In this contest, Stephen F. Austin dominated from the get-go and was able to secure a victory on their home floor.
University of Arts and Sciences (Oklahoma)
Sahlih Butts- This wing was able to get in the lane and create off the dribble. He is constantly low to the ground and therein, it is difficult to steal the ball from him when he attempts to attack the basket. Butts also hit shots from beyond the arc at a pretty consistent clip when left open. He has solid range for a guard and is able to really penetrate off the dribble. When he does this, he is a willing pass and looks to create for his teammates. On the defensive end, Butts has a low stance and was able to lock down his opponents. Butts is also a capable rebounder, even on the offensive end. Overall, Butts is a tough player who plays bigger than his height would indicate. Down the road, he could become a formidable weapon for a minor league squad.
Aaron Daniels- While this senior did not look to score much on the offensive end, he was a willing facilitator. Despite his teams' struggles against a Division 1 opponent, Daniels must look to provide experience and score in order to supplement the production of Butts.
Stephen F Austin
Jordan Glynn- Glynn is an effective, undersized post presence who was able to demonstrate a nice offensive repertoire in the paint today. He implemented a nice drop step and jump hook, which he used to keep defenses off balance. Glynn has a decent medium range jump shot and is able to back his way into the paint at the college level. On the defensive end, Glynn is able to bang with players much larger than him. Look for Glynn's efficient production to really be a determinant of how far this Stephen F Austin team can go this season.
Eddie Williams- Eddie is an undersized shooting guard who can create his own shot. In this contest, he struggled to find his range, but was able to play within himself. When Williams is not hitting three point shots or slashing to the basket, he focuses his efforts on the defensive end. Williams was able to limit Butts' and others' production.
Denzel Barnes- He is the captain of this Lumberjack squad who is a willing distributor and an excellent three point shooting option. Barnes was efficient in this contest and looked to get the ball to his young wings.
Jereal Scott- Scott was able to match Glynn's production inside and really worked to control the glass in this contest. Scott was able to box out and effectively seal his man in order to grab rebounds. He was physical posting the ball up as well, and powered his way inside.
Amos Olatayo- This freshman displayed an efficient jump shot and was able to create off the dribble. This recruit played within himself and looked for his shot within the team offensive scheme.
Brandon Cutler- The 6'8 transfer was able to dominate on the glass and utilize his skill level to score on smaller opponents. Cutler was a solid defensive presence as well, but he will need to limit his aggressiveness at times so that he can stay out of foul trouble. This is an adjustment one can expect the transfer to make over the course of the season.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
D League Notes: Maine Red Claws vs. Austin Toros
-Kevin Palmer is an efficient scorer who can hit his open three point shots. He did not force the issue and scored in a variety of ways off the curl etc. Look for him as a call-up candidate this season. His handle seems to have improved a bit since his college days and he was able to get out in transition.
-Marcus Cousin has demonstrated noticeable improvements from his college days. He was the first player in this contest to reach double figures, and he has fought on the glass all night long. Not only did he dominate Gallon and Rolle on the glass, but he also stepped out and hit the medium range jumper. Looks like a call-up candidate to me.
-Paul Harris is his usual self- corralling offensive rebounds and utilizing his tremendous athleticism. He has excellent hang time and slashing instincts. One noticeable change has been Harris's work on his shooting form on free throws. While his outside shots are still flat, his form looks a little better. He still has a ways to go before he can play in the league as a shooting guard, but he is extremely explosive and is able to get by defenders.
-Michael Joiner is a valuable team player who is a willing passer and an excellent rebounder. He has a nice ability to step out and hit the jumper as well. He is a physical presence on both ends of the floor. Joiner was one of the most impressive team options because he was able to hustle to loose balls and create extra possessions for his team.
-Magnum Rolle tried to do too much in this contest. He did a poor job boxing out on the glass, and took away from his team's effort. He shot one-and-done jumpers and was unable to convert on any of them. With that said, he does still have tremendous athleticism and potential on the defensive end.
-Thomas Gardner is a pretty intelligent veteran who was able to attack the basket when his shot was not falling. He is a willing passer and team player, but needs to be more consistent shooting his jumper if he is going to receive any 10 day contracts this season. He looked to take over the game down the stretch.
