Post by WilsonBlvdHoya on Jun 17, 2005 20:59:07 GMT -5
beat their opponents 139 (yes 139!)-85/88 (one or the other number, I forget now that middle age is setting in!! Clearly offense wasn't an issue today.
Thanks to Ron of HoyaReport, I have some VERY unofficial stats: Wallace with 31 pts. (only missed something like 2-3 shots all night; buried a bunch of threes, also penetrated well). Ewing, Jr. (WOO-HOO!!) with 24 pts. lots of boards, 4-6 blocks, several aggressive dunks, nice passing/unselfishness too--very impressive. Jeff Green 17 pts. also tons of boards, couple of blocks, looking sweeter and sweeter. Egerson/Thornton/Sapp each had about 16-17 pts. and I'll go into more detail on the frosh below. Tay Spann was a no-show, he might still be in Georgia (Ron didn't know for sure). One non-GU player for the Tombs was an African GW senior who was tall and mixed it up inside well. Tyler Crawford played for the other team and passed and rebounded well (didn't hit as many threes as his teammates from GU). Halftime score was 68-40 so it really was blowout city/case of outclassing the opposition.
I didn't stay for the nightcap but Ashanti and Roy played in that game for one of the teams. And Brandon showed up to watch as well--didn't see DJ though. Rich Chvotkin was in the house!! More importantly, here's my thoughts on the frosh/newcomer since that's what everyone wants to know about (this won't be a FLesque report but I'll do my best).
Thornton--started out the first half going something like 1-9 from 3 (after draining 6-7-8 in a row multiple times in practice). Good thing is that he did other things on the court well (had multiple steals on the perimeter and played aggressive, gambling defense at times). In the second half the touch came back and he probably went something like 3-8 (after draining multiple streaks again between halves). Somewhat like Wallace, when the feet are set, it's money. The shot is not as textbook-like/aesthetic (rotation, high-arc, etc.) as Jonathan's but it seems to be effective. He was prone to fouling a bit when reaching on d. Liked his hustle and attitude.
Egerson-started out slow (teammates didn't get him the ball much early) but drained 2 threes in the second half back-to-back from the right side. Very versatile--can play outside or inside but not as tall or bulky as JG or PEJr. Loves to break for the open dunk when the opposing shot goes up. Can crash the boards but not as intensely as Ewing or Jeff yet. He's going to a real sleeper in the BE.
Sapp-clearly a physical player and likes to pass and drive/dish. Can leap nicely; had 2 two-fisted slams on separate breakaways. Can also shoot the 3 (missed a couple early but then drained 1 or 2). Good comraderie with teammates (that was a universal theme tonight) and needs to look to dish for open teammates even more. Is supposedly very quick and I did see him take people off the dribble. The battles between him and Jonathan in practice will be great!!
Ewing-PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PRETTY PLEASE NCAA let Patrick play now!!!! He gets my nomination as this year's KL version of Darian Townes--the player GU fans want to see on the floor for GU but can't!! Good news in Junior's case is that he will be back the year after next! This guy impressed me with his aggressivity, leaping ability (blocked 2 or 3 shots on the perimeter as well as inside), unselfishness and passing skills (worked several nice passes with Jeff Green), size, tenacity on the glass (Jeff Green like) and overall heart and desire just like his Papa. Even better was that he wore Knicks #33 shorts (and those of us who were dunces in the crowd didn't recognize who it was right away; he's got high hair--not like Drew Hall but kind of squared off...). He's a big as Jeff and can play inside and out like Jeff too but seems to like to mix it up underneath. Also hit two nice mid-range jumpers in the key. Best of all, he's a ferocious dunker and attacks the rim like a mad-dog. He made one passing mistake when he overthrew Egerson on a breakaway and slapped the floor with both hands in frustration. I already love his attitude and game....
For the vets, most all of them looked to have hit the weights with the possible exception of Ashanti. I was very impressed with Wallace; he passed and distributed well and at the same time drained his usual deep opportunities. He also had a couple driving lay-ups which I don't recall him doing much in BE play (I guess that's why is the KL!!). He won't give up any minutes without a vicious dogfight and may earn even more (who knows!)! Jeff is Jeff and looking more NBA-ish (shhh!); he made a couple nice plays underneath when I thought he had no angle whatsoever. Other good thing that vets did (if sophs can be considered vets) was set an aggressive defensive tone;yes, Virginia they actually played decent d in the KL tonight!!!
My takeaways (remember my usual caveat that this was a game in KL against weak competition): 1) I want Ewing to play now! 2) The newcomers provide significant depth/competition in the backcourt and the wings (including perimeter shooting skills--when on!!). 3) Improved execution of the offense should lead to even more better looks inside and from 3 with these athletes. 4) Team needs Roy and Jeff and even Amadou to step it up inside.5) Very important--obvious comraderie/good feelings between team members; saw lots of on-court communication/hugs/encouragement among newcomers and vets, especially from Roy & Tyler. Jeff and Patrick were getting along well too and sharing the basketball on the court. Josh was vocal too. 6) This is evidence that III is recruiting the players he wants (I'm dying to see Summers and Rivers now!).....
