Max Jones needed a big game for the Wildcats. (Avery Reed/K-State Sports)
This week, Tre Holloman hit a 65-foot buzzer beater to lead MSU to another dramatic victory; former Sooner Otega Oweh had a career high 28 points to lead Kentucky over his old squad; and four suspended New Orleans players are under investigation for sports gambling violations. Some other college basketball stories we’re following…
Max Jones Makes Some Noise
Two seasons ago, the Kansas State Wildcats won 26 games and enjoyed its best overall campaign since 2018-19, making the NCAA Tourney for the first time in four years and even going all the way to the regional final. Last season, however, KSU fell on hard times, winning just 19 games, and unfortunately, things have gotten even worse this season. Since a six-game win streak, the Wildcats have dropped four straight to fall to a losing record (13-15, including a substandard 7-10 mark in the Big 12).
On Wednesday, the Wildcats held it closer than expected, but still lost, 80-76.
Senior guard Max Jones enjoyed a very strong performance and really took over the game, scoring a season-high 22 points with four boards, three treys and two steals. A transfer from Cal State Fullerton this season, he’s been inconsistent, struggling to regularly provide the boost K-State thought they’d get from him.
Despite getting more PT, Jones isn’t canning as many three-pointers or getting to the line nearly as often, leading to much less scoring. On the plus side, his rebounding has bounced back and he’s done a much better job of protecting the ball.
Jones is not currently an NBA draft prospect, but he does have one more year of collegiate eligibility to increase his stock.
The Bisons Are Balling
Since bottoming out with just 14 wins in 2021-22, the Lipscomb Bisons have been a team on the rise. They won 20 games in each of the next two seasons, and have already bagged 22 in 2024-25 heading into the ASUN Tourney as the favourite (-155 as per FanDuel). This team is well positioned to make just its second NCAA Tourney appearance ever and first since 2017-18.
At 14-4, Lipscomb shared the regular season title with North Alabama – a team we examined just over a week ago. The Bisons ended the season on a bit of roll, winning its final three games, all in convincing fashion including Wednesday’s 78-60 thrashing of Central Arkansas.
Leading the charge as usual was top scorer/rebounder Jacob Ognacevic. The senior forward was actually a bit quieter than usual, but still managed 20 points (on 6-of-9 shooting), 11 boards and two blocks. That marks six straight games of at least 20 points with three combined blocks over the last two.
Now in his third campaign at Lipscomb after transferring from Valparaiso, Ognacevic has gotten better each season. This season, his touches were up and he really expanded and improved his outside game. Ognacevic’s rebounding went to a whole new level and he even showed more in his passing skills. How about eight double-doubles after not getting a single one over his first three seasons?
Ognacevic proved highly efficient this season and while he’s not an NBA draft candidate, you’d have to think he’s done enough to earn an invite to Summer League. Still, he does have one more year of college eligibility, so if he can build on what he did this season, he could open some eyes. At the very least, Ogancevic should have a future playing professionally in Europe.
RotoRob Tune of the Day
Once Bruce Springsteen changed his style in 1975, his career really took off. Before that, in 1973 he released his second album, The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle. From this effort came “The E Street Shuffle,” which was recorded in a single session.