-Cardell Johnson plays within himself and is a solid point guard. Defensively,he is extremely aggressive, but players are able to shoot over him due to his small size.
-Champ Oguchi could have been one of the more consistent jump shooters in this contest. He answered in this game and hit several threes down the stretch for his team. Oguchi is a strong guard who can absorb contact attacking the basket.
-Eugene Spates was extremely impressive scoring the ball inside and being aggressive. He was one of the best weapons in the post for the Red Claws.
-Lewis Clinch has a very quick first step and is unselfish with the basketball. Whether or not he has a defined NBA position remains to be seen.
-Lawrence Westbrook is a good shooter but he needs to play under control.
-Lance Thomas was still playing team basketball in this one- drawing charges and tallying rebounds.
-Tiny Gallon has a lot of potential and will probably make the NBA within the next few years. His footwork is fairly underrated for a player his size, and he is mobile considering his build. Gallon needs to continue to cut weight in order to be able to match up with some of the quicker big men of the NBA. Gallon was able to collect rebounds, but he did turn the ball over and got outplayed by Cousin.
-Marcus Cousin has demonstrated noticeable improvements from his college days. He was the first player in this contest to reach double figures, and he has fought on the glass all night long. Not only did he dominate Gallon and Rolle on the glass, but he also stepped out and hit the medium range jumper. Looks like a call-up candidate to me.
-Paul Harris is his usual self- corralling offensive rebounds and utilizing his tremendous athleticism. He has excellent hang time and slashing instincts. One noticeable change has been Harris's work on his shooting form on free throws. While his outside shots are still flat, his form looks a little better. He still has a ways to go before he can play in the league as a shooting guard, but he is extremely explosive and is able to get by defenders.
-Michael Joiner is a valuable team player who is a willing passer and an excellent rebounder. He has a nice ability to step out and hit the jumper as well. He is a physical presence on both ends of the floor. Joiner was one of the most impressive team options because he was able to hustle to loose balls and create extra possessions for his team.
-Magnum Rolle tried to do too much in this contest. He did a poor job boxing out on the glass, and took away from his team's effort. He shot one-and-done jumpers and was unable to convert on any of them. With that said, he does still have tremendous athleticism and potential on the defensive end.
-Thomas Gardner is a pretty intelligent veteran who was able to attack the basket when his shot was not falling. He is a willing passer and team player, but needs to be more consistent shooting his jumper if he is going to receive any 10 day contracts this season. He looked to take over the game down the stretch.
-Cardell Johnson plays within himself and is a solid point guard. Defensively,he is extremely aggressive, but players are able to shoot over him due to his small size.
-Champ Oguchi could have been one of the more consistent jump shooters in this contest. He answered in this game and hit several threes down the stretch for his team. Oguchi is a strong guard who can absorb contact attacking the basket.
-Eugene Spates was extremely impressive scoring the ball inside and being aggressive. He was one of the best weapons in the post for the Red Claws.
-Lewis Clinch has a very quick first step and is unselfish with the basketball. Whether or not he has a defined NBA position remains to be seen.
-Lawrence Westbrook is a good shooter but he needs to play under control.
-Lance Thomas was still playing team basketball in this one- drawing charges and tallying rebounds.
-Tiny Gallon has a lot of potential and will probably make the NBA within the next few years. His footwork is fairly underrated for a player his size, and he is mobile considering his build. Gallon needs to continue to cut weight in order to be able to match up with some of the quicker big men of the NBA. Gallon was able to collect rebounds, but he did turn the ball over and got outplayed by Cousin.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Houston Baptist vs. Alaska Anchorage
In this close contest, the home squad at the Great Alaska Shootout got the win.
Houston Baptist
Andrew Gonzalez- This thin wing did not flash the potential that he evinced in previous contests. He shot poorly from the floor and turned the ball over primarily due to his poor ball handling. As a senior, he does not possess the muscle mass to play as a professional basketball player. He must hit the weight room so that he can assert himself physically- this will allow him to be stronger with the basketball. Despite his underdeveloped frame, Gonzalez is able to draw contact when he is not struggling with foul trouble. Despite his early season shooting, Gonzalez needs to develop physically in order to make an impact at the next level, which will probably be in a minor league somewhere.
