I went to practice again today. It was a very very physical practice! During the practice the team did three 12 minute scrimmages, here are some of my takeaways from the practice and scrimmages today. Again, just opinions based on what I saw today and what I have seen.
I'll start with some positives.
I watched Leon Gilmore during the summer league and at the couple practices I've been to and today was by far the best I've seen him. He worked his ass off in the scrimmages, made a lot of hustle plays, crashed the boards, ran the floor for multiple finishes on the fast break and really battled physically a lot down low with Toby. He's not close to being part of the rotation but it was great to see the energy and toughness he had today.
Everyone by now probably knows how big of a fan of Mo Watson I am. He didn't have his best practice today, Chatman got the best of him a few times and really took him straight to the hole. But, Mo is an absolute leader on the court! He is always talking, calling out the plays and trying to be positive and pick up his teammates. He is a real competitor and always wants to be in there.
Today I didn't think Cole Huff had his best practice. I mean he was still easily one of the best players on the floor it just seemed like he forced a lot of contested 3's on offense but he can flat out score and is a really hard worker. What I got out of today is how much the coaches REALLY like him! The coaches compare his skill set to Doug a lot. Pretty amazing considering all the bandages he has all over his right hand.
Austin Chatman is clearly the best player we will have this year. He had some trouble finishing around the basket at the end of the scrimmages today but he took Mo to the hole multiple times and finished early. His 3-point shot was nearly automatic today. He is not going to get enough credit in the Big East this season because of all the PG's on other teams but Austin was spectacular today.
Devin Brooks was late to practice today and in Mac's dog house immediately. Mac was all over him early on. Then they started to scrimmage and Devin's talent just took over. He spent 90% of the scrimmages playing the 2 spot. He was great getting to the hole, offensive rebounding and knocking down open jumpers. Devin is so talented. The coaches are concerned that Devin doesn't look for his shot enough and puts the ball on the floor too much as soon as he catches it.
James Milliken was also in Mac's dog house early on because of some defensive drills that him and Devin didn't have success in. Then the scrimmages began and Milliken shot the hell out of the ball! Medium range jumpers and 3's were falling consistently for James. Best I've seen him shoot. They did these running drills at the end of practice and the coaches told me that Milliken is the fastest runner and it's not close. He used to be a hell of a track guy.
Another guy who had a great practice is Ricky Kreklow. Today was the best I've seen him. He is another leader and strong competitor on this team. He is constantly scrapping and it doesn't matter what position he's playing. He fought hard down low and consistently knocked down his 3's today. Kreklow is dealing with some sort of upper respitory infection and was coughing a lot. So his performance today was just that more impressive.
Zierden primarily worked at the PG position today and was knocking down everything in sight the first two scrimmages. The third scrimmage he missed a few wide open looks but overall he had a good shooting day.
Zach Hanson once again owned all the other big men and it wasn't even close. He didn't play his best in the 3rd scrimmage and had some problems with the running at the end of practice but he was a man among boys the first two scrimmages.
Toby also had a good day and I look for him to start at the 4. Knocked down his 3's, and actually had a few good post moves. He's going to be a good player, people just have to remember he's just still a freshman.
Avery's hit a couple three's today but also had a few line drive terrible shots. When he comes off a screen and try's to hit a turn around off balance 3 it rarely goes in and I don't know why he keeps shooting it. Was told that his shot has been not very good for the last week or so. His set shot from the corner still looks passable but he is taking way too many off balance 3's.
Will Artino did not have a good practice. Had trouble with the running at the end of practice and didn't play well at all during the scrimmages. He got pushed around a lot and eventually started playing really angry and committed some bad fouls. I am concerned.
I was told that Ronnie Harrell had a few good practices the last few days. Today he was a non-factor, in fact in my opinion he was very lazy today and still has a lot of maturing to do. I would be shocked if he didn't redshirt.
Lastly, I still really don't expect to get anything out of Geoff Groselle. He just doesn't have a post move to go to aside from trying to bull over his defender. He is so foul prone and made some really bad passes today. He had a few offensive rebounds for scores during the scrimmages but he just made a lot of mental mistakes today.
