Dellavedova, Massey face off Tuesday night
MTSU point guard Bruce Massey did not look like one of the best defenders in college basketball in his last game.
On Tuesday night, a chance for redemption will come with a stiff challenge, as Massey must try to contain Saint Mary?s senior Matthew Dellavedova, a Bob Cousy award finalist as one of the top five point guards in the country. They will meet in an NCAA tournament first-round game.
?(Dellavedova) is one of the best in country. He gets a lot of TV time,? said Massey, the Sun Belt Conference defensive player of the year. ?He?s a really good point guard, and he gets a lot of exposure.?
Florida International?s 5-foot-7 point guard Deric Hill drove into the paint freely in what Massey admitted was one of his worst games in an upset loss in the Sun Belt Conference semifinal a week ago.
But Dellavedova is a different sort in skill, size and talent level. A member of the Australian Olympic team, the 6-4 Dellavedova is Saint Mary?s all-time career leader in points, assists, 3-pointers made and games played. He leads the Gaels at 15.8 points and 6.4 assists per game this season.
?I like (FIU?s Hill) and he played well against us, but this guy we play (Tuesday night) is the best in college basketball coming off ball screens. He?s the most experienced guard at his position in college basketball,? MTSU coach Kermit Davis said. ?And I don?t say this because we?re playing them, but it?s just a fact. There?s no doubt that he?s the most impactful player on his team in college basketball because nobody dominates the ball like he does.?
Saint Mary?s, like MTSU, is making its seventh NCAA tournament appearance, but the recent history is far different between the programs.
The Blue Raiders have not been to the Big Dance since 1989. The Gaels are making their third NCAA Tournament appearance in the past four seasons.
Saint Mary?s, ranked No. 25 in USA Today coaches poll, has not lost to an unranked team since Dec. 23. The Gaels also feature a talented frontcourt of 6-6 forward Beau Levesque (10.7 ppg) and 6-9 Brad Waldow (10.2 ppg, 6.1 reb., 61.2 FG pct.) and shooting guard Stephen Holt (11.8 ppg, 5.4 reb.).
MTSU point guard Bruce Massey did not look like one of the best defenders in college basketball in his last game.
On Tuesday night, a chance for redemption will come with a stiff challenge, as Massey must try to contain Saint Mary?s senior Matthew Dellavedova, a Bob Cousy award finalist as one of the top five point guards in the country. They will meet in an NCAA tournament first-round game.
?(Dellavedova) is one of the best in country. He gets a lot of TV time,? said Massey, the Sun Belt Conference defensive player of the year. ?He?s a really good point guard, and he gets a lot of exposure.?
Florida International?s 5-foot-7 point guard Deric Hill drove into the paint freely in what Massey admitted was one of his worst games in an upset loss in the Sun Belt Conference semifinal a week ago.
But Dellavedova is a different sort in skill, size and talent level. A member of the Australian Olympic team, the 6-4 Dellavedova is Saint Mary?s all-time career leader in points, assists, 3-pointers made and games played. He leads the Gaels at 15.8 points and 6.4 assists per game this season.
?I like (FIU?s Hill) and he played well against us, but this guy we play (Tuesday night) is the best in college basketball coming off ball screens. He?s the most experienced guard at his position in college basketball,? MTSU coach Kermit Davis said. ?And I don?t say this because we?re playing them, but it?s just a fact. There?s no doubt that he?s the most impactful player on his team in college basketball because nobody dominates the ball like he does.?
Saint Mary?s, like MTSU, is making its seventh NCAA tournament appearance, but the recent history is far different between the programs.
The Blue Raiders have not been to the Big Dance since 1989. The Gaels are making their third NCAA Tournament appearance in the past four seasons.
Saint Mary?s, ranked No. 25 in USA Today coaches poll, has not lost to an unranked team since Dec. 23. The Gaels also feature a talented frontcourt of 6-6 forward Beau Levesque (10.7 ppg) and 6-9 Brad Waldow (10.2 ppg, 6.1 reb., 61.2 FG pct.) and shooting guard Stephen Holt (11.8 ppg, 5.4 reb.).
