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I watched the team play today from about 5:30 P.M. to 6:45 P.M.
The Shockers are a bunch of fine players and I am most excited about the upcoming season.
General
The players remind me of a high major team. (Please excuse my use of the term, "high major.")
As a group, this is what I see.
1. Very physical
2. Fast
3. Quick
4. Big jumpers
5. Very athletic
6. Very aggressive
7. Most all look like poster men for "Muscle and Fitness Magazine."
8. Plays hard
There was not a single passive player on the floor or even just moderately aggressive.
Players
1. Kadeem - With respect to physical appearance, he is an exception to muscle comment above. He is smooth and a pretty big jumper. One of the gawkers said he will be an effective shot blocker. On the first offensive play of the game, the ball went inside to Kadeem. He went straight up with a nice hook shot and it softly landed in the net. Very smooth and pretty. He is listed at 251 pounds, but I do not believe it. Seems too high.
2. Rian - He said that his weight is up to 150. He is a 6 foot ball of fire and I expect he will be a crowd fav, before he graduates. With a running jump, he can dunk the ball. He is quick and fast. Very quick and very fast. He penetrated from the left side and Kadeem jumped in his path to defend. Rian put up the highest tear drop shot that I have ever seen. Swish. Little guys have been playing against big guys, since they we were six years old. The good ones know how to minimize the disadvantage.
3. Shaq Morris - He did not play. He has minor hamstring pull. He just messed around on the side. When there was a break in play, he launched a 3 ball. It missed the iron by 2'. I doubt, if he will be shooting from outside very often. His weight is at 285 pounds. The staff would like to see a weight of 260 pounds.
4. Watson - He was not present. Forgive me, I cannot remember his first name.
5. Derail Green - A very nice young man. Very nice. He came over to the gawkers side and shook hands with all four of us.
6. Tekele Cotton - He is cut. All man.
7. Fred Van Vleet - He has packed on weight and muscle. Solid.
8. Cleanthony Early - While I enjoyed his play last season, I was not enamored with him like most folks on this fine forum. Today I saw a different player from last season. He played with so much confidence. He knew he was the best player on the floor and he played like it. I dislike over the top terms to describe athletes, so I will not say he looked great. He was just extra good.
One of the onlookers said that a most valuable player award was not given at the Kevin Durant camp. However, he said that if one had been given, Cle would have won it.
9. Nick Wiggins - He was fun to watch. Very aggressive. His shooting was spotty. He scored several baskets on the front end of fast breaks. He made some very nice passes. He just might be the surprise player of the year for next season.
10. Evan Wessel, Zach Bush, Chadrack Lufile, Ron Baker - D.N.P.
11. Baby Blue Shoes - He was an interesting player. He is about 6-6. Very effective in driving the lane. I was told that he is a Butler County Juco player.
12. Darius Carter - Played. Nice frame. I did not notice him very often. It is not a criticism on him. I spent most of the time with learning names of the players.
13. D.J. Bowles - Not impressive this day. Pretty rough day.
14. Zach Brown - He played, but I did not notice him very often. I do not know why he was on campus a year early.
All - Shot making was pedestrian. Lots of fouls.
Last comment - If Coach Marshall chooses to do so, the Shockers will run a lot of teams into the floor this coming season - lots of talent and depth.
The Shockers are a bunch of fine players and I am most excited about the upcoming season.
General
The players remind me of a high major team. (Please excuse my use of the term, "high major.")
As a group, this is what I see.
1. Very physical
2. Fast
3. Quick
4. Big jumpers
5. Very athletic
6. Very aggressive
7. Most all look like poster men for "Muscle and Fitness Magazine."
8. Plays hard
There was not a single passive player on the floor or even just moderately aggressive.
Players
1. Kadeem - With respect to physical appearance, he is an exception to muscle comment above. He is smooth and a pretty big jumper. One of the gawkers said he will be an effective shot blocker. On the first offensive play of the game, the ball went inside to Kadeem. He went straight up with a nice hook shot and it softly landed in the net. Very smooth and pretty. He is listed at 251 pounds, but I do not believe it. Seems too high.
2. Rian - He said that his weight is up to 150. He is a 6 foot ball of fire and I expect he will be a crowd fav, before he graduates. With a running jump, he can dunk the ball. He is quick and fast. Very quick and very fast. He penetrated from the left side and Kadeem jumped in his path to defend. Rian put up the highest tear drop shot that I have ever seen. Swish. Little guys have been playing against big guys, since they we were six years old. The good ones know how to minimize the disadvantage.
3. Shaq Morris - He did not play. He has minor hamstring pull. He just messed around on the side. When there was a break in play, he launched a 3 ball. It missed the iron by 2'. I doubt, if he will be shooting from outside very often. His weight is at 285 pounds. The staff would like to see a weight of 260 pounds.
4. Watson - He was not present. Forgive me, I cannot remember his first name.
5. Derail Green - A very nice young man. Very nice. He came over to the gawkers side and shook hands with all four of us.
6. Tekele Cotton - He is cut. All man.
7. Fred Van Vleet - He has packed on weight and muscle. Solid.
8. Cleanthony Early - While I enjoyed his play last season, I was not enamored with him like most folks on this fine forum. Today I saw a different player from last season. He played with so much confidence. He knew he was the best player on the floor and he played like it. I dislike over the top terms to describe athletes, so I will not say he looked great. He was just extra good.
One of the onlookers said that a most valuable player award was not given at the Kevin Durant camp. However, he said that if one had been given, Cle would have won it.
9. Nick Wiggins - He was fun to watch. Very aggressive. His shooting was spotty. He scored several baskets on the front end of fast breaks. He made some very nice passes. He just might be the surprise player of the year for next season.
10. Evan Wessel, Zach Bush, Chadrack Lufile, Ron Baker - D.N.P.
11. Baby Blue Shoes - He was an interesting player. He is about 6-6. Very effective in driving the lane. I was told that he is a Butler County Juco player.
12. Darius Carter - Played. Nice frame. I did not notice him very often. It is not a criticism on him. I spent most of the time with learning names of the players.
13. D.J. Bowles - Not impressive this day. Pretty rough day.
14. Zach Brown - He played, but I did not notice him very often. I do not know why he was on campus a year early.
All - Shot making was pedestrian. Lots of fouls.
Last comment - If Coach Marshall chooses to do so, the Shockers will run a lot of teams into the floor this coming season - lots of talent and depth.
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