Peach Jam Sunday 7/17

[pj]

Im done putting words in Rickers mouth But People are surely capable of objectivity without having to rely on statistics. We all make objective decisions every day without consulting spreadsheets first.

I think you may be conflating "objective" with "disinterested" or "impartial". Ricker's judgment is not distorted by bias. But, if you took different skilled observers -- college coaches for instance -- you would come up with diverse appraisals of players and their futures. In that sense these appraisals are subjective, Ricker's included. They depend on personal experiences, perspectives, and beliefs about what makes a good basketball player and how players are likely to develop that differ among persons.

 

[Punkbo]

I've watched hundreds of top 100 players over the years, and I rejoice when targets commit to UConn. From their commitment date, I enjoy being optimistic every year about the possibilities of our new recruits and what they bring to help us win on the big stage. This time, I've watched 3 1/2 games of Melo and 2 of Beal so far, and I haven't seen a hint of play that would justify high rankings for these guys. Ball, Ross, and Middleton all offer developmental possibilities, but none of them look ready to contribute right away. It's concerning if our roster requires us to rely on them next year. As an individual player, I like Ross so far. Contrary to Husky429 I think he is pretty good with the ball, (better than Hawkins last year). The strength issue shows more because he plays out of position at center for Melo in these recent games. I expected much more effort from Ball than I've seen, and, I've yet to see an athletic play that would distinguish him from the other players on the court. My concern is compounded because they aren't winning games. I don't see how we win The Big East and make deep Ncaa runs if this became our core group. IMO these guys seem most suited to help a team that has a core of alpha players like Clingan, Karaban, Johnson, Castle, portal transfers, etc Diarra seems like he would keep these guys glued to the bench.

I think, together with our current reported targets, we have taken a big step down from the potential of Edwards, Griffi.ths, Bowen, Miranda, Bradshaw, Batulis, Watson, Kante, and more recent names like Estrella, Kingsley, Gafare. All these guys showed something in every game that projected them as top 100 players.

Hurley obviously feels he can make these guys good, and each of them appears to be the type of quality kid that expects to put in the work. I'm routing for them but my fingers are crossed.

I respect this take. Whether objective, subjective, true, false, right or wrong, this type of post is what makes this place great. If everyone just stated how great everything is, it would be boring. BTW, I hope Ricker is wrong.

 

[Ricker]

An explanation because I wasn't intending to be particularly negative or controversial.

I want to be clear, Ball & Ross are going to be Huskies so I am supportive. The reports of Ball's athleticism, strength, attitude, commitment to improvement, and ranking, are all thumbs up. Playing at Brewster allows me to watch him in person a few times against top competition from a few feet away. I'm looking forward to that. All subjective. If a guy projects to be good enough to impact high division 1 play, watching him live over 3.5 random games ought to at least find some stretches where he puts the team on his back. He has had 30 points in other games so he obviously has it in him, objectively. @husky429 has given his assessments which I think are fair and not really different from mine. My only input is based on the particular games I watched live. I only posted what I saw because it's unfair to a kid if fan expectations for his impact are too high.

My satisfaction 'gauge' is to have UConn regularly finishing in the top 4 of the conference, putting up a gallant fight to try to win the conference tournament, make the ncaa tourney, and have periodic deep runs. My view of players relates to being able to contribute delivering on these hopes.

