NBA Draft Watch: On the Scene Team, Six College Basketball Players Who Stood Out on Saturday, January 26th

Justin Robinson, Virginia Tech
(Photo Credit: Michael Shroyer/USA Today)

Another Saturday offered yet another opportunity for prospects to prove themselves amongst their peers. The schedule in college basketball yesterday provided plenty of games worth watching, featuring a few ranked vs. ranked matches, and a number of inter-conference contests that caught the attention of fans around the country.

Surfacing in the numerous games that took place were some standout performances from players whose production presented a peer into their pro potential. In canvassing the landscape of college basketball six individuals who stood out in my evaluations were selected to the "On the Scene Team" for their play on Saturday — effectively a group consisting of a starting five and one deserved sixth man spot.

Below you may behold the bunch of players who beamed on the scene yesterday with their play.

• Markus Howard, Marquette

Already holding some of the most impressive scoring showings in college basketball this season, Howard put up a slight 31 points in a road victory against Xavier, one of the toughest environments to play in the country, to go along with five rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Though he is most noted for his innate ability to drill just about any shot from distance, the 5'11 point guard exhibited his depth as a scorer sinking a series of runners, floaters, and contested layups in the lane, while also finding his way to the free-throw line to fill up the scoring column. 

To date, Howard has had his share of doubters as it relates to determining his potential as an NBA draft pick, despite his his dynamic production. However, with continued persistent performances it will become increasingly difficult for disbelievers to downplay his efforts in favor of other players. 

• Justin Robinson, Virginia Tech

With fellow teammate and potential lottery pick Nickeil Alexander-Walker wrestling to find his shot, while being tamed by the Syracuse zone, Robinson more than picked up the slack for his buddy in the  Virginia Tech backcourt. The 6'2, 195 pound senior guard had a career-night in leading the Hokies to a significant sized victory 78-56, setting a new school-record for most three pointer's made in a game and also establishing a school-record for career assists, en route to a highly impressive 35 point, eight assist performance. 

Robinson was outstanding in sinking 9 of his 13 shot attempts, all from beyond the arc, in dismantling the 2-3 zone defense, as well as pushing the pace in transition to feed teammates for high-percentage layups and dunks. While he is often times overlooked by analysts, there are few players around the country who can match Robinson in regards to experience and effectiveness. 

• Ty Jerome, Virginia

Standing 6'5, 195 pounds with a repeated release from the beyond the arc, Jerome is suitably profiled as a shooter on the wing. However, in seemingly each performance the junior shows that he is capable of making an impact on the game beyond just shooting the ball. His production on Saturday, in the 82-55 win against Notre Dame on the road, was once again representative of his ability to surface in a number of different areas as needed for the third ranked Virginia team. 

Playing without a pure point guard in it's staring lineup the Cavaliers trust Jerome to be it's primary playmaker and he didn't disappoint, accumulating six assists against no turnovers, while finding a few of his teammates for open shots on the perimeter. Also adding to his value as a versatile member of one of the best teams in college basketball, he factored in favorably on the glass, finishing with a team-leading nine rebounds. Furthermore, as if that wasn't enough, Jerome was effectively able to tally in the scoring column with 13 points, sinking 6-10 shots from the field, including calmly stepping into and sinking a three pointer from deep, while converting on a few crafty running finishes near the basket. 

• Talen Horton-Tucker, Iowa State

A freshman from Chicago and the premier prep program Simeon — that also produced Derrick Rose and Jabari Parker — Horton-Tucker emerged in the early part of the season as an effective option on a tantalizingly talented Iowa State team. Having seen his scoring take a hit since the start of 2019 —  eclipsing double-digits for the first time in eight games on Monday — the 6'4, 233 pound prospect put forth one of his most complete performances of the season on Saturday. 

Scoring 23 points, grabbing eight rebounds, dishing five assists, and coming away with a steal the hybrid wing/forward made his presence felt for the 24th ranked Cyclones as they upset 20th ranked Ole Miss on the road, 87-73. Different portions of Horton-Tucker's game were on display as he finished with a soft touch around the basket, pivoted from the post to sink shots over either shoulder, flashed a fluid step-back jumper, and dipped by defenders with his dribble-drive to the benefit of both himself and his teammates. 

• Ethan Happ, Wisconsin

At the forefront of a dominant-defensive demonstration by Wisconsin, Happ was the driving factor for the Badgers on both sides of the floor. A consistent all-around performer, the 6'10, 237 pound senior big had an individual performance indicative of his effort to do whatever the team needs, recording his second triple-double of the season with 13 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists. 

Facing a flurry of defensive attention from Northwestern, Happ was patient in his play from the post, using his footwork and feel for the defense to filter between putting up points when facing a single defender or adroitly being able to find an open teammate when deployed against a double-team. Finishing with an outstanding, game-leading defensive rating of 56 (estimate of points allowed per 100 possessions), he showed up grabbing two steals, to go along with two blocks, and having 10 of his 11 rebounds come on the defensive end, with his sole offensive rebound leading to the pass which accounted for his 10th assist to give Happ the triple-double. 

• Kris Wilkes, UCLA   

Entering the game against Arizona as the leading scorer for UCLA (17.8), having scored in double-figures in every game this season, Wilkes went for a career-high 34 points — his highest total since scoring 27 in the opening game of the season. In leading the way for the Bruins in the blowout 90-69 win, the 6'8, 215 pound sophomore wing was able to provide a wealth of scoring without wasting too many attempts (12-16 FG, 5-7 3P, 5-5 FT). 

Supplying staunch shot-making, the sophomore was smooth on the offensive end sinking a series of looks that left the defense helpless in its attempt to contain him. Whether he was coming off screens, off-balance as he released his shot, or sinking a three from downtown off the dribble, Wilkes played with poise as he flowed gracefully within the motion of the offense. His influence on the game was of tremendous impact as he was able to outperform the Wildcats own leading scoring sophomore wing Brandon Randolph, who Wilkes helped hold to nine points, shooting 4-16 from the field.