November 11 Emerald Coast Classic Notebook

NOTE: MEDIA covering the Emerald Coast Classic please make sure to apply for credentials by Nov. 14

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

(All times listed are Central)

Nov. 11 Games

Buffalo at DePaul, 7 p..m. ESPN Plus

Nov. 13 Games

Florida International at LSU, 7 p.m., SEC Network Plus

Nov. 14 Games

Southern Illinois-Edwardsville at Drake, 6:30 p.m. ESPN Plus
Northwestern at DePaul, 7:30 p.m. TRU TV
Georgia Tech at Georgia, 8 p.m., SEC Network

Monday, Nov. 17

Drake at Charleston, 6 p.m., FloSports

Nov. 18 Games

Alcorn State at LSU, 7 p.m. SEC Network Plus
Gardner-Webb at DePaul, 7 p.m. ESPN Plus

Nov. 21 Games

Buena Vista at Drake, 6:30 p.m., ESPN Plus
Georgia Southern at Georgia Tech, 6:30 p.m. ACC Network Extra
Omaha at LSU, 7 p.m., SEC Network Plus

THUNDER FROM DOWN UNDER: Amongst the plethora of moves from Matt McMahon and his staff, a player that may go under the radar from some is senior transfer guard, Max Mackinnon from Brisbane, Australia.

“I want to be a pro one day, and I think there’s no better place here with all the resources, gym rebounders, everything,” Mackinnon said.

Transferring from Portland, Mackinnon was named WCC 2nd Team All Conference, after averaging 15 PPG for the Pilots and feels indifferent to a change in scenery.

Mackinnon is arguably, one of the craftiest guards in the nation, as last season, Mackinnon was up there with Cooper Flagg and Blake Harper to average 18 ppg, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game, shooting 44% in conference play last season, providing a massive boost to the backcourt for the Tigers.

“It’s a different team, it’s new roles. We’re all starting to get a different feel for each other, but I feel like there’s no pressure. I just have to keep trusting my work. It’ll all figure itself out. Just keep enjoying the moment. These past three years of college I’ve kept stacking and stacking, and then I’ll See Where This Year Takes It,” Mackinnon said.

COULD FLEMING BE SECRET WEAPON?: The Yellow Jackets have had plenty of good guards come through the program. In the Damon Stoudamire era, it has been Kyle Sturdivant, Javian McCollum, Nait George, Lance Terry, and more. I don’t think that in his time as a head coach, they’ve had a guard like Akai Fleming.

The former four-star prospect began his high school basketball journey with Osborne (Marietta, Georgia) before he became a prized prospect in the nation. There in Marietta, he was putting up buckets, and it was must-see TV whenever he stepped on the floor. His elite play and carving out defenses at the prep level led to the call from one of the best leagues in the country, Overtime Elite. Fleming would transition to play in the renowned league, but only played in five games after suffering an injury. During his time there, he averaged 8.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. It was unfortunate his time came to a close, but he remained focused on being ready for when he came to Georgia Tech.

Through just two games this season, he is already making his presence felt. In a win last night over Bryant, he dropped 14 points, which was a career-high. He did it off the bench, too. Georgia Tech has long waited for instant impact offense off the bench and a player who can create. He gives the vibe of a Tahaad Pettiford (Auburn) and his impact he had on the Tigers last season. Now, I am not comparing their games because they play differently. However, with Fleming’s ability to score the basketball at a high level and create for himself.

BULLDOGS BLOW BY STORM: Everybody played, everybody scored, and Drake returned to the victory column.

A 20-3 first half run broke it open and the Bulldogs reached season highs in eight different categories in rolling past NCAA Division III Simpson 89-51 at the Knapp Center on Monday night, the latest installment in a series that dates back to 1907.

Drake coach Eric Henderson is using a nine-player rotation and for the third time in as many games, all nine scored, led by Braden Appelhans with a season-high 15 points. Three others followed in double figures – Jaehshon Thomas with 14, Okku Federiko with 12 and Wilguens Jr. Exacte with 10.

Junior Andrew Alia added a career-high nine points for the Bulldogs (2-1) and Isaiah Carr also scored nine. Jalen Quinn contributed eight points to go with six rebounds and five assists. Exacte pulled down eight rebounds to lead Drake’s 48-34 edge on the boards.

The 89 points were a season high for Drake, which bounced back from last week’s overtime loss to Robert Morris to record its 50th victory in the last 51 non-conference home games. The Bulldogs also reached season bests in field goals (28), 3-pointers (9), field goal percentage (.467), rebounds (48), assists (15), steals (11) and blocks (6).

Exacte muscled his way into the lane for the game’s first points, Quinn followed with a layup and the Bulldogs led the rest of the way. The lead was a modest 8-4 when the Bulldogs started to assert themselves and reeled off 20 of the next 23 points.

