Steven Enoch (Committed to UConn)

[James]

Enoch is going to challenge for minutes at either front court position, lets not pigeonhole him. Miller is most likely the starting 4 because of what he brings defensively/experience, but theres a chance enoch is the best offensive rebounder on the roster. He plays with a very high motor and has a better body than phil//facey/brimah. Also as someone else noted, he is very confident offensively, and as a team uconn might need that from the 5 slot at times...these are good problems though

 

[ctchamps]

Enoch is going to challenge for minutes at either front court position, lets not pigeonhole him. Miller is most likely the starting 4 because of what he brings defensively/experience, but theres a chance enoch is the best offensive rebounder on the roster. He plays with a very high motor and has a better body than phil//facey/brimah. Also as someone else noted, he is very confident offensively, and as a team uconn might need that from the 5 slot at times...these are good problems though

I actually think Kentan is the best offensive rebounder. He anticipates the carom of the ball as good as any player UConn has had in a while. Enoch has great hands, is tall and is strong so it is hard to argue against him. Suffice it to say I like both of them regarding rebounding. But Kentan saw his minutes reduced because there was so much to his game that was missing on both ends of the floor. I felt his rebounding suffered because he was trying to figure out what he should be doing (based on coaches instructions) and that took away from his instinctive rebounding abilities. I felt that Amida was less effective in blocking shots at the end of the season because the coaches were trying to reduce his fouling and teach him to position for rebounding. He didn't quite make the total adjustment by the end of the season imo.

I'm thinking Kentan and Steve coming into next season will still be behind Miller bb IQ wise. That's based on what I've seen up to this point. There is no way of knowing if the IQ gap can be closed or how quickly that will happen. Unless we're invested in a particular player (relative, friend or man crush) I think it is a universal Boneyard hope that the two relatively unskilled players competing against the relatively skilled player for starting and minutes can leap frog him. That would only bode well for the team.

 

[Yankees32123]

I think were going to see huge improvement in our front court this year. The additions of Shonn Miller and Steve Enoch are key.

 

[3rdbass]

Enoch is going to challenge for minutes at either front court position, lets not pigeonhole him. Miller is most likely the starting 4 because of what he brings defensively/experience, but theres a chance enoch is the best offensive rebounder on the roster. He plays with a very high motor and has a better body than phil//facey/brimah. Also as someone else noted, he is very confident offensively, and as a team uconn might need that from the 5 slot at times...these are good problems though

I would temper my expectations on SE as like others have said who have watched him he is a work in progress. I do like he has a bigger frame and is more offensive minded than most of the fron line guys we do have. I do feel he is lacking on the defensive side of the ball from what I have seen from him and as we saw with Kelis Fisher this could impact his minutes greatly. I think he will get minutes at the 4 or 5 depending on how our front line is doing. I really expect AB and Miller to get most of the minutes at the 4-5 with PN and Kelis Fisher backing them up. I expect SE to get the garbage minutes until someone falls out of favor with KO upfront. Now as far as JA goes I expect him to have immediate impact from the beginning.

 

[mauconnfan]

I would temper my expectations on SE as like others have said who have watched him he is a work in progress. I do like he has a bigger frame and is more offensive minded than most of the fron line guys we do have. I do feel he is lacking on the defensive side of the ball from what I have seen from him and as we saw with Kelis Fisher this could impact his minutes greatly. I think he will get minutes at the 4 or 5 depending on how our front line is doing. I really expect AB and Miller to get most of the minutes at the 4-5 with PN and Kelis Fisher backing them up. I expect SE to get the garbage minutes until someone falls out of favor with KO upfront. Now as far as JA goes I expect him to have immediate impact from the beginning.

I really hope Kelis Fisher is what you seem to expect more than what I do. Just the fact SE can score the ball may give him at least as many minutes as Kelis Fisher. Hope they both are better than everyone expected that would be the best case scenario.

 

[3rdbass]

I really hope Kelis Fisher is what you seem to expect more than what I do. Just the fact SE can score the ball may give him at least as many minutes as Kelis Fisher. Hope they both are better than everyone expected that would be the best case scenario.

I'm not too high on Kelis Fisher(I'm actually higher on PN being a better backup at both positions than Kelis Fisher based on end of the year results) but definitely glad we have Miller. It would be rough if we didn't have him on the roster. I definitely can see SE playing if Kelis Fisher falters which I'm guessing he will. Just not impressed at all with Kelis Fisher's game. SE definitely adds the scoring impact we lack up front but he will need to improve his D to see the floor.

