Today was the 1st team practice for the new season. All were present or accounted for. Cousins was on limited duty and didn't do much but shoot. Booker was absent, but, accounted for. He is playing on some USA 21 and under team that is touring Europe. He will be coming in July.
They only went 45 minutes. But, it was a crisp, sharp practice. Early on it was a mix of conditioning and skills drills. The fun to watch part was a 3 on 3 full court with defensive pressure from baseline to baseline.
They finished with some 5 on 5 half court work. After official practice was over, they played full court pickup games for another 30/40 minutes. Spangler would be the easy winner of today's best player in the gym award.
He made several good plays on cuts to the basket and with rebounds and tough put backs with taller players all around him. Getting his legs fresh again seems to have done wonders.
Thomas is a broad shouldered, bull necked, big boy. Today, he didn't look quite as good as a player like Osby at taking another big off the dribble from the elbow. But, he did display some good range and is very good either right or left handed around the basket. He was an aggressive defender, rebounder, and shot blocker. It wouldn't take anyone but one look to know that this kid could be a good one for us.
Walker looked like he was going to be plenty good enough. I asked Grooms what his opinion was of him. Grooms said, " he is a really good defender and a decent shooter. He is good enough to push Woodard every day and make him better. He will be good enough for what we need him for." Grooms has been watching him all week and I just saw him today. I would certainly agree with Grooms and would add that his ball handling seemed good enough too.
Of the 3 freshmen, Lattin was the one making some plays today. Of course he needs to get stronger and thicker, but, he seemed to fit right in. On defense and rebounding he offered up ample evidence that he will be ready to contribute well this fall. He wasn't bashful about putting up some shots. He doesn't look bad shooting the ball and hit a deep 2. But, his offensive game will need some work.
Buford was living up to his highlight video by exposing himself as a jump out of the gym athlete. He wasn't a playmaker today and was displaying some of that HS sloppiness with the ball. He must and I'm sure he will tighten up his ball handling. He did look perfectly capable of defending the perimeter.
Ja Money was just fine. He didn't look out of place or over whelmed. He just played his position without looking bad. While displaying his athletic ability, he wasn't able to make an impact over or around players like Osby and Thomas. Based on just today's look, I would say that Lattin is ahead of him.
The new walkon looked like he is in a little over his head.
Manyang was in the gym on a visit today. He certainly is an impressive looking ball player, even in street clothes.
They only went 45 minutes. But, it was a crisp, sharp practice. Early on it was a mix of conditioning and skills drills. The fun to watch part was a 3 on 3 full court with defensive pressure from baseline to baseline.
They finished with some 5 on 5 half court work. After official practice was over, they played full court pickup games for another 30/40 minutes. Spangler would be the easy winner of today's best player in the gym award.
He made several good plays on cuts to the basket and with rebounds and tough put backs with taller players all around him. Getting his legs fresh again seems to have done wonders.
Thomas is a broad shouldered, bull necked, big boy. Today, he didn't look quite as good as a player like Osby at taking another big off the dribble from the elbow. But, he did display some good range and is very good either right or left handed around the basket. He was an aggressive defender, rebounder, and shot blocker. It wouldn't take anyone but one look to know that this kid could be a good one for us.
Walker looked like he was going to be plenty good enough. I asked Grooms what his opinion was of him. Grooms said, " he is a really good defender and a decent shooter. He is good enough to push Woodard every day and make him better. He will be good enough for what we need him for." Grooms has been watching him all week and I just saw him today. I would certainly agree with Grooms and would add that his ball handling seemed good enough too.
Of the 3 freshmen, Lattin was the one making some plays today. Of course he needs to get stronger and thicker, but, he seemed to fit right in. On defense and rebounding he offered up ample evidence that he will be ready to contribute well this fall. He wasn't bashful about putting up some shots. He doesn't look bad shooting the ball and hit a deep 2. But, his offensive game will need some work.
Buford was living up to his highlight video by exposing himself as a jump out of the gym athlete. He wasn't a playmaker today and was displaying some of that HS sloppiness with the ball. He must and I'm sure he will tighten up his ball handling. He did look perfectly capable of defending the perimeter.
Ja Money was just fine. He didn't look out of place or over whelmed. He just played his position without looking bad. While displaying his athletic ability, he wasn't able to make an impact over or around players like Osby and Thomas. Based on just today's look, I would say that Lattin is ahead of him.
The new walkon looked like he is in a little over his head.
Manyang was in the gym on a visit today. He certainly is an impressive looking ball player, even in street clothes.
