[Rosiak's Blog] More open gym

[ToddRosiakSays]

More open gym

Written by: Todd Rosiak


Class is back in session, and so is open gym at the Al McGuire Center.

The Golden Eagles got together for another session on Wednesday afternoon, and for the first time since earlier this summer I was able to get down there and observe.

Everybody was there during the course of the afternoon, but a handful of players played a game or two and left, or arrived late, because of classroom commitments.

I was especially interested in how MU's big men looked, and how much they'd improved -- especially since Trevor Mbakwe is no longer on the team. As it turns out, it was a mixed bag.

So here's a few observations, with the usual caveat: they're all based on pickup basketball.

Chris Otule: He was everywhere in the opener, scoring five of his team's 11 points in a victory. Dwight Burke was guarding him, but Otule neutralized him by getting post position deep inside and scoring four times on point-blank layups and a fifth time on a nice jump hook from the right baseline. Credit goes to his teammates, all of whom were moving the basketball and seemed to be concentrating on getting the ball inside. Otule also was aggressive on the boards and defensively.

As the afternoon wore on, Otule became less and less noticeable. It appears as though conditioning is still a factor, which shouldn't be a big surprise with a freshman big man. Otule seemed to catch a second wind down the stretch, though, and blocked a handful of shots in the last game. He looks to have improved since the summer, and at the very least should be able to give MU some minutes as a big body who can take up space and rebound a bit.

Liam McMorrow: The last time I saw McMorrow, he appeared to be a bit lost. Considering his lack of experience overall, and the fact he had been in town for only a short period of time, that was probably to be expected.

This time, though, he looked like a different player. First off, he's in great shape. He's dropped what little baby fat he might have had, and according to strength and conditioning coach Todd Smith is down to 6% body fat. He ran the floor very well, and was clearly stronger and more aggressive. Coupling that with the fact he's a true 7-footer, and you can definitely see what Buzz Williams saw in signing him earlier this summer.

McMorrow also did a better job offensively in the lane, working at keeping the ball high, and finishing whenever he could with dunks. He still doesn't have great touch around the basket, but that should come with more practice. Defensively he works hard and challenges most everything in his area, but doesn't appear to have the knack for blocking shots just yet.

There's still a long ways to go for the big Canadian, but if he can continue to progress at his current rate, by this time next year MU could have a real steal on its hands. He and Otule should be real good for each other over the next few years, working alongside and against each other in practice.

McMorrow's teammates also were much more verbal with coaching and encouragement, which should help as well.

Lazar Hayward: He looks stronger, first and foremost. He was also effective finishing around the basket, and knocked down a handful of three-pointers from beyond the longer arc.

What jumped out most to me, though, was the way Hayward was moving laterally. He looked much quicker and more on balance guarding the dribble on Wednesday, and at one point stayed with Jerel McNeal step for step while McNeal tried to shake him near the baseline with a series of feints, shoulder shakes and a crossover dribble.

Although it was just one play, it was still an impressive stand for a guy who's going to need to prove he can defend effectively to up his minutes even more this season.

Odds and ends: McNeal remains confident in his three-point stroke, and was probably the most consistent on Wednesday. He knocked down a number from long distance, and continued to show he's especially comfortable pulling up for that shot off the run...Speaking of threes, walk-on Robert Frozena coolly knocked down three, including one that got his team within a point of winning the second game....Joe Fulce got in late because of class, but appeared right at home the moment he got onto the court. He definitely isn't shy on either end, and continues to display his versatility. He'll play plenty of minutes this season...Fulce's former teammate at South Plains, Jimmy Butler, hasn't displayed the same aggressiveness the times I've watched the team. He's had his moments and definitely has the ability, so it might be a matter of increasing his comfort level with his teammates and surroundings...Pat Hazel struggled quite a bit. He still doesn't appear to have his confidence, which is a must for players who have a shot at getting into the regular rotation. Hazel has athletic ability, but has trouble with his hands on offense. If he can defend and rebound a little bit, he should be able to carve out some sort of role...Wesley Matthews plays just as hard in pickup games as he does in regular-season games. He's a good example for his younger teammates, many of whom are still learning the finer points of intensity.

Also, I got a call from former MU coach/director of BB operations Jason Rabedeaux last week.

