Torrance Shines in Portsmouth Invitational
4/12/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
April 12, 2010
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
Game 3 Box Score
PORTSMOUTH, Va. - Alabama men's basketball standout Mikhail Torrance made the most of his opportunity at the prestigious Portsmouth Invitational Tournament over the weekend. Thanks in large part to his 17.3 points and 6.0 assists per game his Portsmouth Partnership squad finished third in the three-game event.
Torrance opened up play in the tournament with 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting with a game-high 10 assists in a 104-85 win. After drawing the attention of nearly everyone in attendance at Portsmouth, he followed that up with 23 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, all team highs, in a 98-75 loss.
In the tournament's third-place game, he posted 15 points off the bench in 25 minutes of action. Over the three-game span, he converted on 53.1 percent (17-of-32) from the floor and 94.7 percent (18-of-19) from the free throw line.
Numerous outlets covering the event praised Torrance's on-court performance with Dave Moreau, Director of Basketball for IMG Academy writing, "[Torrance] put in the most impressive, pro-style lead guard performance so far, dishing off the pick-and-roll like a veteran, and showing an ability to finish in the lane and defend multiple perimeter positions. He was in total control of his team, and had every player in the gym wanting to play on his team by the end of the night. His body, smarts, competitiveness and defensive ability should have every team meeting with him in his hotel over the next two days. He's the big, versatile guard that good teams at the highest level are seeking."
Meanwhile, the scouts at draftexpress.com write, "possibly the most intriguing single-game performance seen thus far from an NBA draft perspective was that of Alabama combo guard Mikhail Torrance. Standing out from the opening tip due to the sheer size (6-5) he brings to the table at the point guard position, Torrance showed terrific physical tools and potential and likely established himself as a legitimate draft prospect in the process."
