Friday Pro Am Observations

[avid1010]

From everything I recall, Vander's strength was playing in an open court game..which the ProAm is...

We all hope both players have tremendous careers at MU...my point is the reasons I believe freshmen guards are going to get PT are because they play deffense, hit the open shot and don't turn the ball over.  I don't believe MU needs scoring out of their freshmen guards, nor do I believe any of them will be put in a place to consistently do so. Typically Buzz seems to bring players along slowly, focusing on them doing the basics well.  My belief is that Vander has the better skill set to accomplish those tasks.  Reggie certainly has a great deal of athleticism, but I don't see him getting many shots up with multiple MU players returning that have proven to be able to score in the BEAST.  Not nearly the opportunities there were last year after the big three left.  I don't think you get a good picture of how well Reggie or Vander can do the small things in the Pro-Am; however, I'm heading that way in about 10 min. as it sure fills the MU basketball void nicely. 

[NersEllenson]

We all hope both players have tremendous careers at MU...my point is the reasons I believe freshmen guards are going to get PT are because they play deffense, hit the open shot and don't turn the ball over.  I don't believe MU needs scoring out of their freshmen guards, nor do I believe any of them will be put in a place to consistently do so. Typically Buzz seems to bring players along slowly, focusing on them doing the basics well.  My belief is that Vander has the better skill set to accomplish those tasks.  Reggie certainly has a great deal of athleticism, but I don't see him getting many shots up with multiple MU players returning that have proven to be able to score in the BEAST.  Not nearly the opportunities there were last year after the big three left.  I don't think you get a good picture of how well Reggie or Vander can do the small things in the Pro-Am; however, I'm heading that way in about 10 min. as it sure fills the MU basketball void nicely. 

All very good points you make...and I do agree that Vander probably would provide a defensive presence that Reggie cannot - though certainly Reggie is athletic enough to compete with the Kemba Walkers, etc.  Please give us a report after the ProAm from what you see.  For those of us who can't be there..those reports are like manna!

[Shack]

Not much new, here's some thoughts:

* Jamil Wilson, is a treat to watch, glides and is smooth, physical speciman; rare to find a 6'8" person who can move so fluidly.   Buzz will need to turn Wilson and Jamail Jones into Warriors cause right now they play lazy, no heart ball in this pro am....no defense,

Wilson's dad sounds like he knows ball and was telling Jamil he's got to be more intense on d.  Coaching staff will need to light a fire under those two fellas azzes and recalibrate their attitudes.

Don't expect big numbers out of Vander Blue this year.   Needs to become more confident in his game on the o end, if he can lockdown on d he'll play but his offensive game lacks confidence which leads to turnovers/a smaller court to guard in D I basketball.

DJO is a pleasure to watch, E Williams needs to keep refining his j. 

Wanted to leave with a more optimistic impression on D. Gardner.   Has a nice touch but his body composition is really going to hold him back....has tree trunks for legs, must have like a 12 inch vertical.   Not a shot blocking or rebounding presence.

Chris Otule needs to keep working with Todd Smith on his cleans and snatches and get more explosion, making good progress though. 

Reggie Smith is probably the most ready to play ball of the freshman right now. 

Did you just use clean and snatch in the same sentence.  Nice!

[Murffieus]

IMO Vander Blue needs to play PG-----when I saw him in HS leading the fast break he reminds of John Wall----very adept at seeing the court and locating the open guy or finishing off transition-----didn't impress in the half court at wing in HS.

Friday night in the Pro Am I was disappointed----not a good perimeter shot and just fair off the pullup----
just not a half court player at this point----didn't get to break much.

I predict, if he doesn't get solid mpg at PG he will transfer out. IMO, PG is where his developmental talents lie-----at his best when in charge.

[flash]

From watching the games on Sunday i was very impressed with Junior Cadougan, he was a true leader on the floor showing excellent point guard skills, leadership and passing.  I was also wowed by Reggie Smith, his athletecism is out of this world.  I didn't like what i saw from Jamil Wilson, he was passive on offence and his jumper looked raw.  Overall the games were very entertaining to watch. 

[ecompt]

Murff, I don't really understand the wisdom of predicting a Blue transfer after one unofficial practice. I also don't understand how you can say after that same unofficial practice that Vander has to play PG. But then again you were dead on with your evaluation of Travis.

[avid1010]

I predict, if he doesn't get solid mpg at PG he will transfer out. IMO, PG is where his developmental talents lie-----at his best when in charge.

He just doesn't seem like the type of kid that would transfer to me...I'm a bit surprised he turned away from UW.  If he's good enough to get minutes, the way Buzz runs and offense (and has said he'd like to run one in the future), I'd imagine he'd have the ball in his hands enough.  Anyone know what his relationship with Wes is like?

[avid1010]

Please give us a report after the ProAm from what you see.  For those of us who can't be there..those reports are like manna!

Not too much to say that hasn't already been said.  Otule had good (mostly against smaller opponents) and bad moments. 

Gardner threw a couple down showing his strength and a bit more athleticism, but he doesn't seem to look for contact when he makes a move to the hoop.  He'll bang with his back to the hoop, then makes a move and goes away from the defender rather than into him.  He'll end up getting swatted until he learns to go at the defender's chest. 

Reggie is so athletic...a bit like DJ.  Probably doesn't get to the hoop and finish as well (a bit weaker upper body), but has a better shot.  He's a one foot jumper, which is nice difference from DJ as well, and we saw that when he threw one down in a defender's face on a fast break.  So athletic he makes things look easy. 

Vander looks the same every time I watch him in the Pro-Am, and not nearly as good as when I see him play in a more structured setting. 

Junior can run the team, get in the lane and hit the open shot. 

JB dominates. 

E-Will hit a ton of jumpers, including some 3's...I'm guessing he shot a very high percentage, but was far from physical and didn't attack the hoop much. 

DJO and Buycks are what you'd expect. 

Jones is in the same boat as Vander...will be better with a little more structure.  If Wilson puts in serious time in the weight room and with his shot he could be a star.  It wasn't very competitive basketball, but still a fun afternoon when you can get a CBB fix in early August.