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Mid-Season Player Breakdown

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Mid-Season Player Breakdown

Postby PonyLawExpress » Thu Jan 11, 2018 1:57 am

Well we are just over the halfway point of the season and I am upset so instead of sleeping I broke down each player so far by preseason expectations, Good, Bad, & Ugly, and quick summary. Would like to hear other peoples thoughts on everyone.

Shake Milton (Jr.)- Has lived up to expectations.
Good: Averaging over 17PPG, 4.5APG and 4.5 RPG. Top 7 in the conference in scoring, assists and steals.
Bad: Hasn't been able to be a closer down the stretch and just take over games.
Ugly: Has blown 2 games at the FT line.
Overall: Has had a good year, but not great. Others not stepping up of late seems to be the bigger problem.

Jarrey Foster (Jr.)- Has lived up to expectations.
Good: Has upped his scoring to 14PPG, while leading SMU in rebounding per game (6.1) and still doing all the little things on D and in transition. Almost gave him a slight exceeded expectations.
Bad: His 3FG% is WAY down this year to 32%, which tends to show lasts years numbers may have been an anomaly.
Ugly: Is shooting 16% from 3-Point range in conference play. Woof.
Overall: Jarrey is a real good role player and makes some amazing plays with his athleticism, but still has a long way to go as a shooter and go to and/or creator as an offensive player.

Ben Emelogu (RS-Sr.): Has drastically exceeded expectations
Good: Gu leads the nation in 3FG% shooting over 60% from 3, which is UNREAL, while averaging just over 10PPG.
Bad: Not much bad to say, other than he isn't able to be much more than a role player.
Ugly: Is shooting better or about the same % from 3 as he is shooting from the field and the FT line.
Overall: Can't complain about Gu's performance this season. Shooting lights out, is rebounding, and filling his role very nicely and much better than I ever expected after the last 2 seasons.

Jimmy Whitt (RS-So.): Has slightly underperformed
Good: He is an excellent defender and is 3rd in the conference in steals. Also, 3rd in the conference in FG% and has been effective most of the season from mid-range.
Bad: Is atrocious at the FT. Shooting UNDER 50%. Also, can't keep defenses honest from deep.
Ugly: His jump shot. Wow it is funky, It is effective from mid-range, but keep him from being effective from 3.
Overall: Has played very well during stretches of the season, but has also been a liability at times this season on offense. His steals, PPG and RPG are impressive, but his O game still leaves something to be desired. Needs to get his confidence back.

Ethan Chargois (Fr.): Has drastically Exceeded Expectations
Good: Chargois as a Freshman leads all frosh in the conference in PPG and RPG. He shoots over 40% from 3 and shows the potential to be a star at SMU over the next 3-4 years.
Bad: Has hit a slump/wall come conference play only averaging 6.25PPG which is much below his 12PPG season average.
Ugly: The fact he could only bench 145lbs when he enrolled at SMU. (Now up to 215)
Overall: Has been a huge/pleasant surprise this year, despite his recent slump/illness. Seems to have a very bright future ahead of him. Need him to get back closer to early season form.

Jahmal McMurray (Jr.): Has moderately underperformed.
Good: Was a Major spark plug against Boise and UCF. Has unbelievable scoring ability.
Bad: Has been in a major slump/had trouble adjusting the past 3 games. Averaging only 5PPG and shooting only 33% the last 3 games.
Ugly: Had 7TO's in 9 minutes of play @UC.
Overall: It is tough to come in mid-season and somewhat of a learning curve was expected, but SMU has to have McMurray get back to his old self quickly. He will be a good player over his 1& half years at SMU, but having trouble gelling of late.

Akoy Agau (Jr/Sr.): Drastically Underperformed
Good: Not much to say here. Good he is healthy.
Bad: So much to say here. Not rebounding well, playing soft, lacks bounce, I could go on.
Ugly: Have to feel for the guy having an infection and a blood clot in his knee after all the injury trouble he has been though.
Overall: Has been the biggest disappointment on the team. I don't understand why he plays as much as he does. They should shut him down and try to get his knee back to as close to 100% as possible and hope he can give us 10-15mins a game next year at 80% of what he hoped he would be rather than see him struggle at 40% this season.

Will Douglas (Fr.): Has Moderately Underperformed
Good: Has a good looking shot and play SMU style basketball.
Bad: Has no offensive confidence on the court at this point.
Ugly: Averaging under 2PPG.
Overall: I think he will be a REAL solid player at SMU sooner rather than later (Next season). He has all the tools just needs some experience and confidence. Has disappointed for a fringe-4-Star guard though.

Elijah Landrum (Fr.): Lived up to expectations.
Good: Landrum is a great defender, super athletic, and an energizer bunny.
Bad: Couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat shooting the ball.
Ugly: Is shooting under 25% from the field, under 15% from 3 and 50% from the FT line. Tough numbers.
Overall: I expected him to shoot a bit better, but was only a 33% 3FG% shooter in HS. He is somewhat of a project and undersized, but could be a good role player for SMU if he can improve his shot.

Everett Ray (Fr.): Moderatley Underperformed.
Good: Ray has a double-double this season and is hustle player.
Bad: He hasn't been able to earn minutes away from Agau and can't seem to get in any offensive flow, while fouling too much on D.
Ugly: Makes Shaq look like Steph Curry at the FT line. Shooting a balmy 30% (6-20).
Overall: I expected him to earn more minutes as a freshman and be a dominant defender and rebounder, but holes in his game has kept him from getting significant minutes. If he can correct them in the offseason he could be a valuable contributor.
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Re: Mid-Season Player Breakdown

Postby RedRiverPony » Thu Jan 11, 2018 4:39 am

Quite a writeup, PLE. Good stuff.
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