Ellenson's tough night

[MU82]

Ellenson was noticeably frustrated. He couldn't get the ball even when he posted up hard. And the few times he got it, he was double teamed because nobody could hit a 3. So, inevitably, he tried to go 1-on-1 to disastrous results. It was painful to watch.

I have to admit that when they showed Henry sitting on the bench late in the first half, I said: "I wonder if he's thinking, 'I didn't go to Kentucky for THIS?'"

[Sylvester78]

he isnt missing a thing at KY where he would be the 5th option at best

[WarriorPride68]

he isnt missing a thing at KY where he would e the 5th option at best

+1. Calipari would have "Wiltjer'd" him

[MU82]

You guys might be right about Henry being buried on Kentucky's bench.

But do you honestly think Henry believes he would be buried on Kentucky's bench? And his perception is all that I'm talking about here.

I admit right off the bat that my opening post is really about nothing -- and not even funny like Seinfeld being about nothing.

It was just an observation I had.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Ellenson was noticeably frustrated. He couldn't get the ball even when he posted up hard. And the few times he got it, he was double teamed because nobody could hit a 3. So, inevitably, he tried to go 1-on-1 to disastrous results. It was painful to watch.

I have to admit that when they showed Henry sitting on the bench late in the first half, I said: "I wonder if he's thinking, 'I didn't go to Kentucky for THIS?'"

I said a few weeks ago that with the mish mash around him, it was going to hurt his game.  I recall a few people saying that it doesn't matter, he is that good and will find a way.  Well, maybe, but I'll hold to my comments.  It's like when a backup QB comes in, all of a sudden the running back starts to not look as good because they have 9 guys in the box daring the backup QB to do something.

Henry feels to me that he is trying a bit too hard, taking some 3's that are not in rhythm, and without other guys hitting shots, it is clogging his lanes. 

As for KY, he'd be riding a lot of pine.

[🏀]

Henry hasn't shown much either.

While not double teamed, he couldn't take JU off the dribble. I feel like that shouldn't be a struggle for a lottery pick.

[Daniel]

Henry - and everyone on the team and the coaches - did not have a good game.  Period. Hopefully the team gets it together. Lots of mistakes in all aspects. Move on.  Next game.  Let's see what we have.

[lohaus]

It seemed like in his post play he had a defender draped all over him like a blanket.  Man, go under and move that defenders arm by popping it up or something.  Perhaps it will just take him time to adjust to the physicality of post play in college.  Diamond Stone was even getting pushed around the other night against Georgetown.  He is more of a traditional post player too.

In the end, HE probably gets to practice against an undersized forward or a way overmatched Heldt.  He didn't have a good game.  The only way he plays worse is if he makes zero buckets instead of one.

[tower912]

People as big as him, as quick as him, who have seen everything he does before.    New experience. 

[MU82]

Henry hasn't shown much either.

While not double teamed, he couldn't take JU off the dribble. I feel like that shouldn't be a struggle for a lottery pick.

Plain and simple, Uthoff is a better player than Henry right now.

For all of Hankster's potential, he is just months removed from dominating farm boys in Rice Lake. Uthoff is a man. He is a 22-year-old, fifth-year senior who has two years of intense Big Ten competition under his belt.

Please note that I said "right now."

If the draft were today, Henry would go much higher. Not even sure Uthoff would get drafted, though he looks like a pretty nice player to me.

[warriorfan 14]

henry just looked physically weak last night. forces way too many 3's. is lost on defense. watched diamond the other night and he was completely lost on d too. based on what i have watched, henry is hear at lest 2 years, maybe more

[ecompt]

Henry backed into double and triple coverage several times last night and the result was always the same. He will need a lot of college ball before going pro.

[Warriorfish]

Should Ellenson be shooting the 3 at all?

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Should Ellenson be shooting the 3 at all?

Yes, it's in his arsenal. But he's settling for it now. Shouldn't go to it this much IMHO

[GGGG]

I said a few weeks ago that with the mish mash around him, it was going to hurt his game.  I recall a few people saying that it doesn't matter, he is that good and will find a way.  Well, maybe, but I'll hold to my comments.  It's like when a backup QB comes in, all of a sudden the running back starts to not look as good because they have 9 guys in the box daring the backup QB to do something.

Henry feels to me that he is trying a bit too hard, taking some 3's that are not in rhythm, and without other guys hitting shots, it is clogging his lanes. 

As for KY, he'd be riding a lot of pine.