Michael Moss- Moss is a diminutive point guard who is feisty on the defensive end. In this contest, he was effective passing the ball and was an essential part of the HBU half court press. Moss has a pretty jump shot, which he showcased in this game. He is able to get his feet set and spot up when driving to the basket. Defensively, Moss creates turnovers with his aggressiveness and anticipation. If he wishes to play beyond this year, he might be able to make a PBL roster.
Miles Dixon- This guard shot well from the floor and was able to penetrate in the lane. Dixon was also aggressive on the defensive end and was able to collect two steals against UAA. He generally played within control, but should have demanded the ball more on offense. His turnovers did hurt the team though. Look for his development over the next couple of years.
Alaska Anchorage
Brandon Walker- Walker had a standout game and was able to shoot the ball well from beyond the arc, hitting 4 out of 7 three point shots. He also controlled the tempo for most of the game, and was able to pass out of traffic. Even though this occurred most of the time, he did succumb to the solid HBU perimeter defense at times. With that said, Walker was able to limit HBU's guards and was solid on the defensive end.
Mario Gill- This guard had a solid game and was able to score inside against HBU's frontline. Gill played way taller than his 6'2 size and was able to collect 9 rebounds. Normally, he is a solid three point shooter who can fill it up from beyond the arc, but he had an off game here. Gill has solid athleticism and nice physical tools, which he uses to exploit defenses.
Taylor Rohde- Rohde got into foul trouble and was not as much of a factor as he normally is on the offensive end. However, he was able to rebound well and play within himself when his team had the ball. Rohde should improve his handle and work on asserting himself more on the offensive end. Defensively, he was not particularly effective and tended to make silly plays on the ball.
Houston Baptist
Andrew Gonzalez- This thin wing did not flash the potential that he evinced in previous contests. He shot poorly from the floor and turned the ball over primarily due to his poor ball handling. As a senior, he does not possess the muscle mass to play as a professional basketball player. He must hit the weight room so that he can assert himself physically- this will allow him to be stronger with the basketball. Despite his underdeveloped frame, Gonzalez is able to draw contact when he is not struggling with foul trouble. Despite his early season shooting, Gonzalez needs to develop physically in order to make an impact at the next level, which will probably be in a minor league somewhere.
Michael Moss- Moss is a diminutive point guard who is feisty on the defensive end. In this contest, he was effective passing the ball and was an essential part of the HBU half court press. Moss has a pretty jump shot, which he showcased in this game. He is able to get his feet set and spot up when driving to the basket. Defensively, Moss creates turnovers with his aggressiveness and anticipation. If he wishes to play beyond this year, he might be able to make a PBL roster.
Miles Dixon- This guard shot well from the floor and was able to penetrate in the lane. Dixon was also aggressive on the defensive end and was able to collect two steals against UAA. He generally played within control, but should have demanded the ball more on offense. His turnovers did hurt the team though. Look for his development over the next couple of years.
Alaska Anchorage
Brandon Walker- Walker had a standout game and was able to shoot the ball well from beyond the arc, hitting 4 out of 7 three point shots. He also controlled the tempo for most of the game, and was able to pass out of traffic. Even though this occurred most of the time, he did succumb to the solid HBU perimeter defense at times. With that said, Walker was able to limit HBU's guards and was solid on the defensive end.
Mario Gill- This guard had a solid game and was able to score inside against HBU's frontline. Gill played way taller than his 6'2 size and was able to collect 9 rebounds. Normally, he is a solid three point shooter who can fill it up from beyond the arc, but he had an off game here. Gill has solid athleticism and nice physical tools, which he uses to exploit defenses.
Taylor Rohde- Rohde got into foul trouble and was not as much of a factor as he normally is on the offensive end. However, he was able to rebound well and play within himself when his team had the ball. Rohde should improve his handle and work on asserting himself more on the offensive end. Defensively, he was not particularly effective and tended to make silly plays on the ball.
Oklahoma vs. Chaminade
In this prolific upset, the Silverswords were able to will their sixth all-time victory at the Maui Invitational. Led by diminutive point guard Steven Bennett, this Chaminade squad was ready for an inexperienced Sooners squad who struggled shooting the basketball.
