MassachusettsKingsFan
All-Star
Jimmer and BYU Vs. SDSU on CBS right now. Huge game for both schools.
I know everyone already knows this, but Jimmer can shoot.
I know everyone already knows this, but Jimmer can shoot.
I second this. Everyone needs to watch this kid play. However, be forewarned. I have no idea what position he'd play in the NBA. All I know is that he's a terrific athlete with serious hops, and plays with extreme tenacity. Think of a cross between Dennis Rodman and Ben Wallace.
Just finished watching Faried against Murray St, and will post my notes in the other thread.
I just wanted to mention that you should be able to watch Faried play again in about 15 minutes if you have ESPNU. This will probably be Morehead State's last televised game, so if you've got the time, you should watch him play. (My TV schedule says the game should be on now, but I think it will start shortly.)
Its conference tournament time in college. last chance for teams that disappointed during the year to make one last grab at the brass ring. For those interested, here are some of the games, in no particular order, on television today..
Texas/Baylor: ESPN at 6 PM pacific. Here's a chance to see the highly touted SF, 6'11" Perry Jones of Baylor and one of my favorites, SF/SG, 6'7" Jordan Hamilton. The last time these two teams met earlier in the year, Texas just destroyed Baylor. I wouldn't be surprised to see it happen again. Baylor has been a huge disappointment this year, and probably the only chance they have of making the tournament is to win the tournament. So they certainly have incentive to bring out all their weapons. Texas on the other hand is one of the best teams in the nation, and is going to make the tournament regardless. All Texas is playing for is a high seed. Baylor also features SG LaceDarius Dunn and Texas has 6'9" PF freshman Tristan Thompson.
Enjoy!!
I really hope Baylor wins this game. If they do, they'll make the tournament and we'll get to see Jones there. If they lose, they are out, which would be a shame. Texas will be making it no matter what, but losing could drop them to a 3rd or 4th seed in the tournament, which is crazy as if they had beaten Nebraska two weeks ago, they would have had the over-all number 1 ranking.
Walker going bananas today.
Finished watching the North Carolina/Duke game. As I said before the game, its one of, if not the biggest rivalry in college basketball. This year, the arrow pointed toward North Carolina who trounced Duke. Duke had a big size advantage inside, but it never became a factor in this game. Let me start by saying, welcome back to the lottery Harrison Barnes! He's suddenly turned into the player everyone thought he would be prior to the season. He's finally playing aggressively. He didn't shoot the ball all that well in this game going 7 for 17, but it wasn't terrible. He was 2 for 6 from behind the line and had 5 rebounds.
Defensively he guarded Kyle Singler of Duke, and did a nice job on him. The more I watch Barnes, I'm starting to think more of him as a shooting guard than a SF. He's listed at 6'8", and it will be interesting to see if he's really that height. He has a small frame and is slight of build, and as a result, I wonder how he would match up against some of the stronger SF's in the NBA. Of course the question that would follow, is whether he's quick enough to guard the SG's in the NBA. His shooting doesn't concern me at all. He's has an almost picture perfect jumpshot.
Going back to the North Carolina/Duke game, there was another player I wanted to mention. But I wanted him in a separate post, so he wouldn't get lost in the shuffle. I've been watching him all season and wanted to wait until I had a good sampling to judge by. I'm speaking of Kendall Marshall, the 6'3" freshman PG for North Carolina. I'm sure most of you who don't watch college basketball haven't heard of him, but this kid is the real deal. He got my attention the first time I saw him play, but I didn't give him a second thought at the time. But he's impressed me every time I've seen him, and he's getting better as he's gotten more comfortable with his role on the team.
He's quick, and at 6'3", has good size for the position. He's a very good ballhandler. There's still room for improvement there, but for a freshman its pretty dammed good. He's also a very good, and creative passer. The kid is gifted with outstanding court vision. Were talking about a pass first PG. Almost all of his points come as a result of there being nothing else there. That said, he's a very good shooter. He just doesn't shoot all that often. He's averaging only 4.3 APG. As a result, he's only averaging 5.9 PPG. Rounding out his yearly stats, he's averaging 5.6 APG to only 2.2 Turnovers per game. He's also shooting 38.2% from behind the line.
The larger story is the improvement from the beginning of the year. In November and December he aveaged 14.4 minutes a game. In Feburary and March so far, he's averaging 33.2 minutes per game. Obviously as his play improved, the coaching staff had more confidence in him and his minutes went up.
In his last 10 games he's averaging 9.6 PPG, 8 APG, and 3 turnovers a game. He's outstanding at driving the lane and dishing the ball. Many times he'll start to drive the lane, reverse directions and pass the ball behind him to a cutter. He just seems to know where everyone on the floor is at all times. If your into march maddness, then try and take in a game by North Carolina. Marshall is # 5. I think he's worth a look..
