Scrimmage Impressions

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iP7KXv2ab-o

Roberts - He’s wildly athletic. He should be the biggest beneficiary in the change of styles. Anytime he can get near the basket in scrambles he immediately becomes twice the player he is in the half court.

Dunn - Rushed. He short-armed several passes and doesn’t possess half the touch his old teammate Ponds did. Athletic as can be and a good finisher. Vision appears to be very solid. Skill isn’t quite there. Him over-dribbling is a recipe for disaster. Another kid who is better is space. Half court will be an issue.

Rutherford - Suprisingly inactive and appears to be lacking in athleticism. Efficient with his movement. He looks controlled though. Reminds me of M’Vouica a bit. He is the opposite of Dunn. Defense looked bad even for a scrimmage. 

Earlington - High IQ guy. Skilled for a PF too. He might do some damage in matchups against man-to-man defenses. Too good off the bounce for PFs and too big for SFs. Defensively he’ll be too slow for SFs in man-to-man so his value will likely be determined in how well he defends the four and boards.

J. Cole - It wasn’t clear that he was a walk-on at all. It also wasn’t clear that he is any less of a player than Rutherford in this short scrimmage. If Anderson feels he can get production from lesser touted players, what’s the difference between a 2* kid like Rutherford and a good walk-on?

Sears - Steady. Controlled. Looks to have a high basketball IQ. Me likes.

Steere - Big upside. Second best athlete up front. Probably a little raw but the hands look solid and that is huge. His motor and mindset will determine what he offers this season.

Heron - Looks a lot smaller. The handle is clearly much better and he may be able to create a bit unlike last year. He was noticeably quicker too. Hopefully it was not just the competition. He will be called on to create this year so these are all good signs.

Figgy - Was Figgy. Too easy for him so there is no way to grade him. He will need to be a primary creator for himself and others while also being the second set shooting option. It is a tough ask.

Champagne - Shot form looked less than average. Looks like he can add value as a four. Like Marillac always says...move ‘em down to the paint if they don’t have the skill to play on the perimeter. Big kid. He could hurt bigs off the dribble and his value will be determined by how well he defends and rebounds. He can potentially defend 2-4 well.

I’ll also add: 

Dunn hit a beautiful set three to start the scrimmage. That is encouraging. He looks like a very good 6th or 7th energy guy at SG on a top 25-35 team. He’ll probably have a bigger and different role for us. He looks like he will be a demon on defense and with loose balls, but  when he makes mistakes they will be BAD.

This team will need passing and some handling from at least four guys at a time to overcome the deficiency at PG.

Sears looks huge. He may be one of those rare guys that is too honest on his roster size. He had a few handoffs to Heron that were beautiful...he screened with the handoff and took up a lot of space. Him and Steere doing that to set up our slashers (especially Heron and Figgy) should make up most of our half court offense. I’m a big fan of getting scorers going downhill with a step or two.

Sears also looked capable of taking a few meaningful dribbles. He is the early season Marillac favorite.

Our front court looks exponentially better than the back court. If Ponds would have stayed just one more year....

Echo all your thoughts on Sears.

I’m worried more than most about steere. Think he’s gonna be a little awkward with the ball when it’s more than just catch and finish. But if he can just do that he’s already the best big we’ve had in a while.

Echo all your thoughts on Sears.

I’m worried more than most about steere. Think he’s gonna be a little awkward with the ball when it’s more than just catch and finish. But if he can just do that he’s already the best big we’ve had in a while.

Gotta be good before you can be great so I’d be happy as hell if he just gets gets good position consistently on both ends, screens well, avoids stupid fouls, and is a plus rebounder. Maybe a back-to-the-basket or a good seal and catch 1-2 times per half.  I don’t want him in space until he understand his limitations. Sears seems like he’s got that part down already.

Gotta be good before you can be great so I’d be happy as hell if he just gets gets good position consistently on both ends, screens well, avoids stupid fouls, and is a plus rebounder. Maybe a back-to-the-basket or a good seal and catch 1-2 times per half.  I don’t want him in space until he understand his limitations. Sears seems like he’s got that part down already.

The same instruction can be used for Earlington this year as well. I'm excited to see his improvement next Wednesday night.

The same instruction can be used for Earlington this year as well. I'm excited to see his improvement next Wednesday night.

Earlington has more skill than Steere by a decent margin. I don’t want to see Steere on the perimeter unless it’s to screen. Earlington can do some damage out there if he picks his spots well. The key with him is just getting the reps and the experience to get used to the speed of this level IMO.

I believe this team is above the Big East average at the 2,3, and 4 spots and better than last year 2-5.

Earlington has more skill than Steere by a decent margin. I don’t want to see Steere on the perimeter unless it’s to screen. Earlington can do some damage out there if he picks his spots well. The key with him is just getting the reps and the experience to get used to the speed of this level IMO.

I believe this team is above the Big East average at the 2,3, and 4 spots and better than last year 2-5.

Who do you see starting at the 4 spot this year?

I think Sears has some redeeming qualities. Moves a bit better than I expected but need to see him bang up against other bigs.

