This one is late so I will take more of a first week/big picture post based off of what we saw Monday. Overall team wise, this group is fun. The floor is probably lower than last year, but the ceiling may be higher. So a little more variance but I don't think it is far off either way. A lot of ball movement, wasn't overly sloppy. I'm aware that NCA&T is really bad, but it was still a relatively clean operation considering it was the first game for a handful of guys. The defense will be better. Think the FT shooting was just one of those nights but we will have to keep an eye on that. The outside shooting is still a concern for me. Obviously want to see them some more to truly project how good they can be. So far, all is positive. There is a lot to work with.
Bub Carrington - The main reason this team has the ceiling they do. Like I have said since the summer, this kid is special. This program has had their share of good ones, but this kid is different. This is not a wing trying to play point. This is a pure point guard in every sense. He just happens to be 6'5 and a good athlete. The opponent doesn't matter to me much. You can tell in two minutes that Bub just has it. The way he moves and handles the ball at that size jumps off the screen. Very poised and mature for his age. Great feel for the game. The pick and roll game with him this season will be deadly. You can't disrupt him much due to his length, and he has a great sense of space and when to release the ball. You can also see how excited his teammates are around him. They know he is the real deal. There just seems to be a level of confidence and energy around this team. One of the main reasons is that they know what they have in Carrington. Enjoy this kid.
Blake - My only takeaway is that he still looks good physically. That game was likely a cardio session for him. He picked up those early fouls and it seemed to throw him off a bit. He tried to put it on the floor and get away from just bombing threes. Think that will be his approach early on but we will likely see him resort to the old style. The screen and roll with Bub could be something fun. Can't imagine a lot of college teams have an answer for that.
Leggett - Just really solid. Good balance to his game. Seems to be comparable to Burton from a penetration standpoint. He seems to just keep the dribble tighter and does not absorb as much contact. Solid athlete. Think he will get his, but a big part of this will be his ability to make threes. Again, he is a player and has experience so there is a high floor here.
The Trio of Towers - Just going to lump all three of them here because that is how I look at it. It is like the three headed monster. Fede looks like himself, maybe a bit stronger. Can't remember another team that had this depth of length to throw out there. I think it will be tough for the twins to see time at power forward this season. Blake is going to be on the floor, and it seems like Will is even in the mix at backup power forward. Regardless, it is just such an asset to have the ability to keep these three fresh and give different looks. In addition to Blake, the twins bring a ton of energy to this team.
Austin - Another veteran with a high floor. I know I keep repeating myself but these baselines are important. Ultimately, I think he settles in as a three and D guy. He seems most comfortable on the wing and the corners. It is either going to be a three or a drive and finish at the rim. Extremely valuable.
Lowe - In most years, you would look at Jaland and be encouraged about a smooth young freshman point guard. The problem for him will be that he gets lumped in and evaluated alongside Carrington. He had a couple of freshman moments Monday, but you can also see the natural point ability he has as well. It is just going to take some time for him because he is not nearly as physically gifted. There is no doubt that he can develop into a nice point guard. The role behind Bub this season could fit him perfectly.
Jeffress - I've heard really positive things about Will and where he is mentally. If what I hear is true and he is all in on his role, it could work out perfectly for this team. If he is your #8/9 guy, then you are in good shape. He seems energized and should be better defensively this year. Similar to Austin, he needs to be in the corners and find that balance. Will just probably won't get as many opportunities as Austin. Would not be surprised to see Will get some minor minutes behind Hinson in certain matchups as well.
Good decision to redshirt Marlon, as there just aren't any minutes right now. This team should be fun to watch and develop over time. I expect them to get better weekly. I'll call my shot similar to Cam Johnson and say that Carrington is an NBA point guard. Not sure when or how long it will take, but he has everything the league is looking for given his age. You don't see that very often and he has a chance to be the best guard this program has seen in a long time. It's a good place to start.
Bub Carrington - The main reason this team has the ceiling they do. Like I have said since the summer, this kid is special. This program has had their share of good ones, but this kid is different. This is not a wing trying to play point. This is a pure point guard in every sense. He just happens to be 6'5 and a good athlete. The opponent doesn't matter to me much. You can tell in two minutes that Bub just has it. The way he moves and handles the ball at that size jumps off the screen. Very poised and mature for his age. Great feel for the game. The pick and roll game with him this season will be deadly. You can't disrupt him much due to his length, and he has a great sense of space and when to release the ball. You can also see how excited his teammates are around him. They know he is the real deal. There just seems to be a level of confidence and energy around this team. One of the main reasons is that they know what they have in Carrington. Enjoy this kid.
Blake - My only takeaway is that he still looks good physically. That game was likely a cardio session for him. He picked up those early fouls and it seemed to throw him off a bit. He tried to put it on the floor and get away from just bombing threes. Think that will be his approach early on but we will likely see him resort to the old style. The screen and roll with Bub could be something fun. Can't imagine a lot of college teams have an answer for that.
Leggett - Just really solid. Good balance to his game. Seems to be comparable to Burton from a penetration standpoint. He seems to just keep the dribble tighter and does not absorb as much contact. Solid athlete. Think he will get his, but a big part of this will be his ability to make threes. Again, he is a player and has experience so there is a high floor here.
The Trio of Towers - Just going to lump all three of them here because that is how I look at it. It is like the three headed monster. Fede looks like himself, maybe a bit stronger. Can't remember another team that had this depth of length to throw out there. I think it will be tough for the twins to see time at power forward this season. Blake is going to be on the floor, and it seems like Will is even in the mix at backup power forward. Regardless, it is just such an asset to have the ability to keep these three fresh and give different looks. In addition to Blake, the twins bring a ton of energy to this team.
Austin - Another veteran with a high floor. I know I keep repeating myself but these baselines are important. Ultimately, I think he settles in as a three and D guy. He seems most comfortable on the wing and the corners. It is either going to be a three or a drive and finish at the rim. Extremely valuable.
Lowe - In most years, you would look at Jaland and be encouraged about a smooth young freshman point guard. The problem for him will be that he gets lumped in and evaluated alongside Carrington. He had a couple of freshman moments Monday, but you can also see the natural point ability he has as well. It is just going to take some time for him because he is not nearly as physically gifted. There is no doubt that he can develop into a nice point guard. The role behind Bub this season could fit him perfectly.
Jeffress - I've heard really positive things about Will and where he is mentally. If what I hear is true and he is all in on his role, it could work out perfectly for this team. If he is your #8/9 guy, then you are in good shape. He seems energized and should be better defensively this year. Similar to Austin, he needs to be in the corners and find that balance. Will just probably won't get as many opportunities as Austin. Would not be surprised to see Will get some minor minutes behind Hinson in certain matchups as well.
Good decision to redshirt Marlon, as there just aren't any minutes right now. This team should be fun to watch and develop over time. I expect them to get better weekly. I'll call my shot similar to Cam Johnson and say that Carrington is an NBA point guard. Not sure when or how long it will take, but he has everything the league is looking for given his age. You don't see that very often and he has a chance to be the best guard this program has seen in a long time. It's a good place to start.
