Phill Scrubb Dominant, Carleton Wins 5th Straight National Title

victor carleton
Courtesy: Jeff Fulgar

Phil Scrubb was dominant all weekend long at the CIS Final 8.

The 6’3 point guard lead his team to a fifth straight CIS National championship, averaging 29.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 8.3 APG, shooting lights out (61% FG, 64% 3P).

The Carleton Ravens rolled over the Ottawa Gee-Gees 93-46 on the national stage.

Older brother Thomas Scrubb was just as impressive, posting a near triple-double- 20 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists.

Tommy, the defensive player of the year was confident when asked about the state of the Carleton Ravens moving foward.

Courtesy: Jeff Fulgar
Courtesy: Jeff Fulgar

“I think it will be fine…if you’ve seen Connor Wood, I think he could be player of the year next year,” said Scrubb.

Wood, a third year player from Guelph, Ontario finished with 21 points, four rebounds and two assists on 8/12 from the field, including 5/7 from three-point land.

As a team, CU shot an impressive 55% from the field and 52% from behind the arch.

It’s the way they execute.

High I.Q basketball was demonsrated with every player on the floor and their ability to make quick decisions against the defense, whether it be pass, shoot or drive.

The Ravens picked apart their counterparts, who looked flat, coming off of the late game semi-final against Ryerson the night before.

“If we win the Wilson Cup, we don’t play that game,” explained Ottawa Head Coach James Derouin.

“We talked about it before the Wilson cup, if you want to win a championship, it’s games like that, that set you up, put you in the best position to be successful.”

Only one player reached double figures for Ottawa (Moe Ismail, 10 points) and shot an uncharacteristic 25% (14/56) from the field as a team.

“We didn’t show up against Windsor (at OUA Final 4) and the result is we played the late game. No excuses…we weren’t good but they were awesome on both ends of the floor. They deserved to win and all the credit goes to them and their coaching staff.”

The CIS loses quality talent to graduation, including player of the year Johnny Berhane and Gabriel Gonthier-Dubue of Ottawa.

For Carleton, the Scrubb brothers will move on to play professional basketball, but the question still remains, in what league and what level?

Phil Scrubb and the Next Level

Courtesy: Jeff Fulgar
Courtesy: Jeff Fulgar

The possibility of Phil Scrubb making an NBA roster has been discussed in CIS basketball circles for years. It is undoubtedly a long shot coming out of the Canadian university ranks, however he will get his opportunity to prove himself, as I fully expect him to be invited to NBA training camps this summer.

I asked him about playing at the highest level, “It’s definitely a different level of intensity. My advantage isn’t going to be my athleticism, so I have to work on my skills.”

After watching his career blossom for five years, Scrubb’s CIS Final 8 performance was the best that I’ve ever seen him. He is a computer on the floor, with High I.Q and feel for the game. He operates with precision, illustrated by his 4.5 assist to turnover ratio over the course of the season. He has improved every single year.

Scrubb will make good money playing the game he loves, whether it be in the NBA or Europe.

I’m eager to track his progress throughout the summer, as he could participate in either the PAN AM games or the Olympic qualifier with the Canadian national team.

Thomas spoke on his brothers chances of playing at the highest level, “once he gets in that situation he’ll be with high level pros, and will be able to gage what level he’s ready for.”

Tommy VS Phil 1-On-1

Courtesy: Jeff Fulgar
Courtesy: Jeff Fulgar

Who would win in a game of 1-on-1? Having an older brother myself (and sibling rivalry), I had to ask.

Phil: “I’d say me, but if you ask him, he’d probably say him.”

Tommy: I think I’d win. If things go bad, I can always take him to the post. I don’t think he’s that much quicker than me that he can go by me at ease and I’m pretty long so I can get to his shot. If things go bad, I can always back him down.”

 

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