 

[James]

I would temper my expectations on SE as like others have said who have watched him he is a work in progress. I do like he has a bigger frame and is more offensive minded than most of the fron line guys we do have. I do feel he is lacking on the defensive side of the ball from what I have seen from him and as we saw with Kelis Fisher this could impact his minutes greatly. I think he will get minutes at the 4 or 5 depending on how our front line is doing. I really expect AB and Miller to get most of the minutes at the 4-5 with PN and Kelis Fisher backing them up. I expect SE to get the garbage minutes until someone falls out of favor with KO upfront. Now as far as JA goes I expect him to have immediate impact from the beginning.

others who have watched him? I have watched him in person, and he is ready to go. Kelis Fisher saw his minutes go down because of how raw he is as a player, he doesn't move the needle, and neither does nolan.

 

[gtcam]

I actually think Kentan is the best offensive rebounder. He anticipates the carom of the ball as good as any player UConn has had in a while. Enoch has great hands, is tall and is strong so it is hard to argue against him. Suffice it to say I like both of them regarding rebounding. But Kentan saw his minutes reduced because there was so much to his game that was missing on both ends of the floor. I felt his rebounding suffered because he was trying to figure out what he should be doing (based on coaches instructions) and that took away from his instinctive rebounding abilities. I felt that Amida was less effective in blocking shots at the end of the season because the coaches were trying to reduce his fouling and teach him to position for rebounding. He didn't quite make the total adjustment by the end of the season imo.

I'm thinking Kentan and Steve coming into next season will still be behind Miller bb IQ wise. That's based on what I've seen up to this point. There is no way of knowing if the IQ gap can be closed or how quickly that will happen. Unless we're invested in a particular player (relative, friend or man crush) I think it is a universal Boneyard hope that the two relatively unskilled players competing against the relatively skilled player for starting and minutes can leap frog him. That would only bode well for the team.

I agree with this HOWEVER I saw only ONE rebounder this past year - DHam

 

[Danzz]

I agree with this HOWEVER I saw only ONE rebounder this past year - DHam

And that has to improve or we are going either play lock down D or score a million points from the perimeter.

 

[CallMeBruce]

I agree with this HOWEVER I saw only ONE rebounder this past year - DHam

Facey actually got a slightly higher percentage of available rebounds while he was on the floor than Hamilton did.

 

[housekeys]

After reading informed posts and articles on Enoch, the thing that stands out to me and gets me really excited, is that it seems Enoch's rate of improvement is off the charts. This makes analysis of even last months games outdated. Scary good if he truly is improving at such a high rate.

 

[eireman]

Enoch is still learning the game. He is a work in progress. There were tapes of two games he's played in that I watched. Much better than highlight films and checking out stat sheets imo.

My perspective is that he loves offense more than defense. Not saying he's better on the offensive end. He just appears more engaged on that end of the floor. He wants to be a scorer.

In both games Enoch was pulled from the game for not motoring. One game he came back in energized and received the message. In the other game he was pulled again and sat out for most of the second half. In that first game he came back in as a player this forum will rave about. In the second game, if he plays like that at UConn, this forum will destroy him.

His movement and positioning on the offensive end was ahead of what I saw from Kentan this season. But his positioning on the defensive end was about the same as Kentan albeit Enoch played the five and the roles were different.

My educated guess is that Miller is more polished on the offensive and defensive end than either Kentan or Enoch although Kentan appears more athletic and Enoch physically stronger. I expect the player with the better bb IQ to play ahead of those with the better physical attributes but if Kentan and Enoch can develop that IQ (and in Enoch's case work ethic for an entire game) they could jump ahead of Miller. But that would be a great thing imo because I believe Miller will be a player the staff can rely on for both ends of the floor at the four position which was missing for most of last season.

Good commentary.....as you say he had his ups and downs and lost some time due to not giving his best......he needs work on his body.....though he improved in bodying up on d during the year....he was yanked for screwing up on d but it was probably his 1st year being taught team defense.....regarding him playing the five i think it would be a real waste of his face up game.......ready right now? He would be a liability on d but what he does from now to oct could earn him playing time right away.

 

[UConNick]

I'm rooting for the fellow Norwalker just as much as anyone here, but let's be real. Enoch is probably not gonna see a lot of time his freshman year. There are only 80 minutes in the frontcourt available; 25-30 hopefully goes to Brimah and Miller each. Figure Hamilton will also see 2-5 minutes as a starch four. That leaves roughly 25-30 minutes for Facey, Nolan, and Enoch. Nolan will play the lion's share of that group IMO, because of his pick and roll d. Enoch should not see more than 8-12 minutes a game. Of course, I'm not accounting for development, foul trouble, etc. But, judging strictly off our personnel, Enoch shouldn't be a major contributor next year. However, sky's the limit after that.

 

[Gurleyman]

Yes it is Derrickson. Wrong GT recruit(Wow GT has a great recruiting class). Either way SE had a decent height advantage in this game at the end of the year and was abused and fouled out. I'm not saying he can't make an impact I would just temper them a little bit. There is definitely a reason that KO reached out to get Miller even with SE coming in. Of course maybe he just sees SE playing more center than PF for us.

