Louisville Basketball: The 10 Best ACC Players In Offensive Rebounding

By Fansided and Derek Snyder/FanSided via Big Red Louie
Published

We take a look at the ten best players in the ACC in offensive rebounding, which includes two Louisville basketball players.

The Louisville basketball team has a huge game coming up against the Kentucky Wildcats on Wednesday night. We all know how they have struggled to shoot the basketball, however they have been quietly dominating at rebounding the basketball this season.

Getting second-chance opportunities will be crucial for the Cardinals to have a chance to beat the Wildcats on Wednesday.

With that being said, let’s take a look at the 10 best offensive rebounding players in the conference and the two Cardinals on the list:

Nov 29, 2016; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Amile Jefferson (21) reacts after scoring against the Michigan State Spartans in the second half of their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports

10. Amile Jefferson | Duke Blue Devils | 2.6 Offensive Rebounds P/G

Duke’s Amile Jefferson comes in as one of the best all-around players in rebounding in the conference. While he is only tenth in offensive rebounding, he is currently first in the ACC in defensive rebounding.

He is the veteran presence on a young Duke team that is going to be very, very good this season.

Take a quick look at some of Jefferson’ achievements as a Blue Devil, according to Duke’s Official Athletics website:

• “Has played in 115 games in a Duke uniform, including 68 starts, and averaged 6.1 points and 5.7 rebounds in 20.0 minutes
• Has helped lead Duke to a 116-30 record during his tenure, including a 96-19 mark in games in which he has played
• Has played in 10 NCAA Tournament games, helping Duke win its fifth NCAA championship in 2015
• One of the best offensive rebounders in Duke history, entering his final season ranked sixth on Duke’s career list (277)”

Next: Number Nine

Nov 30, 2016; Coral Gables, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes forward Kamari Murphy (21) is pressured by Rutgers Scarlet Knights forward Eugene Omoruyi (11) during the first half at Watsco Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

9. Kamari Murphy | Miami Hurricanes | 2.7 Offensive Rebounds P/G

Previously at Oklahoma State, Murphy has been a huge addition for the Miami Hurricanes over the past two seasons. In his red-shirt senior season for Miami this year, Murphy has been cleaning up the offensive boards, while leading his team to an 8-2 record.

Take a quick look at what Murphy was able to do for the Hurricanes in the 2015-2016 postseason, according to Miami’s official athletics website:

  • In two ACC Tournament games, averaged 5.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in 26.5 minutes per game Shot 5-9 from the field and 1-2 at the line
  • In three NCAA Tournament games averaged 7.0 points and 7.7 rebounds in 32.7 minutes per game Hit 9-13 from the field and 3-6 at the line.

I think it goes without saying that this guy is going to be a major problem for most teams in the ACC this season.

Nov 25, 2016; Paradise Island, BAHAMAS; Louisville Cardinals forward Mangok Mathiang (12) grabs the ball away from Baylor Bears forward Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. (0) during the first half in the 2016 Battle 4 Atlantis championship game in the Imperial Arena at the Atlantis Resort. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

8. Mangok Mathiang | Louisville Cardinals | 2.9 Offensive Rebounds P/G

Here we go with the first Louisville basketball player on this list. Mathiang has been doing a great job this year with giving his poor shooting Cardinals more chances to get points. Louisville is one of the worst shooting teams in the entire country, but the effort of Mathiang has helped the Cards climb into the top ten in this week’s poll.

It’s going to be extremely important that Mathiang can sustain this type of production throughout conference play.

There are many players on this list that Louisville will be playing and most of the same guys are also very productive grabbing defensive rebounds as well.

Simply put, Mathiang will have his work cut out for him through the Cardinals’ tough ACC slate of opponents.

Nov 15, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) and forward Kennedy Meeks (3) and forward Isaiah Hicks (4) celebrate in game against Long Beach State 49ers during the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. North Carolina won 93-67. Mandatory Credit: Evan Pike-USA TODAY Sports

7. Kennedy Meeks | North Carolina Tar Heels | 3.5 Offensive Rebounds P/G

Louisville has seen this guy before, but he has definitely gotten better since the Cardinals upset North Carolina in the Yum Center last year. This is Meek’s last season as a Tar Heel, therefore he will be looking to finish what he started and win the ACC Championship again in his senior campaign.

Take a look at what Meeks has accomplished as a Tar Heel, according to North Carolina’s official athletics website:

  • Has scored in double figures 46 times, grabbed 10 or more rebounds 19 times and has 12 double-doubles
  • Has 981 career points, 674 rebounds and 107 blocks
  • Has four 20-point games (25 vs. Temple in the 2015-16 opener, 23 vs. NC State at home this year, 21 vs. Robert Morris as a sophomore and 23 at Florida State as a freshman).

As we all saw in the Kentucky versus North Carolina game, the Tar Heels are a very dangerous basketball team this season.

Hopefully the Cards can keep Meeks in check whenever they meet up over the next month or so.

Mar 27, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Bonzie Colson (35) reacts against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half in the championship game in the East regional of the NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

6. Bonzie Colson | Notre Dame Fighting Irish | 3.5 Offensive Rebounds P/G

Bonzie Colson is what makes the Notre Dame Fighting Irish basketball team extremely good. He is currently leading the team in scoring, while also leading the team in rebounds per game. That is pretty amazing if you’re asking me.

