Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Mid-Majority features Davidson (after the App State game)

Note: Whelliston, the author, was at the game last night

The Boubacar 11/27/2007 (STEFF-in Edition)
By Kyle Whelliston on November 27, 2007 11:20 AM

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- The leftovers are already running out in your fridge, but they're always stocked up here at the Bread Restaurant. Personally, I recommend the cinnamon crunch bagel with hazelnut cream cheese, and perhaps a veggie grilled panini sandwich later. I'd better finish this Boubacar up before the lunch rush starts. "Houston Fancher, your order's ready at the counter. Houston?"

Stephen Curry, Davidson. He's not half-man, half-amazing, he's about five-eighths amazing right now. Last night in the SoCon opener for both Davidson and Appalachian State, Curry scored off the opening tip, nailed four 3's in a row, and went on to blow away his career high of 32. All told, he scored 38 points on 14-for-27 shooting, including nine bombs. That's the fourth-highest one-game total of the year, and Curry is now the nation's sixth-leading scorer at 26.

"He's unbelievable," said 6-8 senior Thomas Sander after the Wildcats' 71-60 win. "From the first few seconds of the game to the end, not only offensively but defensively... he did a great job on the defensive glass as well, helping out his big guys."

I almost forgot, Curry had six boards too, the same amount that Sander did. Watching him, it's easy to forget that this guy is a sophomore. I had to put it in my notes twice and circle it and underline it -- he's only played a little over one year of college ball. He's one of those rare players who runs the floor like he owns it, a two-guard confident enough to shout directions and make coded hand-signals to teammates. He's one of the few who can stand in the deep corner, nodding his head and casting looks into the crowd while a play's going on, then snap into focus and run a picture-perfect stutter-step route that ends in a perfect drilled three from elbow extended. People say "he's a joy to watch" about a lot of ballplayers, but Curry is the kind of player that leaves you with a big, goofy smile for hours after the final buzzer.

But a mystery remains: Davidson's game notes have Curry listed as 6-3 now, up from 6-flat last year. Was this really a growth spurt, or did he gain three inches' worth of reputation over the summer?

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