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I've seen all the games (exhibition and the two regular season), I've seen some preseason workouts, and I've talked to a lot of people close to the program and here's my personal opinion of the team.
Sam M - He's a talented player that does well when he doesn't have a whole lot of responsiblity on his shoulder. I stated it before and still believe the same, he did very well last season because he was the man that a lot of people forgot about. This year people will focus on him more than last season so he won't be able to do some of the things he did. If he plays patient and accepts his role, he will have another solid outing. He's a good shooter and ball handler but only knows one speed at this point and that's fast. He needs to pick his spots and know when to slow it up. The biggest issue with him is defensively. A lot of our opponents points have come off drive and kicks from Sammy's man. He has thus far been a liability and we will definitely need him to contribute more on that end of the floor.
McCain - EM is alot like Sammy in the fact that he plays at one pace. He looks up the floor very well but gets a little too fast for himself at times. He is very good and he is beginning to embrace his role early which will benefit in the long run. He's not much of a scorer but is a pressure defender and great rebounder for his size. He is a freshman so is a bit undisciplined on both ends of the floor but correction in that area will come with time and experience.
Dunson - When he committed I was convinced he would be our best player and so far I'd say that is correct. He's the most complete of all players on the roster as he is a great defender and a very good offensive player. He has a very high IQ and is a good ball handler. He gets to the rack well with both hands and can knock down shots though he is inconsistent beyond the 3. However, he draws fouls well and knocks down free throws. He's very patient and his athleticism, strength, size, and leadership makes him a very tough matchup on both ends of the floor.
Roberts - Great athlete! He came on strong today. He is a player that you have to let play through his mistakes. It takes him a while to get into rhythm offensively but once he does he plays with great confidence. He's a capable 3 point shooter, can get to the rim, and is a very good rebounder. His defense isn't great but he puts in effort and could eventually grow into a defensive stopper.
Theron - A big time rebounder that injects energy into the team. He's a jumping jack that competes and competes HARD! His ball handling is suspect but he is able to get to the rim and draw fouls. Like I've always stated, he has trouble finishing over bigger defenders but usually draws contact which is a plus. If he could finish those plays it would be a BIG boost. Defensively, he's capable of guarding the perimeter or post and does a very good job at doing both.
Collins - DC has the potential to be a big difference maker. He's improved tons since last March. The 10-15 footer from the middle of the floor is his bread and butter. He has shown that he can finish well and when he plays with confidence (which usually comes after hitting a few shots) he is nothing short of a game changer. He is strong, long, and athletic and if he can play aggressive on a consistent basis he will be big time for us.
SS - I love Singh. He doesn't provide a lot of scoring but he has definitely embraced his role and is a big key for us. He is strong, big, and puts a body on his opponents. He rebounds and it is hard to score over him. He can run the floor, sets good screens, and does all the little things needed to win a game. He is a BIG KEY!
Brown - Brown's got good potential and is very good at knocking down the midrage baseline jumper. He runs the floor well and is versatile but is not use to the college pace. It's taking him longer to adjust in my opinion but I think he has a good future as a Brave. Defensively, he doesn't really provide much but is a good backup for Theron in my opinion. He's a good rebounder as well that will get better with time.
These 8 players are those I feel will get the bulk of the minutes (with AW of course). I feel that the best lineup would be:
DD, AW, CR, TW, DC with SS sharing about equal minutes with DC. The only question I have is if there will be enough ballhandling. I think this team has a GREAT shot this season.
Sam M - He's a talented player that does well when he doesn't have a whole lot of responsiblity on his shoulder. I stated it before and still believe the same, he did very well last season because he was the man that a lot of people forgot about. This year people will focus on him more than last season so he won't be able to do some of the things he did. If he plays patient and accepts his role, he will have another solid outing. He's a good shooter and ball handler but only knows one speed at this point and that's fast. He needs to pick his spots and know when to slow it up. The biggest issue with him is defensively. A lot of our opponents points have come off drive and kicks from Sammy's man. He has thus far been a liability and we will definitely need him to contribute more on that end of the floor.
McCain - EM is alot like Sammy in the fact that he plays at one pace. He looks up the floor very well but gets a little too fast for himself at times. He is very good and he is beginning to embrace his role early which will benefit in the long run. He's not much of a scorer but is a pressure defender and great rebounder for his size. He is a freshman so is a bit undisciplined on both ends of the floor but correction in that area will come with time and experience.
Dunson - When he committed I was convinced he would be our best player and so far I'd say that is correct. He's the most complete of all players on the roster as he is a great defender and a very good offensive player. He has a very high IQ and is a good ball handler. He gets to the rack well with both hands and can knock down shots though he is inconsistent beyond the 3. However, he draws fouls well and knocks down free throws. He's very patient and his athleticism, strength, size, and leadership makes him a very tough matchup on both ends of the floor.
Roberts - Great athlete! He came on strong today. He is a player that you have to let play through his mistakes. It takes him a while to get into rhythm offensively but once he does he plays with great confidence. He's a capable 3 point shooter, can get to the rim, and is a very good rebounder. His defense isn't great but he puts in effort and could eventually grow into a defensive stopper.
Theron - A big time rebounder that injects energy into the team. He's a jumping jack that competes and competes HARD! His ball handling is suspect but he is able to get to the rim and draw fouls. Like I've always stated, he has trouble finishing over bigger defenders but usually draws contact which is a plus. If he could finish those plays it would be a BIG boost. Defensively, he's capable of guarding the perimeter or post and does a very good job at doing both.
Collins - DC has the potential to be a big difference maker. He's improved tons since last March. The 10-15 footer from the middle of the floor is his bread and butter. He has shown that he can finish well and when he plays with confidence (which usually comes after hitting a few shots) he is nothing short of a game changer. He is strong, long, and athletic and if he can play aggressive on a consistent basis he will be big time for us.
SS - I love Singh. He doesn't provide a lot of scoring but he has definitely embraced his role and is a big key for us. He is strong, big, and puts a body on his opponents. He rebounds and it is hard to score over him. He can run the floor, sets good screens, and does all the little things needed to win a game. He is a BIG KEY!
Brown - Brown's got good potential and is very good at knocking down the midrage baseline jumper. He runs the floor well and is versatile but is not use to the college pace. It's taking him longer to adjust in my opinion but I think he has a good future as a Brave. Defensively, he doesn't really provide much but is a good backup for Theron in my opinion. He's a good rebounder as well that will get better with time.
These 8 players are those I feel will get the bulk of the minutes (with AW of course). I feel that the best lineup would be:
DD, AW, CR, TW, DC with SS sharing about equal minutes with DC. The only question I have is if there will be enough ballhandling. I think this team has a GREAT shot this season.
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