Ejim
- Thread starter HARMCYN
- Start date
He's definitely a leader and I think in the past he has earned the "quiet" reputation with guys like Allen, Scotty, and Jake ahead of him. On Friday night, though, he was anything but quiet. While he was on the bench he was easily the most vocal guy out there (coaches included), standing and shouting out commands from the bench. At one point everyone in Hilton could have heard him yelling at the guys on the floor to get back on defense. It looks to me like he is absolutely the leader of this team and I, for one, think that is a very good thing.
McGee was also doing his part from the bench, though he's always been a pretty vocal guy.
Ejim will start all year IMO. His minutes might go down this year due to Niang being so good, but that is a good thing. He will be more fresh when he is in there.
After the first exhibition game, Fred specifically mentioned Ejim after the game and how the game completely turned for us midway through the game when Melvin grabbed something like 8 or 9 rebounds in a row.
That is why he's still VERY valuable for us. He rebounds, which we desperately need on this team. Didn't he lead the Big 12 in rebounds or something last year?
After the first exhibition game, Fred specifically mentioned Ejim after the game and how the game completely turned for us midway through the game when Melvin grabbed something like 8 or 9 rebounds in a row.
That is why he's still VERY valuable for us. He rebounds, which we desperately need on this team. Didn't he lead the Big 12 in rebounds or something last year?
I believe he is the leading RETURNING rebounder from last year. T-Rob averaged almost 12 per game last year.
Love Ejim and all the little things he does. Not flashy dunker or anything but successful teams NEED guys like him. Thankful to have him playing 4 years for us.
You have to remember once the conference season rolls around this team will need his experence. Most Freshmen hit a wall somewhere along the way.
Let's see, we have had one exhibition scrimmage, and one real game against a small school.....and we are already concerned about one of our leaders on the team, and wondering if he will be replaced. OK.
First of all, there should be no concern about Melvin. For all we know, FH could be limiting his time to see what the new players can do.......he knows what Melvin can (and will) do. I think Melvin will improve again this year. I wish he would stop shooting 3's, but maybe that is just me. I think he could be more productive scoring underneath, and making the free throws he will have a chance to make.
If anyone needs to pick up their game from the past, it is both Booker and Percy. Percy can be forgiven a bit.....he is only a sophomore. This is Booker's 5th year though at the Division I level. IMO, he really needs to be much more of a rebounding and scoring presence than he is. I believe if anyone is in danger of being replaced in the starting lineup (which I really don't think matters that much on an FH team) it would be him. He can stop with his 3 point shooting too.......I don't care what percentage he hit last year. ISU has enough guards and Niang and Will to do all the three point shooting that is necessary. FH wants to run uptempo......to do that.......the first thing you must have is the defensive rebound. That is where Melvin, Gibson and Booker really need to conentrate their efforts.
Let's not forget too that this team is playing without one of its key starters (and stars). That could be affecting everyone's minutes, the rotation, and what is expected from everyone right now. It will be very interesting to see this team once Babb is back in the starting line-up, and McGee is again providing that spark off the bench.
My only real concern is that this team has a stretch coming up with 4 games over a 7 day stretch that includes possibly 2 games against top 25 teams and one against a low to mid-major who was good enough last year to beat Iowa at Carver. I will wait to worry about who is playing the most after those 4 games I think.
First of all, there should be no concern about Melvin. For all we know, FH could be limiting his time to see what the new players can do.......he knows what Melvin can (and will) do. I think Melvin will improve again this year. I wish he would stop shooting 3's, but maybe that is just me. I think he could be more productive scoring underneath, and making the free throws he will have a chance to make.
If anyone needs to pick up their game from the past, it is both Booker and Percy. Percy can be forgiven a bit.....he is only a sophomore. This is Booker's 5th year though at the Division I level. IMO, he really needs to be much more of a rebounding and scoring presence than he is. I believe if anyone is in danger of being replaced in the starting lineup (which I really don't think matters that much on an FH team) it would be him. He can stop with his 3 point shooting too.......I don't care what percentage he hit last year. ISU has enough guards and Niang and Will to do all the three point shooting that is necessary. FH wants to run uptempo......to do that.......the first thing you must have is the defensive rebound. That is where Melvin, Gibson and Booker really need to conentrate their efforts.
Let's not forget too that this team is playing without one of its key starters (and stars). That could be affecting everyone's minutes, the rotation, and what is expected from everyone right now. It will be very interesting to see this team once Babb is back in the starting line-up, and McGee is again providing that spark off the bench.
My only real concern is that this team has a stretch coming up with 4 games over a 7 day stretch that includes possibly 2 games against top 25 teams and one against a low to mid-major who was good enough last year to beat Iowa at Carver. I will wait to worry about who is playing the most after those 4 games I think.
Melvin Ejim is the most consistent and reliable player we have on this team. He's of monumental importance to this team's success no matter what the stats say...which, mind you, weren't that bad the other night. 7 points 9 rebounds on 4 shot attempts? Nothing wrong with that at all.
No, we have one negative Ejim post. The responses in this thread have universally been bullish on Ejim. The fact that this thread was started after only 1 game is of no matter, as I am guessing the OP was not a fan of Ejim before the season.
After looking at the box score, I felt ME had the second best game of the starters. Other than 4 missed free throws he looked pretty productive in 19 minutes.
It's only game one but I'd think this thread would more likely be about Lucious. Never really been a productive shooter and Friday he had TO issues.
Booker is usually going to have sub like production as a starter but I think Fred will continue to start him to help keep Gibson out of early foul trouble.
Babb is the guy that I feel controls how good this team will be. His defensive is too good to sit. Hopefully his shooting becomes more consistant.
It's only game one but I'd think this thread would more likely be about Lucious. Never really been a productive shooter and Friday he had TO issues.
Booker is usually going to have sub like production as a starter but I think Fred will continue to start him to help keep Gibson out of early foul trouble.
Babb is the guy that I feel controls how good this team will be. His defensive is too good to sit. Hopefully his shooting becomes more consistant.
