Positives From Exhibition

[CYUL8R]

My thoughts from the exhibition:
Kane is a hoss. He's going to shoot a lot of free throws so hopefully does well in that area.

Thomas pretty much did no wrong, great passer, shot's money, handles the ball well. Even when he turned the ball over it was on a pretty good pass. As long as he can find someone to guard he'll be on the floor a lot.

Morris played well, though with all the 'he never turns the ball over talk' from the coaches I was a little surprised at a few of the poor passes. Not resulting in turnovers just hitting guys in awkward positions and kind of leaving the ball out there. I'll bet this is just rookie mistakes that will get ironed out during this season. He'll be very good.

Don't see many comments about Hogue, but he's pretty much as advertised. A couple times needed to get a body on someone but aggressive on the boards and super athletic. Offense a bit erratic.

Percy gave some good minutes. Not looking to wade into the Percy battle but... I hadn't seen him play much but some of the criticisms of him on here are valid. Went left every time, doesn't really seem to play vs. the defense, just decides he's going to go left as soon as he touches the ball and does so. I thought he had 2 bad shots FWIW but overall would be happy to get 15 minutes like that a game.

I went back and re-watched the game. I think some of those passes were just the fact that the team hasn't fully 'gelled' yet and those guys weren't expecting an assist from the PG - they expected him to score with it. One in particular - second half, Niang was in low post and Morris drove the lane on the left, looked like he was going up for the layup but then dished to Niang who looked like he was daydreaming. I think Morris could have easily scored there, but Niang also needed to be aware and ready for the dime.

Nothing a little more time won't fix. Man-Man is gonna be a very good player (and sooner than some may have thought).

 

[Dandy]

I went back and re-watched the game. I think some of those passes were just the fact that the team hasn't fully 'gelled' yet and those guys weren't expecting an assist from the PG - they expected him to score with it. One in particular - second half, Niang was in low post and Morris drove the lane on the left, looked like he was going up for the layup but then dished to Niang who looked like he was daydreaming. I think Morris could have easily scored there, but Niang also needed to be aware and ready for the dime.

Nothing a little more time won't fix. Man-Man is gonna be a very good player (and sooner than some may have thought).

I still think the line-up of Morris, Thomas, Kane, Hogue (Ejim when he's back), and Niang will be the starting line-up when conference play starts. Hogue's impact off the bench to relieve Ejim and Niang will be very important. Morris is the pure PG CFH have been looking for. Kane and Thomas can handle the SG/SF positions, especially now that we can see just how mature Kane is.

 

[State43]

I still think the line-up of Morris, Thomas, Kane, Hogue (Ejim when he's back), and Niang will be the starting line-up when conference play starts. Hogue's impact off the bench to relieve Ejim and Niang will be very important. Morris is the pure PG CFH have been looking for. Kane and Thomas can handle the SG/SF positions, especially now that we can see just how mature Kane is.

Possibly, but the thought of having Hogue and Ejim in the game at the same time makes me giddy. Pair them with Kane and we will be rebounding machines.

 

[VeloClone]

I still think the line-up of Morris, Thomas, Kane, Hogue (Ejim when he's back), and Niang will be the starting line-up when conference play starts. Hogue's impact off the bench to relieve Ejim and Niang will be very important. Morris is the pure PG CFH have been looking for. Kane and Thomas can handle the SG/SF positions, especially now that we can see just how mature Kane is.

Possibly, but the thought of having Hogue and Ejim in the game at the same time makes me giddy. Pair them with Kane and we will be rebounding machines.

I think Dandy makes a lot of sense. Until someone proves that they are going to be ready to face the Big 12's big guys, foul trouble in Ejim and Niang is going to be a real issue. Having Hogue come in fresh off of the bench to give one of them a blow or step in when there is foul trouble could be a huge asset. I think it has less to do with the play of the two players and more to do with the depth in the post issue.

 

[rholtgraves]

I still think the line-up of Morris, Thomas, Kane, Hogue (Ejim when he's back), and Niang will be the starting line-up when conference play starts. Hogue's impact off the bench to relieve Ejim and Niang will be very important. Morris is the pure PG CFH have been looking for. Kane and Thomas can handle the SG/SF positions, especially now that we can see just how mature Kane is.

I don't think so. Who is the back up PG then?

 

[NATEizKING]

I don't think so. Who is the back up PG then?

Kane and Long can play some PG as needed

 

[RustShack]

I don't think so. Who is the back up PG then?

Kane can still do it? Morris and Kane don't have to come out of the lineup at the same time lol.

 

[CYUL8R]

Kane can still do it? Morris and Kane don't have to come out of the lineup at the same time lol.

Agreed. Much better than Korie / Will combo last year. I'm not worried about Kane and Morris with a little Naz mixed in at PG.

 

[Cydkar]

Kane can still do it? Morris and Kane don't have to come out of the lineup at the same time lol.

 

[rholtgraves]

I just don't see Morris starting this year.

 

[Cyientist]

That was a sick crossover at about midcourt to free himself

I thought his crossovers looked scary quick. There was a stretch, after he got some confidence, that he looked like he wanted to get us out on a break after every possession change. I think he will get us on some nice runs this year once everyone gels.

Kane lived up to his reputation. He looks capable to play the 1 but if we are able to let him play off of the ball it will be a huge plus for us.

Thomas looked a bit hesitant to pull the trigger after he missed his first 3, but after he got on his role in the second half he was lights out. I think he is going to be quicker to pull the trigger in the future and as the season roles on.

Niang seemed to force the issue a bit, but he really started to distribute nicely when he realized his shot wasn't falling. Did anyone else think his ball handling looked better than last year? Seemed very comfortable grabbing a board and leading us into a break. I know it doesn't sound like it makes sense, but even though Niang seemed out of control a few times I actually thought his ball handling looked good while doing it.

Percy did go left every time, but the shot was also available by doing so (except the once). He actually had to defend the perimeter quite a bit on D, so it was a little difficult to gauge his D and rebounding IMO.

Hogue was tough on the boards, and showed the ability to put the ball back after an offensive board. Reminds me of Ejim in his second year. Hogue seemed a bit uncomfortable with the ball outside of the perimeter and was looking for someone to come take it.

I could see MM starting, but could also see him getting starter's minutes off of the bench. Not sure which other bench player could give us the Tyrus spark.

 

[RustShack]

SDW is our best bet for spark off the bench.

 

[Dandy]

I just don't see Morris starting this year.

Because...