Open Scrimmage

[gmujim92]

Ugh, some of this feedback is so depressing. Sounds like it's going to be a very long season with very few reinforcements on the horizon.

I’m shocked — absolutely floored — that anyone would ever get such a negative impression from reading this board.

 

[By George.]

I’m shocked — absolutely floored — that anyone would ever get such a negative impression from reading this board.

Would say my takes were pretty positive minus the fact that maybe 78 people were in attendance.

 

[gmutom]

You think? We already know we have an all conference caliber player in Kier when he returns, and if the guys are right that Hartwell is a reasonable replacement for Otis, and AJ can be a contributor, I don't see why we would be worse than last year.

Herndon, I promise I want to have a glass that isn't half-empty, but what if Kier doesn't come back 100%? What if Marr's sophomore slump wasn't an anomaly? What if Miller and Hartwell experience a sophomore slump? And what if Paulsen still can't find a way to make Wilson thrive in his system?

We have no great shooters or big men, and it sounds like our freshmen might be solid contributors one day but not in the next 365 days. Throw in the fact that the league is supposed to be markedly better, and it is very conceivable we could be worse than last year (at least in the standings).

 

[mkaufman1]

Herndon, I promise I want to have a glass that isn't half-empty, but what if Kier doesn't come back 100%? What if Marr's sophomore slump wasn't an anomaly? What if Miller and Hartwell experience a sophomore slump? And what if Paulsen still can't find a way to make Wilson thrive in his system?

We have no great shooters or big men, and it sounds like our freshmen might be solid contributors one day but not in the next 365 days. Throw in the fact that the league is supposed to be markedly better, and it is very conceivable we could be worse than last year (at least in the standings).

Only two cents I have is that if coach has always done more with less, it’ll work out in the end. There’s no hype around the program or team because many casual observers probably see Otis as a huge loss amongst other reasons.

If all those things occur in the downward way, and the team regresses there’s going to be some additional definite questions about Paulsen and where the program is actually going.

Let’s just get the season underway and see what occurs on the court.

 

[gmutom]

There’s no hype around the program or team because many casual observers probably see Otis as a huge loss.

I love Otis, but I think Hartwell will fill his shoes better than some might think. That is one position that I am least concerned about, although Xavier might have to play more than expected with Kier out the first few months.

 

[JimP]

I love Otis, but I think Hartwell will fill his shoes better than some might think. That is one position that I am least concerned about, although Xavier might have to play more than expected with Kier out the first few months.

I hope you made a mistake here. I thought Kier may miss the first few games, not the first few months.

 

[By George.]

I love Otis, but I think Hartwell will fill his shoes better than some might think. That is one position that I am least concerned about, although Xavier might have to play more than expected with Kier out the first few months.

Please don’t quote me on this but I don’t think Kier will be out a few months. We’re looking at 3 to 4 weeks maybe and then he’ll be re-evaluated. A month and little more? Maybe. 3 months, dear god no....at least we hope.

 

[sleeperpick]

Having not seen the team play or practice like 99% of the boards other than Joe, Mason2005 and the ByGeorge guys I will wait for the season to begin with bated breath. I really hope Paulsen lets our offense run and gun because honestly that is the only way I see us being super competitive to some of the teams we have on our schedule.

AJ for A10 newcomer of the year since Paulsen has practically redshirted him for 3 years. #letathletesplaybasketball #not1945anymore

Love the lineup of Hartwell, Javon, Miller, AJ and Calixte... absolutely love it.

I also think Oduro has greatly improved from what I SAW him play LIVE in high school. Still not sure he is an A10 scholarship player but I hope I am wrong. Stone hands and not exactly the quickest is a very accurate assessment from what I have SEEN. For the people saying "skill wise Oduro is already there" you are nuts or delusional or a bit of both. #stopit5

We need Kier back and at least 95% to be competitive in the A10 this year

 

[CHRISTOPHER JAMES JOLLAY]

Sounds to me like pace of play will be an emphasis understanding they’re young and fast. I think Hartwell will improve our fast break potential and I think our big men will clean up the defensive glass much better as well. Cali > Reuter and I like Miller, AJ and Mar to clean up and push.

Seems logical. Defense/transition attack has to be good because that lineup might be challenged to score in the half court.

Athletic for sure.

Could be a fun team to watch if they can avoid long scoring droughts.

 

[gmujim92]

I hope you made a mistake here. I thought Kier may miss the first few games, not the first few months.

You never know with stress fractures. I’m certain the staff will err on the side of caution to avoid bringing him back too soon and getting hurt again, especially since the OOC will be all about getting ready for A-10 play.

 

[G M U]

You never know with stress fractures. I’m certain the staff will err on the side of caution to avoid bringing him back too soon and getting hurt again, especially since the OOC will be all about getting ready for A-10 play.

So...half the season is just the preseason?

Back in my day OOC was about getting quality wins and building resumes

 

[mkaufman1]

Having not seen the team play or practice like 99% of the boards other than Joe, Mason2005 and the ByGeorge guys I will wait for the season to begin with bated breath. I really hope Paulsen lets our offense run and gun because honestly that is the only way I see us being super competitive to some of the teams we have on our schedule.

AJ for A10 newcomer of the year since Paulsen has practically redshirted him for 3 years. #letathletesplaybasketball #not1945anymore

Love the lineup of Hartwell, Javon, Miller, AJ and Calixte... absolutely love it.