I'm hoping Roberts loses some of his Bambi this year. I think Roberts is still best suited for an energy guy off the bench in short sprints. Go from 100 to 0 in 4 min intervals.

Steere is best space eating big we've had in a while. I hope we feed 'em

I think Sears has some redeeming qualities. Moves a bit better than I expected but need to see him bang up against other bigs.

I'm hoping Roberts loses some of his Bambi this year. I think Roberts is still best suited for an energy guy off the bench in short sprints. Go from 100 to 0 in 4 min intervals.

Steere is best space eating big we've had in a while. I hope we feed 'em

Even if Sears doesn’t have the talent to be a well rounded BE player, he can still be the right player us.

I’m not for or against this particular signing, but I do think there’s something to be said for recruiting players that know they’ll have a specific role coming in, and embrace that role.

We’re coming off a season where just about every player thought they were the go to scorer, a lunch pail guy sounds refreshing. Then again, a lot sounds refreshing in October.

I think Sears has some redeeming qualities. Moves a bit better than I expected but need to see him bang up against other bigs.

I'm hoping Roberts loses some of his Bambi this year. I think Roberts is still best suited for an energy guy off the bench in short sprints. Go from 100 to 0 in 4 min intervals.

Steere is best space eating big we've had in a while. I hope we feed 'em

A couple weeks ago you said you hope Sears never sees the court and we’d be screwed if he did. What changed?

Earlington has more skill than Steere by a decent margin. I don’t want to see Steere on the perimeter unless it’s to screen. Earlington can do some damage out there if he picks his spots well. The key with him is just getting the reps and the experience to get used to the speed of this level IMO.

I believe this team is above the Big East average at the 2,3, and 4 spots and better than last year 2-5.

I think the only 2 positions that will be above BE average are the ones Heron and Figgy play.

Who do you see starting at the 4 spot this year?

Sears unless we go small and have Figgy at the four. I’m sure Sears will also play some five after Steere is cleared. He’s probably looking at around 28-30 mpg between the two positions.

Sears>Roberts>Champagnie>Earlington is how I see it.

I think the only 2 positions that will be above BE average are the ones Heron and Figgy play.

Figgy and Heron will absolutely contribute at the four. It is our deepest position.

Heron defended the four extremely well last year...although it would be a mistake to use him there for more than 5-10 minutes a game. Same goes for Figgy.

I suspect we’ll open up with Sears at the five, LJ at the four, Heron at the three, Dunn at one of the guard spots, and either Rutherford or Williams at the other guard spot. Probably Williams if he’s fully healthy and able to get some practice in.

I don’t think Roberts get much if any minutes at the PF. Think no matter who he’s paired with he’ll be the “5”.

Also see Caraher in the mix for minutes at the “4” and Figgy absolutely will get time there. 

A couple weeks ago you said you hope Sears never sees the court and we’d be screwed if he did. What changed?

Someone he trusts told him he’s not as bad of a player than someone else told him he was. Either that or he seen him play and concluded he may not be as bad as his one star ranking out of middle school.

A couple weeks ago you said you hope Sears never sees the court and we’d be screwed if he did. What changed?

Well I still feel that way but that doesn't mean you can't get some lemonade from lemons.

Someone he trusts told him he’s not as bad of a player than someone else told him he was. Either that or he seen him play and concluded he may not be as bad as his one star ranking out of middle school.

We should catch a game together this year. Would be fun to discuss some hoops in real time.

I don’t think Roberts get much if any minutes at the PF. Think no matter who he’s paired with he’ll be the “5”.

Also see Caraher in the mix for minutes at the “4” and Figgy absolutely will get time there. 

You may be right.  I assume he'll be the five in smaller, running lineups especially until Steere is cleared.  I know I'd play him with Dunn and Williams at the guards spots and either Figgy or Champagnie at the four. There are a lot of minutes up for grabs at the five and only three players who can realistically play there.

I didn't pay attention to Josh's build to see if he put on any weight.  He was too weak to play the five last year and was pushed around quite a bit.  To that end, I'm extremely impressed with Champagnie showing up at 220 lbs and a legit 6'7.  I hate him as a SF, but I'm very intrigued to see what he can do as a versatile four. We should know pretty early if he is willing and able to play physically down low. 

You may be right.  I assume he'll be the five in smaller, running lineups especially until Steere is cleared.  I know I'd play him with Dunn and Williams at the guards spots and either Figgy or Champagnie at the four. There are a lot of minutes up for grabs at the five and only three players who can realistically play there.

I didn't pay attention to Josh's build to see if he put on any weight.  He was too weak to play the five last year and was pushed around quite a bit.  To that end, I'm extremely impressed with Champagnie showing up at 220 lbs and a legit 6'7.  I hate him as a SF, but I'm very intrigued to see what he can do as a versatile four. We should know pretty early if he is willing and able to play physically down low. 

I agree with you about Champagnie. A little bit like Amir who I loved as a freshmen playing inside a little undersized opposed to on the perimeter his sophomore year.

Well I still feel that way but that doesn't mean you can't get some lemonade from lemons.

Lmao ok Dave.