He missed the ensuing free throws but a big underrated play today was at one point when he was able to get his back to the basket a bit and put a move on Budinga to force iirc his 2nd foul.
Dominykas Pleta Commits
- Thread starter Drew0311
- Start date
If he is able to put on a little weight.......oooooooohweeeeeee.
It's been fun to watch Pleta develop over the course of this season. He has really become aggressive since conference play started and really attacks the glass for rebounds. Also has become a lot more confident at both ends of the court. Earlier in the season he was a little more gun-shy I thought and now he doesn't hesitate he just attacks.
This entire freshman class has been a hit so far. Toure is a great on ball defender. If he can improve his shooting and finish more of the drives that will really elevate his game. Batemon keeps growing as a scoring threat off the bench. He has a bit of a funky release on his shot but so did Haliburton and that turned out pretty well. All 3 are in line to see a big increase in role next season after we lose this senior class and potentially Milan too if he declares for the NBA draft.
This entire freshman class has been a hit so far. Toure is a great on ball defender. If he can improve his shooting and finish more of the drives that will really elevate his game. Batemon keeps growing as a scoring threat off the bench. He has a bit of a funky release on his shot but so did Haliburton and that turned out pretty well. All 3 are in line to see a big increase in role next season after we lose this senior class and potentially Milan too if he declares for the NBA draft.
He's a "freshman" big putting in meaningful minutes almost every game. Super hard not to be excited about his future. He's 21, so not typical freshman age, but I suspect he has a very high ceiling
He seems very intelligent too. His post game interviews I've caught by Heft are really mature.
I'm not worth a s**t in terms of analysis re: a dudes future potential.
Talk to me re: Pleta, within 2-ish years.
10, 20, 30% better?
JP4CY mentioned leg strength.
Logical, but beyond that???
Talk to me re: Pleta, within 2-ish years.
10, 20, 30% better?
JP4CY mentioned leg strength.
Logical, but beyond that???
Too bad Jackson is gone. We could use CRISPER gene editing and make that happen.
When I was in college everyone gained at least 10 ibs their freshman year.
It's been a breath of freshman air. TJs track record hasn't been great since his return as our HC with more misses (King, Watson, Biliew, Rock, Hamilton, Fish, Indrusaitus, Pierce) than hits (Hunter, Lipsey, Milan). The game has changed to the point where things like this don't matter as much, but still, it's nice to see 3 freshmen playing well for the future strength of the program. I don't care how transfer heavy things have become now, having solid 3-4 year guys come in and be the backbone of your program is still a big deal. Each one of these guys has been productive, yet each one has limitations or obvious spots needed to improve on that you don't really worry about them going anywhere next year at least.
Batemon looks like he will have a nice offensive game for years to come. My only worry with him is his body, it seems like he is a bit awkward high waisted/short arms and on the thinner side. Seems like the thin part can be addressed in the weight room but the awkwardness might take a couple more offseasons of dedicated footwork training.
Everyone missed Omaha. The good thing about TJ is he has hit on the right guys. The guys we didn’t hit were n were. It really needed and could be replaced with new guys
Pleta is really long and has good athleticism. I love how aggressive he has been of late. He needs to get stronger. When the game slows down for him, watch out.
He’s still a bit of a baby gazelle out there but he’s staying to play more physical and has really developed for a freshman big. Bright bright future for that kid
Not all of those guys are misses. Some just weren’t around long enough for them to make an impact.
Pleta’s footwork has improved dramatically since the beginning of the season. Keep in mind he was a late arrival to campus. But he has a very high ceiling IMO. I think in a year or two he will be an offensive focal point
Batemon shooting three’s, Toure slashing to the basket, and Pleta owning the post. And we haven’t even discussed any other players coming in
TJ has built a great, sustainable program
Batemon shooting three’s, Toure slashing to the basket, and Pleta owning the post. And we haven’t even discussed any other players coming in
TJ has built a great, sustainable program
Hamilton is probably the only one who would have eventually had a role. Eli King has had an ok career at mid major level. All the rest have been pretty meh so far
I think yesterday was his best game as a Cyclone. At the beginning of the year there was a notable dropoff between Buchanan and Pleta but now the gap is closing. An offseason with Kyle Green is going to do wonders for him
That includes elsewhere.
Looks like about anyone playing at their next place is basically serviceable on bad/average teams.
I rewatched yesterday's KU game this morning and focused attention on Pleta and Buchanan. Pleta is surprisingly strong and more than held his ground physically against the KU bigs in the lane.
I already knew this but for his size Buchanan's ability to recover on defense is impressive.
I had a friend at the game yesterday that is a great evaluator of talent and he said that Pleta is way more of a presence when viewed live than on TV. He was very impressed with how he held his space against the KU Bigs around the basket.
