Oct. Spann

[dreamhoya]

Guys, Octavius is pretty good.

[StPetersburgHoya (Inactive)]

Any evidence to back up that analysis? It seems that we've gotten contradictory messages as to his skill level and whether he is ready to be thrown in to BE basketball at this time.

[JimmyHoya]

He's a lil raw, but he's got A LOT of energy.

During the Kenner game today, he made a few early mistakes because a bit out of control and was forcing things, but it seemed to me that his intentions were always good and once he adjusts his play to the new level of competition he'll do fine.

This is a fine, fine class we've got on our hands.

[dreamhoya]

Im sorry, i tend to look more at instincts rather than what was actually done in the game. JTIII will round him out some. But, SEEMS he's got pretty
good instincts is what i'll say which means to me, he'll
be pretty darn good. Mike Sweetney had good instincts, Tyler has good instincts....IMHO

[JB5]

At today's Kenner game, Spann looked markedly better than a week ago. He really seemed to be into the offense, made some nice passes and was hustling for boards and loose balls. As noted above, he seems to have the right instincts. He'll be able to contribute. I could wish he were a little taller, but the guy's athletic and looks like he'll work hard.

[MCIGuy]

I think he had 13 points today. He missed his first shot badly (I think it was a three point attempt); didn't come close to hitting the rim. Got better after that. I should point out that he started for the Tombs in the first half but didn't in the second. Anyway he knocked down two jumpers, including a three pointer, and both times the rotation on the ball was impressive. Had two dunks I think including an alley-oop. This is only his second game playing with the Tombs so I can't wait to see how he'll play two weeks from now.

I'm trying to put together something on the three weeks of KL action that I have seen this sumer but until then here's someother nuggets:

Green had anywhere from 15 to 17 points in an easy win for the Tombs today. I think he made all of his 2 point field goal attempts but missed the only three he took. He looked great and hardly got many minutes after the first half (and sat a lot during the 1st half too).

The reports of Ewing's demise were greatly exaggerated. Junior connected on most of his shots today and not one of them I believe was a dunk and I don't think any of his field goals came on the fast break either. It was all in the halfcourt setting. Turn around jumpers, long two point shots, a three pointer. He had 15 points and was doing a terrific job on the break feeding teammates who unfortunately are not as good finishing as he is.

Quiet games for Egerson, Thornton and Wallace. Sapp had a relatively quiet game too with 9 points but he did some good things in the game when the rock was in his hands.

[hoyaboy1]

Ewing's O was MUCH better, but he didn't really hit the boards or play that well on D (at least against Bowman early on). But we know he can do those things, so the offense is obviously more important.

Thornton was 0-4, 0-3 from 3, and didn't really do anything of note.

Spann had a bunch of TOs early on, but they were creative passes that simply didn't work out. But he later hit a 3, made a turn around hook and J. Also played good D - a fantastic second half overall.

Sapp - didn't play a lot at first, but had some nice penetration and hit a 3. Picks up the ball too early when pressured in the backcourt but runs the break well. Hits the boards too.

Egerson - didn't play a ton, but made shots and got boards (8 points maybe). Was consistently the first guy down the floor on offense.

I just wish the Tombs didn't have 312 players.

[MCIGuy]

hoyaboy1 said:

Thornton was 0-4, 0-3 from 3, and didn't really do anything of note.

Actually he hit one three. It was his first time in the game, he got the ball behind the arc and let it go. Swish. I only had him taking three three pointers but I could be off by one. The coach was on his case a couple of times.

I just wish the Tombs didn't have 312 players.

Tell me about it. There are seven Hoyas on the team and I think four other players. No one can get into a flow because it seems everyone has been promised minutes.

[sweetness]

How tall is Spann? I'm assuming somewhere in between Bowman and Egerson.

[hoyaboy1]

6'7" listed, maybe an inch less

[dreamhoya]

Nobody's talking about Wallace's couple great drives and dishes. He had three nice drives inside and made
tough shots, one a tear drop. Seems to be looking to get inside some.

[hoyaboy1]

Wallace's jumper hasn't been as good, but he has been doing much better than last year with penetration. I'd like to see him try even more; he's better at it than he seems to think.

[dejoyahoya]

does thornton's shot look like it has potential? so far it sounds like the kid can't hit anything.

and

did bowman finally have a good performance tonight?

[hoyaboy1]

Bowman hit the boards and played good 2 (2 HUGE blocks on Sapp) but his O was off. 3 travels and couldn't really get going. Not a lot of help though.

Thornton is a really good shooter, he just has poor shot selection right now.

[HoyaNJ5]

I think that Wallace tends to be able to penetrate in these summer league games because defenses aren't as tight. I'm not trying to knock Wallace because I really like his game, but I don't think he'll be able to do this against some of the Big East guards. Athletically, he's just not there. His game is more hitting his outside shots and trying to get the offense running.

[jerseyhoya34]

One of the guards on the other team was Hinnant from BC, a former BE school.

[MCIGuy]

dejoyahoya said:

and

did bowman finally have a good performance tonight?

Actually Bowman had a good game a week or two ago when he put up 34 plus points an carried his team to a win. And I read somewhere he played tough against Pops and Universal in one game too. But he struggled a bit today. It was a case of looking somewhat disinterest early on and ineffective later. He had about 11 points and I would say that in some ways was outplayed by Ewing. But to be fair there was too much quality dept on the Tombs. Even with the addition of BC's Hinant and Devon Sweetney his team is very weak. The good news for is that Bowman wasn't taking three point shots all game long. He didn't take many shots at all in factt but when he did shoot most times it was within teen feet of the basket. He indeed did turn over the ball a few times when trying to drive to the basket. One was particularly bad because he used that "throw ahead" move and ended up throwing it right into the hands of an opponent. Of course that oponent was Wallace who I'm sure seen the move a thousand times in practice and pickup games. Other times he made it to the basket but missed. Although he did have arguably the best move of the game when he blew past Ewing on the baseline and with Ewing on his back ROSE liike crazy for a throwdown.

At the end of the game when lines are being formed to shake hands Bowman sat on the bench near the lines and shok hands while sitting down. He seemed tired and a bit dejected. Maybe he was disappointed with his performance. Earlier in the day he was all smiles chatting with everyone and watching the previous games. By the time his game was over though he looked depressed. His Hoya teammates, including some of the frosh, walked over and gave him a pat on the back as they exchanged handshakes with him. A minute or two after all the handshaking was done though he was still sitting on that bench alone.


By the way does anyone know the name of the guard from George Washington who suited up with Hibbert's and Cook's team? #15 with the red head band? He may have been the most impressive player today. I guess I should mention Hibbert looked pretty good again too.

[jerseyhoya34]

The GW guard was Pinnock or Hinnock or something of that sort. He was impressive.

BTW, how good was Roy today? Talk about a height advantage, but he has come a long way this summer.

[StPetersburgHoya (Inactive)]

Did Roy put up Wesley Wilson in the Phillipines type numbers?

[MCIGuy]

I believe Hibbert had 16 points on 7 out of 10 shooting (two FTs as well).

For some reason he played virtually the entire game despite the game being decided by early 2nd half. Maybe JT3 passed along the message he wanted Roy putting in major minutes. Anyway about halfway through the 2nd half Roy had virtually become invisible on offense and too often would not run the court. But he got the crowd excited a few times with impressive pivot moves in which he would follow with left handed hooks and sky hooks. He also had countless rebounds and, as the announcer said, probably at least nine blocks, including one 5 feet or more away from the basket.

Roy is also good for at least one great bounce pass/assist each game, and sure enough he had another sweet one today.