6. Danny Pippen (Kent State): 30 points / 11 FGA
Kent State’s 6’9 forward did all he could in a two-point loss to Toledo on Jan.5, 2021. The Golden Flashes leading rebounder and scorer racked up season-highs with 34 points and 16 rebounds. Although Pippen’s performance was not enough to lead the Golden Flashes to victory, it would not be his sole 34-point double-double in January.
Pippen would drop 34 points and grab 11 rebounds versus Bowling Green, but in addition to the extra rebounds, Pippen blocked four shots versus Toledo which gives this performance the edge over the better shooting performance.
5. AJ Plitzuweit (South Dakota): 31 points / 22 Minutes Played
South Dakota’s sophomore guard bookended January with 30-point performances and sandwiched in-between them were six games in which he averaged 14 points. While the 6’2 guard scored 30 points on the second-last day of January, his 31 point performance on Jan. 2, 2021, makes the list.
The deciding factor that made his performance impressive in the 93-54 victory over Denver is that Plitzuweit did it in just 22 minutes. Granted, when one goes 5-6 from the arc and 8-9 from the free-throw line it becomes increasingly easier to top 30 points in twenty-two minutes. His six rebounds, three assists, and zero turnovers are great complimentary stats that highlight his playing time.