Post by motorcitysam on Oct 24, 2014 12:24:19 GMT -5
I attended the Titan Tip Off last night and wanted to share my thoughts.
The event was scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM and I arrived around 6:30. Good thing I did because I got the chance to have an impromptu conversation with Coach Ray in the hall before things got started. Got a chance to tell him I was a big fan of his when he played at Ball State and dropped some names of guys I know who he played against from EMU and CMU. He said to me, "I wish Ray was here so you could tell him. He doesn't think I could play!" He was very pleasant and engaging. I've always said he represents the university well.
There was a table set up for students to sign up for Section 313. The people working the table were enthusiastic. There were a couple of tables set up for student organizations also. The gift shop was open. I didn't go inside but I saw some new stuff through the window.
Each person who attended was given a two sided color roster with the women on one side and the men on the other. The roster listed the players and coaches and had a photo.
There appeared to be a lot of high school basketball players on hand. Some were probably recruits, but I didn't recognize anyone by sight. That's not significant, because I don't know what a lot of the Titan recruits look like. :-)
The national anthem was sung by a University student who did a good job.
The cheer teams were there in full force. They were enthusiastic and worked hard to fire up the crowd.
The Pep band played.
Paris Bass won the dunk contest, which was a bit underwhelming. Other participants included Hogan, Patrick O, and Jenkins. Dan Leech and Doug Anderson were two of the three judges.
The scrimmage was basically two, each one consisting of one half of basketball. The women split into two squads and played each other in half number one. At one point a technical foul was called, but it was a set up for a dance routine about five minutes into the scrimmage, performed by the team. Not my thing, but they had fun with it. They weren't going all out during the scrimmage, but put forth an appropriate effort for that setting.
The "second half" of the scrimmage consisted of a contest between the split squads of the men's team. Matthew Grant, who suffered a broken nose in Canada, did not play. My thoughts on the players, based on the scrimmage, the dunk contest, and watching the warm ups:
Chris Jenkins: I liked what I saw. Scored his first bucket on a long jumper from the corner. Doesn't have the smoothest release on his jumper, but it looks accurate. He scored a few more buckets going to the basket. Knows how to play.
Juwan Howard, Jr.: Gave every indication of being ready for another big year. Looks fit, shot the ball with confidence, etc.
Patrick O: Looked improved, as he did on the Canada trip. Didn't force things. I think he'll start and do well this year.
Jarod Williams: Same as Patrick O. Looked improved, let the game come to him I expect he will be a starter this year.
Brendan Kearney: Does a lot of things well. Looked to be in great condition. Surprised me with his leaping ability. I certainly think he will have an impact this year. Even though we seem heavy at that spot, he could start. He'll definitely get a lot of time. Based on what I saw at MSU, he is a great defender and he showed all the tools last night.
Youssoupha Kane: Pleasant surprise. He posted up on the low block like he knew what he was doing. Scored on a nice baseline move. Should contribute this year. If he's truly not going to be eligible until December, we'll miss him in those early games.
Aaron Foster Smith: Looked solid and athletic. Scored on long jumpers and inside. He's got a very good offensive skill set. Going to be a very good rebounder, too.
Jaleel Hogan: Noticeably less bulky than he was as a high school senior, looks like he is 20 to 30 pounds less. Looked good in action and in warm ups. Less offensive polished than Foster Smith, but appears to be a more natural rebounder. Anxious to see him (and Foster Smith) in game action in the exhibitions.
Carlton Brundidge: His weight loss is apparent. Looked quicker. Didn't force anything and deferred a lot during the scrimmage, mostly moving the ball and not looking for his own shot.
Paris Bass: Smooth player. Does everything in the flow. Has a smooth release on his jump shot, although he missed a couple of good looks. Handles the ball very well going to the basket. Looks like a good one in the making. Very thin.
Anton Wilson and Patrick Ackerman: Both played, but neither one made a real impression one way or the other. Didn't do anything that stood out, good or bad.
Obviously, Howard starts. I think Williams does, too. Patrick O probably starts in one of the front court spots. Based on what I saw from BK at MSU and looking at him last night, he might be as starter, also. This is an athletic team, which lacks bulk on the inside and will have to put a lot of effort into rebounding. They will want to get out on the break for easy scoring opportunities, but will need to take care of the ball and rebound in order to do that. They are going to get hurt inside defensively.
Got a chance to have a nice conversation with Dan Leech after the event. Very friendly guy who is super excited about being part of the Titan family. He really seems to appreciate the opportunity.
