Midnight Madness

I gotta say, watching on the computer, that I was impressed with Orlando Sanchez the most. On offense, he moves well, and even whipped off some nice passes. Finished well, too.

Obepka had at least 3 blocks, but 2 of those were on 3-pointers, and sometimes in the Big East, even if you don't really foul doing that, the ref will call it on instinct. No question he can be a beast on defense, and if we trap like I think we will, Pointer might lead the league in steals. 
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So, Obekpa with a block or Pointer with a steal and Sampson and Jones on the floor for the outlet pass...the Garden will be nuts with those guys finishing.
 
I gotta say, watching on the computer, that I was impressed with Orlando Sanchez the most. On offense, he moves well, and even whipped off some nice passes. Finished well, too.

Obepka had at least 3 blocks, but 2 of those were on 3-pointers, and sometimes in the Big East, even if you don't really foul doing that, the ref will call it on instinct. No question he can be a beast on defense, and if we trap like I think we will, Pointer might lead the league in steals. 
Click to expand...
 

Yeah 3 blocks against top 60 players in only give or take 6 minutes of defensive time. Kid has sure hands, can block and his overall body language was impressive. IMO Obekpa and Sanchez are no brauners at the 4/5 spots as starters down the stretch. Jakarr just needs some tuning, but will be more than fine. How Jones and Balamou went basically unrecruited is crazy. Both have good instincts it seems. Again, can't take away too much here, but it was evident that we are at a total different level than we have been and most of the league pundits think we're in. Opponents are in big trouble with Obekpa in the middle.
 
I gotta say, watching on the computer, that I was impressed with Orlando Sanchez the most. On offense, he moves well, and even whipped off some nice passes. Finished well, too.

Obepka had at least 3 blocks, but 2 of those were on 3-pointers, and sometimes in the Big East, even if you don't really foul doing that, the ref will call it on instinct. No question he can be a beast on defense, and if we trap like I think we will, Pointer might lead the league in steals. 
Click to expand...
 

I also agree that Sanchez looked good. We have so many players this year, I can't keep track. Nice problem to have coming off last year.
 
 Funny part is that Obekpa blocked two treys, one from Hooper and one from Bourgault. Those guys have a quick release. I don't think either of them thought Obekpa was capable of getting out on them like that. Harbinger of good things for us and bad things for the opposition.
 
 Funny part is that Obekpa blocked two treys, one from Hooper and one from Bourgault. Those guys have a quick release. I don't think either of them thought Obekpa was capable of getting out on them like that. Harbinger of good things for us and bad things for the opposition.
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From the posts here and on JJ, I'm getting the sense folks think Christian Jones may be the "real thing" - not just a highlight clip warrior? How does he look size-wise?
 
 Funny part is that Obekpa blocked two treys, one from Hooper and one from Bourgault. Those guys have a quick release. I don't think either of them thought Obekpa was capable of getting out on them like that. Harbinger of good things for us and bad things for the opposition.
Click to expand...
 

From the posts here and on JJ, I'm getting the sense folks think Christian Jones may be the "real thing" - not just a highlight clip warrior? How does he look size-wise?
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Big and athletic. At least 6'7" it seems. Again, hard to garner much because it was a short scrimmage, but he's got the size and athleticism and opened the game with a long jumper which was great. Looks fluid. Certainly a PF in the mold of Gathers. Will help up front for sure.
 
 Was there tonight. Things I noticed: Obekpa is a defensive playmaker...he gets his hands in passing lanes and will have many blocks...one of which almost went into the crowd. Jakarr is made of rubber and will probably be on an ESPN highlight reel soon. Jones looks solid. Bourgalt and Hooper look like lights out shooters and really showed their range. I heard some guys calling Bourgalt "our Steve Novak". Leave them open for 3 and they will make you pay. Balamou looked better than I thought he was and is very quick. Sanchez looks huge and solid in the paint. Branch looked very ehh...a few bad passes and didn't look as good handling the ball as I thought he would.

I was also shocked nothing was said about Steve Lavin beating cancer...I was also disappointed he didn't get a standing ovation by the entire student section (I was standing with a few other guys).

Also, I met John Anderson from ESPN in front of Carnneseca early on and no one else seemed to realize who he was lol.
 
 Was there tonight. Things I noticed: Obekpa is a defensive playmaker...he gets his hands in passing lanes and will have many blocks...one of which almost went into the crowd. Jakarr is made of rubber and will probably be on an ESPN highlight reel soon. Jones looks solid. Bourgalt and Hooper look like lights out shooters and really showed their range. I heard some guys calling Bourgalt "our Steve Novak". Leave them open for 3 and they will make you pay. Balamou looked better than I thought he was and is very quick. Sanchez looks huge and solid in the paint. Branch looked very ehh...a few bad passes and didn't look as good handling the ball as I thought he would.

