I’m getting a little closer to posting some of the more exotic individual stats on a regular basis. For now, here are some of the national leaders (through Saturday). I’ve required one to play in 40% of his team’s minutes to qualify. For shooting stats, a player needs to average four FGAs per game. Stats against non-D1 teams don’t count.

Best Offensive Rebounder: Jason Cain of Virginia is grabbing 20.3% of his own team’s missed shots – even after getting shut out against Gonzaga on Saturday. Eventual leader Joey Dorsey of Memphis currently sits 10th nationally (18.9%).

Best Defensive Rebounder: Aaron Gray of Pitt is hauling in 31.9% of his opponents missed shots while he is on the court. He’s averaging double-digit rebounds in only 24.9 mpg. Granted, against weak competition.

Biggest Ballhog: Jose Juan Barea uses 37.8% of Northeastern’s possessions while he is on the court.

Biggest Gunner: Rodney Stuckey takes 39.4% of Eastern Washington’s shots while he is on the court.

Best Shotblocker: A two-man race between Northeastern’s Shawn James (blocks 21.3% of opponents’ two-point shots) and Wyoming’s Justin Williams (21.1%). Pearson Griffith of Murray State is in third at 18.8%.

Best Thief: Charlie White of Jackson State is getting steals on 10.2% of opponents’ possessions.

Best FT Rate (100*FTA/FGA): Evansville’s Matt Webster has shot 68 free throws compared to 57 field goals for a 119.3 FT Rate.

Best Shooter: Ohio State’s Je’Kel Foster owns a 87.7 eFG% (42 of 61 overall, 23 of 38 on threes).

Ironman Award: Marist point guard Jared Jordan has played 97.1% (272 of 280) of his team’s minutes.

                           FG    3pt  FT   Reb
                      Min  M-A   M-A  M-A  O-T   A F S TO BLK Pts
Paul Davis             34  9-11  0-0  6-7  2-11  1 3 0  3  1   24
Result: Win. Michigan St. 83, Cleveland St. 75.

Not too much longer until it’s fair to say Michigan State ‘06 = Gonzaga ‘05. Unstoppable offense, pathetic defense.

                           FG    3pt  FT   Reb
                      Min  M-A   M-A  M-A  O-T   A F S TO BLK Pts
Derek Coleman          34  9-15  6-7  7-8  0-5   6 3 0  2  0   31
Result: Win. Robert Morris 97, Charleston Southern 85.

                           FG    3pt  FT   Reb
                      Min  M-A   M-A  M-A  O-T   A F S TO BLK Pts
Steven Smith           59 17-27  3-5  4-5  2-11  6 3 3  4  1   41
Result: Win. La Salle 107, Central Connecticut 106 (4OT).

When I saw La Salle scored 107, I thought for sure Smith would have 50.