Should be an interesting season. I'm excited.
The event was scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM and I arrived around 6:30. Good thing I did because I got the chance to have an impromptu conversation with Coach Ray in the hall before things got started. Got a chance to tell him I was a big fan of his when he played at Ball State and dropped some names of guys I know who he played against from EMU and CMU. He said to me, "I wish Ray was here so you could tell him. He doesn't think I could play!" He was very pleasant and engaging. I've always said he represents the university well.
There was a table set up for students to sign up for Section 313. The people working the table were enthusiastic. There were a couple of tables set up for student organizations also. The gift shop was open. I didn't go inside but I saw some new stuff through the window.
Each person who attended was given a two sided color roster with the women on one side and the men on the other. The roster listed the players and coaches and had a photo.
There appeared to be a lot of high school basketball players on hand. Some were probably recruits, but I didn't recognize anyone by sight. That's not significant, because I don't know what a lot of the Titan recruits look like. :-)
The national anthem was sung by a University student who did a good job.
The cheer teams were there in full force. They were enthusiastic and worked hard to fire up the crowd.
The Pep band played.
Paris Bass won the dunk contest, which was a bit underwhelming. Other participants included Hogan, Patrick O, and Jenkins. Dan Leech and Doug Anderson were two of the three judges.
The scrimmage was basically two, each one consisting of one half of basketball. The women split into two squads and played each other in half number one. At one point a technical foul was called, but it was a set up for a dance routine about five minutes into the scrimmage, performed by the team. Not my thing, but they had fun with it. They weren't going all out during the scrimmage, but put forth an appropriate effort for that setting.
The "second half" of the scrimmage consisted of a contest between the split squads of the men's team. Matthew Grant, who suffered a broken nose in Canada, did not play. My thoughts on the players, based on the scrimmage, the dunk contest, and watching the warm ups:
Chris Jenkins: I liked what I saw. Scored his first bucket on a long jumper from the corner. Doesn't have the smoothest release on his jumper, but it looks accurate. He scored a few more buckets going to the basket. Knows how to play.
Juwan Howard, Jr.: Gave every indication of being ready for another big year. Looks fit, shot the ball with confidence, etc.
Patrick O: Looked improved, as he did on the Canada trip. Didn't force things. I think he'll start and do well this year.
Jarod Williams: Same as Patrick O. Looked improved, let the game come to him I expect he will be a starter this year.
Brendan Kearney: Does a lot of things well. Looked to be in great condition. Surprised me with his leaping ability. I certainly think he will have an impact this year. Even though we seem heavy at that spot, he could start. He'll definitely get a lot of time. Based on what I saw at MSU, he is a great defender and he showed all the tools last night.
Youssoupha Kane: Pleasant surprise. He posted up on the low block like he knew what he was doing. Scored on a nice baseline move. Should contribute this year. If he's truly not going to be eligible until December, we'll miss him in those early games.
Aaron Foster Smith: Looked solid and athletic. Scored on long jumpers and inside. He's got a very good offensive skill set. Going to be a very good rebounder, too.
Jaleel Hogan: Noticeably less bulky than he was as a high school senior, looks like he is 20 to 30 pounds less. Looked good in action and in warm ups. Less offensive polished than Foster Smith, but appears to be a more natural rebounder. Anxious to see him (and Foster Smith) in game action in the exhibitions.
Carlton Brundidge: His weight loss is apparent. Looked quicker. Didn't force anything and deferred a lot during the scrimmage, mostly moving the ball and not looking for his own shot.
Paris Bass: Smooth player. Does everything in the flow. Has a smooth release on his jump shot, although he missed a couple of good looks. Handles the ball very well going to the basket. Looks like a good one in the making. Very thin.
Anton Wilson and Patrick Ackerman: Both played, but neither one made a real impression one way or the other. Didn't do anything that stood out, good or bad.
Obviously, Howard starts. I think Williams does, too. Patrick O probably starts in one of the front court spots. Based on what I saw from BK at MSU and looking at him last night, he might be as starter, also. This is an athletic team, which lacks bulk on the inside and will have to put a lot of effort into rebounding. They will want to get out on the break for easy scoring opportunities, but will need to take care of the ball and rebound in order to do that. They are going to get hurt inside defensively.
Got a chance to have a nice conversation with Dan Leech after the event. Very friendly guy who is super excited about being part of the Titan family. He really seems to appreciate the opportunity.
Should be an interesting season. I'm excited.