Tekele Cotton: Best true freshman since ...

[Dan]

James Bunch?

[fuball7]

Just to max out the hyperbole, his on-ball defense reminds me a little of Paul Pressey. Long, quick, and as Doc said, terrific instincts.

We've needed someone like him for years- a player who can bottle up the quick MVC-level of guards that have destroyed us forever. Darren Brooks, Anthony James, Ben Walker, etc. Toure (and PJ) aren't as quick as Cotton.

I think we are getting a little ahead of ourselves. I am one of the biggest fans of Tekele. He is a great defender and has great instinces. But quickness is somewhere where he definitely can still improve. His hands are extremely quick but foot speed is a little behind. He has guarded a few quicker guards this year and he cant keep them in front of him. They get to the rim pretty easy. Not saying he wont be that shut down guy but hes not there yet. That being said. Do not cross over in front of him. He will pick you every time.

[XManCometh]

He's only played 11 games guys. "The best true freshman since..." conversation shouldn't be made until after the regular season at the earliest, imo. Post this thread again then and I'll weigh in. He's only played 134 collegiate minutes, for pete's sake.

[McShocker]

In regards to his physical talent, he is nothing special. I don't mean that he doesn't have any talent because he is certainly very strong, has quick hands, and a good handle. I think we get kids at his talent level on a pretty regular basis. The thing that sets him apart, and makes him truly special, is his basketball IQ. The kid does the right thing at such a high rate. We have current seniors who are very good players that I wish had Tekele's basketball IQ, and I mean right now, not just 3 years ago. If FVV has the basketball IQ that he has been reported to have, we can look forward to some very fine backcourt play, with very few dumb plays, for years to come.

[im4wsu]

I think we are getting a little ahead of ourselves. I am one of the biggest fans of Tekele. He is a great defender and has great instinces. But quickness is somewhere where he definitely can still improve. His hands are extremely quick but foot speed is a little behind. He has guarded a few quicker guards this year and he cant keep them in front of him. They get to the rim pretty easy. Not saying he wont be that shut down guy but hes not there yet. That being said. Do not cross over in front of him. He will pick you every time.

Getting beat by quicker opponent seems to particularly be true the first 30 seconds Takele is in the game. It seems his man drives by and he fouls on that first encounter. Then he manages his defensive position better after that. Maybe he is a bit stiff from sitting and needs to loosen up. Maybe 3G could have him run into the locker room and back before subbing him in?

[Maggie]

The thing that sets him apart, and makes him truly special, is his basketball IQ. The kid does the right thing at such a high rate. We have current seniors who are very good players that I wish had Tekele's basketball IQ, and I mean right now, not just 3 years ago. If FVV has the basketball IQ that he has been reported to have, we can look forward to some very fine backcourt play, with very few dumb plays, for years to come.

Just so.

[Aargh]

In regards to his physical talent, he is nothing special. I don't mean that he doesn't have any talent because he is certainly very strong, has quick hands, and a good handle. I think we get kids at his talent level on a pretty regular basis. The thing that sets him apart, and makes him truly special, is his basketball IQ. The kid does the right thing at such a high rate. We have current seniors who are very good players that I wish had Tekele's basketball IQ, and I mean right now, not just 3 years ago. If FVV has the basketball IQ that he has been reported to have, we can look forward to some very fine backcourt play, with very few dumb plays, for years to come.

From all the reports I've heard, Baker will probably fall into the same category for basketball IQ.

Next year we have Armstead, who has Oregon's single-season steals record. It's going to be an interesting year to "rebuild" the back court.

[RoyalShock]

No doubt that as far as rebuilding years go, next season should be a good one, especially if Early can be productive at the 4.

[DJShocker10]

Shoelace!

Hey there.. I don't think I'd push it that much. He needs a little work on his crossover dribble.

[shockmonster]

Tekele is a good role type player not a star. We have had a lot of very good role type players for a long time and we've had very good teams made up of good role players (with a lot of depth since Marshall took over). I'm not sure that we've had a star since Evans have we? This may change a little with our new players but I doubt it.

[fuball7]

i agree i wish our whole team had the bball iq that tekele does as a freshman

[WuDrWu]

Wait until you see Ron Baker.

[pinstripers]

Early will play the 3, methinks.

[fuball7]

Wait until you see Ron Baker.

Saw him in the preseason. I think he was ahead of wessel but that role wouldnt play a whole lot this year so that is why he red shirted. we get 4 full years out of him. BTW I like wessel too. Just needs a little confidence

[im4wsu]

Saw him in the preseason. I think he was ahead of wessel but that role wouldnt play a whole lot this year so that is why he red shirted. we get 4 full years out of him. BTW I like wessel too. Just needs a little confidence

Wessell has the best "plus/minus per 40" on the team through the non-conference games. That was a spot that Hatch held many times.