Subjectively, to meet my Uconn BB hopes, I am biased to favor players that have objective accomplishments, especially related to winning competitions, or they repeatedly meet the subjective 'eye test':

Akinjo led his Oakland team to Peach Jam Championship and was MVP then was important to deep Baylor run.
Floyd played well even out of position at PG in Peach Jam finals and was a winner, college we'll see
Castle fights competition and makes a USA Team
Karaban wins NEPSAC conference, is MVP, and shows well in Pangos Cream of the Crop game of top 100 players
Clingan is top player in Pittsburg AAU field amongst tons of other top players
Sanogo ate up top 100 players like Big Cliff in direct on court battles
Richie Springs was statistically one of the top rebounders in AAU
Andre Jackson it was just the eye test and putting the team on his back all the time
Bouknight it was running plays for him, hitting 3's, and rundown effort to block breakaway layups, Anthony PG

Objectively, I am unaware of Ball & Ross being associated as important cogs on championship teams, receiving accolades as top players in tournaments, or showing up as statistical leaders in scoring, rebounding, percentage shooting, assists, or other categories. (I haven't killed myself looking, so I could be wrong and unaware).

Subjectively, you have @husky429 breakdowns, and I have added impressions from 3.5 particular games. Not meant to be more than that. Their contributions at UConn aren't determined yet. Hurley has a vision for them. I'm routing for them.

I expressed my disappointment that we didn't snag other particular players. I think that is legitimate because many are important cogs on winning teams, have made all tournament teams, are leaders in statistical categories, objectively were high ranked in numerous cases. Moreover, most were 'local', unofficially visited, and knew our players. I had hopes for a couple. My bad. (I'm still cling to hope that in the future, the transfer portal delivers somebody from my list).

I'm done till I watch more games.

 

[Candyman]

Subjectively, to meet my Uconn BB hopes, I am biased to favor players that have objective accomplishments, especially related to winning competitions, or they repeatedly meet the subjective 'eye test':

Akinjo led his Oakland team to Peach Jam Championship and was MVP then was important to deep Baylor run.
Floyd played well even out of position at PG in Peach Jam finals and was a winner, college we'll see
Castle fights competition and makes a USA Team
Karaban wins NEPSAC conference, is MVP, and shows well in Pangos Cream of the Crop game of top 100 players
Clingan is top player in Pittsburg AAU field amongst tons of other top players
Sanogo ate up top 100 players like Big Cliff in direct on court battles
Richie Springs was statistically one of the top rebounders in AAU
Andre Jackson it was just the eye test and putting the team on his back all the time
Bouknight it was running plays for him, hitting 3's, and rundown effort to block breakaway layups, Anthony PG

Objectively, I am unaware of Ball & Ross being associated as important cogs on championship teams, receiving accolades as top players in tournaments, or showing up as statistical leaders in scoring, rebounding, percentage shooting, assists, or other categories. (I haven't killed myself looking, so I could be wrong and unaware).

"Objectively, I am unaware of Ball & Ross being associated as important cogs on championship teams, receiving accolades as top players in tournaments, or showing up as statistical leaders in scoring"

Yes you were wrong.

Solomon Ball just recently made first team all Nike EYBL: Kansas City , like 5 days ago and averaged 19.8 a game in the tourny which featured some of the best AAU teams and best players. In comparison Taylor Bowen made third team, diff positions but still. He was top 15 in scoring in all of EYBL until the last few games and now stands at number 18. Just that alone is better than most of those on your list above and which are all pretty weak accomplishments and some are just your "eye test" not even accomplishments. I mean Springs seems to go against your point as he was a stud in AAU rebounding and hasn't touched the court in 2 years and counting.

HOME

www.theseasonticket.com

 

[rip7774]

Appreciate you so much @Ricker - I live in Florida so can't see any of the kids. Love your objectivity/no bias. So many Hurley defenders at all costs and bashers as well, I love people who can find the good and bad and call it like they see it.

Really put a lot of stock into what you and @husky429 give us. Been on the Yard for 20+ years and I don't follow recruiting heavy at all anymore like I did when I lived and breathed it like when we got Marcus White out of Chicago (we really needed a PF & was so ecstatic, didn't know Boone/Charlie V were in next cycle) or Rip out of Coatesville (near my hometown) or even Ricky Moore out of GA!

So these reports fill a lot of gaps for a former recruitnik like me! Thank you again, I'm sure I'm not alone on this!