Chaminade
Steven Bennett- Standing at a minuscule 5'6, Steven Bennett is a tiny basketball player at any level of the game. Despite his small stature, Bennett plays with just about as much heart as any player in the country. A favorite teammate and a floor general, Bennett has been proving doubters wrong his entire career. Add this contest as another notch on his belt. Bennett was able to blaze by his defenders virtually at will, and use tremendous body control to contort his body and finish. Despite the degree of difficulty on most of his inside shots, Bennett was able to score at a fairly high clip when getting in the paint. When shooting jumpers, however, Bennett's shot was somewhat flat and he failed to connect on both of his three point attempts. With that said, Bennett allowed his offense to come to him and was able to take over in the closing seconds because of the patience he displayed on the offensive end. When he was not scoring the ball, he was effective at involving his teammates- in particular, shooter Shane Hanson. Projecting his game to the next level, Bennett does not have the strength to play in the NBA. However, he may receive some looks from teams overseas to fill a role similar to that of former Bonnies guard Marques Green.
Mamadou Diarra- After transferring from USC, Diarra looks to be coming into his own with an increased role in the offense. He is a go-to threat for his Chaminade squad, as there are not too many 7 foot interior threats at the Division 2 level. In this contest, Diarra was able to seal his defenders in the paint and shoot jump hooks over them. Not only is he rebounding the basketball, but he also seems to be improving on his post footwork, which is still a work in progress. Diarra has outstanding size and length on the defensive end of the floor. NBA teams should give him an extra look at the Portsmouth Invitational next season, as he has the physical tools and developing post game to be an effective role player off the bench. He is still very raw, but an NBA team could take a flier on him.
Shane Hanson- Hanson is a three point specialist who really caught fire in this contest. At 6'6, Hanson was able to find open spots on the floor and nail shots far beyond the arc. He was also able to rebound the ball decently well on the offensive end. If Hanson can work on his defense, he may receive some looks either in lower European leagues or by American minor league squads.
Oklahoma
Cade Davis- Davis was the lone player helping the Sooners to stay in the game. He displayed an effective three point shot which he used to keep defenses honest. Also, he did an excellent job moving without the ball, curling around screens and either pulling up or slashing to the basket. Davis is not particularly quick or athletic, but he possesses a high basketball IQ, which was on full display in this contest. Davis is fairly effective shooting off the dribble and squaring his body to the basket. His role on the Sooners is highly reminiscent of Rip Hamilton's play for the Pistons. Defensively, Davis is aggressive, but he is not particularly quick laterally. Davis should receive some looks from scouts at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament because he is a highly intelligent basketball player. However, he will not receive play-calls for him in the league, and thus may be a system player. Therein, his best bet may be to play overseas and obtain a major role on a Euroleague team.
Andrew Fitzgerald- After making improvements in his transition from freshman to sophomore, Fitzgerald struggled to really assert himself on the block in this contest, scoring most of his points off of putbacks. Fitzgerald needs to try to establish more post position. He does possess an outside jumper which he could improve upon over the next few years. Also, he is fairly athletic, but needs to be more physical inside and grab rebounds. In this contest, he got into foul trouble and was not much of a factor. It will be interesting to see how Fitzgerald improves over the next few years.
Chaminade
Steven Bennett- Standing at a minuscule 5'6, Steven Bennett is a tiny basketball player at any level of the game. Despite his small stature, Bennett plays with just about as much heart as any player in the country. A favorite teammate and a floor general, Bennett has been proving doubters wrong his entire career. Add this contest as another notch on his belt. Bennett was able to blaze by his defenders virtually at will, and use tremendous body control to contort his body and finish. Despite the degree of difficulty on most of his inside shots, Bennett was able to score at a fairly high clip when getting in the paint. When shooting jumpers, however, Bennett's shot was somewhat flat and he failed to connect on both of his three point attempts. With that said, Bennett allowed his offense to come to him and was able to take over in the closing seconds because of the patience he displayed on the offensive end. When he was not scoring the ball, he was effective at involving his teammates- in particular, shooter Shane Hanson. Projecting his game to the next level, Bennett does not have the strength to play in the NBA. However, he may receive some looks from teams overseas to fill a role similar to that of former Bonnies guard Marques Green.