He was calling from the Seattle airport on his way to China, where he will be coaching the Jiangsu Nanjing Dragons in the Chinese Basketball Association. It's a sweet deal for Rabedeaux, who will receive lodging, a car and driver, and a translator in addition to his salary for coaching the Dragons, one of 16 teams in the equivalent of China's NBA.

The season opens on Nov. 8 and runs for 50 games, not including playoffs. Rabedeaux said it's his understanding he'll have two members of China's Olympic team playing for him, as well as two yet-to-be-determined American players.

Rabedeaux said Nanjing is about 1 1/2 hours from Shanghai and two hours from Beijing.



http://blogs.jsonline.com/muhoops/archive/2008/09/10/more-open-gym.aspx

[TallTitan34]

Sounds like there has been a lot of improvement over the summer.  I'm excited for Marquette Madness!

[mviale]

sounds like Otule is making major strides - no time like the present to show your stuff.

[Big East Warriors]

Caught this just a little bit ago on Fox sports. Apparently J-Rab is heading to China to be the head coach of the Jiangsu Nanjing Dragons of the Chinese Super Division. Best of luck man

http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/goodmanonfox/2008/09/10/HARVARD_COACHES_RECRUITS_CLEARED_BY_IVY_NCAA

[79Warrior]

Sounds like there has been a lot of improvement over the summer.  I'm excited for Marquette Madness!

I thought the comments on Hazel's game were a little disappointing. He may really struggle to get minutes.

[Rollout-the-Barrel]

Can somebody do a reality show of Rab coaching in China's "NBA"? Please?

[77ncaachamps]

Hmmm....I wonder if Scott Merritt - or other MU alum - will be headed to China.

[mu_hilltopper]

Coach Rab .. Wow.  If you don't follow Crean to Indiana, you get deported.

[Doctor V]

yeah but hes coaching in the NBA of china, while crean is at Indiana. Jokes on crean 

[TallTitan34]

I thought the comments on Hazel's game were a little disappointing. He may really struggle to get minutes.

I didn't expect very much from Hazel so anything he can contribute will be a plus.  Last season there were times he would enter the game with the walkons.

[ecompt]

Maybe Hazel will surprise us (as Burke did) and become a valuable minutes guy, But if Otule shows anything at all I would think he'd be off the bench ahead of him.

[RedWebster]

Caught this just a little bit ago on Fox sports. Apparently J-Rab is heading to China to be the head coach of the Jiangsu Nanjing Dragons of the Chinese Super Division. Best of luck man

http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/goodmanonfox/2008/09/10/HARVARD_COACHES_RECRUITS_CLEARED_BY_IVY_NCAA

Isn't the correct name of the division in which the Jiangsu Nanjing Dragons play the Chinese Super Terrific Division?

[jce]

Boy, they are really going to struggle on the inside this year.  I mean, if we are counting on Burke and Otule, that isn't much.  We will be better off in 09-10 when McMorrow is available and we get a little more length but we might actually be worse next year than we were last.

[RawdogDX]

What jumped out most to me, though, was the way Hayward was moving laterally. He looked much quicker and more on balance guarding the dribble on Wednesday, and at one point stayed with Jerel McNeal step for step while McNeal tried to shake him near the baseline with a series of feints, shoulder shakes and a crossover dribble.

That is great to hear.  I have been thinking that we may be able to get more out of our line up next year if Lazar proves he can be effective sometimes playing from the 2 spot.

[kmwtrucks]

Technically Lazar starts and plays most of his minutes at the 4, So I would like to see him play more at the 3.  The problem is the only guy that could come in and play the 4 would be fulce who is a little taller and longer and a better athlete, But not as strong.  I really don't see them putting both Otule and burke on the floor at the same time.  I would love to see Fulce and Lazar play together.  I would also like to see Wes play some 2 and Jerel to play some 1.

We could potential have a lineup of 6-2, 6-4, 6-6, 6-7, 6-10.  Compared to last year some times we went 5-7, 5-11, 6-2, 6-6, 6-8.

[Bob "Big Daddy" Wild]

Chris Otule: He was everywhere in the opener, scoring five of his team's 11 points in a victory. Dwight Burke was guarding him, but Otule neutralized him by getting post position deep inside and scoring four times on point-blank layups and a fifth time on a nice jump hook from the right baseline.

So this tells me that a raw freshman is getting good position and scoring easily on Burke.  Oh god.  That strikes fear into my heart.