Sneaky Productive Game from Kentan

[OkaForPrez]

Loved what we got out of Facey last night. His only basket was that (gorgeous) drop step bank shot in the 2nd half, but he stuffed the rest of the stat sheet pretty good for playing 22 min. He pulled down 6 rebounds, had three assists (the loose ball laser to Omar was sweet and the high low bounce pass in the center of the zone) and he blocked two shots and had a steal.

Depth is going to be critically important this year with the whistle happy zebras destroying the game I love. Lack of bench basically doomed UVA when Gil hit the pine against GW. Its nice to see Facey playing good minutes because sooner or later (probably sooner as in Atlantis) were going to need to count on Kentan to contribute when Miller and Brimah are both in foul trouble.

 

[HarryAGampel]

I think he's looked great so far. He might have the best post game of all of our big men. I thought he was starting to improve last year then kind of hit a wall so I hope he can continue his role with less pressure this year.

 

[EricLA]

Agreed. Also liked what Nolan brought off the bench - 9 points, 6 boards - nice numbers for 18 minutes. Was bummed to see Calhoun struggle on offense, though...

 

[Matt1010]

Kentan has looked fantastic in the first two games. I've been impressed by the improvements in every aspect of his game but most noticeably his passing.

 

[Rico444]

I'm going to reserve judgment on him until we see him against a legitimate opponent. He looked great last year at times, then looked invisible late in the season.

 

[dogpause]

Seems like a different, and much improved, player from last year. He's got a bit of swagger and he's added muscle and is using it. I think he's going to continue to earn some minutes.

 

[JimHurley]

Kentan should consistently see 20 MPG. I love when we have the lineup of Gibbs, Purvis, Hamilton, Miller, and Facey. The trio of Ham, Miller, and Facey are extremely underrated rebounders. IMO our big men should play...
Brimah 20 MPG
Facey 20 MPG
Miller 25 MPG
Nolan 15 MPG
If any of them get into foul trouble, bring in Enoch.

 

[Fairfield_1st]

Agreed. Also liked what Nolan brought off the bench - 9 points, 6 boards - nice numbers for 18 minutes.

Decent numbers, but he still drives me crazy. He gets blocked more than any 6' 10" guy in the nation, take over the title that Olander previously held. Still soft around the hoop. He should be dunking waaaay more than he does.

 

[rip7774]

For kentan it always seemed like confidence and strength.

Playing off the bench may really help in the former area. He has some nice talent/athleticism and great talent for a guy coming off the bench with experience. Want to see him finish with explosion more!

 

[80shusky]

Loved what we got out of Facey last night. His only basket was that (gorgeous) drop step bank shot in the 2nd half, but he stuffed the rest of the stat sheet pretty good for playing 22 min. He pulled down 6 rebounds, had three assists (the loose ball laser to Omar was sweet and the high low bounce pass in the center of the zone) and he blocked two shots and had a steal.

Depth is going to be critically important this year with the whistle happy zebras destroying the game I love. Lack of bench basically doomed UVA when Gil hit the pine against GW. Its nice to see Facey playing good minutes because sooner or later (probably sooner as in Atlantis) were going to need to count on Kentan to contribute when Miller and Brimah are both in foul trouble.

I thought Kentan was great. He passed on that foul line jumper a few times when he had it wide open and I'd like to see him take that shot to help collapse the zone but other than that he was great. As far as the foul calls are concerned, I love how someone has determined that calling these fouls will make the game more free flowing and open, yet all the foul calls completely ruin the flow of the game.

 

[Matrim55]

In 35 minutes he has 8 points, 12 boards, 3 assists, 3 blocks, 1 steal, 2 turnovers and 3 fouls.

I'm good with that.

 

[MexicoHusky]

I like Kentan against bigs with skills away from the basket. Kentan has looked mobile enough to guard those types of players. As others alluded to, thus far it's been against lesser opponents, but he's definitely looked better. I think New Haven had a big with some skills away from the basket. I thought Kentan looked good when he matched up with that guy. the It would be cool if Kentan developed into a defensive specialist against stretch 4 type players.

 

[HungryHuskies]

For kentan it always seemed like confidence and strength.

Playing off the bench may really help in the former area. He has some nice talent/athleticism and great talent for a guy coming off the bench with experience. Want to see him finish with explosion more!

Yes, it's all confidence for Kentan. I think KO praising him in the post-game interview with SNY will certainly help with that. He has the talent and athleticism to be a great player for this team. We've seen it in the past, but it hasn't been shown consistently. Rooting hard for Kentan and Omar to claim a good spot in the rotation.

 

[CL82]

Agreed. Also liked what Nolan brought off the bench - 9 points, 6 boards - nice numbers for 18 minutes. Was bummed to see Calhoun struggle on offense, though...

Phil's death was greatly exaggerated. I hope he can keep it up and meaningfully contribute for the entire season.

 

[jibsey]

He's a skinny guy but it seems like he added some weight and strength which is helping. The kid can flat out rebound, no question. Nice start for him and Nolan for that matter.

 

[joober jones]

If I were to say there was a single word that sums up the improvement I've seen out of both Facey and Nolan it would be mobility.

 

[CL82]

As I've posted elsewhere, Phil was playing injured last year with either a stress fracture or a stress aggravation in one or both of his feet. I fully expect him to look more mobile, have better elevation, be quicker off his feet this year... and be more accurate. He's not an NBA prospect but he'll have productive minutes.

 

[Huskybass]

Phil and Kentan both played well last night. Phil looks a lot more mobile and Kentan looks a bit stronger. If Enoch can earn some minutes, that's a legit 5 deep at the 4/5. And props to Sam Jr. for contributing last night as well. Very deep team, which is good because we run a lot... which I really like.

 

[TasteofUConn]

Guys like Facey are the foundations of every great team.

 

[Huskies4ever]

Phil and Kentan both played well last night. Phil looks a lot more mobile and Kentan looks a bit stronger. If Enoch can earn some minutes, that's a legit 5 deep at the 4/5. And props to Sam Jr. for contributing last night as well. Very deep team, which is good because we run a lot... which I really like.

^ This. Good to see these guys coming out and playing with confidence (playing lesser competition always helps).

 

[mauconnfan]

He's a perfect big coming off the bench, looks more comfortable and his weaknesses are expected from there rather than as a starter.

 

[businesslawyer]

Loved what we got out of Facey last night. His only basket was that (gorgeous) drop step bank shot in the 2nd half, but he stuffed the rest of the stat sheet pretty good for playing 22 min. He pulled down 6 rebounds, had three assists (the loose ball laser to Omar was sweet and the high low bounce pass in the center of the zone) and he blocked two shots and had a steal.

Depth is going to be critically important this year with the whistle happy zebras destroying the game I love. Lack of bench basically doomed UVA when Gil hit the pine against GW. Its nice to see Facey playing good minutes because sooner or later (probably sooner as in Atlantis) were going to need to count on Kentan to contribute when Miller and Brimah are both in foul trouble.

1. There will be more depth needed this year with the fouls being called, but I'm not sure it will ruin the game. I think it may improve it. To take the GW -- UVA game as an example, GW shot over 50% from two range against UVA, something that never could be done under the old rules.

2. Also, don't put UVA's loss down to lack of depth. GW's 7th man in last was a good but not great undersized guard at Dartmouth, and GW's 7th man last played for Hamilton College in Division 3 NESCAC. They had enough depth to beat GW. They just weren't the best team on the floor that night.

 

[businesslawyer]

Sorry -- the Hamilton transfer was 8th in GW's rotation. Too late to edit.