Stock Watch

Shaka Smart

It’s time to include Smart in National Coach of the Year conversations. In his second season, he has Marquette just a halfgame behind Xavier in the race for the Big East conference lead and looking like a dangerous March threat. Remember, the Golden Eagles lost three of their top four scorers — Justin Lewis, Darryl Morsell and Greg Elliot — from last season’s tournament team and were picked to finish ninth in the league. They look even better this season, possessing the No. 1 offense in the country.

Texas Tech

The Red Raiders’ run of four straight NCAA Tournament bids is about to come to an end. They fell to 0-7 in the Big 12 on Saturday, and are without a Quad 1 or 2 win. Seven of their nine losses have come by seven points or less. It’s fair to wonder if last year’s success under Mark Adams was more a product of him inheriting Chris Beard’s players. While Texas Tech has been hurt badly by the foot injury to key Utah Valley State transfer Fardaws Aimaq that cost him the first 17 games of the season, there is still more than enough talent on the roster to be in a much better position at this point of the season.

Trayce Jackson-Davis

The senior forward has led Indiana back into the middle of the pack in the Big Ten with three straight strong performances during the Hoosiers’ current three-game winning streak. Sunday was his best yet, a brilliant 31-point, 15-rebound, fiveblock, four-assist outing in a home victory over Michigan State. The 6-foot-9 southpaw has made a major leap as a playmaker, averaging a career-best 3.5 assists, to go along with 18.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.9 blocks.

Mike Hopkins

It wasn’t so long ago that Hopkins was considered a rising star, that his decision to leave Syracuse would cost the program dearly. In his first two years as a head coach, he won a combined 48 games and led Washington to an NCAA Tournament victory. But the Huskies haven’t come close to making it the past three seasons, and nothing has changed this year. With just two years left on his contract after this one, Hopkins’ job could be in trouble if this year continues on its dismal path.