Aussies in US College Basketball - Patrick Mills

Continuing on the review of the 35 Aussies in College Basketball, I am have decided to change from the big men and take a look at a smaller fella, the guard from the St Mary's Gaels, Patrick Mills.

Mills, a 178cm Freshman out of Canberra (AIS again I assume) rocketed onto the college front pages with his 37 point demolition of Oregan back in November.

Since then his figures have been fairly good (although not nearly as stunning) but he is definately someone that the scouts are eyeing off as that was only his 4th college game ever.

He is the starting point guard for the St Mary's team who have shot to a 18-3 start to the season. Many are saying that Mills is the reason why and with his stats you cant really debate it.

Averaging 14.5ppg, 3.9apg, 2.4rpg & 1.7apg in your opening college season running the point is definately a step in the right direction and lets hope this Aboriginal Australian can make it big as his career goes forward.

Coach Onski
Article Written 5th Feburary 2008

Aussies in US College Basketball - Aleks Maric

Continuing on the review of the 35 Aussies in College Basketball, I am now looking at another big centre in the Nebraska Cornhusker team, Aleks Maric.

Maric, a 211cm Senior out of Sydney has had a solid 4 year college career. Starting back in the 2004-2005 season he averaged 8ppg and 6rpg which is respectable fogures in your opening season. But since then his figures have risen and currently his scoring average is 15.4ppg and 8.7rpg, oh and dont forget the 1.9bpg.

His scoring is a little down from last seasons 18.5ppg but his game has transformed into a more even product. Boosting his assists and steals, all while reducing his turnovers and fouls.

Maric can put up some big figures too. Only November 17 against Alabama A&M he racked up 21 points, 16 rebounds, 4 steals and 4 blocks. This gave him a 34 effeciency for the game.

This was the first of his 4 double doubles for the season, surpassing Aussie Scoring leader Ogilvy who only has 2 to date.

Maric is also slighty ahead of Ogilvy in the efficency ratings. He is averaging 19.6 this season to Ogilvy's 19.5, which means that as far as efficency is concerned Maric is leading the Aussie charge.

I would assume that Maric will look to play in the NBA next season. Hopefully he makes it and he can have a good showing rest of the NCAA season for his Cornhuskers.

Coach Onski
Article Written 5th February 2008

Aussies in US College Basketball - Andrew Ogilvy

As part of my ongoing articles on 35 Aussies in US College Basketball lets today focus on the leading scorer.

Well from a Points Per Game perspective 11 of the blokes are dropping over 10ppg which is a great effort in the college game.

Leading the way is the Andrew Ogilvy of the Vanderbilt Commodores. (I can only guess he is a Holden fan for joining that team) Ogilvy is a 208cm Freshman centre who has been listed by ESPN as coming from Canberra (my guess is the Australian Institute of Sport). He is currently racking up 17.7PPG including a 26 point effort in the win against Lipscomb back in early December. Shooting at a respectable 60% from the field ranks him as one of the best offensive big men in the college game today.

Ogilvy is not a big number player, as I mentioned his highest score is 26 this season which is good but not super. As for rebounds he averages 6.6RPG and his biggest haul was 11 against UMass early January. Of that 11 he hustled for 5 Offensive boards that night, which is one of his big assets. His hustle on the offensive boards allows his team a number of second chances.

Defensively he is a force too, where he manages 1.4 blocks per game. This takes into account his blockfest against Kentucky where he rejected 5 shots. Unfortunately it wasn't enough and they lost that game.

His efficiency per game is averaging around 19.5 including 2 games where he scored a 30 efficiency. The first being that game against Liscomb. The second against Iona a couple of weeks later. Both ended in big wins for Vanderbilt.

Overall Ogilvy has produced a quality season that will get the NBA scouts thinking. But I think he should stick it out in the college game a bit longer. His last few games, against quality opposition has been fairly average and in turn Vanderbilt has been average too. Disappointing as they started the season with a 16-0 run. Since they have been 2-4 and 3 of those losses have been in around the 20 point loss mark. I think he can come back along with Vanderbilt, but as for his NBA career, like I said hold on at least 1 more year.

Good luck to Andrew in the coming 9 games of the college season and beyond in the NCAA tournament. You are doing Australia proud.

Coach Onski
Article Written 5th February 2008

Australians In College Basketball

Currently I am looking at 35 young Aussie fella's making there way through the College Basketball system in the US. Some of them are making big waves while others are finding it tough.

We wont hamper on about the ones finding it tough, but lets wish them all the best as they put in the hard work to increase their figures or for some even to get a game would be great.

So who is making it big? Well from a Points Per Game perspective the average of the group is 7.6 and 11 of the blokes are dropping over 10ppg which is a great effort in the college game. Leading the Australian contingent is Andrew Ogilvy of the Vanderbilt Commodores with 17.7ppg.

As for the monsters on the boards we need to head to Nebraska, home of the Cornhuskers, where will will find thee big man Aleks Maric pulling in an Aussie best 8.7 per game, including a season best 16 in one game.

Who is the next Jason Kidd or Oscar Robertson when it comes to Aussie kids and their assists? Well the name Patrick Mills should stick in your mind. He is dishing out 3.9 dimes a game and leading the St Mary Gaels from the point.

They are the main categories that give you a sneak peak into the Aussies taking over the US. In the following articles we will go into a bit more depth of players from a statistical perspective and future Boomers we should look out for.

Stay tuned to this site as we head closer into the NCAA season and tournament, to see where your favourite Aussies take their respective teams.

Coach Onski
Article Written 5th February 2008