Dakota's 5'9" fourth-string point guard is shooting less than 25% from the field and worse than 20% from beyond the arc. That doesn't mean he doesn't have a shot - at least at winning your bracket pool.
Hey Cleveland State doubters, LISTEN UP!
Yesterday, if you read the bullets, you'll notice I posted this gem:
- Dakota's Carlos English (Cleveland State): "I really think they can make a run in the Tournament. They are one of the few teams in the country that plays solid team defense and everyone is identified to a role on the team and they follow their roles very well. That's why they are Horizon League champions." -- If you're anything like a girl I know and fill out your bracket as the games happen, trust Carlos English and write this one in early. He's started one game and averages 7.6 minutes, shooting 25% from the field. He did have four assists last night, but also got burned on defense. What's this mean? He must be good at something, and that something is cheering on his team! Go Cleveland State Vikings!
I'm taking credit for telling you to write this one in early - Cleveland State beat Wake Forest by 15. Wake Forest, along with Florida State, are the only two teams I'm missing in my Sweet 16. I'll blame English's fellow D-Leaguer's (Chris Ellis and Trent Strickland (Wake Forest) and Michael Joiner (Florida State)) along with poor officiating, which I'm increasingly getting used to.
Now, here's a little background on Carlos English. English averaged 8.6 and 4.1 assists last year, his senior year at Cleveland State, starting the first 18 games before being declared academically ineligible. Those are not good numbers.
This season, his rookie year with the Dakota Wizards, he's essentially the fourth string point guard. In his one start this season, English played 36 minutes, shooting 2-for-11 from the field, 0-for-5 from behind the arc, with three assists and no turnovers. Unfortunately, that's not far off course for the season, as he's averaging 1.4 points in 7.6 minutes of action, shooting 25% from the field and 19% from the 3-point line. Gross.
Watching English in games doesn't happen often, but when I do notice him, I'm not sure I like what I see. He's a great penetrator, but he won't finish at the rim... not to say that he can't, but he won't - he dishes the ball while in the air right under the basket rather than shooting... 3-point shot is atrocious... sometimes wears arm and/or leg sleeves... not exciting while sitting on the bench.
Other notes from last night (some even related to the D-League!):
- Albuquerque shot 58.4% from the field, had seven more assists, and shot better from the line and free-throw line than Rio Grande Valley. Alby's Will Conroy had 27 points, 18 assists, and nine rebounds. How did they lose? Turnovers. Conroy had six and the Thunderbirds had 15 total, four more than the RGV Vipers. Take care of the ball, Mr. Conroy. Six bad passes is not going to look good, no matter how many minutes you play.
- Kurt Looby - 8 points, 12 boards, 4 blocks. I fully expect this guy to make a summer league team. Love his defense and tenacity on the boards.
- Would've loved to watch the RGV-Albuquerque game, but somehow, their Futurecast is terrible. The league sends everyone a "tricaster" that broadcasts games. I don't know what that it is, but how it varies so much from team to team is ridiculous.
- Utah killed my bracket. Not just Utah, but also Utah State and BYU. Why would I pick all 3 Utah teams? I don't know, but I did, so now I hate all of Utah. You've been warned.
- Speaking of Utah, the Flash beat Erie by 12. It's a shame Kyrylo Fesenko didn't continue his flipping off the ref tour, because I'd love to see him and little Ben Taylor talk that one out.
- I'm so cute, kittens order checks with me on them.
- Also, if hilarity were jury duty, it would take 12 people to do me.
- Iowa barely beat Anaheim - in overtime. Without James White. What?
- Courtney Sims v. Marcus Campbell - would have loved to watched this matchup! I'm a big Marcus Campbell fan. Sims finished with 23 points, 16 boards and Campbell finished with 19 points, 18 boards. Both great games.
- Kedrick Brown - 32 points, 14 boards. Celtics, if you want him back, now is the time!
- Othyus Jeffers had 25 points and five rebounds. One of my buddies and I gushed more about him last night. "Assertive" was used quite often, along with "league" and "quick-freakin'-shot".
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