 

[Ricker]

@Candyman34 you've changed my mind some. 1st team et al wasn't on the website I was using for the Livestreams I don't believe. I saw and posted here about Team Melo's 6pm game on 7/8 vs Team Takeover where Ball went 4-12 with 8 pts and 3 RB and didn't make his plays in the last minute with the game on the line. Then I watched his game vs BABC Sunday where he went 2-7 for 6 points with 3 rebounds. Then his game yesterday vs Brad Beal with 11pts and 4 RB. In those 3 games he was 1-10 from 3pt. Your post caused me to go through the effort to find the other box scores in KC to see what he could have done to be first team. He got 35, 22, 16, and 32 in the other games I didn't see. Goes to show why you have to watch a prospect a bunch of times.

 

[husky429]

Watched another couple games this weekend... here's my notes. FWIW Team Melo is coached really poorly. Some of these AAU games are just embarassing to watch.

Solo game 2:

• Too left-hand dominant. Can’t go right very well in the half-court.
• Smooth on the drive and kick, uses the jump stop well.
• Not a lead guard… doesn’t have the skill to be a steady presence, even if he is a moment away from a 30 point outburst at any point. High potential… just not always manifesting itself.
• Looks better in man defense
• Uses jump stops in the post well
• Straight line drives to his left he is VERY good. Super fast with the ball.
• Not a big fan of the iso crap he tries to do. Very low % and messes up team dynamics
• Okay game for him... 16/3/0. 5/10 from the field. 1/2 from deep. 5/6 from the FT line.

Ross Game 2:

• Better rebounder than you’d think considering his frailty… Rebounding surprised me all 6 games I’ve watched.
• Not a good man defender against people of any size. Keeps getting benched. Can’t keep anyone in front of him, and gets bodied in the post.
• Passing better this game. I think his issue passing isn’t the ability, just that he’s really tense/unbalanced with the ball in his hands. Not comfortable yet. He looks better today because he isn’t being pressured much at all.
• Shot all sorts of bad today from FT line and 3, but he’s getting it done on the boards and passing it. Good to see him be flexible.
• Had one really nice athletic block.
• Kind of sneakily athletic… he’s quick, but doesn’t have the hip mobility or strength to do much with it if anyone’s near him.
• Great game this morning... 11/6/5. 4/8 from the field. But only 1/5 from deep and 2/6 at the line.

 

[ThabeetDown]

Team Melo with the early game today -- missed the 1st half.

• Nice Ross --> Ball alley-oop early in the 2H
  • They attempted a second on with Ross as the inbounder, sailed over Ball's head (it was a tough pass/angle however)
• Really like Ross' feel for the game even if he isn't the most talented -- his biggest strength will ultimately being a glue guy/doing a lot of the little things, filling up the box score in non-scoring ways (which of course is his scouting report anyways). I could definitely see him turning into a lockdown defender due to his motor/IQ, even a 3&D guy (hit a nice corner 3 as the shot clock was expiring as well)
• Ball had a nice downhill layup with his (dominant) left hand -- very fluid moving with the ball -- I would say he's quick rather than fast if that makes sense
• Ross bricked 2 FTs after getting foul hard on a fast break -- form looks solid though
• Huge NBA range 3 by Ball at the end of the 3rd as time was expiring -- cut the lead from 11 to 8 (to end a Mac Irvin 7-0 run)
• Both really do play hard, neither really had a bad shot selection today (apparently this was an issue in previous games). Ball definitely forces some things, but more so due to circumstance (being down late and lack of help). Nothing that wouldn't be solved with better teammates.

