What a gas! Those who showed up were in for a real treat. This is the season we hit the big time, with 3 of the pre-season top 16 teams coming into our house for conference games. The move to the AAC was our gift to Donnie Jones and our fans. And from the looks of things, we're the real deal.
First, the look. Took a while to even recognize the returning 8 regulars, what with all the new facial hair and changing hair length and styles -- Walker's longer and Karrell's shorter. The new bodies on these guys were bulked up, too, especially among last season's frosh. Gone is the baby fat.
The new guys:
Steve Haney is for real, as I'd hoped. A silky smooth outside shot with range and quick release. Leadership as I heard him bark instructions to guys 4 years his senior. Fast break assists and even some decent D on quick guards. He should get PT, though his body is too light still to battle for rebounds. But clearly Donny can use his speed at shooting guard.
Brandon Goodwin is still raw but we saw the pieces were all there -- great athletic ability and ball handling skills. Farther along that Walker was at this point last year. As soon as he gets to know his teammate strengths better, we can throw him into the mix on a spot basis.
Eugene McCrory has a monster body but a soft shooting touch around the basket and even outside. Even Blair couldn't stop him underneath most of the time. If only to replace Keith's rebounding and taking up space, he filled a desperate need. He showed he can run the court, maintain high energy, and be a play disruptor on defense. Sykes and Walker also found him (who could miss him?) to lay off on drives. If he can stay out of foul trouble, his court sense and presence will be very welcome.
Justin McBride did not play or even warm up despite suiting up, although he did dribble a bit and launch a shot. Listed at 6' 10" and 310 pounds (or perhaps 340?), followed his high school exploits. Big question mark, and it depends how Donnie reacts.
Our four sophomores: Forced into service too early last year due to NCAA sanctions, these guys looked and played different tonight. Walker showed the most obvious improvement. He was a like a mini-Sykes, all high energy. Gone was the soft play, replaced by a muscular style that was crisp, precise, and focused. Before this evening, Walker was the guard I had on the bubble. After watching him tonight, it was clear he had worked hard to eliminate his weaknesses and made a convincing statement that he demands court time as a 3-point shooter, point man, defender, and lane driver. Wow!
Speaking of off-season improvement, Staphon Blair was a commanding force inside who had matured in his play. He isn't lost out there anymore. Remember, he is still learning the game. He's as big as Keith, but throws his weight (and new muscles) around more. Unfortunately, that led to several fouls. But now with more depth up front on the squad, Donnie can afford to use Blair more until he learns the ropes.
Matt Williams was much better, bigger, stronger, and quicker. Like Walker, he was a blur at times. His height and quick delivery allowed him to get off 3s even with Kasey's hand in his face. His ball handling and D have improved, too.
Dylan Karell doesn't seem to have improved as much. We know he can run the floor and again showed he can do acrobatic put backs (he didn't miss a shot last season). But as far as shot blocking, rebounding, or just battling inside, I still didn't see it. Perhaps he can develop a medium range jumper.
The upper classmen:
Sykes is better! No, I'm not kidding. He made unbelievable moves. Everyone else on the court is in freeze frame. He owns the court. But now he's dishing off to the big men and open guards, often with incredible no-look passes. His touch around the basket is softer and goes in more. I've been at universities with national champions and I've never seen anyone like him.
Spurlock seems dedicated to make his senior year special. He now has the full game, if he can just put it all together. He's always played in spurts, with frenetic efforts that carried the team almost like a 6th man. Last year he raised his rebounding game, but this squad may not need that role as much. As a wing man, has he the quickness and ball handling to be more than a set shooter, and can he defend against the top small forwards in the AAC -- some of the best in the nation?
Kasey Wilson was amazing. After a great first half of the season, he almost seemed to disappear as the freshman guards got more PT and we went small. Wilson showed intensity and concentration throughout the scrimmage. Time and again, he finished on breaks and was all around the basket. Yet his 3 point shooting was back, too. Donnie has got to find a way to get him into the mix in a big way, and he will.
Calvin Newell was happy tonight. No more point guard duties. We had three of them already. He was born to shoot open set shots, off screen, driving layups, and finishing on the break with jams. WYSISWYG.
Donnie spoke to the crowd about the challenge of this unprecedented season. He said he was looking for court combinations that work well together.