Here are just a few of the great things that Colson was able to do last season, according to Notre Dame’s official athletics website:

  • Registered his first career 30-point game with 31 points and 11 rebounds at Duke (1/16/16), helping the Irish claim their first win at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
  • Posted fourth double-double of the season vs. Duke (3/10/16) in the ACC Quarterfinals, scoring 12 points with a career-high 12 rebounds.
  • Dominated the second half of the victory over No. 2/1 North Carolina (2/6/16) with 13 points (four of six from the field) and seven rebounds, including four offensive rebounds.
  • Started 24 contests during the season season but also embraced a role to add energy off the Irish bench in 11 games.

The Cardinals will have a very hard time shutting this guy down whenever they have to go to South Bend in a few weeks. We’ll see if the Cards’ tough schedule will prepare them for a crazy environment that they will surely face against Notre Dame.

Nov 22, 2016; Lahaina, Maui, HI, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Tony Bradley (5) dunks against Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Phil Forte III (13) during the Maui Jim Maui Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

5. Tony Bradley | North Carolina Tar Heels | 2.6 Offensive Rebounds P/G

Well, we finally have our first freshman on this offensive rebounding list. Bradley has been a huge addition to Roy Williams’ 2016-2017 squad and is looking to become one of the best first-year players in the entire conference.

Here are some of Bradley’s accolades coming out of high school, according to North Carolina’s official athletics website:

  • As a senior, was named Mr. Basketball and won the King of the Court award for the state of Florida, was the Lakeland Ledger’s Player of the Year, and played in the McDonald’s and Jordan Brand All-America games
  • Two-time first-team all-state and second-teamer in 2014

Like most of the players on this list, the Cardinals will have to be prepared for face this freshman power forward. A combination of Kennedy Meeks and Tony Bradley will be tough for Louisville to slow down.

Nov 23, 2016; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons forward John Collins (20) holds the ball against Coastal Carolina Chanticleers forward Amidou Bamba (15) during the first half at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

4. John Collins | Wake Forest D. Deacons | 3.8 Offensive Rebounds P/G

John Collins has been one of the only bright spots on a somewhat average Demon Deacons basketball team this season. They are currently 8-3, but have losses to every good team they have played this season.

However, in their defense, those opponents were #1 Villanova, #17 Xavier, and unranked Northwestern

Here are some of the things that Collins was able to do in his freshman season, according to Wake Forest’s website:

  • Led team in field goal shooting at 54.7 (81-148) percent (min. 100 attempts) in 2015-16
  • Scored in double figures in 13 games as a freshman
  • Had 16 points and six rebounds in first career start vs. No. 23 Notre Dame (Feb. 24, 2016)

Let’s see if Collins can keep this production up through the entirety of Wake Forest’s ACC schedule.

Dec 16, 2015; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals forward Jaylen Johnson (10) dunks against the Kennesaw State Owls during the second half at KFC Yum! Center. Louisville defeated Kennesaw State 94-57. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

3. Jaylen Johnson | Louisville Cardinals | 3.9 Offensive Rebounds P/G

Jaylen Johnson has been struggling a little bit as of late, but that doesn’t mean that he isn’t dominating in at least one aspect this season. He is the second Louisville basketball player on this list and he is one of many forwards that Rick Pitino needs to have perform at an elite level this season.

Louisville has a tough stretch of games coming up against Kentucky, Indiana, Virginia, and Notre Dame.

The Cardinals have to keep Johnson out of foul trouble because he cannot be a factor if he is sitting on the bench.

If Johnson can keep giving the Cards more opportunities on the offensive end, then they just might have a chance of making a deep run in this year’s NCAA tournament.

Dec 18, 2016; Birmingham, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Corban Collins (3) shoots against Clemson Tigers center Sidy Djitte (50) at Legacy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

2. Sidy Djitte | Clemson Tigers | 4.6 Offensive Rebounds P/G

Sidy Djitte is the best rebounding player that Clemson has on their entire roster this season. He has helped the Tigers to a great 8-2 record, but they have a tough game with #22 South Carolina coming up this Wednesday night.

A win over the arch-rival Gamecocks would give the Tigers a ton of confidence heading to conference play.

Here were a couple of Djitte’s top performances from last season, according to Clemson’s athletics website:

“Top effort of the season was a 14-point, nine-rebound performance in home ACC opener against Florida State on January 2 … did not miss a field goal and was 8-10 at the free throw line in the win … scored 13 points to end the season against Georgia Tech, where he was 5-9 from the field with seven rebounds and three blocks as well”

Along with Jaron Blossomgame, Djitte is going to give everyone a fight in the ACC this season.

Nov 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets center Ben Lammers (44) shoots the ball against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles in the second half at McCamish Pavilion. Georgia Tech defeated Tennessee Tech 70-55. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

1. Ben Lammers | G. Tech Yellow Jackets | 4.7 Offensive Rebounds P/G

Lammers is currently the best player in offensive rebounding this season in the ACC. He production on offense has helped the Yellow Jackets to a 6-3 record, but they really haven’t played a tough slate of opponents yet this season.

Their best win this season is probably VCU and their “best” loss has been Tennessee.

Here is some key information about Lammers, according to the Yellow Jackets’ athletics website:

  • Developed into a key reserve in the post for Georgia Tech last season as a sophomore after he added 20 pounds of muscle in the off-season
  • True center who can rebound in and out of his area, runs the court well, and has improved his ability to step out and make shots
  • Plays big and knows how to use his body to seal defenders in the lane where he can catch and finish around the rim at a high percentage.

Unlike many of the others on this list, I don’t expect Lammers to be a match-up nightmare for the Cardinals in 2016-2017.

All Stats used in this article came were used from of the ACC’s official statistical website

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