With AJ Reeves and Emmitt Holt sidelined, Gantt got the start and made an impact — making 3-6 shots from the field, grabbing six rebounds, and blocking a pair of shots in 29 minutes. In a game featuring two teams that wanted to play an aggressive, defense-first brand of basketball, Gantt not only did not look overwhelmed with the physical play, but was among those that thrived in it.
This the time of year in which some of the best freshman have begun to turn it on under Ed Cooley. Alpha Diallo consistently played fewer than 20 minutes a game until January of his freshman season.