That's it for now; I'm pleased and hope to see them again Sunday night. Others who were there can contribute too. Have a good weekend. Hoya Saxa! WBH.....
Thanks to Ron of HoyaReport, I have some VERY unofficial stats: Wallace with 31 pts. (only missed something like 2-3 shots all night; buried a bunch of threes, also penetrated well). Ewing, Jr. (WOO-HOO!!) with 24 pts. lots of boards, 4-6 blocks, several aggressive dunks, nice passing/unselfishness too--very impressive. Jeff Green 17 pts. also tons of boards, couple of blocks, looking sweeter and sweeter. Egerson/Thornton/Sapp each had about 16-17 pts. and I'll go into more detail on the frosh below. Tay Spann was a no-show, he might still be in Georgia (Ron didn't know for sure). One non-GU player for the Tombs was an African GW senior who was tall and mixed it up inside well. Tyler Crawford played for the other team and passed and rebounded well (didn't hit as many threes as his teammates from GU). Halftime score was 68-40 so it really was blowout city/case of outclassing the opposition.
I didn't stay for the nightcap but Ashanti and Roy played in that game for one of the teams. And Brandon showed up to watch as well--didn't see DJ though. Rich Chvotkin was in the house!! More importantly, here's my thoughts on the frosh/newcomer since that's what everyone wants to know about (this won't be a FLesque report but I'll do my best).
Thornton--started out the first half going something like 1-9 from 3 (after draining 6-7-8 in a row multiple times in practice). Good thing is that he did other things on the court well (had multiple steals on the perimeter and played aggressive, gambling defense at times). In the second half the touch came back and he probably went something like 3-8 (after draining multiple streaks again between halves). Somewhat like Wallace, when the feet are set, it's money. The shot is not as textbook-like/aesthetic (rotation, high-arc, etc.) as Jonathan's but it seems to be effective. He was prone to fouling a bit when reaching on d. Liked his hustle and attitude.
Egerson-started out slow (teammates didn't get him the ball much early) but drained 2 threes in the second half back-to-back from the right side. Very versatile--can play outside or inside but not as tall or bulky as JG or PEJr. Loves to break for the open dunk when the opposing shot goes up. Can crash the boards but not as intensely as Ewing or Jeff yet. He's going to a real sleeper in the BE.
Sapp-clearly a physical player and likes to pass and drive/dish. Can leap nicely; had 2 two-fisted slams on separate breakaways. Can also shoot the 3 (missed a couple early but then drained 1 or 2). Good comraderie with teammates (that was a universal theme tonight) and needs to look to dish for open teammates even more. Is supposedly very quick and I did see him take people off the dribble. The battles between him and Jonathan in practice will be great!!
Ewing-PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PRETTY PLEASE NCAA let Patrick play now!!!! He gets my nomination as this year's KL version of Darian Townes--the player GU fans want to see on the floor for GU but can't!! Good news in Junior's case is that he will be back the year after next! This guy impressed me with his aggressivity, leaping ability (blocked 2 or 3 shots on the perimeter as well as inside), unselfishness and passing skills (worked several nice passes with Jeff Green), size, tenacity on the glass (Jeff Green like) and overall heart and desire just like his Papa. Even better was that he wore Knicks #33 shorts (and those of us who were dunces in the crowd didn't recognize who it was right away; he's got high hair--not like Drew Hall but kind of squared off...). He's a big as Jeff and can play inside and out like Jeff too but seems to like to mix it up underneath. Also hit two nice mid-range jumpers in the key. Best of all, he's a ferocious dunker and attacks the rim like a mad-dog. He made one passing mistake when he overthrew Egerson on a breakaway and slapped the floor with both hands in frustration. I already love his attitude and game....
For the vets, most all of them looked to have hit the weights with the possible exception of Ashanti. I was very impressed with Wallace; he passed and distributed well and at the same time drained his usual deep opportunities. He also had a couple driving lay-ups which I don't recall him doing much in BE play (I guess that's why is the KL!!). He won't give up any minutes without a vicious dogfight and may earn even more (who knows!)! Jeff is Jeff and looking more NBA-ish (shhh!); he made a couple nice plays underneath when I thought he had no angle whatsoever. Other good thing that vets did (if sophs can be considered vets) was set an aggressive defensive tone;yes, Virginia they actually played decent d in the KL tonight!!!
My takeaways (remember my usual caveat that this was a game in KL against weak competition): 1) I want Ewing to play now! 2) The newcomers provide significant depth/competition in the backcourt and the wings (including perimeter shooting skills--when on!!). 3) Improved execution of the offense should lead to even more better looks inside and from 3 with these athletes. 4) Team needs Roy and Jeff and even Amadou to step it up inside.5) Very important--obvious comraderie/good feelings between team members; saw lots of on-court communication/hugs/encouragement among newcomers and vets, especially from Roy & Tyler. Jeff and Patrick were getting along well too and sharing the basketball on the court. Josh was vocal too. 6) This is evidence that III is recruiting the players he wants (I'm dying to see Summers and Rivers now!).....
That's it for now; I'm pleased and hope to see them again Sunday night. Others who were there can contribute too. Have a good weekend. Hoya Saxa! WBH.....
