Donovan Stats:
6 PTS
9 REB (3 offensive)
2 AST
2 TO
1 STL
2 BLK
1/13 FG (8%)
4/9 FT (44%)
Vince Stats:
15 PTS
5 REB
0 AST
1 TO
0 STL
2 BLK
5/12 FG (42%)
5/8 FT (63%)
Overall: Spartans were clearly outclassed in this one talent-wise. They’re scrappy and tough, but opponent was just bigger and more talented. They could make runs shooting the ball and getting easy buckets the spartans just couldn’t.
On the two big men: Neither of the top 50 bigs in this game inspired me with their play TBH. Neither looked as dominant as I’d expect from someone with their ranking… They basically did all their work when the other big wasn’t playing. I guess it’s different than guards though. Bigs take a long time to develop.
On Donovan: Atrocious from the field today. Footwork and athleticism severely limit him at both ends. Not a shooter at all, despite what people are saying. Haven’t seen it in a game yet.
IQ seems to be improving with his better competition over the summer. Positional defense and when to contest shots is better than I’ve seen before. Rebounding was solid, really solid. A couple of TOs but they weren’t bad for someone who passes the ball as much as he did. Really excited about his potential as a passer out of the post. Desperately needs an SnC program. I think he’s a guy who will need 18 months or more to change his body and be ready for our level of competition. Needs a post-grad or redshirt year IMO. Or at least a year to 5-10 minutes a game--he is NOT a started at this level until he gets more athletic. High potential with his size and passing ability at the college level.
My train of thought when watching:
Early foul… too slow gave up the and 1 on help
Good block on his matchup early on.
Clearly not as athletic as this other 7 footer or most anyone else on the floor… just looks awkward running and moving more than the other players. He’s also humongous, so it’s not so surprising.
Decent passing out of the post. made the right read, does look a little awkward with it though. Not used to this kind of pressure… he does the weird wagging the ball thing instead of actually making actual pass fakes kids do in middle school.
Seems to drop a bunch of passes, but he also gets A LOT of passes, so I’m not sure if the % is actually bad.
Legit 7’2 or 7’3 if this other kid is really 7’. He’s noticeably taller and thicker.
Rebounding was pretty good defensively… better than I expected considering the height and athleticism of Vince Ichukwu. He did a good job boxing out his match even when he didn’t get the board.
Was THIS close to a nasty putback, but didn’t get high enough to put it in. Wouldn’t been a highlight play.
I think he looks to be contesting at the rim with some more IQ this game than I’ve seen before. Helping early, taking calculated risks. Less waving his arm down at guards and getting the auto-foul from refs.
Doesn’t rebound outside his area. Not mobile going for the ball.
Cannot defend perimeter well.
His passing is MUCH better than Vince’s. Much better. Probably better than Sanogo’s at this point too.
Sitting A LOT of time. 3 or 4x per half. I think it’s a conditioning issue.
I thought his positional defense on Vince Ichukwu was pretty good. Mostly kept him from getting lobs/backdoors and such after he went 3/4 early in the game on those. Both of them defended the other quite well, but both are also very limited offensively.
Looks decently comfortable in handoff/passing situations at the top of the key. His team runs that a lot--very similar to what we do with Sanogo or Whaley.
He had one GREAT pass late in the game. Popped it over his defenders shoulder to a cutting teammate.
Both bigs got a bunch of foul shots, but not many on each other… mostly the smaller guys needing to foul them when they get a mismatch in the post.
Donovan has a habit of claiming he didn’t foul people when he clearly smashed them on the arm on the fast break, and probably could’ve gotten an intentional call… it’s weird. Pick your battles kid.
