Thoughts on team after game 3.

[avabob1]

First, it looks like Franks has totally transformed himself, despite having a statistically good season last year. Faster, more energetic, Handling the ball like a guard. He is showing the ability to take over a game.

Newcomers. Elleby, Ali, and Wade are all upgrades from last years talent. I liked Flynn, but Ali has a chance to be more valuable, without averaging 15 per game, although he is a scorer too. Wade, is the guy we thought we were getting in Bernstein last year. High energy, better shooter, more athletic. Elleby, is going to be a transcendent player. Super quick and good ball handler at 6-6. He will never be a good shooter, but will improve enough to keep people honest. He will have a similar impact as Payton did at OSU a couple of years ago. Kunc may be further away than I hoped, but is going to be a good one.

I was bummed after the SU loss, but it is starting to look like Franks could have as big an impact on this team as Klay did for Bone. Note, not comparing Franks to Klay, just talking about impact on a team

 

[jourdand]

Competition is suspect to say the least. The announcers spent the second half talking about how great we are, meanwhile a 30 point lead dwindled down to 13. Franks looks great shooting the ball I don’t see him going around anybody. Still not sold on Ali but at least he shot well last night which if he keeps that up he’ll be at least serviceable but I still see nothing that says PAC 12 in his game. I like Wade more every game but his size worries me but I’m excited to see what he brings to the PAC 12. Elleby is a great recruit and exactly what we need but I don’t think he is super quick and definetly not a transcendent player. He is a PAC 12 level player as a freshmen which we have struggled to get but on any other team in the conference he would be their third or fourth recruit. I really want to see this team as improved but I’m really hesitant especially after last years start.

 

[ElComanche]

I can appreciate your hesitancy but we shall see how this plays out over the season. I think that Elleby will hold his own against your "better recruits" on the other teams The love shown for Flynn is way unwarranted in my opinion. Flynn could score, played horrible defense and was not really a team player. His inconsistency hurt the team as he kept shooting no matter what. But i will bet that you consider him a "PAC 12 "player? But the proof is in the pudding as they say.So we shall see how the sub par PAC 12 players do as a team.

 

[SaveFerris]

I liked the lineup even if it's small. There are holes but it seems clear that's the group that has earned starter minutes.

Franks' game has evolved and I think his passing could end up a weapon to get others easy buckets if he looks for it. We obviously need him to score in bunches though.

Elleby's the best high school recruit of the Kent era. He can do a lot of things but his shooting will hold him back similar to Weaver, Capers, or Bush. He's not a great athlete or super quick but good enough in those areas that if he's a threat from 3 he becomes a great weapon.

Kunc is about who we thought he was going to be. Probably could have used a redshirt from a physical standpoint but that's just not done these days. He needs to grow into his body, get stronger, see the game slow down, etc. As long as he doesn't lose confidence he will be fine down the line.

Good to see Ali knock down some shots but we need more from that spot since Daniels is basically a spot-up shooter as well. Looking at the stats they did combine for 14 assists and 0 turnovers.

Wade has been better than I expected. I saw the same inside moves under the basket in his JC highlights and wondered how they would translate. He does a good job of using the rim but we will see as the competition increases. Shoots better than I anticipated although that's probably not where we want him to focus.

We didn't get much from the bench. Skaggs only plays if he can shoot and I think he knows it. Defenses are guarding him closer and taking away his shot. Still waiting for Chidom to find some consistency on the offensive end. Cannon is intriguing but needs to develop his shooting and skills. A good project with 3-to-play-3.

 

[jourdand]

Yes I would consider Flynn a PAC 12 player of the average to slightly above average level. As far as defense goes I watched a player from a team picked to finish 7th in a lower level league blow by Ali consistently.

 

[avabob1]

Maybe just me, but I think Elleby has very good speed and athleticism at 6-6. The guy is a 4 star with any kind of jumper, and the more I watch him shoot, I think that will become serviceable.

The Cal Poly guard is a burner at any level. Ali isnt that quick for his size, but I was starting to see some things I liked even before he found the 3 point range last night.

 

[jourdand]

I think Elleby’s shot will come around I doubt he’ll ever be a great shooter but he will be very valuable for many years
I see him as more of a scorer than a shooter

 

[avabob1]

Agreed. I use to joke that I hated it when somebody described a kid as a scorer, but in Ellebys case it might be an accurate description

 

[SaveFerris]

It's an adjustment for high school players going from having the ball most of the time and a green light to scoring out of an offense. I thought Franks was tentative early in his career thinking instead of just letting it fly. Franks was definitely a better shooter coming in compared to Elleby but it's also just part of the college adjustment. I really think he will become good enough shooting the ball. Not Klay or Franks but a good enough threat out of the offense to keep defenses honest.

 

[Rich Lewis]

The guy that sits next to me in basketball said Elleby reminds him of Ehlo. The more I think about it he may be right. You never know how these players will develop.

 

[YakiCoug]

It's an adjustment for high school players going from having the ball most of the time and a green light to scoring out of an offense. I thought Franks was tentative early in his career thinking instead of just letting it fly. Franks was definitely a better shooter coming in compared to Elleby but it's also just part of the college adjustment. I really think he will become good enough shooting the ball. Not Klay or Franks but a good enough threat out of the offense to keep defenses honest.

Familiarity begets relaxation which begets fluidity. Elleby, in time, might start dropping shots. Meanwhile, a look around the conference at other young players who are already there (Bol Bol dropping 3-pointers for the ducks, for example), WSU's Elleby and Kunc are a step behind. Without Franks, this team would be lucky to win a conference game.

 

[SaveFerris]

The guy that sits next to me in basketball said Elleby reminds him of Ehlo. The more I think about it he may be right. You never know how these players will develop.

I think that's a pretty good comparison as well.

 

[ElComanche]

Underestimating.