COLLEGE HOOPS: Mid Major Bliss

MaceoBaller
Nov 5 · 7 min read

College basketball is finally back, so it’s time to get sucked into the wild motion of hoops, school music bands, endless time-outs, unbelievable officiating, and tons of buckets up and down the country during the next five months. To celebrated this fact, during the 2019–20 season I will be bringing you profiles on some of my favourite Mid Major guys and no-so-secret pro players in the making. Let’s enjoy them while they are balling in their schools, dreaming to make a statement all the way to the 2020 National Tournament.

Why not? Anything is possible in College Hoops, and March is coming…

Don’t miss your dose of Mid Major bliss.

Tulio Da Silva / Missouri State

Dynamic Forward / Small Five

1996 Formiga, Brazil — HEIGHT: 6’8 / WEIGHT: 213lb
MO ST: Junior Year Stats: 14.3pts, 7.4 rebs, 1stl & 55.4% FG (27 games)
Awards: 2019 Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Year

BACKGROUND

Watching closely Missouri State you soon realize the potential of Tulio Da Silva on the defensive end, manning the paint and hustling all over, contesting shots with his mobility and agility, and cleaning the glass. It doesn’t end there, though. Tulio also has the looks of a well-built offensive player, absolute reference in the zone asking for the ball when he establishes position there, explosive in short distances around the rim, dripping with athleticism in the open court, and expanding his game behind the arc with an ever improving 3pt shot.

So much to like for a guy who got started with hoops as a 14yo in Formiga, Brazil, and moved to USA to pursue the American dream playing for Arlington Country Day HS in Jacksonville, FL. Straight afterwards, Tulio decided to remain in Florida, and joined Orlando Antigua, at University of South Florida in 2016. And Da Silva’s first blood in college hoops couldn’t have been more positive at a personal level. A redshirt freshman but more of a veteran because of his body and age, Tulio’s raw athleticism and energy fitted well with the Bulls’ frontcourt line: taking on the PF role next to 7’0 footer Ruben Guerrero, or more like a mobile glass-hungry center alongside forwards Malik Fitts and Bob Ziegler. Overall, he became top rebounder and second scorer for the team during his first playing year in Tampa. Such a positive impact didn’t slow down when coach O’ was fired amid investigations over academic fraud. With a new HC Bryan Gregory coming to the program an overhaul of the roster was expected, but Da Silva decided to stay put for his sophomore season and had some solid performances early on. Then his PT and production reduced drastically, which forced him to transfer in January 2018.

His future destination wasn’t other than Missouri State, where Dana Ford was building up the program with a strong mix of veteran players and savy transfers. Ford envisioned Tulio’s high value in a low-paced tempo system with heavy screen-sets offense, zone schemes and defensive grit. A waiver in the summer granted Da Silva eligibility straight away, so he wouldn’t have to sit out for a year. He was about to turn into “the man inside” for the Bears.

GAME, STRENGTHS & OUTLOOK

What’s the secret for Da Silva exciting showing in Springfield raising his numbers and production way above his best USF days? You could say that Dana Ford knew from the very beginning how to get the best out of Tulio’s motor and physical profile as a small five, and to that end he built some versatile and tough 4–1 lineups with a bunch of aggressive guards around the 6’8 Brazilian.

A single glance at Da Silva in the warn-ups and it becomes pretty obvious that he has tools to play way above the rim. And he knows how to exploit them as a PnR roller, ready to attack the rack and catching dishes or lobs with his imposing vertical pop up. He can also cut through the baseline and crash the glass for tips or put-backs. But his offense however, is not just explosion around the rim, as Tulio has touch with either hand and can use his footspeed and balance to seal defenders in the post and get buckets off the spin and reversed lay ups. Usually double-teamed in the low blocks, Da Silva gets fouled fairly often and still has room to improve his ball distribution from there and his 65% FT shooting. Tulio’s skillset wouldn’t be complete without a serious threat in the pick and pop, so he’s worked on his shooting mechanics over hitting a 37% from the 3pt line despite only 1.7 attempts per night. Pretty impressive though, having in mind that he barely shot from deep in his first two college seasons. With the ball on the floor Da Silva is not a playmaker by any means, and at times he can slow down the offensive flow, but he has handle on iso plays and a long first step to blow by bigger matchups in space after the pump fake.

