An Ivy League Pro? Wittman Was Born Ready

        Cornell's tournament run through Temple and Wisconsin has surprised quite a few fans and analysts, but Ryan Wittman, the Big Red's leading scorer, has always received this much attention. Thanks, in part, to his father, a former Indiana Hoosier, and former NBA player and coach, Randy Wittman.

        Wittman's strong performances through the first two-rounds of the NCAA Tournament has some scouts looking closer at the senior forward. He is averaging 22 points (17-for-25 from the field, 68%; 7-for-11 from behind the arc, 64%), 4 rebounds and has yet to turn the ball over in 72 minutes of play. He has always been an excellent 3-point shooter, knocking down 43% for his career. The 6'7" forward excels at using screens and curls to get his shots off. When defenders start playing Wittman for his shot, he has a realistic shot-fake one-dribble pull-up jump shot, or will turn the corner and take the ball strong to the rim.

        Most scouts believe that Wittman has helped himself so much so during his senior year, that he now a lock for the 2nd round of the 2010 NBA Draft. Every team can always use a knock-down shooter, especially one that stands 6'7" and has basketball in his blood.

        Some numbers to think about: Over the past two seasons, Cornell has played 11 opponents from the big six BCS conferences (ACC, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, Pac-10), 10 of which were road games. Wittman has performed exceptionally well in these 11 contests, averaging: 22.6 points (43% FG, 40% 3-point FG), 3.5 rebounds and an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.45:1.


By Corey Ruff - President - 3-24-10