Early Impressions.

I've been surprisingly impressed with this team so far. The down right hustle and defense have been especially intriguing. However, it has been against opponents that they should blow out.

Jake Anderson - Best player on the team. Unselfish, 100% all the time, great defensive player.
Diante Garrett - Still trying to be a shooter which he is not. Has been hogging the ball trying to be a big time scorer which is not his game. He needs to get back to his ways of slashing to the basket. Has been impressive at dishing the ball out though.
Jamie VanDerBeken - Still a one dimensional player. At 6 - 11 he should be out rebounding teams, especially these low level teams and he can't. All he is a very good shooter which is just fine.
Scott Christopherson - Very impressive this year. Has really taken a step forward in his game. Could be in for a very good year.
Melvin Ejim - This kid is going to be a star by the time he is a junior. Has all the tools to someday be an All - Big 12 player. His future is very bright.
Calvin Godfrey - This kid is go go go all the time. Very good rebounder. Limited offensive skills at this point in his career, but this kid is going to be a solid defensive player in his career. Going to be a fan favorite when his time is through.
Jordan Railey - Lots of potential. Needs to add size and needs to learn the game.
DeMarcus Phillips - Haven't seen enough to make an assessment.
Eric McKnight - With the offers he had I have been shocked he is this far behind. Hopefully he can see some time by the time he is a junior.
Bubu Palo - Impressive for a walk - on, but come next season I highly doubt he plays a whole lot.

Simple assessment after the first 3 games, but their seems to be a lot of potential in the young players. With the experience the young guys will get this year, and the experienced transfers that will play next season, this team could be very special. This season however, they will struggle mightily come conference play. Lack of big man, and rebounder's will come to haunt this team. The scoring ability and hustle will win them a few games and compete in others, but conference play could be brutal. This team is going to be a fun team to watch the next two years for sure.

See alot of Johnnie Orr ball , wow its great

Garrett is shooting the ball just fine. I hope he continues to have confidence in his stroke because he has the ability to get hot. I love his confidence and I know Fred isn't going to tell him to stop shooting.

With the way Bubu has played so far, and depending on how recruiting continues to go, I wouldn't be surprised to see Bubu transfer to a place can get more PT and maybe a scholly... maybe a valley school/ mid-major.

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Originally Posted by jahfg

Garrett is shooting the ball just fine. I hope he continues to have confidence in his stroke because he has the ability to get hot. I love his confidence and I know Fred isn't going to tell him to stop shooting.

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I agree, Garrett is gonna be fine. He shot a lot tonight, but his stroke was good. The shots were just not falling. You can tell that Freddy has worked on his shot and there is a definite improvement in the area.

Diante's baseline spin-around shot to end the 1st half was beautiful

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Originally Posted by madcityCY

Diante's baseline spin-around shot to end the 1st half was beautiful

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As was his shot to start the second half. His mid range shots loook way better this year. Still has trouble with the 3.

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Originally Posted by madcityCY

Diante's baseline spin-around shot to end the 1st half was beautiful

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It was nice to us actually score on a final possession, instead of a forced, off-balance shot.

Good assessment, but...
Jake Anderson isn't the best player on the team, he does seem to be the best team-mate tho. Really impressed tho. His shot didn't look terrific tonight, expecially from behind the arc, but still a great amount of hustle and smart playing, he will be this years fan favorate!

Diante needs to keep shooting, his first 2 games (and exhibition) he shot very well, tonight he seemed a little shy, before he was stepping into his shot, and shooting it much higher, as a result his shot was just off everytime. Freddy will get him bk into his groove tho.... his shot inside the arc looked very nice.

DeMarcus Phillips looks like he has a natural hack for basketball, his pass that was over 1/2 the court looked very natural, along with a lot of his plays/moves from this game, and the few minutes he had last game. Hope I'm not wrong, but I think he might be a big surprise.

Other than that I completely agree. Good post.
Does anybody get reminded of a young Westly Johnson in McKnight? I think once he gets his body and confidence around he could be very good. (not sure on the medical issues with him). I love Bube as well, just like his presence on the court, bring a closer feeling to Ames, and hopefully Hilton Magic!

Garrett has looked great!

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Originally Posted by NotJustMagic

Good assessment, but...
Jake Anderson isn't the best player on the team, he does seem to be the best team-mate tho. Really impressed tho. His shot didn't look terrific tonight, expecially from behind the arc, but still a great amount of hustle and smart playing, he will be this years fan favorate!

Diante needs to keep shooting, his first 2 games (and exhibition) he shot very well, tonight he seemed a little shy, before he was stepping into his shot, and shooting it much higher, as a result his shot was just off everytime. Freddy will get him bk into his groove tho.... his shot inside the arc looked very nice.

DeMarcus Phillips looks like he has a natural hack for basketball, his pass that was over 1/2 the court looked very natural, along with a lot of his plays/moves from this game, and the few minutes he had last game. Hope I'm not wrong, but I think he might be a big surprise.

Other than that I completely agree. Good post.
Does anybody get reminded of a young Westly Johnson in McKnight? I think once he gets his body and confidence around he could be very good. (not sure on the medical issues with him). I love Bube as well, just like his presence on the court, bring a closer feeling to Ames, and hopefully Hilton Magic!

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:wideeyed::wideeyed:

Maybe in looks only.

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Originally Posted by cycfan1

:wideeyed::wideeyed:

Maybe in looks only.

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Yeah just his body style. We haven't really seen much of his "real" playing, so deffinately not in that role.

Early Impression: 1000% better.

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Originally Posted by NotJustMagic

Good assessment, but...
Jake Anderson isn't the best player on the team, he does seem to be the best team-mate tho. Really impressed tho. His shot didn't look terrific tonight, expecially from behind the arc, but still a great amount of hustle and smart playing, he will be this years fan favorate!

Diante needs to keep shooting, his first 2 games (and exhibition) he shot very well, tonight he seemed a little shy, before he was stepping into his shot, and shooting it much higher, as a result his shot was just off everytime. Freddy will get him bk into his groove tho.... his shot inside the arc looked very nice.

DeMarcus Phillips looks like he has a natural hack for basketball, his pass that was over 1/2 the court looked very natural, along with a lot of his plays/moves from this game, and the few minutes he had last game. Hope I'm not wrong, but I think he might be a big surprise.

Other than that I completely agree. Good post.
Does anybody get reminded of a young Westly Johnson in McKnight? I think once he gets his body and confidence around he could be very good. (not sure on the medical issues with him). I love Bube as well, just like his presence on the court, bring a closer feeling to Ames, and hopefully Hilton Magic!

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Yes - i was thinking that as he shot his free-throw

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Originally Posted by NotJustMagic

Yeah just his body style. We haven't really seen much of his "real" playing, so deffinately not in that role.

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What do you mean "real" playing? Has he been injured?

He looks totally lost and uncoordinated out there. Hopefully he grows into his body, but don't see him playing meaning full minutes for 2+ years.