Yeah I'm not sure about that.  In Kentucky he would have a lot of players around him and wouldn't be the number one option as a freshman.  He may only have gotten 10-12 mpg, but if they are productive 10-12 mpg, it is better than the 30 or so unproductive minutes we saw yesterday.

Maybe this is why one-and-done types don't come to schools where they can be *the guy*

[Dr. Blackheart]

Henry backed into double and triple coverage several times last night and the result was always the same. He will need a lot of college ball before going pro.

Fran is a great coach.  Lots of great coaches in the Big East that know that.  Adjust and adapt or die. 

The old saying goes if you are a youth coach is that the best players are the youngest in their families as they are always going against the older brothers or sisters. Always want to beat their older siblings.  True with Henry.  I suspect he will respond.

[Herman Cain]

My view on Henry is he will continue to pad his stats against the cupcakes and will continue to have learning experiences like he had last night against the better teams.

The announcer last night made a good point that freshman try to do it all themselves instead of being patient and working in a team concept.

When Henry embraces the team concept both he and the team will realize on their potential. For example it was clear last night JJJ was able to drive the ball. How many picks did Henry set for him? If he set a few he would find himself open on the roll and getting easier shots .

[willie warrior]

My view on Henry is he will continue to pad his stats against the cupcakes and will continue to have learning experiences like he had last night against the better teams.

The announcer last night made a good point that freshman try to do it all themselves instead of being patient and working in a team concept.

When Henry embraces the team concept both he and the team will realize on their potential. For example it was clear last night JJJ was able to drive the ball. How many picks did Henry set for him? If he set a few he would find himself open on the roll and getting easier shots .

Based on the small sample size of 3 games with one being against an above average team--Iowa--Henry has much to learn. So, he is not NBA ready, yet. Problem is, can this coaching staff get him NBA ready? He might just figure that he should let an NBA staff get him ready and go after one year.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Yeah I'm not sure about that.  In Kentucky he would have a lot of players around him and wouldn't be the number one option as a freshman.  He may only have gotten 10-12 mpg, but if they are productive 10-12 mpg, it is better than the 30 or so unproductive minutes we saw yesterday.

Maybe this is why one-and-done types don't come to schools where they can be *the guy*

Good point.  It's just hard for me to see who he would play over right now.  I feel like he would be that 10 to 12 mpg person, but with his shot the way it is and lack of explosive athleticism (he's athletic, just not explosive), it doesn't seem to fit with their style of play.

[bilsu]

Henry backed into double and triple coverage several times last night and the result was always the same. He will need a lot of college ball before going pro.

It seems to me that there is no design in the offense to get Ellenson open, so he has no other choice.  That game last night convinced ne that Ellenson will go pro after this year. Why would you comeback for another year of Wojo's coaching?

[Daniel]

This game last night might be the giant slap in the face that this team and staff needs to wake up.  Play the players who hustle and fight regardless of who they are. Practice like you mean it.  As you practice, is how you will play. 

This week will be tough in Brooklyn.

[Galway Eagle]

This game last night might be the giant slap in the face that this team and staff needs to wake up.  Play the players who hustle and fight regardless of who they are. Practice like you mean it.  As you practice, is how you will play. 

This week will be tough in Brooklyn.

I actually don't think this week will be as tough. The LSU coach is not great either and they don't have a ton of experience either. They'll probably beat us but I think it'll be more competitive than Iowa. 

[mattyv1908]

Here's the reality.  Henry Ellenson right now makes Gardner look like a defensive stopper.  His defense is probably the worst on the team and on top of that it doesn't appear that there's a whole lot of effort being expended.  Cheatham may get beaten like a drum but at least he's hustling.

If Ellenson really is lottery pick material this upcoming NBA draft, it reinforces my decision I made years ago to stop watching the NBA.

[Lennys Tap]

I actually don't think this week will be as tough. The LSU coach is not great either and they don't have a ton of experience either. They'll probably beat us but I think it'll be more competitive than Iowa.

I agree that we probably won't be down 30+ in the first half against LSU. Heck, we might not be down 30+ in the first half the rest of the year - but that's not a whole lot to get excited about.

[tower912]

Henry may be a lottery pick, but he isn't going to play right away.    It is the first time at the D1 level (or ever?) that he played a game against multiple players as big as him, as quick as him, stronger than him, and who had seen every trick he had before.   His 3rd game in D1 was a learning experience.    Just like it was for his teammates.   I will not bag on 18 year olds struggling against 21-22 year olds.     This is the way the basketball universe is generally ordered.