Mick Cronin of UCLA said that UNC basketball player RJ Davis, a prolific scorer, reminded him of a past major league winner from UConn.
Regarding the fact that senior guard RJ Davis of UNC basketball so frequently has to carry the scoring load for the No. 9 Tar Heels (22-6, 14-3 ACC), as evidenced by his incredible 42-point performance in Monday night’s 75-71 home victory over unranked Miami (15-14, 6-12 ACC), concerns are understandable, but there are countless instances over the years when a lights-out scoring guard has led a team on a memorable ride in the NCAA Tournament. In light of this, what some may consider to be a cause for concern is a sign that the Tar Heels this season have what they need to contend with.
It seems that fifth-year UCLA head coach Mick Cronin, who was interested in then-recruit RJ Davis during his time as Cincinnati’s head coach, thinks the former four-star New York school standout has a chance to be this year’s Big Dance biggest story.
During a conversation with reporters in Los Angeles this week regarding the typical requirements for winning in postseason play, 52-year-old Cronin unexpectedly expressed his admiration for what 22-year-old ACC Player of the Year front-runner Tyus Bowen is doing for the talented Tar Heels under third-year head coach Hubert Davis.Superstitiously, Cronin pondered briefly aloud about avoiding any outright comparisons between the 6-foot RJ Davis and the 6-foot Kemba Walker, the famed 2011 NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player from New York who played for UConn. In the end, he was unable to stop himself:
“As I indicated before, Kemba Walker, I believe that getting a guard to become extremely hot is far more vital than anything else. For example, I could name a team that [had that kind of player] right now if you asked me.I’m a fan of RJ Davis, but I shouldn’t admit it since I don’t want to curse anyone.
“I used to know him as a child. Earlier, when I was at Cincinnati, I had recruited him. I’ve seen him receive 42. I see a boy who could carry a team on a heater and a kid who is similar to that.”
