Looking at Diablo Valley College

Diablo Valley College owns a 12-3 overall record plus a seven-game winning streak despite no home games -- all games are listed as at neutral sites -- as yet with conference play now beginning. The Vikings are posting some very interesting numbers:

* scoring 67.9 points per game
* shooting 43.9%, 37% and 65.3%
* shooting 12.5 free throw attempts per game

* allowing 55.7 points per game
* allowing 38.8%, 30.0% and 64.5%
* allowing 16.9 free throw attempts per game

A 12.2 scoring differential is remarkable as is the defensive effort -- 38.8% overall and 30% from long distance. Those two elements will take any team far into league and post conference play.

Here are the prime talents, two sophomore and two freshmen, making it happen for the Vikings:

* 6-foot-4 sophomore Jovontae (El Cerrito High) Carleton - 17.8 points and 5.4 rebounds per game

* 6-foot-4 freshman Victor Mijas out of Brazil - 14.2 points on 51.1% overall and 48.5 three-point shooting (how is he sporting a 57% accuracy at the foul line?)

* 5-foot-11 sophomore Rodney (Freedom High) Pope - averaging 13.7 points plus 4.4 assists a contest

* 6-foot-10 freshman Eric (Dublin High) Nielson 8.2 points a night and shooting 56.3% overall

This is an intriguing team, not one that will physically impose itself on opponents but a crew that can score a lot when it's required and defend well without necessarily having a rim protector.