Mamadou Diarra- After transferring from USC, Diarra looks to be coming into his own with an increased role in the offense. He is a go-to threat for his Chaminade squad, as there are not too many 7 foot interior threats at the Division 2 level. In this contest, Diarra was able to seal his defenders in the paint and shoot jump hooks over them. Not only is he rebounding the basketball, but he also seems to be improving on his post footwork, which is still a work in progress. Diarra has outstanding size and length on the defensive end of the floor. NBA teams should give him an extra look at the Portsmouth Invitational next season, as he has the physical tools and developing post game to be an effective role player off the bench. He is still very raw, but an NBA team could take a flier on him.
Shane Hanson- Hanson is a three point specialist who really caught fire in this contest. At 6'6, Hanson was able to find open spots on the floor and nail shots far beyond the arc. He was also able to rebound the ball decently well on the offensive end. If Hanson can work on his defense, he may receive some looks either in lower European leagues or by American minor league squads.
Oklahoma
Cade Davis- Davis was the lone player helping the Sooners to stay in the game. He displayed an effective three point shot which he used to keep defenses honest. Also, he did an excellent job moving without the ball, curling around screens and either pulling up or slashing to the basket. Davis is not particularly quick or athletic, but he possesses a high basketball IQ, which was on full display in this contest. Davis is fairly effective shooting off the dribble and squaring his body to the basket. His role on the Sooners is highly reminiscent of Rip Hamilton's play for the Pistons. Defensively, Davis is aggressive, but he is not particularly quick laterally. Davis should receive some looks from scouts at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament because he is a highly intelligent basketball player. However, he will not receive play-calls for him in the league, and thus may be a system player. Therein, his best bet may be to play overseas and obtain a major role on a Euroleague team.
Andrew Fitzgerald- After making improvements in his transition from freshman to sophomore, Fitzgerald struggled to really assert himself on the block in this contest, scoring most of his points off of putbacks. Fitzgerald needs to try to establish more post position. He does possess an outside jumper which he could improve upon over the next few years. Also, he is fairly athletic, but needs to be more physical inside and grab rebounds. In this contest, he got into foul trouble and was not much of a factor. It will be interesting to see how Fitzgerald improves over the next few years.
Non-BCS Standouts Part 1- UNLV vs. Tulsa
This contest was decided in the second half after the UNLV Rebels put their tremendous experience and defensive pressure on display. Not only does the majority of their backcourt remain in tact, but they also have added some height and strength inside. UNLV is a strong candidate to make the NCAA tournament again. On the other end, Tulsa is looking to rebuild after losing Jerome Jordan and Ben Uzoh to graduation.
UNLV
Chase Stanback- This 6'8 UCLA transfer could be the best NBA prospect in the Mountain West conference. (along with Kawhi Leonard) He is a tall, lengthy wing who can step out and hit the perimeter jumper and also attack the basket. While he should look to improve his handle, Stanback is a handful from beyond the arc and uses this ability to keep defenses honest. In general, Stanback is a solid athlete who should be able to translate at the next level. On the defensive end, Chase is capable of defending multiple positions. He is fairly quick laterally, and can get his hands in the passing lanes. Overall, Stanback is a pretty complete player who needs to develop physically in order to handle the superior strength and athleticism of NBA opponents. If Stanback can continue his shooting from beyond the arc, he should be in consideration for the first round in this year's draft.
Derrick Jasper- Jasper is a powerful guard/forward who is capable of attacking the basket or crashing the boards for an offensive rebound and putback. Jasper is extremely aggressive inside, and is a capable three point shooting threat. Offensively, he does not have the quickest first step, but he is still able to consistently throw defenses off balance. Jasper is a hustle player who runs the floor and exerts maximum effort on the defensive end. At this stage of his career, Jasper simply needs to be more consistent on the offensive end in order to get looks at the next level. Jasper does not have a defined position, and it will be interesting to see how he measures at the Portsmouth pre-draft combine. All in all, Jasper does not have a defined position and lacks the quickness to keep defenses honest at the NBA level. However, he does have the desire and skill level to be effective if he is able to elevate his game next year. Look for him to gain experience in the D League before he receives any looks from NBA squads.
Carlos Lopez- This 6'11 freshman forward may have a future as an NBA prospect if he is able to develop physically. Lopez possesses the frame to put on a good deal of weight. Currently, he plays with tenacity and is aggressive attacking the basket. His post repertoire is not fully developed, and he needs to improve his go-to post moves. On the other end, Lopez has a great deal of potential with his size and length. He is able to play positional defense, but needs to learn how to stay out of foul trouble. Look for Lopez to be on draft radars over the next couple of years.
