Lets talk

[Potpono]

I don't know if this section is just dead because its been the college basketball off season, or if it is always dead. But anyway lets talk some college bball, what are your expectations of your team?

[event_staff_9]

i went to Penn State's practice yesterday; they looked veryyyy good

our team is going to live and die on guard play; when Frazier and Battle are on the court at the same time, watch out! Dark Horse to do some serious damage in the Big 10 this year!

[JuniorG]

Villanova Blue White game

1. Mouph, early in the game, he pinned Sutton on offense and got easy looks on post moves, but latter on, either he tired, or Sutton adjusted. He ran the floor well, but overall, a contributor, not a force to reckon with. No outside shot ala Dante, Ran the floor well. Would be interesting to see how he worked with Pena in a high low set. Was quicker on defense than I thought he'd be (an important issue in him getting PT).

2. Sutton - seemed to foul a lot. An OK game, but nothing to distinguish him. A credible sub who will contribute in that roll if injuries or foul problems arise.

3. Pena - seemed more at ease and fluid than last year. Handled a tough pass in a fast break with ease. Took and made some outside shots. I don't see him at Date's level this year, but he is at Dante's level in his junior year, and Pena is only a Junior. Didn't foul much, a problem in past years. As a couple of people opined, much of our success will depend on how well he does.

4. Taylor King - will be a controversial player. Was up and down. He missed a lot of 3s, but he also demonstated a lot of smarts by getting open on the wings, and pinning his man down low for easy lobs, and also cutting to the hoop. I think if he is selective in his 3s he will be a big plus, but we have lots of good 3 point shooters, and I'm not convinced he's any better than 4th best(would put Scottie, Corey Stokes, and Cheek ahead of him.

5. Maalik Wayns - a quiet but very effective game. I was very impressed with the way he stayed with Fisher on defense (that'not easy to doP. Waayns didn't score much, but played solid. I thought he and Fisher largely offset each other. Handled the ball well with few turnovers. He has lots of tallent, but getting PT will be tough because we have so much guard talent.

6. Scottie Reynolds. I thought he was clearly the best player out there. He seems much quicker than last year. His shot selection was excellent, and the shots were falling. He gaurded Stokes a lot of the time - so I don't know how his defensive quickeness is. Would have been interesting to see him go up against the smaller, quicker (than Stokes) Fisher or Waayns.

7. Dominic Cheek - the most impressive of the freshmen. drained 3s with ease. Had a little bit of trouble finding his man at times (usually Taylor King) and this resulted in open looks.

8. Armwood - a nice outside shot, but didn't see much action down low. He had a nice block or two. He should be a very good player in a few years. Redshirting him would be a tough, but if he's not going to get PT, then that's a real possibility.

9, Fisher - had a solid, but not spectacular game. Was content to be a playmaker and less of a scorer. I think Waayns did a good job of staying in front of him and not permitting him to drive and dish, or drive, hang and shoot.

All in all, a very good looking team - lots of outside fire power. I didn't see any evidence that Jay is going to change his offensive strategy because of Mouph. Perhaps others who know more did, but I'd expect that same offensive scheme as last year.

some stats from the blue/white game...if anybody cares

Scottie - 26 points
Stokes - 23 points
D.Cheek - 19 points
T. King - 18 points
Wayns - 10 points
Yarou - 9 points and 9 rebounds
Pena - 8 points and 10 rebounds
Fisher - 7 points
Armwood - 7 points
Sutton - 6 points and 6 rebounds
Redding sat out because of the suspension...I think he's getting it worse than the crime he did, but in the end he did put himself in this situation....(best defender on team)

[worldwideballa12]

^ nice update, still impressed with the quality and depth of guards on that team.

[BoogieFan]

Originally Posted by event_staff_9

i went to Penn State's practice yesterday; they looked veryyyy good

our team is going to live and die on guard play; when Frazier and Battle are on the court at the same time, watch out! Dark Horse to do some serious damage in the Big 10 this year!

Penn State looks very good this year man, hopefully they have better luck and make the tournament this year.

Texas A&M fan, losing Elonu really hurts us, and we really will depend on our guards once again, we should make the tourney but that's about as much expectations as I have....

[event_staff_9]

Originally Posted by BoogieFan

Penn State looks very good this year man, hopefully they have better luck and make the tournament this year.

yeah hopefulllly thanks; losing Cornley really hurts; admittedly we don't have any inside threat either offensively or defensively (no offense to Andrew Ott, he's a great guy)

not a single senior on the roster so we should have everyone back next year so that's good for future purposes

my prediction? Chris Babb finishes above 43% from three this year