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Frosh Evans playing big role in UC success
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ctipton Offline
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Frosh Evans playing big role in UC success
Frosh Evans playing big role in UC success
Tom Groeschen, tgroeschen@enquirer.com 11:19 a.m. EST February 3, 2016
[Image: 635900942312430257-evans.jpg]
Freshman Jacob Evans III was a big reason why the Cincinnati Bearcats beat Connecticut last week. Evans has been a key contributor all season.
(Photo: Enquirer file/Kareem Elgazzar)

Gary Clark deservedly got the glory for his decisive 3-point play to beat Connecticut 58-57 last week, but the Cincinnati Bearcats would not have gotten there without some clutch plays from freshman wing Jacob Evans III.

Evans has been a key contributor all season, and there is a chance he could start against South Florida on Thursday night for the injured Shaq Thomas (foot/ankle).

UC (16-6, 6-3 American Athletic Conference) enhanced its NCAA Tournament hopes and extended its winning streak to three games with the important win at UConn, with rookie Evans front and center at some key junctures:

- He put UC ahead 53-30 on a 3-point shot with 7:16 left.

- Made a steal and then a lay-up with 1:01 left, breaking a 7-0 UConn run and bringing UC to within 57-55.

- With 24 seconds left and UC still down 57-55, secured a defensive rebound. That eventually led to Clark’s game-tying basket (57-57) and free throw (58-57) with 12.1 seconds left, and UC held on to win.

“That doesn’t happen if Jacob doesn’t make the steal and a lay-up,” UC coach Mick Cronin said. “Huge play for him. That’s not a shock. It was a cerebral play on his part to get the steal.”

UC had gone over the situation in walk-through, as to denying the high-post flash. Evans was ready when it happened, with UConn trying to work the ball into 6-foot-7 swingman Daniel Hamilton.

“We knew they wanted to get Hamilton to the free throw line area, so he can catch the ball and face up and make plays,” Evans said. “I saw him on my wing. I saw him cut in. I knew they would try to give him the ball, late game, so I just read it and jumped the pass.”

For the game, Evans had seven points, five rebounds, three blocks, two assists and the one big steal. And, no turnovers in 23 minutes of play.

UC insiders have been impressed from the outset with the moxie and maturity of Evans, a 6-foot-6, 210-pounder from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Unlike some freshmen who play with one eye on the sideline, Evans shows no fear on either the offensive or defensive ends.

“I try to stay calm, even when the game gets tight,” Evans said. “There’s really no point in being nervous because it’s just basketball. You’ve got a sense of urgency but you can’t be nervous at a level like this because that’s when you make mistakes.”

Evans averages 6.9 points and 4.2 rebounds per game, mostly off the bench. His scoring high was 16 points against Butler in December.

Cronin said Evans and fellow freshman Justin Jenifer, a point guard, have had to adjust to the intensity of college ball. Evans has thrived and Jenifer is still finding his way, with the latter rarely playing nowadays.

“For us to do what we want to do, and you’ve got to throw in Corey (DeBerry) and Qadri (Moore), those guys all have to contribute,” Cronin said. “It’s got to be a group effort.”

NEXT MAN UP: With Thomas’ status uncertain, Cronin said Evans or junior guard Kevin Johnson could start against USF. Evans has started once this season.

“South Florida is big, so it’s a concern,” Cronin said. “Not so much who starts, but South Florida is so big across the front line, I’m just concerned with the rebounding. If Shaq’s unable to go, that definitely makes us a smaller team.”

USF starts a front line of 6-foot-11 senior center Jaleel Cousins (8.3 ppg), 6-8 senior forward Angel Nunez (10.1) and 6-11 sophomore Ruben Guerrero (4.8). The UC front line usually is 6-foot-8 sophomore Clark (10.2 ppg), 6-foot-10 senior forward Octavius Ellis (9.8) and 6-foot-7 senior Thomas (7.5).

Cousins is the brother of Sacramento Kings star DeMarcus Cousins, who played at the University of Kentucky.

SECOND MEETING: UC beat USF 54-51 in Tampa on Jan. 10.

The Bulls (5-18, 2-8 AAC) have been playing short-handed, with junior forward Chris Perry (9.7 ppg) having been suspended indefinitely for a violation of team rules and freshman forward Luis Santos (1.3 ppg) out because of a personal matter.

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/c.../79745082/
 
02-03-2016 11:48 AM
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Bearcats#1 Offline
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Post: #2
RE: Frosh Evans playing big role in UC success
love me some Evans
 
02-03-2016 11:59 AM
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BearcatBeta Offline
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Post: #3
RE: Frosh Evans playing big role in UC success
He has been yanked off the court for trailing on defense..pine has been a good remedy
 
02-03-2016 04:39 PM
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dj3600 Offline
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Post: #4
RE: Frosh Evans playing big role in UC success
I think Evans is going to be a real good player before he is done at UC
 
02-03-2016 05:50 PM
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