Aside from a fiery rebounder and rim runner, Tulio has embraced the Bears’ hustling mentality as his own on the defensive end with quick hands, ready to help in defensive rotations from the weak side with his length and shot blocking instincts. Occasionally his post-defense suffers against skilled and heavier players. In those situations he relies more on his athleticism than strength, going for a clean block or trying to anticipate the entry-pass inside. There is still some muscular development and frame to fill up looking to get stronger at the next stage. His battles in the MVC against Cameron Krutwig, Phil Fayne, Kavion Pippen show this potential. On the other hand, when switching and defending away from the hoop, Da Silva seems well equipped to stay on front of quicker guards thanks to his quick feet and wingspan. In a league like the Valley where milking the clock and zonal defense has become widespread for most schools, switchability is not as usual as it could be in a more spaced offense.

Tulio has thrilled in this ball protection environment, but would it be the same playing in a more natural up-tempo style? He is certainly a gifted athlete as his powerful transition runs show, so it looks like he could indeed adjust to the NBA speed and high tempo kind of game. It’s probable, though, that given his size he would need to play mostly the versatile face-up forward role, protecting the rim as well as spacing, attacking close outs and needing to master his shooting to become a consistent floor-stretcher.

MISSOURI STATE EXPECTATIONS

It’s year two of Dana Ford’s tenure at MO ST and things are looking promising for the Bears, chasing their first NCAA Tournament berth since 1999 and selected #1 in the MVC Preseason Polls. Graduated and gone are guards Jarred Dixon, Ryan Kreklow and former Texas Tech floor general Josh Webster, particularly important establishing a fantastic connexion in the PnR with Tulio Da Silva. Even without them, Ford will keep the momentum flowing in Springfield thanks to a new influx of quality transfers highlighted by Lamont West (West Virginia), Josh Hall (Nevada), Tyrik Dixon (Middle Tenn) and Juco Product Gaige Prim (South Plains College). They come alongside a well-rounded all-Missouri frosh class that includes Isiaih Mosely, Tyem Freeman and Ja’monta Black. On top of this wealth of talent, Ford will rely again on MVC first team selection Tulio Da Silva returning from the NBA Draft, and on the absolute bucket that is Keandre Cook, a senior all-around wing who will make things happen in the backcourt.

Based on the ability and depth of the roster, MO ST looks the team to beat in the Valley, and the have scheduled accordingly to expectations, giving themselves a chance to grab quality wins in the Charleston Classic and on the road at Xavier, LSU and VCU. It will be interesting to see how Ford manages a crowded frontcourt with plenty of combinations and the chance to play an intriguing triple-forward lineup, mixing sophomore Jared Ridder, Lamont West and Da Silva himself. Tulio could also diversify his role on both ends taking the 4th spot alongside the beast in the post that is Gaige Prim, with the ball in his hands and freedom to roam around the 3pt-line. The season will go hand in hand on how the coaching adjusts to the new personnel and gets the new guys into its “Defend no matter what” motto making the most of their offensive weapons.

Tulio’s last dance with the Bears should be the right moment to establish himself as a legit Draft prospect gaining more attention from the NBA front offices. Old for the 2020 Draft class, it seems unlikely his name will be called next june, but Da Silva could get an invitation for the NBA Combine with a strong showing this year. If that isn’t the case, he could still earn a place after showcasing his upside and skills among other top seniors via Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, PIT. Blessed with his athletic traits, serious motor and improved understanding of the game, anything could happen. Don’t be surprised if Tulio makes his way into a GLeague roster in the near future, or even if he gets some 10-days or two-way contrat that opens the door to the NBA in the long run.

MaceoBaller

Written by

College Hoops, Fiba Youth Bball, NBA Draft… And then some

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