Finally able to see the ESPN3 replay of MM today...
Surprises (for me) and observations, in no particular order:
Sir Dom looking far more confident on the offensive end than last year, and still Sir DOMINANT at the defensive end...I said last year a bigger, stronger Michael Cooper type by the time he'd done here. Didn't see anything that would change that opinion.
How quickly Amir has gotten back into "hoops mode"...also, appeared more mature than last year...
Chrisian Jones. First score of the scrimage was a no hesitation midrange jumper swished by Jones - wasn't expecting taht. Obviously watched him closely, trying to see WHAT it was that allowed him to be totally ignored in recruiting, even playing at a prominant school like IMG, where recruiters were certainly watching his ranked teammates. STILL have no clue. I had assumed that his measurements were "fudged" - that the 6'7 230 lb listing would turn out to be like 6'4 or so. But the kid's size is legit. Then I thought, well he must be slow or clumsy - but watching him on the breaks, he seemed to keep up with proven thorobreds like Dom and Amir, and his footwork in the paint, both on O and D seemed more than solid. There certainly seems no doubt about his hops. His hands appeard strong on the boards, and didn't see him fumbling any passes or catches. Even watched him close during the intros - to see how he interacted with his teammates (looking for signs of an attitude issue) - but seemed smiling, personable and popular with tje other guys. So I have no clue - except that I think he will be a significant contributor off the bench for us this year, and maybe MUCH more in the following years.
Obekpa - HAS to play 20+ minutes a game . Just HAS to. Game changer even if he never scores a point - but was pleasantly surprised that he DIDN'T appear lost at all on the offensive end. Showed decent hands catching, passed out of the post a couple times very efficiently. But his defensive speed and quickness is just amazing. Had read last night he blocked 2 three pt attempts, but had assumed they were on defensive switches where he was out on the perimeter defending - didn't realize he came from the freaking post to the corner on "help D" to block Hooper's shot! He's going to be able to control the middle in zone, and be able to hedge out to the line and still get back to defend the post in man.
Sanchez - reminded me of (guess which schools former player?) - UCLA's Tyler Honeycutt, only stronger. Honeycutt's nickname was "the toolkit" - because he carried every tool you need - quickess, speed, hands, lenght, shooting, shotblocking, passing, dribbling, vision. Couldn't tell from such a short srimmage if he's GREAT at any one thing (other than foot-to-eye dexterity!), but it's obvious he's GOOD at just about everything.
Sampson. Still need to see more of his outside game to form a really opinion. But physically, VERY reminicent of the Pre-injury Ed O'Bannon - but with a much mor out-going personality than Ed. And the POST injury Ed only managed to win an NCAA title and a Wooden Award.
Marco - Did they clone Matt Carroll?
Branch. Again, short scrimmage. But very impressed with his confidence at the point. And he IS a point guard who can score, not a scoring guard trying to play point. Made the right pass almost every atime, drove the ball when when the D gave him that. Got tot he rim pretty easily both times that occurred.
Felix - didn't see enuf to form a strong impression - other than he's obviusly fast and athletic.
Hooper - Pretty much what I remember for him from Mater Dei high school. Not fast, not overly athletic, but a zone breaker, smart player, and a guy want on the floor at the end of the game when the opponents are forced to start fouling......But I think Bourgalt is gonna be the first option for that. But with the transfer year, Marco is only in front of him for 1 season....
D'lo - looked like he was pressing a bit - trying to do too much. Seemed to loosen up and look like himself in the 2nd 6 minutes.
Gift - Same as before. Obviously still the physically strongest inside player we have - but no one really tried to muscle him in the scrimmage, so he didn't show that much. I've been higher than most on what his contribution will be, but after seeing Christian Jones tonight, gonna have to temper that. Nearly as tall, almost as heavy, and maybe close to being as physically strong, but with what looks like more mobility. As I said earlier, I was expecting Jones to be undersized compared to his "listed" measurements - but he looks to have legit Big East size, and Big East ready body. That's gonna cut into Gifts minutes, I think.
Last - wonder if there's anything to take from N'Diaye getting a couple of minutes run with the scholarship kids during the scrimmage? He's listed as a soph. A google search seems to indicate he was playing for D-2 Chestnut Hill College in Philly as a frosh last year...