Final Score: Mac Irvin 66, Melo 62 | A bad end to the 2nd and 3rd quarters really kept Melo from winning the game, though they kept fighting and kept chipping away, just never could get over the hump

Ball: 16 pts, 5-10 FG, 1-2 3P, 5-6 FT, 3 REB, 0 AST
Ross: 11 pts, 5-8 FG, 1-5 3P, 2-6 FT, 6 REB, 5 AST


Nothing new that hasn't been said in this thread already. Team Melo is a flawed AAU team (size/rebounding/lack of a true PG). Ross will be a great role player on a good UConn team. Ball's ceiling is probably the #2/#3 player on a good UConn team. Brewster will definitely work wonders for Ball he has a great baseline of skills/talent already. Ross will be a great, fan-favorite 4-year player and will make the program a better place then when he joined.

 

[superjohn]

Team Melo loses again. It really kills this team and kills Solo Ball's game that this team doesn't have a point guard. Ball needs to get better creating in the half court, he doesn't try to take his man off the dribble much and frankly he doesn't get the ball much because the "point guard" and everyone else on the team seem to shoot whenever they get the ball. It's a team with no point guard, no big man and a lot of guys who shoot too much.

Ball is a freak athlete but is rarely ever rewarded when he makes cuts to the rim in the half court or out on the break.

He led them with 16 points this morning. Ross filled up the stat sheet. He had a bad stretch at the end of the first half and screwed up the pass on what would've been a monster alley oop to Ball but it wasn't an easy pass to make. His best basketball is clearly ahead of him but he needs to make ft's and tighten some things up.

 

[huskymedic]

 

[husky429]

Team Melo loses again. It really kills this team and kills Solo Ball's game that this team doesn't have a point guard. Ball needs to get better creating in the half court, he doesn't try to take his man off the dribble much and frankly he doesn't get the ball much because the "point guard" and everyone else on the team seem to shoot whenever they get the ball. It's a team with no point guard, no big man and a lot of guys who shoot too much.

Just a horrendously coached team IMO. The fact that these kids are allowed to iso, chuck up bricks, and turn the ball over without consequence is disappointing... but not uncommon in AAU.

Ball was missed on half a dozen or more off-ball cuts today.

 

[ThabeetDown]

Just a horrendously coached team IMO. The fact that these kids are allowed to iso, chuck up bricks, and turn the ball over without consequence is disappointing... but not uncommon in AAU.

Ball was missed on half a dozen or more off-ball cuts today.

I watched this team in person in Orlando and losing Isaiah Coleman has been the difference. While he isn't that true PG that they need, he was more than capable and not only was their best pure scorer but leader. Don't really see a true leader on this team -- and 100% the coaching is subpar.

 

[M.S.G.]

Just a horrendously coached team IMO. The fact that these kids are allowed to iso, chuck up bricks, and turn the ball over without consequence is disappointing... but not uncommon in AAU.

Ball was missed on half a dozen or more off-ball cuts today.

This makes me miss coaching AAU, and not miss coaching AAU at all whatsoever at the same time

 

[huskymedic]

 

[ctchamps]

I watched this team in person in Orlando and losing Isaiah Coleman has been the difference. While he isn't that true PG that they need, he was more than capable and not only was their best pure scorer but leader. Don't really see a true leader on this team -- and 100% the coaching is subpar.

Have you watched Stephon Castle play? If you have and you could sub out Isaiah Coleman with Castle in your mind and give us your impression of how that might look we’d have a clearer picture of what our coaching staff is thinking with their selection of players.

My minimal contribution is based on the last two periods of yesterday’s game. Both Ross and Ball were hustling on defense. Ross would lose his player on occasion and would get bodied from rebounding but he didn’t quit and used his length to rebound better than I expected based on his build. Ball was switching constantly covering opposing players who got open. They both take defense seriously.

Imm this effort plus the lack of a decent distributor and sub par coaching for Melo allows me to overlook a negative offensive effort by both players during the time I watched.

 

[HooperScooper]

In their Peach Jam opener on Monday, Team Melo lost to Brad Beal Elite, which is led by Scotty Middleton, a highly-touted wing who will make his college decision on Aug. 5. It appears Middleton is deciding between UConn, Seton Hall and Ohio State. A week ago in Kansas City, Ball did his best to encourage him to join him in Storrs in a couple of years.

