Demo

Dude, your godlike status is already in freaking concrete.

Conflicted a little with Gonzaga-St Mary’s. Obviously need Gonzaga to win it. But Randy Bennett is one of my flat out favorite Coaches. I watch St Mary’s whenever I can. 0% chance of it happening, but if I was involved with UCLA I would seriously look at him.

Terrible execution by Davison and Happ.

Can’t believe Gard let that go on. Wisc looks utterly spooked.

They may be getting hammered today, but, man, I like Rutgers roster. Pikiell is doing a good, good job. They’re done with the doormat thing.

I remember watching him twice in HS and liking his skill level, but hating his body language and demeanor. He just didn’t seem consistently engaged. I questioned whether he was mentally tough enough. My Lord, could I have gotten that one more wrong? That kid is a man.

2 things: 1) the answer to your question is almost certainly no. To me, the key is Rob becoming a guy who can consistently find the exploitable match up and get the ball there. If he can, there are guys who can make winning plays. 2) I like how you slid Brooks in there.

Damn Juwan

I walked out of the gym tonight thinking that this was the best I’d seen Love and that this is the kid so many Coaches are high on. But in reality he was essentially the same kid I’ve seen repeatedly. Played well but in spurts. Made some eye opening plays but was often disengaged. The only difference was tonight he was making shots that he often misses.

I know the argument is a matter of philosophy. But now that I’ve gotten to watch Belmont and Murray for a couple of nights, there is no argument that 1 of them should get an at large bid over mid pack majors like IU or Bama or Georgetown based on actual quality. These teams would be ground into dust in a major conference.

That’s the 1st time I’ve gotten to watch Furst. He is much better than I expected him to be. I’m used to young bigs, even highly regarded ones, having a lot of projection to them. Furst has almost none. He runs and changes direction so well. Wow. Nice skill level. I expected him to be a more advanced version of Cody at that age. He is miles better than that. Of course, Soph to Jr is when Cody really took off. But, yeah, that kid is a high priority recruit.

How are you able to stomach UCLA 20 times and not want to drink yourself into a coma? I’ve managed 3 times and the combination of their unwatchable play and Bill Walton seemingly always on the call makes me want to walk into traffic every single time. Have yet to make it to the end.

I get that coaches like his traits, particularly defensively. He turned over Mario McKinney a couple of times when they played Vashon and that kid is a Russell Westbrook athlete. I also get that he’s a good kid and a good student. I just don’t see a lot of leadership or competitiveness.

I have the same question. As much as Archie has spoken about positionless players and trying to push the pace more, Bradford is pretty obviously as position specific as it gets and very much a half court player. But he is just a junior, so they may be anticipating better athleticism as he matures. And the old axiom that you can’t teach size? He is a BIG kid. Bradford/Mehlville plays Caleb Love/CBC Saturday night. CBC would be more likely to play Bradford straight up. I may check that one out to get a better look at his skill set. Oh, and for another chance to be underwhelmed by Caleb Love.

I was there and did not see an IU Coach, though I wasn’t really looking for 1. I had him with 12pts/ 10rebs/3 blocks/1 assist, 6-7 fgs 0-4 fts. The kid really is a full 6’11” or 7’. Probably 250. Has a great frame. Big all over. A college weight program probably gets him to 275 no problem. Has plus length. Was stretching by just reaching up and grabbing the net with both hands. Runs ok but is no rim runner. Quicker laterally than forward and back. Surprising knee bend for such a big kid. Gets off the floor ok, but gathers. Best physical trait, by far, are his hands. Has great hands for a big. Not good, great. Caught everything he touched, easily. Offensively, Bradford is a classic old school low post big. He did not touch the ball on offense more than 6ft from the basket all night. Not once. He worked hard for deep position and was immovable once he established. Couldn’t really assess his skill level at all. The opponent was packing in a 2-3 zone all night and just draping guys on him. None of his pts were from a post move. Just putbacks and finishes off of feeds, though 1 finish was a lefty reverse layup. Pretty impressive. The free throw shooting is a problem. Not only 0-4 in the game, but also 0fer in warmups. Form is decent. Shoulder, elbow, wrist are in alignment. Balance and body position are ok, though he has no forward lean. But the ball comes off his hand with counterclockwise english, like he has the wrist snap for a breaking ball. Weird. Somebody has coached him pretty well defensively. Did not bite on shot fakes, He contested shots by standing straight up and putting his hands straight up. Had 3 blocks without leaving his feet once and didn’t commit a defensive foul. He’s not quick or explosive enough to be a big time shot blocker. But is so big that he can contest. He never had to, but I question if he is quick enough to hedge and recover on pick and roll, and I’m confident he can’t blitz one. The best thing Bradford did defensively was communicate. The kid never stopped talking and was yelling out actions so loudly that I could hear every instruction from 15 rows up. Loved his competitiveness. He was active and engaged all night. Played hard. Was clearly the leader on the floor. I expected him to be a less talented AJ Hammons. He’s not as good an athlete or as mobile as Hammons and I doubt he has that ceiling. But he played and competed hard for a big and really seems to like to play. The comp that really leapt out was the late John Stewart from Lawrence North. If Archie is looking for a traditional big, Bradford is absolutely that.

I appreciate the updates on this sort of thing. Love breaking down players and X/O’s. Hate breaking down resumes and brackets.

Based on the roll that Chris Beard has been on with undervalued recruits, that stamp of approval is all I need to hear. I’m in.

Watching a game like Az St-Oregon St is a great reminder of just how deep the Big 10 is. ASU might make the tournament out of the PAC-10 and I think they’d be the worst team in the Big 10.

The kid wants to celebrate one of the biggest days of his life with his home town. Good for him. Love it. Regardless of choice, I hope the people who attend make it a positive, memorable experience for him. He deserves nothing less.

This the first time I’ve seen a lot of Nevada. I hate this team. Hate’em. They might get this done on talent. But their complete lack of discipline on both ends is making me nuts. I would not have though an Eric Musselman team would play like this. AAU ball.

Saw Bradford as part of a showcase event in December. Didn’t play more than 10 or 12 mins due to fouls. I wasn’t that close to him, but I would have put him at more like 6’10”. Big, thick, traditional low post 5. Looked a lot like Davis. Hands looked good. Mehlville plays a State tourney game on Tuesday night, I believe. If Archie’s looking at him I’ll go have a look.

You’re right. But Winston sees and controls everything. The ball goes to the right place every single time. Great player. Right now Winston and Rob is an utter mismatch.

I hope he has found or is able to find some peace. To live as extraordinary a life has he has only to end it consumed by victimization and bitterness is such a shame.

I’ve watched as much game video of both as I can find. One thing about elite prep schools, there’s a ton of video. Quinones is a better shooter. Also stronger and more physically mature. Plays with the ball a lot. More of a 1/2 than a 2/1. Hunts his own shot some. Beverly is a much better athlete. Better defender. Plays within the system. Very good passer. Shot has improved this year. Unselfish. Is playing exclusively off the ball for Montverde. Gun to my head I’d rather have Beverly. But depending on transfers they could fit together really well.

Great small moment. 1st OT. Brad Davison catches a pass on the right wing in a scramble situation. Race has to close out about 10 ft to get to the shooter. If it’s Davis, he doesn’t get there and Davison’s got an open 3. It it’s Smith or Juwan they probably close out of control, Davison puts a little shot fake on them and gets to the rim for an easy finish. Race closes hard and urgently, but perfectly under control. Hand up, feet under him. Takes away the shot and gives him no angle to attack. Perfect defensive play. Race was so good tonight. My college coach would have said, “That boy’s been taking notes.”