I was also shocked nothing was said about Steve Lavin beating cancer...I was also disappointed he didn't get a standing ovation by the entire student section (I was standing with a few other guys).

Also, I met John Anderson from ESPN in front of Carnneseca early on and no one else seemed to realize who he was lol.
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John Anderson is the man!

Im not as down on Branch as you. You can see the the difference in his handle compared to the rest of our players. He'll be needed, I think hes just the type of player who really needs his teammates to be competing (moving, cutting, etc..) to be successful. Something that really wasnt the case tonight.
 
 Yeah, branch had a few bobbles, but also had some nice plays and passes. I suspect all that will tighten now that they are practicing every day and running real sets.
 
I gotta say, watching on the computer, that I was impressed with Orlando Sanchez the most. On offense, he moves well, and even whipped off some nice passes. Finished well, too.

Obepka had at least 3 blocks, but 2 of those were on 3-pointers, and sometimes in the Big East, even if you don't really foul doing that, the ref will call it on instinct. No question he can be a beast on defense, and if we trap like I think we will, Pointer might lead the league in steals. 
Click to expand...
 

Yeah 3 blocks against top 60 players in only give or take 6 minutes of defensive time. Kid has sure hands, can block and his overall body language was impressive. IMO Obekpa and Sanchez are no brauners at the 4/5 spots as starters down the stretch. Jakarr just needs some tuning, but will be more than fine. How Jones and Balamou went basically unrecruited is crazy. Both have good instincts it seems. Again, can't take away too much here, but it was evident that we are at a total different level than we have been and most of the league pundits think we're in. Opponents are in big trouble with Obekpa in the middle.
Click to expand...
 

MCN, you think Jakarr at the 3 or off the bench?

And I dont think Obekpa has that good of hands. On offense at least. I thought he looked great out there tonight, but im sure well see him fumble his fair share of passes this season.
 
 By the way, I said Jakarr was the best dunker and he won the dunk contest :p...Jones didn't bring his A game tonight but I know he has it.
 
I gotta say, watching on the computer, that I was impressed with Orlando Sanchez the most. On offense, he moves well, and even whipped off some nice passes. Finished well, too.

Obepka had at least 3 blocks, but 2 of those were on 3-pointers, and sometimes in the Big East, even if you don't really foul doing that, the ref will call it on instinct. No question he can be a beast on defense, and if we trap like I think we will, Pointer might lead the league in steals. 
Click to expand...
 

Yeah 3 blocks against top 60 players in only give or take 6 minutes of defensive time. Kid has sure hands, can block and his overall body language was impressive. IMO Obekpa and Sanchez are no brauners at the 4/5 spots as starters down the stretch. Jakarr just needs some tuning, but will be more than fine. How Jones and Balamou went basically unrecruited is crazy. Both have good instincts it seems. Again, can't take away too much here, but it was evident that we are at a total different level than we have been and most of the league pundits think we're in. Opponents are in big trouble with Obekpa in the middle.
Click to expand...
 

MCN, you think Jakarr at the 3 or off the bench?

And I dont think Obekpa has that good of hands. On offense at least. I thought he looked great out there tonight, but im sure well see him fumble his fair share of passes this season.
Click to expand...
 

No way we see extended minutes with Sampson-Obekpa-Sanchez together. There is too much experience and ball-handling on this roster for that. It also doesn't make sense if we run the same defense as last year, because it leaves Sampson dealing mostly with guards. Garrett, Pointer, Greene and probably even Marco are better options out there.

I would recommend that we all relax with the Obekpa praise a little bit. This was a show-boating scrimmage that always favors young athletic players and none more than shot-blockers. When these kids have to execute set plays offensively and rotate in complex defensive schemes on the other end, it will be a completely different story.

I would LOVE to get the kind of contribution from Obekpa that some are predicting, but I think it is far more realistic to expect Sanchez to be our biggest contributor up front out of the newbies. Obekpa will need time to realize his enormous potential. Sanchez is ready now, and I am thrilled to have that dude on the roster.
 
 I think the attendance was very solid, but one thing that made me mad was the lack of crowd noise. The Lavinwood section was loud but everyone else died out. Kinda embarrassing considering mid-major games I've been at had 10x the noise.
 
