I guess I had better give my thoughts on the first basketball scrimmage of the season. Referees were present and called it loosely.
15 players saw action and I didn't see any player with an injury situation, a rarity in these days. They divided equally between blue and gold jersey teams and were coached by assistants.
I think you will be really pleased with the make-up of this team. I was concerned that after seeing all the signings that the inside might be the weakest link but the inside guys certainly impressed me today.
Most of the Freshmen looked like Freshmen and need a lot of time to be ready. As expected the veterans were much better and confident.
I'm going to go way out on the I.I. limb here and mention who I would choose as the top 6 players. I think a couple more might move into that top 6 as well.
The biggest surprises and the two most outstanding players BY FAR were Sam Griffin 6'3" So PG from UT Arlington and Tim Dalger a 6'7" So Forward from Independence CC. Griffin must have made 20+ points and shot over 50% from the field with few mistakes. He should be the PG without a doubt but I base this on my first observation. Griffin has several Greg Harrington resemblances. A great three point shooter and seems to control the team with ease.
Dalger is everywhere on the court on every play it seems with relentless energy and enthusiasm. Can play the three, four or five easily. Nice shooter with good moves and gets a lot of foul shots which he makes. With his Independence CC stats I never expected this type of impact player.......a really great signing.
For the next four I would have to say Horne, Jackson, KES, and Idowu, not in any order but these six would be my expected starter(S). All looked good with confidence that you expect from veterans.
Other players who showed promise were Pritchard from Webster , Earley (looked trim and in the best shape in two years), Nikita K , a nice European skilled player, and Draine, the late transfer from So. Miss.
Didn't see much out of Sterling Gaston-Chapman, Gavyn Elkamil, Seals, or Urbancic. They are all really young and developing. Also Haywood was not shooting well and still seemed plagued with that problem from last year.
But came away enthused , especially seeing that a couple of the new players may be our best, but knowing that one scrimmage does not tell much of a story. I will add to this after the next one.
15 players saw action and I didn't see any player with an injury situation, a rarity in these days. They divided equally between blue and gold jersey teams and were coached by assistants.
I think you will be really pleased with the make-up of this team. I was concerned that after seeing all the signings that the inside might be the weakest link but the inside guys certainly impressed me today.
Most of the Freshmen looked like Freshmen and need a lot of time to be ready. As expected the veterans were much better and confident.
I'm going to go way out on the I.I. limb here and mention who I would choose as the top 6 players. I think a couple more might move into that top 6 as well.
The biggest surprises and the two most outstanding players BY FAR were Sam Griffin 6'3" So PG from UT Arlington and Tim Dalger a 6'7" So Forward from Independence CC. Griffin must have made 20+ points and shot over 50% from the field with few mistakes. He should be the PG without a doubt but I base this on my first observation. Griffin has several Greg Harrington resemblances. A great three point shooter and seems to control the team with ease.
Dalger is everywhere on the court on every play it seems with relentless energy and enthusiasm. Can play the three, four or five easily. Nice shooter with good moves and gets a lot of foul shots which he makes. With his Independence CC stats I never expected this type of impact player.......a really great signing.
For the next four I would have to say Horne, Jackson, KES, and Idowu, not in any order but these six would be my expected starter(S). All looked good with confidence that you expect from veterans.
Other players who showed promise were Pritchard from Webster , Earley (looked trim and in the best shape in two years), Nikita K , a nice European skilled player, and Draine, the late transfer from So. Miss.
Didn't see much out of Sterling Gaston-Chapman, Gavyn Elkamil, Seals, or Urbancic. They are all really young and developing. Also Haywood was not shooting well and still seemed plagued with that problem from last year.
But came away enthused , especially seeing that a couple of the new players may be our best, but knowing that one scrimmage does not tell much of a story. I will add to this after the next one.
