When you see how Mika Adams-Woods came to Cincinnati he’s connected to Samari Curtis in more ways than one. Not only did Curtis decommit from Cincinnati when the coaching change happened, Adams-Woods did the same at Nebraska so it was almost like it was an unofficial trade for each other. People really wanted the 4 star Curtis to stay, but it wasn’t meant to be and that’s where Adams-Woods comes in a 3 star combo guard out of Syracuse, New York has come in.
Cincinnati lost Justin Jenifer and Cane Broome due to graduation and Logan Johnson transferred out going to St. Mary’s leaving the point guard room bare. John Brannen signed graduate transfer point guard Chris McNeal, with the skills Jarron Cumberland showed last season he can run point when needed, but could Adams-Woods give quality minutes at point if needed or would he need to play the two to be comfortable?
Fast forward to the Paradise Jam third place game against Valparaiso was the first time the freshman scored double digits (10 points). He did it efficiently going 4-of-6 from the floor, 1-of-2 from three and 1-of-1 from the line in 18 minutes. Watching the 6’3” guard the following game against UNLV where he had 10 points and five rebounds, but it was how he took the challenge of guarding UNLV’s point guard who had a career night late in the game where I started saying he is very important to this team this year. McNeal has been solid, but since the Bowling Green game he hasn’t been as aggressive and you can see Adams-Woods picking up the slack, while running with the ball.
Adams-Woods over the last four games has averaged 21.5 minutes, 3.0 rebounds, .75 assists and 9.0 points while shooting 72.2% from the floor, 62.5% from three and 83.3% from the line. While maybe his numbers from the floor don’t stay at this high rate, you can see why he’s possibly looked at as the present as well as the future. Being able to play the point this year has been big plus for this team and we know the freshman will have some growing pains, but it is good that the New York native is picking up the college game fast because he is important for this program now and in the future.
McNeal will start the rest of the season, but next year he will be gone. Mike Saunders and Mason Madsen will arrive, but Adams-Woods has the skill set to play on the court with both of the player’s. I think Brannen has found a real gem in Adams-Woods especially if the young man continues to get better. The guard position has somebody that make an impact in Clifton for awhile!
