I missed the Kentucky game. How did Wall play?
I had to watch the UCONN / Duke game. Ive addopted UCONN as my college basketball team because BC just isnt very good, and I cant stand The Blue Devils. I felt good about UCONNs chances coming in, but man ... year after year Duke puts together a good team that just wins. I never really know how, but they have a great coach and they just find ways to win.
Neither teams have any players Im really interested in for the Kings, I like Stanley Robinson a little bit..
I went back and checked my notes on the UCONN game and remembered a freshman they have starting this year that bears watching. Alex Oriakhi. Not sure how big he is but looks to be in the 6'9" to 6'10" range. Hard to say because all I could do was compare him to their center whose suspossed to 7 foot. Anyway, he's a live body that rebounds well and blocked a couple of shots. Second time I've seen him play. I don't know if he's one of those one and done players, but if so, he could be someone to pay attention to as the year goes on...
He is listed at 6'9, 240 lbs. He is currently averaging 6.8 pts, 11 rbs, & 2.4 blks in 31.6 mins a game (5 games).
Turner just had a serious back injury and is expected to be out a couple of monthes which is a shame. UNC-UK sure showed off what Wall means to that team.
I've seen Baylor play three times now and there's a guy that bears watching. If he keeps playing at his current level his name will start appearing on the draft boards. His name is Ekpe Udoh. I looked up his college spec's so take them with a grain so salt. He's listed as a 6'10" 245 pound C/PF. I must admit that he looks every bit of that when I've seen him play. He's an extremely good shot blocker and a very good rebounder. He's mostly a post player from what I've seen and has a somewhat limited offense. Apparently he was redshirted for a year at Michigan. He didn't think the progam at Michigan suited his abilities and transfered to Baylor. So far its been a good move for him.
Another guy to keep an eye on is Yancy Gates. Man, I'd draft him just for the name. Sounds like a gunslinger from the old west. He's a 6'9", 245 pound PF from Cincinnatti. Very good physcial player that also excells in blocking shots. I've only seen him play once, but he stood out to me. Anyway a couple of heads up.
I've seen Baylor play three times now and there's a guy that bears watching. If he keeps playing at his current level his name will start appearing on the draft boards. His name is Ekpe Udoh. I looked up his college spec's so take them with a grain so salt. He's listed as a 6'10" 245 pound C/PF. I must admit that he looks every bit of that when I've seen him play. He's an extremely good shot blocker and a very good rebounder. He's mostly a post player from what I've seen and has a somewhat limited offense. Apparently he was redshirted for a year at Michigan. He didn't think the progam at Michigan suited his abilities and transfered to Baylor. So far its been a good move for him.
Another guy to keep an eye on is Yancy Gates. Man, I'd draft him just for the name. Sounds like a gunslinger from the old west. He's a 6'9", 245 pound PF from Cincinnatti. Very good physcial player that also excells in blocking shots. I've only seen him play once, but he stood out to me. Anyway a couple of heads up.
bajaden, I just want you to know that I am still reading and still learning from your exceptional write-ups. Thanks again for your time and talents.
I've also been reading...and made one change to your last couple of posts. I've bolded the name and stats of the particular player(s) you're talking about. Made it easier for me.
![]()
parakouski sounds like a beast!! i'll have too watch more rad games.I went back and checked my notes and thought this worth mentioning. I had watched the Kansas/Radford game. Mainly to see Cole Aldrich, the 6'11" center from Kansas. He didn't have a particularly good game. Ended up getting his rebounds and a few points, but I didn't think he was that much of a factor in the game. What was interesting was who he was matched up against. Radford has a 6'11", 260 LB center named Art Parakhouski. It was obvious that Aldrich was very uncomfortable going up against Parakhouski, who was bigger and longer than Aldrich. I have to see Parakhouski play more to really have an opinion on him. But I will say this. He's built like a greek god. I also know that in the games prior to this one he went for 23 points and 14 rebounds against Duke. He had 26 points and 20 rebounds against Duquesne, and 21 points and 14 rebounds against Winthrop. While he was on the floor, Aldrich couldn't do diddley scwat against him. Fortunately for Aldrich Parakhouski got in foul trouble in the first half and had to sit for a lot of that period. During that time Aldrich did most of whatever damage he was going to do. In the second half Parakhouski pretty much dominated and ended up with 22 points and 13 rebounds.
Aldrich is a big dude, but Parakhouski is bigger and stronger. Way stronger. Aldrich couldn't move him on the block. To be honest, I had never really heard much about Parakhouski, but I was impressed. He kind of reminded me of a young Sobonis. Not comparing the passing skills, but I really want to see this guy again. Needless to say, this didn't help Aldrich's cause.
I like Wesley Johnson a lot too.I took in the Kentucky/UCONN game and the Syracuse/Florida game. I posted my comments on the Kentucky game on the draft position thread. Now the Syarcuse game. I wanted to get a second look at Onauku, a 6'10" C/PF. In his first game he was just so so. In this game he was just horrible. He looked slow and out of position a lot. Got into foul trouble which limited his minutes. He was basicly a non-enity in the game. On the other hand its hard not to fall in love with his teammate Wesley Johnson. A 6'7" SG/F. He's just a complete basketball player. He's one of those quietly effecient types. If your not paying attention you might not notice him and at the end of the game he'll have 20 points, 10 rebounds and a couple of steal and a few assists. I believe he was 17 and 10 in this game. I've compared him to Evan Turner in the sense that both play the same postions and both are outstanding rebounders for their position. Where I would define the difference is in their style of play.
Turner is just more explosive, and therefore more noticable. Its sort of like comparing Vince Carter to Grant Hill. Carter will stand out more during the game, but at the end of the day, Hill has the same stats as Carter. If I had to choose between them as to who is more likely to be a star at the next level, I would choose Turner. But it just as easily could be Johnson.
I think Johnson is a better outside shooter than Turner, but Turner has better handles and is quicker getting to the basket. I also think that Turner is a better passer. But the differences aren't very much. I like both players and would be happy with either one.
Ditto!bajaden, I just want you to know that I am still reading and still learning from your exceptional write-ups. Thanks again for your time and talents.