A conversation on D3boards sparked the following research, which supports the notion we already knew: Joey Kizel is one of the best players in the country in close games/big games/”the moment.”
2011-12 Kizel in one-possession games:
- 20 pts, 6-11 FG, 2-4 3FG, 6-6 FT
- 16 pts, 5-8 FG, 2-4 3FG, 4-4 FT
- 15 pts, 5-10 FG, 1-3 3FG, 4-6 FT
- 24 pts, 7-11 FG, 4-4 3FG, 6-6 FT
- 26 pts, 8-13 FG, 3-6 3FG, 7-8 FT
- 18 pts, 6-11 FG, 2-4 3FG, 4-5 FT
- 21 pts, 7-10 FG, 3-6 3FG, 4-5 FT
- 21 pts, 8-14 FG, 2-6 3FG, 3-3 FT
2011-12 one-possession game average:Â
- 20.1 ppg, 59% FG, 51% 3FG, 88% FT
2012-13 Kizel in one-possession* games:
- 17 pts, 5-9 FG, 2-4 3FG, 5-6 FT
- 12 pts, 5-10 FG, 0-3 3FG, 2-6 FT
- 19 pts, 6-9 FG, 3-4 3FG, 4-6 FT
- 15 pts, 5-9 FG, 1-3 3FG, 4-4 FT
- 30 pts, 8-17 FG, 5-10 3FG, 9-10 FT
- 19 pts, 7-14 FG, 4-10 3FG, 1-2 FT
- 13 pts, 4-7 FG, 1-3 3FG, 4-4 FT
2012-13 one-possession game average:
- 17.9 ppg, 53% FG, 43% 3FG, 78% FT
*excluding Curry because a meaningless 3-pointer at the buzzer cut it to one-possession.
Those statistics are incredible. The most amazing statistics might be his consistent efficiency: in fifteen such games, Kizel has been under 50% from the field only twice. And it would have been once were it not for the 3/4-court shot he took and missed at the expiration of the 2013 Amherst game, in which he finished 8-17.
Compare these statistics to those of D3Hoops Northeast Regional Player of the Year and NESCAC Player of the Year Aaron Toomey in one-possession games over the past two years:
Toomey ’11-’13 one-possession game average:
- 14.6 ppg, 34% FG, 36% 3FG, 79% FT
One thing to be confident about heading into Salem: Middlebury’s best player defines rising to the occasion.
Also, a good reminder that we are constantly tweeting over at: @MiddPantherBlog, and for any readers who want more content, you can find it there.
simple fact – in the recent long line of great Midd guards on this run (Harris, Rudin, Edwards, Thompson, Wolfin), Kizel is the best of the bunch – high praise indeed. could care less about AA lists, what they do in the land or purple or what the conveniently dissected numbers say, his play and the team’s record speak to the only proper conclusion
One further point to be noted is that this group of seniors (now with 104 W’s in their careers)has gone 18-6 in elimination games over that time. Just another reason why the program has reached the national recognition levels it has over the past 6 years(147-25). We’ll worry about next year later on. Clubbo.
147-25 over six years; was just yesterday (2004-05) they were 6-18 – an amazing record w plenty of credit to go around. even better – year in and year out, the quality of kids has been more than equal to the quality of play
Guys-excellent work in the data mines. Getting more people to realize that Joey ought to be on a lot of A-A short lists. You ought to forward this Brad because he may not have broken it down like this. The numbers reinforce what we’ve seen on the court, and should provide the supporting evidence for those outside of Middlebury to realize that Joey should be recognized as one of the nation’s best. Unfortunately Midd doesn’t really publicize its players the way they do at Amherst or in Williamstown, and it works to our detriment.
Joey now gets to the national stage with a terrific complement of talent and experience. Whether we advance or not depends on a lot of factors, because No.Cent. is a legit title contender, as are many of the teams in Salem, but it’s my take that you don’t have to worry about whether Joey will rise to the moment. Guys like him were born for these moments and when presented with them make them count. There’s no stat for that and although high-level coaching factors in, it’s something intangible. And great. Take care riding down I-81. Salem bound. Clubbo.