Tulsa
Steven Idlet- NBA scouts are giving this 7 footer a look because of his soft touch and physical profile. Idlet is capable of stepping out and hitting the perimeter jump shot just inside the college three point arc. If he were to audition for the NBA, he would have to extend his range. Idlet also has a nice post game that could still stand to be more effective. He must develop more counter moves and look to establish post position more aggressively. However, this will always be an area of weakness for Idlet at the next level because of his lack of lower body development. On the defensive end, Idlet is unafraid of bigger players and is a capable positional defender as well. He also has decent lateral mobility for a player his size. Despite these strengths, Idlet is still a major project because of his thin build and extremely poor rebounding ability for a player his size. If he wants to be considered by scouts, he must corral more lose balls and grab some rebounds for his team.
Scottie Haralson- Haralson is another big guard in the typical Tulsa mold- similar to Hurtt and Udoh before him. He is a capable three point shooter, but is somewhat undersized. He can get in the paint and hit the runner as well. Despite these strengths, Haralson should look to be more consistent on both ends of the floor- he has a tendency to become complacent in games. He must demand the ball at times and look to shoot whenever there is an opening. Haralson may receive some NBA looks down the road, as he is only a sophomore.
Justin Hurtt- Hurtt is the unquestioned leader of his Tulsa squad who must look to run the point if he has any hopes of playing at the next level. While he is a capable shooter, Hurtt must look to facilitate for his teammates and let his offense come to him. Hurtt is extremely strong and is able to aggressively attack the basket and draw contact. He should improve upon his poor assist to turnover ratio and continue to attack the basket. Hurtt is a typical tweener who could receive an invitation to Portsmouth Camp, but this is not a guarantee unless he is able to lead Tulsa to a postseason appearance.
UNLV
Chase Stanback- This 6'8 UCLA transfer could be the best NBA prospect in the Mountain West conference. (along with Kawhi Leonard) He is a tall, lengthy wing who can step out and hit the perimeter jumper and also attack the basket. While he should look to improve his handle, Stanback is a handful from beyond the arc and uses this ability to keep defenses honest. In general, Stanback is a solid athlete who should be able to translate at the next level. On the defensive end, Chase is capable of defending multiple positions. He is fairly quick laterally, and can get his hands in the passing lanes. Overall, Stanback is a pretty complete player who needs to develop physically in order to handle the superior strength and athleticism of NBA opponents. If Stanback can continue his shooting from beyond the arc, he should be in consideration for the first round in this year's draft.
Derrick Jasper- Jasper is a powerful guard/forward who is capable of attacking the basket or crashing the boards for an offensive rebound and putback. Jasper is extremely aggressive inside, and is a capable three point shooting threat. Offensively, he does not have the quickest first step, but he is still able to consistently throw defenses off balance. Jasper is a hustle player who runs the floor and exerts maximum effort on the defensive end. At this stage of his career, Jasper simply needs to be more consistent on the offensive end in order to get looks at the next level. Jasper does not have a defined position, and it will be interesting to see how he measures at the Portsmouth pre-draft combine. All in all, Jasper does not have a defined position and lacks the quickness to keep defenses honest at the NBA level. However, he does have the desire and skill level to be effective if he is able to elevate his game next year. Look for him to gain experience in the D League before he receives any looks from NBA squads.
Carlos Lopez- This 6'11 freshman forward may have a future as an NBA prospect if he is able to develop physically. Lopez possesses the frame to put on a good deal of weight. Currently, he plays with tenacity and is aggressive attacking the basket. His post repertoire is not fully developed, and he needs to improve his go-to post moves. On the other end, Lopez has a great deal of potential with his size and length. He is able to play positional defense, but needs to learn how to stay out of foul trouble. Look for Lopez to be on draft radars over the next couple of years.
Tulsa
Steven Idlet- NBA scouts are giving this 7 footer a look because of his soft touch and physical profile. Idlet is capable of stepping out and hitting the perimeter jump shot just inside the college three point arc. If he were to audition for the NBA, he would have to extend his range. Idlet also has a nice post game that could still stand to be more effective. He must develop more counter moves and look to establish post position more aggressively. However, this will always be an area of weakness for Idlet at the next level because of his lack of lower body development. On the defensive end, Idlet is unafraid of bigger players and is a capable positional defender as well. He also has decent lateral mobility for a player his size. Despite these strengths, Idlet is still a major project because of his thin build and extremely poor rebounding ability for a player his size. If he wants to be considered by scouts, he must corral more lose balls and grab some rebounds for his team.
