Oak Hill on ESPN2

[The XtC]

Anyone interested in seeing Bamba Fall has a chance tonight, at 6:30, when Oak Hill plays St. Patricks (New Jersey) on ESPN2.

[Stallion]

it will be interesting to see how long he plays. Last I heard he was in a three man rotation at the Center position. Is St Patrick's going to have some quality NCAA type players to compare him to?

[The XtC]

I think its a 2 man rotation at center, with Bamba and Palmer. Kevin Durant is 6'9", but he's a wing player, I dont think he ever is actually playing center, although he will post up on smaller defenders.

Whoever is at center is going to have a tough time handling St. Patricks 6'9", 300 lb. Derrick Caracter. He's a physical monster, and considered one of the countries best juniors. I think Rivals ranks him right behind Darrell Arthur. St. Patricks is 16-2, and plays in a very tough league. In that part of Jersey, the Catholic schools are the basketball powerhouses. I'm sure everyone is familiar with St. Anthony's (Bobby Hurley) and St. Josephs. This will be a very competive game, St. Patricks is not currently ranked in USA-Todays high school rankings, but they have 2 victories over teams that are.

[Hoop Fan]

Palmer is an elite player, its no knock on Fall to be sharing time with him. Palmer had committed to Illinois early, but something happened and is looking elsewhere now.

[Stallion]

the source of my comments about the three way rotation comes from a January 7th report on Rivals concerning the commitment of 6-6 Alex Smith to William & Mary. The report said Fall was in a 3 way rotation with Palmer and SmIth and that Smith had been the most effective so far.

[The XtC]

Sorry, I didnt read that article. I've thought of Smith more as a forward than a center, and I wouldnt be surprised to see him rotating in the frontcourt, playing forward while one of the other 2 were at center. I guess we'll see tonight.

Interesting sidenote: Bamba has 25 blocked shots in the last 3 games.

[Hoop Fan]

25 blocked shots in 3 games? I like the sound of that. Man do we need a defensive presence down low.

[ALEX LIFESON]

WOW! what number is Bamba?

[Stallion]

I think he was No. 21-I'm not sure he only played a couple of minutes of the time I watched-I only watched about 1/2 the game off and on in the first and second half. I don't think I saw him touch the ball. But it is true this is the best high school team by far I've ever seen. I'm pretty sure that this team could win half its games in the WAC. Everybody on the floor looked like a Division 1A prospect. Even if he were on the floor I doubt he would get many scoring opportunities as they all look to score-although several made some great passes. Most interesting stat is that Coach Smith has had 18 players DRAFTED into the NBA in what 15 years. How many players has SMU ever had drafted in its history? It is too bad Fall isn't getting more game experience but I'm sure he gets a workout in practice.

[mustangbill67]

I watched most of the second half and it was hard to tell when he was in the game. He did go up for a jump shot in front of the basket and had it rejected back in his face so hard it knocked him on his but. That was the only time I heard his name mentioned.

[Hoop Fan]

damn you guys are negative. The guy that blocked his shot is a 6'11, 300 lb potential lottery pick named Caracter. He was billed as one of the best players on the floor. Caracter went 1-8 in the first half with Fall guarding him about half of the time. Did anybody notice that? Fall contested several shots and had at least 4 rebounds that I counted in the first half. He even had an assist on a kick out pass. He is fluid, but slow releasing his shot it seemed in limited touches.

As for his potential, the guy has some tools. For a 7 footer he moves his feet very well. He actually gets outs well and guards the wing on defense. And he gets up and down the floor very well for a big. I think given our deficiencies, he can help us right away on defense. If hes a project, the upside is big.

Oak Hill is awesome, basically a college team. There was an element of showtime which Bamba seemed a little lost in. But there is no doubt he will contribute at SMU. This guy will not get lost on the bench. He moves his feet on defense and contests shots. I don't care if he never scores a point, you folks are gonna end up liking him.

[mustangbill67]

I am not saying he does not have potential and playing and practicing with that team can only help his game. I just found it difficult to follow when he was in the game and the only time I heard his name mentioned in the second half was the blocked shot.

[Stallion]

are you sure you weren't confused with the other tall lanky kid because seriously I only saw him on the Court for a couple of minutes in the first half. Missed most of the first quarter and the start of the 3rd Quarter but watched most of the rest.

[mustangbill67]

This was in the second half and I believe the third quarter. In any event, the announcer clearly identified Bamba Fall as the player whose shot was rejected. That was the only time I heard his named mentioned. You are right that another tall, lanking kid played most of the time.

[50's PONY]

I am with Stallion. I watched the whole game and I never saw him get off the bench in the second half.