I gotta say, watching on the computer, that I was impressed with Orlando Sanchez the most. On offense, he moves well, and even whipped off some nice passes. Finished well, too.

Obepka had at least 3 blocks, but 2 of those were on 3-pointers, and sometimes in the Big East, even if you don't really foul doing that, the ref will call it on instinct. No question he can be a beast on defense, and if we trap like I think we will, Pointer might lead the league in steals. 
Click to expand...
 

Yeah 3 blocks against top 60 players in only give or take 6 minutes of defensive time. Kid has sure hands, can block and his overall body language was impressive. IMO Obekpa and Sanchez are no brauners at the 4/5 spots as starters down the stretch. Jakarr just needs some tuning, but will be more than fine. How Jones and Balamou went basically unrecruited is crazy. Both have good instincts it seems. Again, can't take away too much here, but it was evident that we are at a total different level than we have been and most of the league pundits think we're in. Opponents are in big trouble with Obekpa in the middle.
Click to expand...
 

MCN, you think Jakarr at the 3 or off the bench?

And I dont think Obekpa has that good of hands. On offense at least. I thought he looked great out there tonight, but im sure well see him fumble his fair share of passes this season.
Click to expand...
 

No way we see extended minutes with Sampson-Obekpa-Sanchez together. There is too much experience and ball-handling on this roster for that. It al :nerd: :blink: so doesn't make sense if we run the same defense as last year, because it leaves Sampson dealing mostly with guards. Garrett, Pointer, Greene and probably even Marco are better options out there.

I would recommend that we all relax with the Obekpa praise a little bit. This was a show-boating scrimmage that always favors young athletic players and none more than shot-blockers. When these kids have to execute set plays offensively and rotate in complex defensive schemes on the other end, it will be a completely different story.

I would LOVE to get the kind of contribution from Obekpa that some are predicting, but I think it is far more realistic to expect Sanchez to be our biggest contributor up front out of the newbies. Obekpa will need time to realize his enormous potential. Sanchez is ready now, and I am thrilled to have that dude on the roster.
Click to expand...
 

I tend to agree with you about Obekpa, people will be more reserved in their praise when they see him in a half court setting, having to play in a system. Conversely though, I don't think an event like tonight gives us a good sense of how big a part Branch will play. By the time he's able to play he'll have had a year to learn the system he'll be running... I think our offense gets noticeably better the day he becomes elidigible.

Also, for what its worth I think Jakarr plays big minutes from day one. Partly because he'll deserve it, and our best lineup may be playing two power forwards with him and sanchez, but also because he was promised a certain role - and if he can't handle it.. then eventually the staff will change the rotation, but Im assuming a starting spot is his to lose. Nothing nefarious, I just think that's the reality of recruiting. Not guranteed , but hell be given every opportunity to replace Moe. 
 
 Too much defense! Lol. Guys played like it was a BE matchup. You can tell that they take pride in stopping the opponent. It's gonna be a fun season.
 
 Funny part is that Obekpa blocked two treys, one from Hooper and one from Bourgault. Those guys have a quick release. I don't think either of them thought Obekpa was capable of getting out on them like that. Harbinger of good things for us and bad things for the opposition.
Click to expand...
 

From the posts here and on JJ, I'm getting the sense folks think Christian Jones may be the "real thing" - not just a highlight clip warrior? How does he look size-wise?
Click to expand...
 

Big and athletic. At least 6'7" it seems. Again, hard to garner much because it was a short scrimmage, but he's got the size and athleticism and opened the game with a long jumper which was great. Looks fluid. Certainly a PF in the mold of Gathers. Will help up front for sure.
Click to expand...
 
Think Anthony Glover, if he can be the player that Glover was, with the talent around him, he will have a very good career.
 
I gotta say, watching on the computer, that I was impressed with Orlando Sanchez the most. On offense, he moves well, and even whipped off some nice passes. Finished well, too.

Obepka had at least 3 blocks, but 2 of those were on 3-pointers, and sometimes in the Big East, even if you don't really foul doing that, the ref will call it on instinct. No question he can be a beast on defense, and if we trap like I think we will, Pointer might lead the league in steals. 
Click to expand...
 

Yeah 3 blocks against top 60 players in only give or take 6 minutes of defensive time. Kid has sure hands, can block and his overall body language was impressive. IMO Obekpa and Sanchez are no brauners at the 4/5 spots as starters down the stretch. Jakarr just needs some tuning, but will be more than fine. How Jones and Balamou went basically unrecruited is crazy. Both have good instincts it seems. Again, can't take away too much here, but it was evident that we are at a total different level than we have been and most of the league pundits think we're in. Opponents are in big trouble with Obekpa in the middle.
Click to expand...
 