Scottie Haralson- Haralson is another big guard in the typical Tulsa mold- similar to Hurtt and Udoh before him. He is a capable three point shooter, but is somewhat undersized. He can get in the paint and hit the runner as well. Despite these strengths, Haralson should look to be more consistent on both ends of the floor- he has a tendency to become complacent in games. He must demand the ball at times and look to shoot whenever there is an opening. Haralson may receive some NBA looks down the road, as he is only a sophomore.
Justin Hurtt- Hurtt is the unquestioned leader of his Tulsa squad who must look to run the point if he has any hopes of playing at the next level. While he is a capable shooter, Hurtt must look to facilitate for his teammates and let his offense come to him. Hurtt is extremely strong and is able to aggressively attack the basket and draw contact. He should improve upon his poor assist to turnover ratio and continue to attack the basket. Hurtt is a typical tweener who could receive an invitation to Portsmouth Camp, but this is not a guarantee unless he is able to lead Tulsa to a postseason appearance.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Minor League Fantasy Basketball Team: Elmwood Park Tree Frogs
Elmwood Park Tree Frogs
Arena: New Arena Plan because of a lack of basketball venues in area
Marketing Plan: To use promotions to the fullest to appeal to different clientele in Bergen County. Placed in a more urban town, on Route 46, our location is at the crossroad of Paterson and the more upscale residents in the Bergen County markets. In order to draw more fans, we would have to bring in promotions for different local artists who may be popular in the area to perform at halftime. We would like to attract different target markets by arranging the mini-arena so that there can be different price points for seating, such that we can attract different classes of people to the same venue. We would like to attract particular demographic audiences, so we might want to have half time shows dedicated to a particular culture- preferably either the long-standing Italian cultural presence or the growing Spanish population in the area, depending on the night.
The major objective in placing this team at its current location is to bring together crowds from both the up-scale neighborhoods of New Jersey, while also offering season tickets so that other working class families can attend. We have a broad marketing strategy, but are looking to attract niche markets whenever we cater to a specific group through our half time performers and special nights.
In the offseason, the facility would be rented out for high school sports in the Bergen County area. Further, the arena should be such that it can support more sports than basketball. Such a multi-functional arena could serve as a venue for sports clubs across the area, and top teams might travel to practice at this facility- there are quite a bit of private schools in the surrounding area to draw from. Moreover, we are looking to attract some good family fun following the exodus of the New Jersey Nets to Brooklyn, which we have identified as a market opportunity. With limited professional basketball options in the immediate area, individuals and families alike may travel to see a game if the franchise is promoted effectively enough. College basketball has yet to make a resurgence in the Tri-State area and thus, Elmwood Park would be a prime location for a community oriented minor league squad.
In terms of the style of play: we are going to have depth at every possible position and try to have notable team chemistry. That means that we are going to bring in some system players to fill late-draft roster spots. Management has experience in promoting minor league basketball in the past, and we hope that we can continue to be successful.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Texas A&M Corpus Christi vs. Texas A&M
The outcome of this contest was determined from the get-go. The Aggies pushed the pace early and were able to take advantage of the Islanders' weak transition defense. They exploited several matchups inside in transition. Early on, Justin Reynolds left the game with a hand injury.
The Islanders were able to create some turnovers and attack the basket. However, they often overdribbled into traffic, and made some poor passes. In particular, they made far too many post feeds into a sea of defenders. Also, the Islanders tended to turn the ball over way too frequently. For the Aggies, their offense came in spurts. Every time the Islanders went on a run, the Aggies would storm back into the game on points off of turnovers.
The Aggies big men outrebounded the Islanders' frontcourt in the first half. They possessed some nice set plays to free up jump shooters. They do have some weapons from beyond the arc, including Nathan Walkup and BJ Holmes who shot the ball well and were able to run around picks for open shots.
More impressive than their perimeter shooting was the athleticism of the Aggies' bigs- Middleton and Roberson. They really controlled the paint in the first half and rebounded the ball, particularly on the defensive end. They played tough defense on Bond, Reynolds, and Watt as well.