Those are my takeaways from today's practice and 3 scrimmages. Feel free to add anything you want or if you have any questions.
I'll start with some positives.
I watched Leon Gilmore during the summer league and at the couple practices I've been to and today was by far the best I've seen him. He worked his ass off in the scrimmages, made a lot of hustle plays, crashed the boards, ran the floor for multiple finishes on the fast break and really battled physically a lot down low with Toby. He's not close to being part of the rotation but it was great to see the energy and toughness he had today.
Everyone by now probably knows how big of a fan of Mo Watson I am. He didn't have his best practice today, Chatman got the best of him a few times and really took him straight to the hole. But, Mo is an absolute leader on the court! He is always talking, calling out the plays and trying to be positive and pick up his teammates. He is a real competitor and always wants to be in there.
Today I didn't think Cole Huff had his best practice. I mean he was still easily one of the best players on the floor it just seemed like he forced a lot of contested 3's on offense but he can flat out score and is a really hard worker. What I got out of today is how much the coaches REALLY like him! The coaches compare his skill set to Doug a lot. Pretty amazing considering all the bandages he has all over his right hand.
Austin Chatman is clearly the best player we will have this year. He had some trouble finishing around the basket at the end of the scrimmages today but he took Mo to the hole multiple times and finished early. His 3-point shot was nearly automatic today. He is not going to get enough credit in the Big East this season because of all the PG's on other teams but Austin was spectacular today.
Devin Brooks was late to practice today and in Mac's dog house immediately. Mac was all over him early on. Then they started to scrimmage and Devin's talent just took over. He spent 90% of the scrimmages playing the 2 spot. He was great getting to the hole, offensive rebounding and knocking down open jumpers. Devin is so talented. The coaches are concerned that Devin doesn't look for his shot enough and puts the ball on the floor too much as soon as he catches it.
James Milliken was also in Mac's dog house early on because of some defensive drills that him and Devin didn't have success in. Then the scrimmages began and Milliken shot the hell out of the ball! Medium range jumpers and 3's were falling consistently for James. Best I've seen him shoot. They did these running drills at the end of practice and the coaches told me that Milliken is the fastest runner and it's not close. He used to be a hell of a track guy.
Another guy who had a great practice is Ricky Kreklow. Today was the best I've seen him. He is another leader and strong competitor on this team. He is constantly scrapping and it doesn't matter what position he's playing. He fought hard down low and consistently knocked down his 3's today. Kreklow is dealing with some sort of upper respitory infection and was coughing a lot. So his performance today was just that more impressive.
Zierden primarily worked at the PG position today and was knocking down everything in sight the first two scrimmages. The third scrimmage he missed a few wide open looks but overall he had a good shooting day.
Zach Hanson once again owned all the other big men and it wasn't even close. He didn't play his best in the 3rd scrimmage and had some problems with the running at the end of practice but he was a man among boys the first two scrimmages.
Toby also had a good day and I look for him to start at the 4. Knocked down his 3's, and actually had a few good post moves. He's going to be a good player, people just have to remember he's just still a freshman.
Avery's hit a couple three's today but also had a few line drive terrible shots. When he comes off a screen and try's to hit a turn around off balance 3 it rarely goes in and I don't know why he keeps shooting it. Was told that his shot has been not very good for the last week or so. His set shot from the corner still looks passable but he is taking way too many off balance 3's.
Will Artino did not have a good practice. Had trouble with the running at the end of practice and didn't play well at all during the scrimmages. He got pushed around a lot and eventually started playing really angry and committed some bad fouls. I am concerned.
I was told that Ronnie Harrell had a few good practices the last few days. Today he was a non-factor, in fact in my opinion he was very lazy today and still has a lot of maturing to do. I would be shocked if he didn't redshirt.
Lastly, I still really don't expect to get anything out of Geoff Groselle. He just doesn't have a post move to go to aside from trying to bull over his defender. He is so foul prone and made some really bad passes today. He had a few offensive rebounds for scores during the scrimmages but he just made a lot of mental mistakes today.
Those are my takeaways from today's practice and 3 scrimmages. Feel free to add anything you want or if you have any questions.
