C
Chief00
Tbe start of another season and lots of observations to share. First, Upchurch from B-port is a player - I had seen him play a few times and this solidifies my view he is really good due to the competition. He is a little dude but he can play. A real competitor.
Larrier - A legit 6-9 with a good body and speed. Can rebound, plays D fairly hard, runs the court but I need to see more before judging his shooting. My initial assessment is not a knock down shooter but not a bricklayer either.
Gilbert - Amazing a guy that quick can get beat off the dribble as much as he did but Upchurch is really good. Doesn't have good rotation on his shot and is really short. I do like the way he pushed the ball. JC would of benched him after he backed off a possible collision going for a 50/50 ball in the first half. Call me old school but that's a no/no. He's a freshman so let's give him some time before passing judgement - just relaying what I saw. Has good speed.
Jackson - As noted elsewhere he has a nice stroke and has the size to shoot over the defense. Not super athletic but seems to know the game and has decent size.
Durham - Has legit 6-10 height and a soft touch but as I recall made just one FG. Given their depth and his need to put on some muscle - I would be open to redshirting. I can see some greatest there but I don't know if he completely trust his knees yet? I think he can rebound too but more muscle would help.
Vatale -Another guard in the rotation now but when it's shorten may not see much time if Jackson keeps knocking down shots. At college level he needs to take the jumper and not take it to the hoop unless necessary. Want to see him shoot more before passing judgement.
Brimah - tough type of game for him. His offense will miss Hamilton on the assist. Really not much change that I could see.
Facey - Definitely put on some muscle - played fairly well around the basket and he has a decent midrange shot. What's always been a question for him - will he stay engaged with intensity? Has ability.
Diarra - A 6-6 rebounder on a team with 6-10 guys. Plays very active and I like his intensity - seems like a good team guy. May get more time after Facey leaves.
Enoch - He is a big dude and we need that. He has good hands and nice touch with either hand around the basket. He doesn't have Drummond or Larrier speed but he is not slow either. Still got lost defensively in one pick and roll. Better player than Brimah other than help shot blocking and shot changing.
Purvis and Adams I will discuss another time - you know them - lots to get through today.
Quite frankly, in summary, we have good height this year. I don't know how this all works with so many new guys and so many tough games early at away or neutral courts? Kevin will need to make some tough decision probably sooner than he would like to shorten lineup given our schedule. I have never been crazy about having a lot of depth of guys that have different +'s and -'s in basketball - makes for chemistry issues, unhappy players and guys transferring - so KO will have to work his magic. But, we do have talent.
Larrier - A legit 6-9 with a good body and speed. Can rebound, plays D fairly hard, runs the court but I need to see more before judging his shooting. My initial assessment is not a knock down shooter but not a bricklayer either.
Gilbert - Amazing a guy that quick can get beat off the dribble as much as he did but Upchurch is really good. Doesn't have good rotation on his shot and is really short. I do like the way he pushed the ball. JC would of benched him after he backed off a possible collision going for a 50/50 ball in the first half. Call me old school but that's a no/no. He's a freshman so let's give him some time before passing judgement - just relaying what I saw. Has good speed.
Jackson - As noted elsewhere he has a nice stroke and has the size to shoot over the defense. Not super athletic but seems to know the game and has decent size.
Durham - Has legit 6-10 height and a soft touch but as I recall made just one FG. Given their depth and his need to put on some muscle - I would be open to redshirting. I can see some greatest there but I don't know if he completely trust his knees yet? I think he can rebound too but more muscle would help.
Vatale -Another guard in the rotation now but when it's shorten may not see much time if Jackson keeps knocking down shots. At college level he needs to take the jumper and not take it to the hoop unless necessary. Want to see him shoot more before passing judgement.
Brimah - tough type of game for him. His offense will miss Hamilton on the assist. Really not much change that I could see.
Facey - Definitely put on some muscle - played fairly well around the basket and he has a decent midrange shot. What's always been a question for him - will he stay engaged with intensity? Has ability.
Diarra - A 6-6 rebounder on a team with 6-10 guys. Plays very active and I like his intensity - seems like a good team guy. May get more time after Facey leaves.
Enoch - He is a big dude and we need that. He has good hands and nice touch with either hand around the basket. He doesn't have Drummond or Larrier speed but he is not slow either. Still got lost defensively in one pick and roll. Better player than Brimah other than help shot blocking and shot changing.
Purvis and Adams I will discuss another time - you know them - lots to get through today.
Quite frankly, in summary, we have good height this year. I don't know how this all works with so many new guys and so many tough games early at away or neutral courts? Kevin will need to make some tough decision probably sooner than he would like to shorten lineup given our schedule. I have never been crazy about having a lot of depth of guys that have different +'s and -'s in basketball - makes for chemistry issues, unhappy players and guys transferring - so KO will have to work his magic. But, we do have talent.
