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Post by shooting the J on Oct 18, 2012 6:25:41 GMT -6
The annual Green-White Scrimmage is set for Saturday at 3:00 at the Kress Center. I'll be there, and I'll share what I see afterwards like I have the last few years. Hopefully it doesn't take me 3 weeks to write out my thoughts like last year.
I'm most interested in seeing newcomers Fouse, Love, and Muhammad. All 3 will need to make considerable contributions this year for the Phoenix to dance in March. I'm really excited to see Fouse. I've been on that bandwagon a long time.
I'm also interested to see Cole Stefan, as it will be the first time, and also the last time to see him until the South Dakota game.
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Post by shooting the J on Oct 19, 2012 5:19:22 GMT -6
Here's more details about the Green-White Scrimmage and Phoenix TailgateThey've really turned this into a big event. Adding dunk and 3-point contests to the event, along with a tailgate party afterwards makes this a big day for the program. Look for this to be a big recruiting weekend. I know Neenah's Matt Heldt will be visiting this weekend, and I'd expect a lot more.
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Post by shooting the J on Oct 21, 2012 18:33:30 GMT -6
The scrimmage went well. Nice crowd, and everyone seemed to come away impressed.
The Phoenix really practice fast and intense. As uwgbphoenixphan tweeted, they take on the energy of their coach. The scrimmage was extremely physical.
This roster has a ton of length. The team is bigger and stronger. It looks like everyone put in work in the off-season.
I'll comment on a few players at a time over the next few days.
Daniel Turner didn't play in the scrimmage, as he is about a week away from being cleared for full contact. However, he was a full participant in drills. He looked good to go, he doesn't even wear a knee brace. He dunked again and again in drills with ease. He is clearly stronger, but also looked more fluid than in the past. I didn't expect to see him move so free and easy.
Ryan Bross is one big dude. He continues to work and progress. When I saw him play in HS, he was built like a 40 year old lumberjack. Now he is leaner, and looks like a ball player. He was really uncoordinated in HS, and was constantly getting tripped up and was often flopping around the floor.
Now he has already become far more coordinated, he doesn't look out of place in drills or in the scrimmage. His biggest weakness now is his slow reactions. His lack of basketball experience causes him to always be a step late. Despite his massive height and armspan, he gets beat defensively because of lack of anticipation. He just needs experience. After a few off-seasons of pick-up games, he'll become a contributor if he stays healthy and continues to work. He is a project, but a very worthwhile one, especially as a walk-on. His energy level, intelligence, and desire is better than most giants.
Cole Stefan has really pumped himself up in the weight room. While everyone on the team has gained strength, none are more pronounced than Stefan. You rarely see pure shooters this big in college. He was quite lean in the brief video I seen of him at LaSalle. Now he is wide shouldered and powerful. He attacked the glass aggressively and went high for rebounds. He curled around a screen, took the pass and drove down the lane for a layup while protecting the ball from oncoming shotblockers with his wide shoulders. He is a strong passer who consistenly looked off defenders to open up teammates. He was competitive, and was clearly bothered when he lost a scrimmage.
Then there's his shooting. He hunts shots 25 feet from the basket. Defenders have to chase him out there, or they'll pay. Pure stroke.
He played both the 2 and the 3. I think he fits better defensively as a 3. Quick penetrating SGs will likely give him trouble. He lost Cerroni on around a couple of screens on a set play late in the last scrimmage. KC knocked in the open 3. Stefan and Cerroni did play together some, and they'd be deadly versus a zone.
It's a shame the NCAA is making us wait until the South Dakota game to see Stefan play. I predict he'll have some big scoring nights off the bench in conference play.
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Post by shooting the J on Oct 23, 2012 6:49:04 GMT -6
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Post by shooting the J on Oct 26, 2012 19:45:51 GMT -6
A few more players at the open scrimmage:
Alphonso McKinnie was born to defend. He's lean but wiry, quick, extremely bouncy, has outstanding arm length, and play with great energy. It's easy to see how he averaged 10 ppg, 7 rpg, and shot 57% from the floor at EIU. He still needs to improve his footwork offensively, and improve his jumper. He does have a very nice jump hook. He uses it not only in the post but also uses it to finish perimeter drives where he spins into the hook. He is impressive now, and will garner post-season honors a year from now.
Unlike the last few years, it was easy to gauge the quality of the newcomers in this scrimmage. The game featured 5 proven quality starters (Brown, Cougill, Cerroni, Sykes, McKinnie) plus some rotational reserves (Mays, Humphrey, Stefan). Jordan Fouse looked like a veteran amongst them.
His basketball instincts are uncanny. He has a positive effect on every part of the game. He's an absolutely perfect complement to the 4 returning starters. His arm length allows him to constantly tip balls defensively. He rebounds, scores in the post, off drives, and off the offensive glass. He's an amazing passer.
Best freshmen in the scrimmage over the last 3 years. I understand that's a bold statement. I'm more confident than ever that he will give Green Bay a freshman on the all-newcomer team for the 3rd straight year.
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hoops
Sophomore
Posts: 208
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Post by hoops on Oct 26, 2012 21:41:11 GMT -6
I heard this summer that the staff really, really likes McKinnie. Very impressive length. When he gets down in a defensive stance he is very imposing.
Still wish they could have fixed Josh Humphrey's release. He will have to continue to contribute in other areas. On the flip side, every time Stefan gets his feet set, you have confidence it is going in. Excellent form and release. Something we have not seen in a long time around GB.
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