Lonzo Ball and Markelle Fultz, arguably the top two NBA prospects this year, faced off late Saturday night and the result was lopsided. Meanwhile, Malik Monk shot the lights out to give Kentucky an early-week win and a Duke prospect saw a position change make all the difference.
Lonzo Ball, guard, UCLA (6-6/190)
No. 11 UCLA won the matchup of Ball vs. Fultz. By a lot. The Bruins smashed Washington, 107-66, in a result that should surprise no one who has followed either team this season. UCLA is elite and Washington is well below average.
While the game didn't live up to the hype, the one-on-one matchup did in some respects. Unfortunately, the two weren't on each other every minute, but there was a chance to see them go shot for shot at times. Ball finished with the much more satisfactory line: 22 points on 7 for 12 shooting, 4 for 7 from three, six rebounds, five assists and four steals (Fultz' line is below if you can't wait).
A truly impressive stretch came in the early second half with the blowout well underway. Ball committed too much in an attempt for a steal, leading to an open three for Fultz. Unfazed by his own mistake, Ball made an NBA-range three over an outstretched Fultz, responding to put UCLA up 23. Ball's only block came on a Fultz shot and the Bruins freshman showed that he can perform on both ends of the court. He's certainly ready for the next level.
Markelle Fultz, guard, Washington (6-4/195)
It's not like Fultz isn't ready for the next level. In fact, despite his stat line looking a lot more pedestrian on Saturday compared to Ball's, the Huskies' point guard was equally impressive at times and simply doesn't have the star power around him to salvage what is likely his lone season at Washington.
Fultz had a game-high 25 points on 9 for 19 shooting while making 5 of 10 threes. He only made 2 of 5 free throws, but he matched Ball with six rebounds and five assists, albeit with one fewer steal. The Washington freshman still has a pure stroke from three and can dipsy-doodle his way to the rim with awe-inspiring ease. He's the real deal. His shooting ability, ball-handling and defensive potential make for everything you want in a franchise point guard. Too bad 9-14 Washington can hardly capitalize on it.
Malik Monk, guard, Kentucky (6-4/185)
No. 8 Kentucky was without fellow freshman prospect De'Aaron Fox against Georgia earlier this week. Therefore, the offense ran even more through Monk than normal and the Wildcats needed the freshman sharp-shooter to keep the team afloat at home. Similar to his performance against North Carolina at the beginning of the season, Monk went off from range. He went off from basically everywhere.
It's rare for a college player to score 37 points and not have it be his season high, but that was the case for Monk, a volume scorer who is well advanced offensively for most NCAA defenders. He made 10 of 21 shots, including 7 of 11 threes, and converted 10 free throws in 12 attempts. He hit the game-tying shot to bring the game into OT and scored eight points in the extra session to hand Kentucky a 90-81 win. A key concern for the guard is his defensive ability, but he even provided three blocks in the game.
Jayson Tatum, forward, Duke (6-8/204)
Coach K returned to the bench on Saturday, but the important change for the No. 21 Blue Devils may have come on Monday. In a win at No. 20 Notre Dame, Tatum was moved from the three to the four, taking on a different role, which led to a career night. Battling inside, Tatum hauled in a career-high 14 rebounds and was a key catalyst in the 84-74 victory. He was coming off an eight-point effort at Wake Forest, yet he had eight made shots on 14 attempts on Monday.
He took half as many shots against Pittsburgh on Saturday, but he was more efficient, scoring 12 points while going 2 for 3 from range. There simply aren't many forwards with the speed and versatility to guard Tatum at the four. It begs the question: If Tatum goes on a hot streak to end his freshman year at the four, is it a mirage? While he could play more four at the next level, a lot of NBA teams have the fours (and threes) who can switch onto Tatum and stop him physically.
Jonathan Isaac, forward, Florida St. (6-11/205)
Isaac and the slumping Seminoles play Sunday afternoon against Clemson, but the squad's first game of the week featured a strong effort from the freshman. Isaac continues to put up crazy efficient numbers shooting the ball, going 5 for 7 from the field while making his only three and all four of his free throw attempts en route to 15 points. How many 6-11 guys have that shooting stroke and the ball-handling ability of a guard?
And he continues to excel defensively. In the 75-57 win over Miami, he also had seven rebounds, a block and three steals. He averages 1.6 blocks and 1.3 steals a game and continues to flash the defensive potential that makes him a consensus top-10 pick. No. 16 Florida State's matchup vs. the Tigers before the Super Bowl pits Isaac against projected late first-round pick Jaron Blossomgame, an interesting test for Isaac midway through ACC play.
Quick Hits
Purdue sophomore forward Caleb Swanigan has taken a major step in year two with the Boilermakers. He led his team to a 73-72 upset of No. 17 Maryland with 26 points and 10 rebounds while making 3 of 6 threes.
Arizona freshman forward Lauri Markkanen struggled along with the rest of the No. 5 Wildcats on Saturday in an 85-58 loss to No. 13 Oregon. Markkanen made just one of five shots (none of three from deep) and finished with four points in defeat.
Meanwhile, Oregon junior Dillon Brooks came out firing with the rest of the Ducks in that game. Between two wins over Arizona and Arizona State this week, he made 16 of 24 shots (8 of 12 from three) and had 45 points in just 58 minutes. Not bad at all.