FDU post-game thoughts

[RoyalShock]

After watching live then going home and watching most of it again, here are my thoughts in the context of what we need to see once Valley play begins.

- We need JT to be on the floor close to 30 minutes/game. Because JT is good and Garrett just isn't there yet. I still have my doubts about whether GS will come around, but I'll reserve final judgement until his pivotal junior season.

- Ellis must stay active and keep his hands in check like he did yesterday. Can you imagine he and EO on the defensive end together next year? Who was the last Valley player that could elevate and hit the mid-range jumper like Aaron? Sommerville?

- Perimeter defense must improve. Our help defense is good at times and bad at times.

- I loved the way we pushed the ball up the court in the first half.

- Good shot-selection for the most part. A few guarded shots early in the possession. We missed a number of shots that will fall in other games.

- D Williams already reminds me of Hannah. When his confidence reaches the same level, I think he'll be at least as good as Clevin.

[shocker22]

Re: FDU post-game thoughts

After watching live then going home and watching most of it again, here are my thoughts in the context of what we need to see once Valley play begins.

- We need JT to be on the floor close to 30 minutes/game. Because JT is good and Garrett just isn't there yet. I still have my doubts about whether GS will come around, but I'll reserve final judgement until his pivotal junior season.

- Ellis must stay active and keep his hands in check like he did yesterday. Can you imagine he and EO on the defensive end together next year? Who was the last Valley player that could elevate and hit the mid-range jumper like Aaron? Sommerville?

- Perimeter defense must improve. Our help defense is good at times and bad at times.

- I loved the way we pushed the ball up the court in the first half.

- Good shot-selection for the most part. A few guarded shots early in the possession. We missed a number of shots that will fall in other games.

- D Williams already reminds me of Hannah. When his confidence reaches the same level, I think he'll be at least as good as Clevin.

I think we will see Stutz improve game by game but he still worries me alot with how he holds the ball and his lack of leaping ability. Everything is flat footed. Our bigs need to stay out of foul trouble. JT cannot get stupid fouls we need him out there. Blair's offensive skills were not what I had expected them to be. Williams arch on his shot is beautiful...however it leads to a slow release. Ellis will be the most improved player this year and our most important peice.

Some random observations on a monday.

[wufan]

I too thought that Williams looked like a stud in the making, but I've only seen him play for 10-15 minutes total, so I'll reserve judgement. Had he missed the 3 at the top of the key, he would not have looked quite as good. On the other hand, had Blair made two more buckets, I would have also been singing his praises. As it was, the jury is still out on both, but both bring much needed depth to this team and should contribute throughout their careers.

Durley is an offensive stud! The more he is on the court the better this team is. Ellis makes a great compliment to him and could turn into a star in his own right.

I LOVE Murry, Kyles, and Hatch! Those three offer very high level and complimentary skill sets.

This team has no holes from a personnel standpoint.

[xazshox]

Blair

Blair is bound to be a bit rusty after having laid out last year due to transferring. And, he missed 3 days last week due to the flu, too.

[MikeShox]

Re: Blair

Blair is bound to be a bit rusty after having laid out last year due to transferring. And, he missed 3 days last week due to the flu, too.

True. On the other hand, my hope for Gabe is to be a good rebounder and defensive player. Scoring will only be a bonus. He played 2 years at a Div 1 program no higher level than here and never averaged near double figures. Why would we expect him to suddenly become an offensive machine?

I think Aaron has passed him by as an all around player and that Gabe will provide depth at the 4 and as I said, hopefully give good rebounding and defensive support and occasionally put the ball in the basket.

[JVShocker_old]

Defensive intensity was much improved over the exhibition. But our intensity starts at the top with guard play, and we are young (and inexperienced with some lineups), so I expect the intensity to fluctuate over the season.

I liked Williams' play in the exhibition, and I liked it in the opener as well (though it was a bit limited.) There's something to be said for confidence, and he seems to play with more of it than the other freshmen.

The offense was much crisper. My favorite play was Toure backing down his defender with the easy turn around jumper just off the corner at the FT line. It had that "I could do this to you all day" feel to it. Any chance he could play a little more post?