Here's an interesting video of Jimmer Fredette. Gives a littel background..
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=619...goryid=2378529
Haven't seen him play, but almost sounds like Rondo part II? Better outside shot, defense not as good. I mean in style of play - not that he'll be as good.
Very interesting, shame it's not longer. Think he'd be a very good fit next to Tyreke - decent size, lights out shooter, can share ball handling duties, solid passer etc.. Unfortunately Fredette is a guy I've yet to see play. There is a decent amount of games shown where I live, but BYU haven't been on yet AFAIK. Hopefully that will change in the next month, very eager to see him play.
On the one hand, he's a guy that Petrie would love - skilled and great shooting ability. On the other hand, we'll likely be picking too high to take him. We'd need to get an additional pick, and we know that's not GP's style.
I still haven't seen Barnes play well enough to deserve a top 10 ranking. I've seen him shoot well (not great) from the outside. But in all other aspects of the game he seems mediocre. Just isn't much of a force now on the game.
Going back to the North Carolina/Duke game, there was another player I wanted to mention. But I wanted him in a separate post, so he wouldn't get lost in the shuffle. I've been watching him all season and wanted to wait until I had a good sampling to judge by. I'm speaking of Kendall Marshall, the 6'3" freshman PG for North Carolina. I'm sure most of you who don't watch college basketball haven't heard of him, but this kid is the real deal. He got my attention the first time I saw him play, but I didn't give him a second thought at the time. But he's impressed me every time I've seen him, and he's getting better as he's gotten more comfortable with his role on the team.
He's quick, and at 6'3", has good size for the position. He's a very good ballhandler. There's still room for improvement there, but for a freshman its pretty dammed good. He's also a very good, and creative passer. The kid is gifted with outstanding court vision. Were talking about a pass first PG. Almost all of his points come as a result of there being nothing else there. That said, he's a very good shooter. He just doesn't shoot all that often. He's averaging only 4.3 APG. As a result, he's only averaging 5.9 PPG. Rounding out his yearly stats, he's averaging 5.6 APG to only 2.2 Turnovers per game. He's also shooting 38.2% from behind the line.
The larger story is the improvement from the beginning of the year. In November and December he aveaged 14.4 minutes a game. In Feburary and March so far, he's averaging 33.2 minutes per game. Obviously as his play improved, the coaching staff had more confidence in him and his minutes went up.
In his last 10 games he's averaging 9.6 PPG, 8 APG, and 3 turnovers a game. He's outstanding at driving the lane and dishing the ball. Many times he'll start to drive the lane, reverse directions and pass the ball behind him to a cutter. He just seems to know where everyone on the floor is at all times. If your into march maddness, then try and take in a game by North Carolina. Marshall is # 5. I think he's worth a look..
Game Notes
Kendall Marshall played phenominally well and was the best player on the court in this one. He had 16 assists and 3 TOs (The last TO was on his last play before leaving for the bench, so really it was only 2 TOs for his productive minutes.)
He's going to be getting a lot more playing time, so it will be interesting to watch as he progresses.
I watched the first game that Marshall played as a full-time starter when Larry Drew II decided to leave the North Carolina Program. Marshall had been sharing minutes with Drew, but got all of them once Drew left.
This game was against Florida St on 2/16/2013 and here was my game note on Marshall when I posted the game summary in the other thread:
(Those 16 assists is a NC assist record for a freshman and the most ever in an ACC game for NC. Very impressive stuff)
As I've watched him play, he hasn't ever had as good a game as that one, but he's been very good. He's a pure point-guard but has good size and can shoot for a good percentage. And as you mentioned, he seems to have eyes in the back of his head for some of the passes he gets to his teammates. He's been playing very well and has really stepped up when NC needed someone to step up.
Very strange scoring day for Jared Sullinger. He had 20 pts, on, if memory serves, 2 of 9 shooting. But he went to the freethrow line 18 times and made 16 of them. He also pulled down 18 rebounds.. Hey, Ohio St. won and thats whats important..
I haven't seen much of Sullinger so far, but i watched the game yesterday. It seemed like his whole offense came in post-up situations and most of the time he was either fouled inside or got his shot blocked. It will be interesting to see how he measures out because at 6'8 he will probably get problems against the big bodies in the NBA.
Barnes is playing really well so far in the half against Clemson on both ends of the floor.
He's keeping NC alive right now practicly on his own... if he can ubilt momentum and confidence and continue to show that level he's gonna do a world of good to his draft position.