MCN, you think Jakarr at the 3 or off the bench?

And I dont think Obekpa has that good of hands. On offense at least. I thought he looked great out there tonight, but im sure well see him fumble his fair share of passes this season.
Click to expand...
 

No way we see extended minutes with Sampson-Obekpa-Sanchez together. There is too much experience and ball-handling on this roster for that. It al :nerd: :blink: so doesn't make sense if we run the same defense as last year, because it leaves Sampson dealing mostly with guards. Garrett, Pointer, Greene and probably even Marco are better options out there.

I would recommend that we all relax with the Obekpa praise a little bit. This was a show-boating scrimmage that always favors young athletic players and none more than shot-blockers. When these kids have to execute set plays offensively and rotate in complex defensive schemes on the other end, it will be a completely different story.

I would LOVE to get the kind of contribution from Obekpa that some are predicting, but I think it is far more realistic to expect Sanchez to be our biggest contributor up front out of the newbies. Obekpa will need time to realize his enormous potential. Sanchez is ready now, and I am thrilled to have that dude on the roster.
Click to expand...
 

I tend to agree with you about Obekpa, people will be more reserved in their praise when they see him in a half court setting, having to play in a system. Conversely though, I don't think an event like tonight gives us a good sense of how big a part Branch will play. By the time he's able to play he'll have had a year to learn the system he'll be running... I think our offense gets noticeably better the day he becomes elidigible.

Also, for what its worth I think Jakarr plays big minutes from day one. Partly because he'll deserve it, and our best lineup may be playing two power forwards with him and sanchez, but also because he was promised a certain role - and if he can't handle it.. then eventually the staff will change the rotation, but Im assuming a starting spot is his to lose. Nothing nefarious, I just think that's the reality of recruiting. Not guranteed , but hell be given every opportunity to replace Moe. 
Click to expand...
 

Lets not read too much into a midnite madness scrimage. We have a very talent team which is going to make some heads turn
 
Nothing below is revelatory, but i still felt like typing a few words, so please bear with with me:

Quick impressions from watching last night via espn3 (I can't say we have much to say 'thank you' for to ESPN recently in light of their alleged hand in advising of the poaching of syracuse and pitt, but for this one event, we can probably say "thanks ESPN!" for putting our midnight madness program on ESPN3. No doubt Laving was using his major connections to make this happen - so thanks Lav!):

I liked Harrison's (he really might be able to pull it off to be a point guard) and Sanchez's passing. Hopefully this, coupled with Branch, translates into an elite transition game and somewhat decent half court game (that's a big if... one my bigger dreams as far as college basketball is for us again to have a decent half court game... but i can dream big).

The team for the most part does look super athletic top to bottom. Our French connection - with his three point shooting - is most welcome. He seems to be as advertised.

I wish I had seen more of Sanchez's offensive game. I think i can only remember him shooting one jumper - maybe? How is his mid-range game supposed to be?

We all liked Jones' jump shot to start off the scrimmage - hopefully that wasn't a fluke. He's super athletic.

Jakarr Sampson - freak of an athlete. His upside is only limited by his..... jump shot form. I know it's only one quick scrimmage, but down the road every NBA talent evaluator will say this about him: great length, super hops and good motor BUT his jump shot form blah blah blah. Luckily, the jump shot form is one of the things you can most easily fix through hard work. It's a pain in the neck, but it can be done. Moe Harkless last year had a pretty lousy shooting percentage from anything beyond the free throw line, but does have decent shooting form - that's one of the reason's he was taken in the 1st round; the nba evaluators know his shooting % will likely go up. If I were Jakarr, for his NBA potential/eventuality I would just work to change it around. I am rooting for him like crazy, i want him to be a high nba draft pick...

I know people are tempering Obekpa's importance and playing time, but I think he'll see very big minutes. If his other four teammates on the floor are more offensively minded, he will be fine on the offense end. His role will be to crash the glass, set picks and dunk put-backs and alley-oops and convert easy layups. He should be left open a lot if the opposing teams' defenders have to 'help' to defend a driving or shooting Harrison, Branch, Greene, Sampson, Bourgault etc., There is always a place for that kind of player on an offense, especially one who plays stellar defense.

Too bad Greene didn't play, it would be nice to see if he's changed his game much in the off-season. Also, I don't remember too much of Garret and Gift last night - how'd they do?

What else am I missing or miss-evaluating?
Anyway... Thanks for humoring me.
 
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