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NCAA Basketball: Biggest takeaways from 2019 Battle 4 Atlantis

By Tristan Freeman

PORTLAND, OREGON - NOVEMBER 12: Payton Pritchard #3 of the Oregon Ducks brings the ball up the court during the second half of the game at Moda Center on November 12, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. Oregon won the game 82-74. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - NOVEMBER 12: Payton Pritchard #3 of the Oregon Ducks brings the ball up the court during the second half of the game at Moda Center on November 12, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. Oregon won the game 82-74. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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TULSA, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 22: Michael Jacobson #12 of the Iowa State Cyclones argues a call against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the second half in the first round game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at BOK Center on March 22, 2019 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
TULSA, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 22: Michael Jacobson #12 of the Iowa State Cyclones argues a call against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the second half in the first round game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at BOK Center on March 22, 2019 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Iowa State – Need more frontcourt production to be a contender

With all of the ranked teams and Michigan getting the attention, Iowa State flew under the radar in this event. They had a blowout victory over Alabama and a pair of solid performances, albeit in losing efforts against Michigan and Seton Hall. One thing is clear though, this will be sophomore guard Tyrese Halliburton’s final NCAA Basketball season, as he looked fantastic this week. His stock is solidified top-10 status.

Someone’s stock who has taken a slight dip is big man Michael Jacobson, who struggled in all three games. He combined to shoot 6/17 from the field in the Battle for Atlantis, including scoring zero points in 23 minutes against the bigs for the Pirates. Outside of scoring 20 against Mississippi Valley State in the opener, the former Nebraska transfer has not looked good. In fact, an argument can be made that reserve forward George Conditt should take over in the starting lineup. Head coach Steve Prohm will probably wait to make that move in hopes that the senior gets it going but the Cyclones need to production to be more confident once Big 12 play comes.

Seton Hall – Quest for a second scorer continues

The Pirates have legitimately looked like a top-15 team this season and when Myles Powell gets going, they can beat just about everyone. But just as they did against Michigan State, their late-game execution leaves a lot to be desired. They had the game won against Oregon but once Powell was bottled up, no one else could carry the team to the finished line. Quincy McKnight is a solid defender and passer but asking for anything more than 10-12 points is just not realistic.

That goes for just about everyone else on the roster not named Powell with the possible exception of Sandro Mamukelashvili. The 6’10 junior is the only other player averaging double-digits on the team and did reach that figure in all three games, including going for a season-high 18 versus Iowa State. He’s a very good defender that has been getting better on the offensive end. Mamukelashvili also has been extending his range, which is huge because that allows centers Ike Obiagu and Romero Gill to play alongside him without losing space. There may not be a reliable second option to Powell for Seton Hall but it does look like the most likely bet to be that guy will be Mamukelashvili.

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