“I was like, ‘UConn’s the move,’ ” Ball reported.

He didn’t try the same tactic on Monday.

“I was trying to win,” Ball reasoned. “I only did that before because we were winning by, like, 15. So I was trying to get in his head about it.”

Lol

 

[ThabeetDown]

Have you watched Stephon Castle play? If you have and you could sub out Isaiah Coleman with Castle in your mind and give us your impression of how that might look we’d have a clearer picture of what our coaching staff is thinking with their selection of players.

My minimal contribution is based on the last two periods of yesterday’s game. Both Ross and Ball were hustling on defense. Ross would lose his player on occasion and would get bodied from rebounding but he didn’t quit and used his length to rebound better than I expected based on his build. Ball was switching constantly covering opposing players who got open. They both take defense seriously.

Imm this effort plus the lack of a decent distributor and sub par coaching for Melo allows me to overlook a negative offensive effort by both players during the time I watched.

I have not watched Castle play -- I'd imagine he's closer to a purer PG than Coleman. Coleman just makes the offense flow more than being a true PG if that makes sense? Regardless, both Ross and Ball would benefit from a true PG that can run an offense and set up his teammates. I'd have to imagine Castle would be that guy.

Ross was the assist leader for the team with 5 this morning. The two things I would take away from that is 1) Ross should never be the guy leading your team in assists but 2) The fact that he did lead the team in assists (and tied for leading the team in rebounds) shows you the type of player you're getting who will go outside his comfort zone/skillset to help his team win.

You're spot on with the effort and defense -- that's what I saw as well. It kept a Melo team in the game and that effort didn't let big leads get bigger. Sure, they're going to make some mistakes on D at times, but that can always be corrected with better coaching. It won't be due to a lack of effort, that's for sure.

 

[Mooch82]

Ross seems like a guy that may not be a serious contributor until his junior or senior year, which is fine. It's good to have a roster balanced with some guys who are OK with developing a bit their first couple years, and then by the time they're ready to contribute, they really know the offense, what their role is expected to be, and are really good teammates.

 

[superjohn]

Cooper Flagg was unbelievable today. 26 points 9 boards 5 assists 4 steals and 7 blocks 15 years old, just completed his freshman year.

Best prospect in all of high school basketball.

 

[Umami Zen]

Best prospect in all of high school basketball.

High BBIQ and maturity to his game for a young dude.. Among other attributes.. Has quick hands on D.. Obviously knows how to score.. Would be awesome to get him on campus before his indoctrination on the Duke OV

 

[husky429]

High BBIQ and maturity to his game for a young dude.. Among other attributes.. Has quick hands on D.. Obviously knows how to score.. Would be awesome to get him on campus before his indoctrination on the Duke OV

Almost 0 chance he plays college basketball unless someone can put together an NIL deal for 10 million or more

 

[UconnU]

High BBIQ and maturity to his game for a young dude.. Among other attributes.. Has quick hands on D.. Obviously knows how to score.. Would be awesome to get him on campus before his indoctrination on the Duke OV

He uses his long arms really well. He has a twin brother who’s not as good but is still a big time prospect.

 

[BGesus4]

Almost 0 chance he plays college basketball unless someone can put together an NIL deal for 10 million or more

With what Silver has said, he may not even need to wait to enter the draft

 

[superjohn]

Another local shooter who isn't coming here...

 

[Chantry1101]

Another local shooter who isn't coming here...

Not that it matters much, but BABC and Vegas Elite didn't make Peach Jam, that's a Peach Pit game a little less intense and lower level than the Peach Jam games I've seen.
Nonetheless, an excellent game for Ducharme - box

https://basketball.exposureevents.com/183330/event/documents/gamestatistics?ids=19397559&output=pdf&v=637937784795633271&r=12