I also think Oduro has greatly improved from what I SAW him play LIVE in high school. Still not sure he is an A10 scholarship player but I hope I am wrong. Stone hands and not exactly the quickest is a very accurate assessment from what I have SEEN. For the people saying "skill wise Oduro is already there" you are nuts or delusional or a bit of both. #stopit5

We need Kier back and at least 95% to be competitive in the A10 this year

At least from what I saw in the scrimmage via video thanks to ByGeorge (seriously awesome, thanks guys), I saw a center who could move, wants to have some range, and showed really good effort on the glass. I was expecting a raw and slow freshman not someone who could be a nice backup from day 1. I don't think he was that slow and I thought he showed good hands and footwork, but it was only video and practice.

 

[gmutom]

Please don’t quote me on this but I don’t think Kier will be out a few months. We’re looking at 3 to 4 weeks maybe and then he’ll be re-evaluated.

That's my bad. Sorry if I panicked anybody. As long as he's 100% by conference play, I'll be very happy.

 

[PoorManProfit]

75 people showed up to the scrimmage

So, comparable to a regular game?

 

[Herndon]

At least from what I saw in the scrimmage via video thanks to ByGeorge (seriously awesome, thanks guys), I saw a center who could move, wants to have some range, and showed really good effort on the glass. I was expecting a raw and slow freshman not someone who could be a nice backup from day 1. I don't think he was that slow and I thought he showed good hands and footwork, but it was only video and practice.

If you're talking Oduro, I agree. He looked to have nice hands around the bucket, and a little post game as well.

He didn't look super athletic, but exactly as you said, he looks like a guy who could be a solid backup big from the get-go, which is a luxury to find in a freshman, IMO. He also looked, for lack of a better term "big". Like he looked tall and long, and comfortable using his height and length.

That said, it was one quarter of a preseason scrimmage, so I don't want to get too excited.

 

[Mason2005]

There was def quicker tempo on offense. DP was constantly yelling for them to get down the court. Also players were taking immediate 3s after running down the court.

Hartwell looked the best to me. He was strong with the ball and made 3s and floaters. That was Otis's biggest hole, no floater.

I'm not sure why but the yellow team in all three periods struggled to score. DP mixed up the teams every period also. They scored like 2, 3 and 0 for each. It was probably because Jack was on the yellow team throughout so it was almost 5 vs 4.

JDS struggled with the 3 which is concerning. I was looking for him to try to dominate.

One more thing. We shot overall like 50% from the strike. But that isn't anything new.

 

[psyclone]

At least from what I saw in the scrimmage via video thanks to ByGeorge (seriously awesome, thanks guys), I saw a center who could move, wants to have some range, and showed really good effort on the glass. I was expecting a raw and slow freshman not someone who could be a nice backup from day 1. I don't think he was that slow and I thought he showed good hands and footwork, but it was only video and practice.

I agree with this assessment of Oduro (yes, I was one of the "78" who were actually at the open practice). Maybe that was because of older comments on this board indicating that he wasn't scholarship worthy. He defended Calixte reasonably well (guarded him most of the time) and has enough bulk to resist being backed down. He also showed some hustle (missed a contested shot in close, but got around his defender to get the rebound on the other side and made the layup). Kind of reminded me of Calixte as a freshman in terms of level of play. Not great, maybe, but showed enough that he wouldn't be an embarrassing backup.

The Green team dominated the scoring throughout (21-2, 21-3, 12-0 for the 3 ten minute periods). Hartwell, Greene, Miller, AJ, Calixte started the game for the Green team for the first 10 minutes but Calixte and AJ switched to the Gold team with Goaner and Oduro switching to the Green team for the second period. My take was that Hartwell , Javon, and to a lesser extent Miller (all of whom played with the Green team throughout the scrimmage) were particularly effective, at least against the second-teamers.

I've always been a Hartwell fan--has the most graceful footwork and seemingly able to float just slightly above the floor when he moves. He made a nice "teardrop" shot just as one of the periods was ending. Javon was clearly a standout splashing his 3's and making plays. (Reminds me that AJ made the first 3 of the game, but missed on 3 or4 other 3's later in the scrimmage)

Of course another interpretation on the substantial score discrepancy is that Tempchin, JDS, and Xavier were overmatched and weren't sufficiently good playmakers to take advantage of the time in the second period when they had both Calixte and AJ playing with them. JDS took a few 3's but I think he only made one.

The third period there was a few more switches but when both Miller and Greene went down (appeared to be a leg cramp in both instances-- they never returned and Chance Konnor and Bryson (!) got some playing time.

Dady (the roster sheet pronunciation guide has him as Bah-HAI-Dee Hi-DAH-rah) scored a few baskets and looked promising; Xavier Johnson generally was able to keep up with Hartwell but didn't do anything of note offensively.

We certainly missed Kier who was there in civvies with a brace on and limping slightly (swished a 3 between periods!). Boyd also was there with an impressive wrap/brace on his wrist and forearm.

Other notes:

• Bryson was still listed as a Graduate Manager but was active as any other assistant coach, helping out with the Gold team.
• Also present and listed was Alex Bates as Graduate Manager (http://www.tsutigers.com/mbasketball/roster/2013-14/3676/alex-bates/). He was helping our "bigs" warm up before the scrimmage began. Don't remember seeing his name before as part of the staff.

Green Machine was in good form--10-12 tubas! Someone said that there was a Green band and a Gold band present. Overflowed into both of the sections behind the west basket.

 

[JPgmuswim]

So...half the season is just the preseason?

Back in my day OOC was about getting quality wins and building resumes

Half a season being preseason is better than the “2 year season” we just had right?

 

[smccart5]

Whatever happens, nothing can be worse than the start of last season. Such high hopes and we were absolutely awful.

 

[Mason32]

Are they ever going to refresh Mason Madness, what a snooze fest. Simon says? Really?