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This guy is going to be really good. He's really raw, and his shot doesn't look like it's very consistent, but he looked exceptionally athletic. He looks like he can dunk on anyone, and he can slash to the rim. Maybe more impressive, he seems to have some really good instincts: he made a couple of passes I don't think a lot of freshmen would see, and when he grabbed a rebound off a missed shot, he looked around for someone to whom he could pass, realized he had a shorter guy on him and went up for the dunk. He didn't make it (he was fouled), but the play was really impressive. He isn't a polished player by any means, but he has a level of athleticism we just didn't have in recent years.

Good assessment

Jalen looked more comfortable on the wing than what I was expecting. Quite honestly, I didn't realize he was that high in the rotation. He's definitely going to dunk a few heads. Need a big game, all over the court, from Jalen tomorrow. We need more on the glass!

I'll be interested to see if he can defender on the wing, too. I think he has the hops and strength to hang with small forwards in the paint, but if he can shut someone down on the perimeter, he might turn out to be a really solid player for us.

Jalen was by far the highlight of the game for me. He was the most impressive of the freshman as well.

Jalen was the only player for SMU that showed any emotion, wich was refreshing. I know it was only McMurray, but the team needs to look more into the game.

Unfortunately after only one game, it looks like Cannen Cuningham is not the answer as a post player. He was getting dominated on the boards by inferior talent and looked to shy away from contact. Rebounding in general will be a big issue for this team and will limit success this years if we can't figure it out.

Cannen will be fine, very talented, but he's a face-up 4 w/a rep for playing soft. That's ok, cause the princeton features face-up 4s that can pass/shoot better than most any program. I was more concerned by Vilde's lack of time. I was counting on him as someone to bang in the paint until Smith/Williams show up

Giving up on a talented player after ONE GAME? Really?

SMU fans are notorious for knee-jerk reactions, but that's ridiculous, even here. Cunningham looks like a talented player with good athletic ability, and looks like a freshman who is just starting to learn and is just beginning to grow into his frame and start on a college strength program.

Besides, as hoopmanx pointed out, he's not a center. He might have to play there at times out of necessity. Look at the Mavs (remember them?) There were times when Dirk Nowitzki had to "defend" the opposing team's center, but he's a perimeter forward. This guy is more Dirk (in position) than he is Tyson Chandler, who is a true center.

Cunningham will be fine. He could use a few extra pounds. Going to be extremely hard to step right in and fill Papa Dia's shoes this early.

Higher Authority wrote:Giving up on a talented player after ONE GAME? Really?

I could have structured my sentence better, but I was saying with only one game of action, he doesn't look like the answer. I'm not giving up on him, but I do stand by my assessment of his rebounding skills. He was getting abused down low and generally looked to be sleep walking through the game.

I'm excited for his offense ability, but unless a switch flips and he discovers a "want" to rebound, we will be in trouble until reinforcements come in Dec/Jan.

RE Tycoon wrote:

Higher Authority wrote:Giving up on a talented player after ONE GAME? Really?

I could have structured my sentence better, but I was saying with only one game of action, he doesn't look like the answer. I'm not giving up on him, but I do stand by my assessment of his rebounding skills. He was getting abused down low and generally looked to be sleep walking through the game.

I'm excited for his offense ability, but unless a switch flips and he discovers a "want" to rebound, we will be in trouble until reinforcements come in Dec/Jan.

it was probably the first time he's posted up against a dude that was 6'0" 270 lbs. there was no moving that guy which created some challenges that he clearly was not given a chance to work through in limited minutes. I haven't made any judgments yet.

RE Tycoon wrote:

Higher Authority wrote:Giving up on a talented player after ONE GAME? Really?

I could have structured my sentence better, but I was saying with only one game of action, he doesn't look like the answer. I'm not giving up on him, but I do stand by my assessment of his rebounding skills. He was getting abused down low and generally looked to be sleep walking through the game.

I'm excited for his offense ability, but unless a switch flips and he discovers a "want" to rebound, we will be in trouble until reinforcements come in Dec/Jan.

As I recall, Papa Dia wasn't very good his first year. I'll give the guy more than one game to prove otherwise.