Brian Epps is so much more active, looks like he's in much better shape and seems to be having fun.
Bamba Fall is still slender, of course (hard not to be at that height), but he clearly is stronger than he was last year. He looks like he's jumping better than he did last year, and his timing and agressiveness on the defensive end seem even better than last year. Last night, he blocked a few shots so easily it looked like he could have just caught them out of the air.
Donatas Rakauskas is not the same guy we have seen for three of the last four (he redshirted) years. Strong, agressive, and like Bamba Fall, seems to be developing a nice low-post game.
Derrick Roberts is passing much better and playing good defense. He was always a terrific athlete who could slash to the basket and score, but his shooting mechanics look much better, and he's getting after guys on the defensive end, and stepping into passing lanes.
Jon Killen, where were you last year? Running the point efficiently, getting in people's faces on defense, very quick hands, very strong .... and it looks like Coach Doherty knew what he was talking about when he nicknamed this guy "Shooter" in the preseason.
Ike Ofuegbu: are you kidding? WOW. He's huge, super-strong, fast, a great leaper.... but he's not like some guys who are built like gods and can't play. He hit 3s last night, he showed a couple of really nice moves in the low post, he has a MUCH softer shooting touch than I realized before this season, and he showed good continuation when he was able to score after getting fouled and getting to the line. Absolutely fantastic performance. Yes, it was against a crappy team, but La-Monroe's ineptitude didn't put the ball in the bucket for him.
I wonder if Ike-O is related to Steve-O?
Happy Thanksgiving, PonyFans!