Rolan Roberts of Southern Illinois had his way with Emeka for one strange day. Wide body with old man game just had him off balance - dropped 24 and Emeka couldn't time him right.

Things happen in particular matchups. Ideally, you learn and move on.

 

[ctchamps]

I agree with this HOWEVER I saw only ONE rebounder this past year - DHam

@Danzz
C of C 4 rebounds 1 OR 24 minutes
Dayton 5 rebounds 2 OR 27 minutes
WV 8 rebounds 7 OR 25 minutes
Duke 9 rebounds 5 OR 28 minutes
Temple 11 rebounds 3 OR in 35 minutes
Florida 4 rebounds 2 OR in 22 minutes

He was the best rebounder on the offensive end before the coaches had him working on his overall game. And the best per minute rebounder on the team. I stand by what I wrote.

 

[Stainmaster]

Facey's deficiencies in certain areas of the game should not cause his strength (rebounding) to be blocked out. He's much better on the boards than most are giving him credit for.

 

[mauconnfan]

Facey got 5 rebounds a game. If that's a better rebounder than I think then so be it. But he's not a good rebounder at all for a 6'9 kid who can jump out of the gym. Instead he's lucky to be decent. He has to get smarter and nastier to be a "good rebounder" never mind real good. He was the worst guy also on foul shots when he the advantage with his weak box out attempts (maybe AB was as bad) and needs to really improve there too.

 

[CallMeBruce]

Facey got 5 rebounds a game. If that's a better rebounder than I think then so be it. But he's not a good rebounder at all for a 6'9 kid who can jump out of the gym. Instead he's lucky to be decent. He has to get smarter and nastier to be a "good rebounder" never mind real good. He was the worst guy also on foul shots when he the advantage with his weak box out attempts (maybe AB was as bad) and needs to really improve there too.

He played 21.5mpg, so using his per game stats is pretty silly. Facey was the best rebounder on the team last year, insofar as he got the highest percentage of available rebounds while he was on the floor. Your opinions are noted, but they're not based on facts.

 

[W Coast UCONN]

He has to get smarter and nastier to be a "good rebounder" never mind real good.

Could not agree more with the "nastier" part. Jeff Adrien and Emeka were mean rebounders and their stats backed it up.

 

[mdkhusky]

i would be very suprised if miller doesnt play 25 min a game or more

 

[ChrisSmith]

I tend to overhype freshman. That being said, this kid has a real chance to start at pf by the end of the year. He's our most prototypical 4, no disrespect to miller.

I think he is more likely to redshirt than start.

 

[Bonesbrigade]

How did the game turnout and how did Enoch do?

 

[caw]

I think he is more likely to redshirt than start.

With 11 current scholarship players at this moment, I would take that bet. Without another player who is better than him coming in the spring signing period, I don't see how UConn could afford to redshirt him. I also don't think he starts, but he has a better likelihood of that than red shirting, with a single injury.

 

[gampelcrazies]

He just fell off ESPN's Top 100

 

[CardiacAndre7]

He just fell off ESPN's Top 100

I think he is more potential than immediate talent. IIRC he didnt turn 17 too long ago and hasn't played varsity much. The fact that he held his own, and then some, against Zimmerman, gives me more hope than silly recruiting rankings.

 

[UChusky916]

He just fell off ESPN's Top 100

This is absolutely crazy because from all reports he has been impressive in all competitions and considered a 'steal' from various experts. He's been sneaking UP the boards on all other sites. Just goes to show that ESPN really doesn't know and their rankings are pretty bad.
If he was committed to Duke/UNC/UK he would have immediately jumped into the top 50 probably.

 

[CallMeBruce]

I think he is more potential than immediate talent. IIRC he didnt turn 17 too long ago and hasn't played varsity much. The fact that he held his own, and then some, against Zimmerman, gives me more hope than silly recruiting rankings.

It's still stupid. The idea that Enoch might not be a top-100 player is ridiculous. Most sites have him top-50, let alone top-100.

 

[caw]

He just fell off ESPN's Top 100

This is absolutely crazy because from all reports he has been impressive in all competitions and considered a 'steal' from various experts. He's been sneaking UP the boards on all other sites. Just goes to show that ESPN really doesn't know and their rankings are pretty bad.
If he was committed to Duke/UNC/UK he would have immediately jumped into the top 50 probably.

ESPN has been low on him for awhile. 24-7 and Rivals have him in the 60s or higher. I forget what scout has him as.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

It's still stupid. The idea that Enoch might not be a top-100 player is ridiculous. Most sites have him top-50, let alone top-100.

Yeah no doubt it's stupid, but im not gonna lose any sleep over his ranking when every other site ranks him fairly and in the same area.

 

[huskiesnyc]

247 has him at 35, it doesn't really matter but I think they do a better job than ESPN.