Player Evaluations
TAMCC:
Demond Watt- Watt was one of the few bright spots on this Islanders squad. He was physical on both ends of the floor and really asserted himself in the second half. He again displayed his drop step and quick slashing moves to the basket. Watt is fairly agile and able to get around most defenders, even when he is on the baseline. He shot a higher percentage from the line in this contest, and was able to get there often thanks to his aggressive basketball instincts. Overall, Watt looks like a borderline case for the Portsmouth Invitational. He is a bit undersized, and he has not demonstrated any midrange game. If he can improve on that and not turn the ball over as he did tonight, Watt might receive some looks.
Terrence Jones- Jones helped the Islanders stay in the game early by attacking the basket relentlessly. Not only did he display a decent handle when driving, he was also able to hit open bigs in the paint. Despite this, he turned the ball over far too often, and must work on this before he can be considered a pure point guard at the college level. Jones did not look to shoot much from the perimeter, but had a nice first step, which he exploited at every possible instance. Jones will have to improve his game in order to provide some stability for the Islanders because they turned the ball over far too frequently.
Texas A&M:
Kourtney Roberson- This freshman made an immediate impact on the floor today and could be one of the top youngsters in the Big 12. Roberson has a very strong physique and thus does not have the appearance of a typical freshman. He weighs 230 pounds, and is extremely physical inside- corralled rebounds and playing hard nosed man to man post defense. Given his strength, Roberson is able to contort his body on post ups and absorb contact inside. He was able to run with the Aggies when they pushed the tempo. Early on in his career, Roberson has the physical attributes of an NBA power forward. He needs to further develop his post game and continue to be assertive on the defensive end. But, he should receive looks from scouts almost immediately.
The Islanders were able to create some turnovers and attack the basket. However, they often overdribbled into traffic, and made some poor passes. In particular, they made far too many post feeds into a sea of defenders. Also, the Islanders tended to turn the ball over way too frequently. For the Aggies, their offense came in spurts. Every time the Islanders went on a run, the Aggies would storm back into the game on points off of turnovers.
The Aggies big men outrebounded the Islanders' frontcourt in the first half. They possessed some nice set plays to free up jump shooters. They do have some weapons from beyond the arc, including Nathan Walkup and BJ Holmes who shot the ball well and were able to run around picks for open shots.
More impressive than their perimeter shooting was the athleticism of the Aggies' bigs- Middleton and Roberson. They really controlled the paint in the first half and rebounded the ball, particularly on the defensive end. They played tough defense on Bond, Reynolds, and Watt as well.
Player Evaluations
TAMCC:
Demond Watt- Watt was one of the few bright spots on this Islanders squad. He was physical on both ends of the floor and really asserted himself in the second half. He again displayed his drop step and quick slashing moves to the basket. Watt is fairly agile and able to get around most defenders, even when he is on the baseline. He shot a higher percentage from the line in this contest, and was able to get there often thanks to his aggressive basketball instincts. Overall, Watt looks like a borderline case for the Portsmouth Invitational. He is a bit undersized, and he has not demonstrated any midrange game. If he can improve on that and not turn the ball over as he did tonight, Watt might receive some looks.
Terrence Jones- Jones helped the Islanders stay in the game early by attacking the basket relentlessly. Not only did he display a decent handle when driving, he was also able to hit open bigs in the paint. Despite this, he turned the ball over far too often, and must work on this before he can be considered a pure point guard at the college level. Jones did not look to shoot much from the perimeter, but had a nice first step, which he exploited at every possible instance. Jones will have to improve his game in order to provide some stability for the Islanders because they turned the ball over far too frequently.
Texas A&M:
Kourtney Roberson- This freshman made an immediate impact on the floor today and could be one of the top youngsters in the Big 12. Roberson has a very strong physique and thus does not have the appearance of a typical freshman. He weighs 230 pounds, and is extremely physical inside- corralled rebounds and playing hard nosed man to man post defense. Given his strength, Roberson is able to contort his body on post ups and absorb contact inside. He was able to run with the Aggies when they pushed the tempo. Early on in his career, Roberson has the physical attributes of an NBA power forward. He needs to further develop his post game and continue to be assertive on the defensive end. But, he should receive looks from scouts almost immediately.
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