When FD went zone, the freshmen guards seemed unsure of how to attack, and Kenny wasn't at all confident in his outside shot. Would be nice to see him develop a bit of a shot, or at least split the defenders straight down the middle of the lane. They were playing way off him. A simple half penetration for dish or kickout would free open a 3ball shooter nicely.

I thought I heard on the stats line that Kyles had 2 blocks. It was at least 2-1/2.

Was Ellis' play another one of those we see a few times during the season, or will he bring his A game every night?

On Stutz, few big men that size (tall & skinny) come in and have outstanding seasons. Most that can turn pro after a year or two. For the others, their bodies are still trying to catch up with what they're being asked to do. If some can call Paul Miller fifi for 3 years and have a decent run to the S16 his last year, I can put up with slow & steady development from Stutz until his senior season.

[ShockRef]

Blair will be fine. He was really sick all week and isn't completely over it.
I liked his dive to get on the floor late in the game. That one move confirmed all I needed to see. 8)

[SubGod22]

If Ellis stays healthy I expect him to continue to provide that effort and energy. His first two years he was dealing with other things that limited him. I think that's why we only saw flashes and not more consistency.

[WuDrWu]

Blair will be fine. He was really sick all week and isn't completely over it.
I liked his dive to get on the floor late in the game. That one move confirmed all I needed to see. 8)

Ditto, and he is one seriously athletic dude that will give fits to Valley players from every team.

Also, while I am not oblivious to the possibility something will change in the future, anyone wishing to compare Gabe with Hawk at this point is seriously delusional.

[ShockCity]

Blair will be fine. He was really sick all week and isn't completely over it.
I liked his dive to get on the floor late in the game. That one move confirmed all I needed to see. 8)

Ditto, and he is one seriously athletic dude that will give fits to Valley players from every team.

Also, while I am not oblivious to the possibility something will change in the future, anyone wishing to compare Gabe with Hawk at this point is seriously delusional.

He reminds me a little bit of Andrew Warren from Bradley. He did miss some bunnies yesterday, but I think the illness and rust from a year off definitely played a role in his effectiveness.

[KC Shox]

Didn't GM state when recruiting Stutz that, "If GS is not averaging 20 pts as a sophomore then I'm not doing my job"?

GM is coaching and instructing well, I am beginning to believe that GS just doesn't have that athletic physicality needed for this level of b-ball. I'm hoping the light bulb pops up on this kid however. He and the Shox deserve it.

[wsushox1]

Gabe reminds me of Ryan Martin!

[Maggie]

Didn't GM state when recruiting Stutz that, "If GS is not averaging 20 pts as a sophomore then I'm not doing my job"?

GM is coaching and instructing well, I am beginning to believe that GS just doesn't have that athletic physicality needed for this level of b-ball. I'm hoping the light bulb pops up on this kid however. He and the Shox deserve it.

I recall that statement (and I was shocked when I read it) but CGM has softened that rhetoric significantly.

Personally, I am going to be patient with GS and reserve judgment until midway through his junior year.

[im4wsu]

Didn't GM state when recruiting Stutz that, "If GS is not averaging 20 pts as a sophomore then I'm not doing my job"?

GM is coaching and instructing well, I am beginning to believe that GS just doesn't have that athletic physicality needed for this level of b-ball. I'm hoping the light bulb pops up on this kid however. He and the Shox deserve it.

I recall that statement (and I was shocked when I read it) but CGM has softened that rhetoric significantly.

Personally, I am going to be patient with GS and reserve judgment until midway through his junior year.

Garrett was 6'2" his first day of high school and grew 5 inches between his junior and senior year. He is still a newbie to playing inside. Against FD, he was also playing the high post instead of down low like he's been more accustomed to playing. Seven points in 13 minutes is 21 per game, and it's only his first game of his sophomore year; now he just has to keep his fouls down so he can play more minutes.

[newshock1234]

Gabe reminds me of Ryan Martin!

i disagree, Gabe is actually athletic and has really good size, not to take anything from RM, he was a really hard worker and all, but Gabe has tons more potential than RM.