Kansas @ Tennessee
I figure a lot of people are thinking Kansas will just blowout Tennessee today but something is telling me otherwise. I expect a very close game. I think Kansas wins by 4. If Tennessee had a bench then I think they would have a very solid chance to win. Their bench is just devastated because of the suspensions. The Vols may wear down a bit towards the end of the game.
I think the size differential in the guards will keep Tennessee in the game. I know height isn't everything but it helps. Look at the matchups- Tennessee has a 4 inch advantage at PG, 5 inch at SG, & 1 inch at SF.
4 of their top 8 players got suspended. That is a pretty big blow.
They no have no depth at PG, because Melvin Goins is gone. Also their only true Center on the team (Brian Williams) is gone. We all now about Tyler Smith. Tatum was just another wing that likes to shoot 3's.
I hope Tennessee is able to overcome these loses in the long run. It is going to be a struggle in the SEC playing with such a depleted bench.
Kansas: As I said over the summer when he was getting hyped as a 1st round pick..Tyshawn Taylor is NOT a 1st round pick lol...He's a 4-year college player and he's a poor ball handler for someone his height at this level of college basketball. He's very similar to Avery Bradley, except less athletic and with less of a mid-range game, two things that Bradley stands out at.
Cole Aldrich reminds me alot of Joakim Noah, and I think he'll be a huge presence in the NBA as a defender and rebounder. He's never seemed like the type to be a great offensiev option though at the NBA level.
Xavier Henry is playing his usual game...Showing his usual shooting touch and playing within the offense. He's a good defender too.
Sherron Collins is that aggressive slasher who excels in the drive and dish. He also pressures the ball well.
Marcus Morris could be an interesting prospect next seson. He's tough on the post. Not real talented offensively, but no slouch either.
Tennessee:
Scotty Hopson has to work on his decision making, but he's got a soft shooting touch and he's a good slasher off cuts and at times when dribble penetration. Not much of a ball handler though. He also isn't a good defender. He reminds me of J.R. Smith.
Bobby Maze does his best Allen Iverson impression everytime I see him play LOL...
Renaldo Woodridge is a shooter with good size. Also has rebounded his area good.
J.P. Prince has some point forward skills, and is a beast on D..but he's a poor, poor shooter.
Wayne Chism is a decent player with a big frame, and can score at the rim and shooting, but he lacks athleticism.
Kenny Hall is from Atlanta (forgot he played for Tennessee)..when I see him play. he reminds me of Taj Gibson
if you watched cole last year you know he has offense. with all these guards/players they have he doesnt get the touches he got last year. he looked alot like brook lopez last year . he's only getting 7 attempts a game this year and shooting 55 percent. last year he was getting 10 attempts a game
ahhh got cha...man collins is doing his thing out there to keep kansas in the game and youre right iggy but you can say that about all the other guys who score in college. he has the potential like everyone else to score in the nba though
Iggy- Hopson is a mediocre defender. However, he has the ability with his lenght/atheleticsm to be at least a good defender. It is just going to take a little more teaching & motivation on his part to try harder on the defensive end. His ball handling is actually pretty good. He needs to "tighten up" his handle though. Sometimes he can get carried away & he will get the ball stolen from him. Still, he has a NASTY crossover. Check out some of his highschool highlights below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgGNkWfciyk
Hopson has done a pretty solid job defending Taylor & Henry today. Both of them are shooting mediocre % from the field. Hopson overall has outplayed both of them.
That shows the adjustment you make in college. He showed a good crossover in HS. He hasn't shown anything resemblin those types of crossovers when I see him play in college, but he can dribble in a straight line or take 2 or 3 dribbles and finish. I'd like to see him get into a stance on D, he plays straight up and will reach a whole lot...
ya'll wait till you see the big kid they signed next year out of ny. he doesnt get the press the other hs sr get but hes a allamerican and has pro tools..tobias harris. liked him since his freshman year when he said he was very interested in maryland...broke my heart that he didnt pick the terps
I can see a Howard comparison, but Howard is just as physical as Smith is and he plays better D and is a worse shooter than Hopson and Smith...Hopson and Smith is my comparison because they have the same strengths and weaknesses. Even though I do think Smith is more physical and strong than Hopson is...
Iggy- Yeah Hopson still crosses people over in college but not nearly as much as high school. I 100% agree about standing straight up on D. I like the JR Smtih comparison except that like everyone else is saying Smith is more physical, stronger build.
6-6 PG- I like that comparison except Hopson is a considerably better long range shooter than Howard is.
tennesee did it earlier i said scotty hopson is the most underrated prospect dude can flat out play and know he can really show his skills that tyler smith is gone hopson can get 20 every night if he want to they beat the number 1 team with 3 walk ons they wanted to win kansas thought they had an easy win
Yeah, I didnt watch the game, so im basing this on boxscores
But Sherron Collins could've looked for Aldrich more, Collins shot 10 3-pointers, and only connecting on 2 of them, hes a good shooter from the 3, but when hes not hitting it, he needs to look and get everyone else involved
you guys are missing the main issue with kansas tonight : 16 turnovers to Tennessee's 8 (although I do agree they rely on the 3 too much right now) that doesnt sound like Bill Self basketball to me, while Texas is definitely deserving of the #1 spot, its going to be a fight in the Big 12 this year. CANT WAIT FOR KU/TEXAS...PUMPED
Kansas @ Tennessee 4:30 PM ET CBS
KANSAS TENNESSEE
PG-Sherron Collins 5-11 PG- Bobby Maze 6-3
SG-Tyshawn Taylor 6-2 SG- Scotty Hopson 6-7
SF- Xavier Henry 6-6 SF- JP Prince 6-7
PF- Marcus Morris 6-8 PF- Renaldo Woolridge 6-8
C- Cole Aldrich 6-11 C- Wayne Chism 6-9
I'll be watching this game.