Matthew Dellavedova is comfortable in the bright lights. So when the Madness tips off in Dayton tomorrow night; it will be yet another opportunity for the 6-4 senior to show off his complete game. Delly, as he is affectionately known, has a skill set that made him, a preseason candidate for the Bob Cousy Award, given to the nation's top point guard. A coach on the court; Dellavedova averaged nearly 16 ppg, while handing off over 6 assists per contest. He will leave St. Mary's as the school's career leading three point marksman; as well as in assists and scoring, a three time All-West Coast Conference selection.
Dellavedova started all six games as the youngest member of the twelve man Australian National Basketball Team this past summer in London; leading Australia to the Quarterfinals. His value to St. Mary's is even more significant; however. He was 10/16 from the field while scoring a career high 32 points in a key early season triumph over Drexel. The 'Awesome Aussie's buzzer beating half court heave in a January victory against BYU is only overshadowed by his court savvy that makes his Gael teammates so much better.
Tuesday night, Delly leads Saint Mary's into battle against Coach Kermit Davis' defensive-minded Blue Raiders. Middle Tennessee State is known for its physical 'lockdown' perimeter defense that makes it tough on point guards, even standouts, like Dellavedova. No doubt, Davis will be looking at film from the formula that #1 seed Gonazaga used to defeat the Gaels three times in WCC play this season.
Don't expect Delly to back down...it's just not in the Awesome Aussie's DNA. The winner of the first round NCAA play-in game will be the 11 seed in the Midwest Region and will face C-USA champion, Memphis on Thursday @ Palace in Auburn Hills, Michigan.
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