TALL SPANAIRD BRINGS POSITIVE NEWS TO DEPAUL: DePaul received positive news earlier this week when an eligibility waiver was approved by the NCAA for 7-foot-2, 250-pound center Fabian Flores. A native of Murcia, Spain who arrived on campus in September, Flores was expected to redshirt the 2025-26 season before the NCAA’s ruling. Flores has three years of NCAA eligibility remaining if DePaul opts to play him this season.

With Flores granted immediate eligibility, Blue Demons head coach Chris Holtmann adds another 7-footer to DePaul’s roster. Now, the decision comes about how the Spaniard might be used during the season. During a call with the media on Thursday afternoon, Holtmann discussed Flores joining the team this season.

“He’s not necessarily ready to play long-term sustained minutes,” Holtmann said of Flores. “You know, he didn’t get here until just recently. So he’s still getting in condition, he’s still learning our system. He missed an entire summer. The plan was always to redshirt him and prepare him for next year. Bottom line, this year for him is about preparation for next year. And that’s the way it’s always been.”

DePaul’s starting frontcourt is seemingly settled with a pair of proven seniors in big man NJ Benson and forward Kaleb Banks. The rest of the Blue Demons’ frontcourt rotation is far from finished. During both exhibition games, and DePaul’s season opener against Chicago State, Holtmann repeatedly changed lineups throughout the game. Holzmann also reiterated in interviews that the starting lineup and rotation for the Blue Demons is far from set — meaning Flores could play a factor this season if he’s looking the part in practice.

TRANSFER MAKING DIFFERENCE FOR LSU: UNLV transfer point guard Dedan Thomas Jr. arrived as the star of LSU coach Matt McMahon’s portal class.

He is the quarterback, and he clearly showed that in the Tigers’ season opening, 96-60 win over Tarleton State last week. Thomas, a junior who was the No. 6-rated point guard in the NCAA Transfer Portal, scored 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting with eight assists and five rebounds.

“He just orchestrates the offense,” LSU coach Matt McMahon said after the game. “The one thing I hope everyone sees is that along side his 16-8-5 stat line, his effort and toughness on the defensive side of the ball is going to be key for us. He plays with relentless effort out there.”

“I love him. He’s an elite floor general,” McMahon said before the season. “Relentless worker. I’ve been really impressed. Probably the biggest surprise is he has been very impactful on defense with his ability to disrupt and pressure. Great court vision, willing passer.”

Stop right there.

Maybe too willing.

GAME CHANGER FOR YELLOW JACKETS: Mouhamed Sylla made his presence felt in his debut with the Yellow Jackets in their season opening 56-52 win over Maryland-Eastern Shore. Sylla also recorded three steals and two blocks, impacting the defensive side of the ball. He was the best player on the floor and showed that he will be a big-time player this season. He finished with 14 points and 15 rebounds. He made history in his debut. Sylla became the first Georgia Tech freshman to record 15+ rebounds in his collegiate debut. His head coach, Damon Stoudamire, was impressed and doubled down on his take about having one of the best front courts.

“Everybody is getting a chance to see Mo. I think that Mo is just going to continue to get better. Personally, I think that we got the best front court, not only in our league, but I think we got one of the best front courts, if not the best one in the country,” said Stoudamire.

He gives the Yellow Jackets a much-needed defensive presence they have been missing. Yes, they have had Baye Ndongo, who is an all-around great player, but they have never had an impact player like this on the defensive end. Sylla switches defensively at a high level and can guard multiple positions. He was tasked with staying in front of fast guards on Monday night and made deflections and steals. His on-ball defense is really good, and he stays in front of players. Then, rim protection is top-level. He uses his athleticism and talent to send back shots and protect the glass.

WORK IN PROGRESS: DePaul is a team that is a work in progress. With plenty of newcomers and only a few returners, things aren’t going to click right away. That’s a large reason why teams like Chicago State and Stonehill were on the Blue Demons’ schedule to start the year.

It gives the team time to work through some things while also improving in some areas. One area that DePaul has to improve in over the next few weeks is coming out stronger in the second half.

In both exhibition games (Loyola and Notre Dame) and in the team’s season opener against Chicago State, the Blue Demons didn’t have a sense of urgency in the second half.

“That’s been an issue for us even last year,” guard Layden Blocker said. “But I feel like we have to be ready to come out of the locker room and just get moving. I feel like we’re just still moving slow. We go back in at halftime, sit down, and coming out, we just have to get our bodies moving and get back locked in. I think that’s one thing that we need to work on and continue to improve on, but I feel like that’s just the main reason. Just come out of that halftime juiced up and ready to go, get back locked in.”

HEADLINES

November 11 Emerald Coast Classic Notebook

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

HEADLINES

DEPAUL

DRAKE

GEORGIA TECH

LSU