On a side note before I forget. I asked Grooms if he had heard from Fitz. He said the in the 1st two games Fitz had scored 24 and 17 respectively.
Today was very enjoyable to those that had a chance to make it out to practice. It started with the customary up and back weave drills against the clock. Then on to some individual defense drills and then some 5 man get the ball to the post work.
They took a break and some Big 12 refs came in and had them gathered up to talk about rule changes and how they could expect games to be called. That went for about 15 minutes. The practice was on the main floor and none of us were really close enough to hear much of it.
Then the fun began. Unless I lost count, they played ten 5 minute games with a clock and with the refs officiating. The starters today were Woodard instead of Hornbeak. There was a dust up at practice yesterday that might have something to do with that. Along with Woodard was Buddy, Cousins, Cam, and Spangler.
At the start of every 5 minute game Kruger would play a different starting lineup drawing from the core group of 7 players. In addition to the first group of starters the group also included Hornbeak and Bennett. Which ever two of the seven that weren't on Kruger's red team played for the whites. That helped keep the games competitive and Henson , who was coaching the whites, was able to continually run fresh legs at the reds.
By the time the last two segments rolled around. Kruger started mixing and matching players and play got a bit sloppy. The last two revealed that Cam and Woodard had stayed strong and focused and they looked like all stars. The first 8 that had the players most likely to play the big minutes grouped together probably told the most accurate story.
The games were competitive. The reds won 7 of the 8 with margins ranging from 2 to 8 points. The refs were calling the games way to touchy tight and prevented the half court offense from getting in a good flow. However, the reds were very good in transition every segment.
A good take away for me was watching some players that you root for everyday, but have had their struggles so far, make a good account of themselves in the first big scrimmage. Cole, Hamilton and probably Booker too had what was likely their best practice so far. Cole had found himself replaced in the 10 man rotation a couple of days ago by a walk on. Mayby that got his attention. He was scoring with some frequency and playing pretty good. Hamilton didn't look Big 12 ready, but, he did compete well and looked like he fit in. The lone white shirt win was because Booker got on a heater and hit three 3's in a 5 minute segment. In another segment he hit two. I don't think he shot for a particularly high percentage on the day. But, he was making some shots in a competitive situation.
Cam was active on the boards and defended well. But, he wasn't getting anything done in the scoring department until the end. He wasn't getting many shots and then missed most of the ones he did get. I don't take notes, but, I left with the feeling that Spangler was probably the leading scorer. Most of his points came from rebounds and put backs and as the trailer on fast breaks. He runs the floor like a guard. As far as a big getting a pass down low, creating some space, and getting a good shot, Bennett was best at that.
If Spangler wasn't the high point man, it was Cousins. I'm not sure why it works this way. But, when Cam isn't on the floor with Cousins, Cousins becomes more aggressive and takes more shots. And he was making them. It is almost like he is deferring to Cam. He also was driving to the basket and making steals and going the other way.
Hornbeak was shooting the ball well from long range again today. He, like Buddy and Cousins was able to get some defenders off the dribble and get some points in the paint. Woodard was good all day and then kind of exploded the last two segments.
There was ample evidence that there is plenty of work to do. But, they are defending well and were very good in transition.
Today was very enjoyable to those that had a chance to make it out to practice. It started with the customary up and back weave drills against the clock. Then on to some individual defense drills and then some 5 man get the ball to the post work.
They took a break and some Big 12 refs came in and had them gathered up to talk about rule changes and how they could expect games to be called. That went for about 15 minutes. The practice was on the main floor and none of us were really close enough to hear much of it.
Then the fun began. Unless I lost count, they played ten 5 minute games with a clock and with the refs officiating. The starters today were Woodard instead of Hornbeak. There was a dust up at practice yesterday that might have something to do with that. Along with Woodard was Buddy, Cousins, Cam, and Spangler.
At the start of every 5 minute game Kruger would play a different starting lineup drawing from the core group of 7 players. In addition to the first group of starters the group also included Hornbeak and Bennett. Which ever two of the seven that weren't on Kruger's red team played for the whites. That helped keep the games competitive and Henson , who was coaching the whites, was able to continually run fresh legs at the reds.
By the time the last two segments rolled around. Kruger started mixing and matching players and play got a bit sloppy. The last two revealed that Cam and Woodard had stayed strong and focused and they looked like all stars. The first 8 that had the players most likely to play the big minutes grouped together probably told the most accurate story.
The games were competitive. The reds won 7 of the 8 with margins ranging from 2 to 8 points. The refs were calling the games way to touchy tight and prevented the half court offense from getting in a good flow. However, the reds were very good in transition every segment.
A good take away for me was watching some players that you root for everyday, but have had their struggles so far, make a good account of themselves in the first big scrimmage. Cole, Hamilton and probably Booker too had what was likely their best practice so far. Cole had found himself replaced in the 10 man rotation a couple of days ago by a walk on. Mayby that got his attention. He was scoring with some frequency and playing pretty good. Hamilton didn't look Big 12 ready, but, he did compete well and looked like he fit in. The lone white shirt win was because Booker got on a heater and hit three 3's in a 5 minute segment. In another segment he hit two. I don't think he shot for a particularly high percentage on the day. But, he was making some shots in a competitive situation.
Cam was active on the boards and defended well. But, he wasn't getting anything done in the scoring department until the end. He wasn't getting many shots and then missed most of the ones he did get. I don't take notes, but, I left with the feeling that Spangler was probably the leading scorer. Most of his points came from rebounds and put backs and as the trailer on fast breaks. He runs the floor like a guard. As far as a big getting a pass down low, creating some space, and getting a good shot, Bennett was best at that.
If Spangler wasn't the high point man, it was Cousins. I'm not sure why it works this way. But, when Cam isn't on the floor with Cousins, Cousins becomes more aggressive and takes more shots. And he was making them. It is almost like he is deferring to Cam. He also was driving to the basket and making steals and going the other way.
Hornbeak was shooting the ball well from long range again today. He, like Buddy and Cousins was able to get some defenders off the dribble and get some points in the paint. Woodard was good all day and then kind of exploded the last two segments.
There was ample evidence that there is plenty of work to do. But, they are defending well and were very good in transition.