At the poster signing, I thanked Steve Haney and Brandon Goodwin for deciding to come here. Gosh, they look so young!
First, the look. Took a while to even recognize the returning 8 regulars, what with all the new facial hair and changing hair length and styles -- Walker's longer and Karrell's shorter. The new bodies on these guys were bulked up, too, especially among last season's frosh. Gone is the baby fat.
The new guys:
Steve Haney is for real, as I'd hoped. A silky smooth outside shot with range and quick release. Leadership as I heard him bark instructions to guys 4 years his senior. Fast break assists and even some decent D on quick guards. He should get PT, though his body is too light still to battle for rebounds. But clearly Donny can use his speed at shooting guard.
Brandon Goodwin is still raw but we saw the pieces were all there -- great athletic ability and ball handling skills. Farther along that Walker was at this point last year. As soon as he gets to know his teammate strengths better, we can throw him into the mix on a spot basis.
Eugene McCrory has a monster body but a soft shooting touch around the basket and even outside. Even Blair couldn't stop him underneath most of the time. If only to replace Keith's rebounding and taking up space, he filled a desperate need. He showed he can run the court, maintain high energy, and be a play disruptor on defense. Sykes and Walker also found him (who could miss him?) to lay off on drives. If he can stay out of foul trouble, his court sense and presence will be very welcome.
Justin McBride did not play or even warm up despite suiting up, although he did dribble a bit and launch a shot. Listed at 6' 10" and 310 pounds (or perhaps 340?), followed his high school exploits. Big question mark, and it depends how Donnie reacts.
Our four sophomores: Forced into service too early last year due to NCAA sanctions, these guys looked and played different tonight. Walker showed the most obvious improvement. He was a like a mini-Sykes, all high energy. Gone was the soft play, replaced by a muscular style that was crisp, precise, and focused. Before this evening, Walker was the guard I had on the bubble. After watching him tonight, it was clear he had worked hard to eliminate his weaknesses and made a convincing statement that he demands court time as a 3-point shooter, point man, defender, and lane driver. Wow!
Speaking of off-season improvement, Staphon Blair was a commanding force inside who had matured in his play. He isn't lost out there anymore. Remember, he is still learning the game. He's as big as Keith, but throws his weight (and new muscles) around more. Unfortunately, that led to several fouls. But now with more depth up front on the squad, Donnie can afford to use Blair more until he learns the ropes.
Matt Williams was much better, bigger, stronger, and quicker. Like Walker, he was a blur at times. His height and quick delivery allowed him to get off 3s even with Kasey's hand in his face. His ball handling and D have improved, too.
Dylan Karell doesn't seem to have improved as much. We know he can run the floor and again showed he can do acrobatic put backs (he didn't miss a shot last season). But as far as shot blocking, rebounding, or just battling inside, I still didn't see it. Perhaps he can develop a medium range jumper.
The upper classmen:
Sykes is better! No, I'm not kidding. He made unbelievable moves. Everyone else on the court is in freeze frame. He owns the court. But now he's dishing off to the big men and open guards, often with incredible no-look passes. His touch around the basket is softer and goes in more. I've been at universities with national champions and I've never seen anyone like him.
Spurlock seems dedicated to make his senior year special. He now has the full game, if he can just put it all together. He's always played in spurts, with frenetic efforts that carried the team almost like a 6th man. Last year he raised his rebounding game, but this squad may not need that role as much. As a wing man, has he the quickness and ball handling to be more than a set shooter, and can he defend against the top small forwards in the AAC -- some of the best in the nation?
Kasey Wilson was amazing. After a great first half of the season, he almost seemed to disappear as the freshman guards got more PT and we went small. Wilson showed intensity and concentration throughout the scrimmage. Time and again, he finished on breaks and was all around the basket. Yet his 3 point shooting was back, too. Donnie has got to find a way to get him into the mix in a big way, and he will.
Calvin Newell was happy tonight. No more point guard duties. We had three of them already. He was born to shoot open set shots, off screen, driving layups, and finishing on the break with jams. WYSISWYG.
Donnie spoke to the crowd about the challenge of this unprecedented season. He said he was looking for court combinations that work well together.
At the poster signing, I thanked Steve Haney and Brandon Goodwin for deciding to come here. Gosh, they look so young!
