Orange-White Basketball Scrimage

[stanman505]

Returners/Orange team
Omega Harris has improved his ball handling and defense.
Paul Thomas- He is stronger and is developing his shot out to the three point line.  He doesn't rebound like Vince Hunter but he has superior offensive skills.  He will tear it up this year and might be our best player.
Matt Willms-  He is in his best shape and will block a lot of shots this year.  He still needs to work on finishing with contact but he is a little better at it than in the past
Jake Flaggert-  He is the same solid player he has always been.  His defense is good but he still doesn't have a great outside shot.  He will be hard pressed to find playing time come conference.
Trey Touchet- He is about the same player he was last year.  Solid with the ball and decent defense.  His shot is a little bit better but he will be hard pressed to get playing time as the year moves on.
Kelvin Jones-  He will get a lot of playing time and has improved his low post game.  He has also improved his passing.  I was impressed with his progress

Newcomers/White team
Trey Wade- was very impressive.  He long and very athletic.  He can defend really well and has a nice offensive game.  He is a big time upgrade from Flaggert and the best of all the newcomers
Tirus Smith- Miner fans are going to love this kid.  He rebounds and defends well in addition to a nice low post game.  He needs to drop a few pounds but this kid is special and will push Paul Thomas.  I would have rated him the best newcomer but he is not in great basketball shape yet.
Evan Gilyard-  He can really handle the ball and made Omega look bad a few times.  He is not a great finisher nor defender yet but man he is fast and athletic.  He will be a good back up point guard until he adjust to the college game, at which point he will be worthy of starting in front of Touchet.
Isiah Osborne-  He has a great shot.  He seemed to be a little bit lost on occasion, which I attribute to not playing in games for over a year.  He is a lot like Flaggert only with a better shot.
Kobe McGee-  He is a solid guard who needs to be more consistent with his shot.  He too was not quit used to the speed of college basketball, but he will adjust.  I would feel comfortable with him on the floor at any point in a game.
Joey St. Pierre- Really big kid that will give you everything he can but is limited by slow foot speed.  I look for the staff to red-shirt him.  He is a lot like Venegas from last year.

This team is very deep.  There are 11 guys that can have the skills to be playing right now.  I hate the fact that I am excited about basketball because of the disappointment of the past few years, but I can't help think that we have the guys in place to finish in the top 4 of the conference and at the very least an NIT bid.

[Chanson]

Thanks, Stan. I read a lot of boards & everyone is very consistent with the write ups. I love what I hear. It sounds like kids were out of shape. Keep in mind they won't be playing those crazy minutes in a game. The coaches switch you out when you are gassed.
Guards always come along quicker than other player, so I'm not really worried about McGee or Gilyard. CTF will run Smith & St.Pierre hard & they will be much better. What has me crazy excited is the SF play. Last year we had Flaggert & switched him out with shooting guards. Now we have Wade & Osbourne to not only carry the load, but take over. I don't think their defense is close to what Flaggert provides, but it will come. Finally, some balance.
We can play long with
5-Willms
4-Jones
3-Thomas
2-Omega
1-Touchet
Or small with
5-Thomas
4-Wade
3-Omega
2-Osborne
1-Gilyard
Then there are tons of in between options.

[stanman505]

Trey Wade is a better on ball defender than Flaggert and it is not even close.  Jake is a better team defender but Wade will improve there.  Wade will be starting by December IMO, even though the coaching staff loves Jake.

[kyyote]

Stan the Man!  Thank you for the great analysis.  It looks like CTF has begun piling up the talent.  I just hope he can keep the best of the bunch satisfied with time on the floor long enough to build some cohesiveness.