds, three assists and two steals, shooting 8/18. She shot a combined 43.1% from the field and 53.6% from beyond the arc in her last two games.
Overall Team of the Week
Princeton men’s basketball has had a very impressive start to their season, going undefeated in their first eight games. This marks its first 8-0 start since the 1966-67 season and the Tigers continue to look promising. In their last two games they shot for a combined 53.9% from the field, 39.2% from beyond the arc and collecting an average of 30.5 rebounds. Princeton takes on Drexel and Saint Joseph’s this week and will look to keep their undefeated streak alive.
- Old Bridge girls lacrosse finds early success in the GMC - April 12, 2024
- GMC Red Division girls lacrosse players to watch - April 2, 2024
- Girls Basketball: St. Thomas Aquinas Secures Fifth Straight GMCT Title - February 17, 2024
