Thoughts on the Freshmen
Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 1:31 amThis was my first game to see our youngins, but here are some thoughts from this game:
Papa Dia: Our best player tonight. He might be our only legitimate low post option for the next few years. He should've easily had 30 points tonight based on his size advantage, and if his teammates could actually get the ball to him down low. He's already got a decent low post game and doesn't always finesse shots down low like Bamba sometimes does. He's got a really nice touch on his jump shot for a big man. He seems pretty comfortable shooting it out to a little past the free throw line. Only red flag I saw with him tonight is he seemed to mope a little when he didnt get the ball down low and gave up on some plays when he didnt get the ball. I know it was just PQ, but his low post game DOES have scary potential.
Mike Walker: I didn't get a great feel for his ballhandling/passing, but what impressed me the most about him was that he isn't afraid to take a shot, unlike Killen. He hit a couple nice 3's, and isn't scared on the court. I think he can develop into a good leader.
Alex Malone: A LOT to work with here. He was a little lost on the offensive end tonight, but with solid coaching, he'll be an above-average offensive player. He just needs to figure out what he's doing, and his role on the team. He handles the ball well for a big man and seems to have a decent jumper, I think he'll turn into a good slashing 3 or undersized 4 at times. If he's coachable, he'll be a pretty good D-1 player
Ryan Harp: He showed great hustle all night, and there's no doubt he can hit an open jumper. The main question with him is if he can get his own shot off playing the 2 at the D-1 level. He played with good confidence tonight, hopefully he continues to do so and doesnt turn into the deer in headlights everyone else said he was the first few days. His size is fine, but he didn't look as tall as I thought he was
Bennie Rhodes: Man, this guy LOOKS like a player. He's already got a D-1 body. Reminds me of Quinton Ross, more so physically, but he seems to have a really nice mid-range game, kind of like the Q too. If he turns out to be half the player Q was, I'll be very very happy. MAJOR sleeper
Kwiatkowski: Looked great burning up his redshirt on the bench with his warmups on, not sure whats going on there?
And yes I know it was just PQ so everything I said should be taken with a grain of salt, but there's some definite potential here for the future. We just need to find a go-to guy out of this group
Papa Dia: Our best player tonight. He might be our only legitimate low post option for the next few years. He should've easily had 30 points tonight based on his size advantage, and if his teammates could actually get the ball to him down low. He's already got a decent low post game and doesn't always finesse shots down low like Bamba sometimes does. He's got a really nice touch on his jump shot for a big man. He seems pretty comfortable shooting it out to a little past the free throw line. Only red flag I saw with him tonight is he seemed to mope a little when he didnt get the ball down low and gave up on some plays when he didnt get the ball. I know it was just PQ, but his low post game DOES have scary potential.
Mike Walker: I didn't get a great feel for his ballhandling/passing, but what impressed me the most about him was that he isn't afraid to take a shot, unlike Killen. He hit a couple nice 3's, and isn't scared on the court. I think he can develop into a good leader.
Alex Malone: A LOT to work with here. He was a little lost on the offensive end tonight, but with solid coaching, he'll be an above-average offensive player. He just needs to figure out what he's doing, and his role on the team. He handles the ball well for a big man and seems to have a decent jumper, I think he'll turn into a good slashing 3 or undersized 4 at times. If he's coachable, he'll be a pretty good D-1 player
Ryan Harp: He showed great hustle all night, and there's no doubt he can hit an open jumper. The main question with him is if he can get his own shot off playing the 2 at the D-1 level. He played with good confidence tonight, hopefully he continues to do so and doesnt turn into the deer in headlights everyone else said he was the first few days. His size is fine, but he didn't look as tall as I thought he was
Bennie Rhodes: Man, this guy LOOKS like a player. He's already got a D-1 body. Reminds me of Quinton Ross, more so physically, but he seems to have a really nice mid-range game, kind of like the Q too. If he turns out to be half the player Q was, I'll be very very happy. MAJOR sleeper
Kwiatkowski: Looked great burning up his redshirt on the bench with his warmups on, not sure whats going on there?
And yes I know it was just PQ so everything I said should be taken with a grain of salt, but there's some definite potential here for the future. We just need to find a go-to guy out of this group