First Fall Scrimmage Update

[mat1992 2,237]

I wish I could say there was great news in terms of eligibility and injury news. Nendah Tarke hasn't gotten word yet from the NCAA so they are in a holding pattern, but he also had issues with his back and even though he dressed, didn't play in the scrimmage (two 12-minute periods with refs). So Tarke seemed a bit gimpy and who knows when he returns. Way too early to mention JG here so hopefully he'll be back in practice in a few days. As someone who has suffered through that, if it becomes a long-term thing, usually a cortisone shot can help (not with Gibby last season). Jaiden Cole was supposed to be available by now and he wasn't even in the non-contact part because he had a boot on and was on the bike. If he's still like this in another month, I assume they will have to redshirt him. 

So you had Tarke dressed but not playing. Marcus Watson on the bike rehabbing his ACL and Cole still not available. The good news is that there are three pretty good freshmen counting Dylan Williamson and this team is a lot longer and more powerful than last season. If Tarke plays, they should be fine, but without him and Cole, there is very little depth in the backcourt. It also means that Williamson and Hicks will probably play together some while Lowery, May and Tejada will play a lot at the 2 and 3 spots. Sulaiman can play some 3 (he's around 6-5, 230), but is more of tweener.

A few things stood out. Messiah Jones banged two threes out of three shots and that would be huge if he can start making those. He was 0 for 7 from 3pt over his last two seasons. He does have a pretty nice lefty form. He does have a very unorthodox post game where he will take some funky looking off-balanced lefty shots and hooks. John Davis at least had a pet move, where he would fake right and go left. Either way, Jones is going to help with his bulk, rebounding and some interior scoring. Again, if he can add that three-point game, it would be a huge help. Another issue is fouling and I'm sure the coaches have gone over with him and others about reaching and too much fouling. He's definitely not a 30+ minute player. I had him for 14 points in 24 minutes (all 10 guys played both 12-minute periods).

Dylan Williamson is more of a scorer than a point guard though he made some nice passes today. He had 10 points and a couple of assists on 3 of 7 shooting. Made both threes he took. I think he's still learning to be a point guard though I had him for just one turnover. 

Tyler Tejada looks really good physically. When I first saw him in June, I wasn't sure what to think about his game and he looks like he dropped some baby fat and added some muscle. So at 6-8, 220+, he's a really big win and now, we need him. I thought he looked a little better in late July and then in Canada, he played very well, averaging around 12ppg. He didn't shoot the three well (0-3), but did have eight points, including four on two soaring dunks in transition. When Tejada was defended by Mekhi Lowery, it was tough getting a shot off. That's how good Lowery is on defense with his tremendous length and leaping ability. On offense, he took just one shot and struggled to finish on a drive. He did make both free throws. But that's kind of what you can expect him from. Really good defensively and doesn't have much of an offensive game yet. Kind of seemed tenative as if he didn't want to make a mistake and that's typical for a freshman early on. 

Since offense is so important, Lowery will likely only play 10-15mpg off the bench and I see Tejada playing more. God forbid Tarke is out or not eligible, he may end up starting. 

As for C. May, I saw him putting the ball on the floor and driving some in Canada. I didn't see that here and I think that tells you a little more about our long defenders and rim protectors. But he did show more mid-range ability. His confidence as a 3-point shooter seems a bit down this season. He made just 1 of 5 and while I had him for two assists, he's not there to be the next Cam. We need him to average at least 12+ points per game. Personally, I've compared him with Corey Kispert, as a big, athletic wing (May is a bit better athlete), who needs to do more than just shoot. Kispert figured it out last season with the Wizards as a guy who moves without the ball and can get to the rim without putting the ball on the floor much.  I know May is just 19 or 20, but hopefully, he becomes more aggressive. He's 10 pounds or so heavier, he's very athletic so needs to use that and not just become the next NT.

Tomiwa Sulaiman's game is really growing on me. Few people are going to like his corkscrew jumper, but it goes in. I wish he slashed a little more to the basket, but the handle does seem to be there. He did have nine points and he's always around the basket when there's a miss. Will likely be the team's 2nd or 3rd best offensive rebounder (after CT). His defense is also on point.

As for Radhir Hicks, other than two turnovers in the second half, he played a near-perfect 24 minutes. He had nine points, hit a three and did not miss a shot with three assists.  He could have had around six assists had the guys made their open jumpers. But I've seen this before. He does well in preseason and then he doesn't make open shots when the lights go on. If he can do that, just give us 7-8ppg and 3-4apg, the point guard position would be in pretty good shape when you add Williamson's potential to score (hopefully around 6-7ppg, 2apg in 20mpg).

I thought Chase Paar was....Chase Paar. At times, he overpowered CT and had eight points with about 4 rebounds. He also had three turnovers. He was huffing and puffing some, but he's definitely in much better shape and has lost a bunch of weight since his first season.

As for CT, I didn't see this new progression of him taking jumpers. Maybe he gave up on tat. My biggest concern is free throw shooting. It seems like he has a hitch in his form. I had Towson for just two missed FTs in the scrimmage (18 of 20). Coleman and Thompson had one miss apiece. That was a good thing considering they didn't shoot that well in Canada from the line. Charles also shot some long hooks and I know Paar has the 6-10 frame and did a nice job. I think against bigger and wider dudes (not 6-10 string beans like at Stony Brook), he needs to shoot that short jumper he now has (did in this game) or take them off the dribble. He also had a really nice up-and-under move today. Had just seven points but a bunch of boards. Not really worried about CT though. 

So all in all, not bad for the first fall scrimmage. A little sloppy early but not bad. I guess knowing that Tarke wasn't playing and that Cole is still out (not surprised) kind of left me in a slightly bad mood. The key is getting all three of the four freshmen as many reps as possible along with the newcomers in Tomiwa and Jones. If Cole can somehow get healthy in a month, maybe you ease him back into the rotation or just as a bench player. Maybe he can play more in conference play or of course, the other redshirt scenario is out there.

I don't want to put that ole "wait until next season" type of thing. Who knows who will be back, but we will have some serious length and athletic ability next season with 6-6 wing Chike Ndefu now on board and the 6-9 center Caleb Embeya (who was there today). I think we've lacked that in recent years on the wing. We've had that in the post in terms of guys like Dennis Tunstall but other than 6-8 Juwan Gray, who we missed last season as a defender on the perimeter. Add 6-8 Tejada, 6-6 Lowery and hopefully a healthy Cole (a long 6-4) with Sulaiman and Ndeful. That's a lot of length and some skill on the perimeter where we can hopefully do some different things defensively. We'll miss Charles' steady play but have a super long and athletic team. Ndefu can shoot it by the way. Who knows about Watson returning, but Tarke and May. We'd probably only need a transfer or two and I would definitely say another big who has some experience. And well if we had two ships, a point guard or combo guard who can break you down off the dribble.

 

 

[TuTigers2012 1,071]

20 minutes ago, mat1992 said:

I wish I could say there was great news in terms of eligibility and injury news. But there's not. Nendah Tarke hasn't gotten word yet from the NCAA so they are in a holding pattern, but he also had issues with his back and even though he dressed, didn't play in the scrimmage (two 12 minute periods with refs). So Tarke seemed a bit gimpy and who knows when he returns. Jaiden Cole was supposed to be available by now and he wasn't even in the non-contact part because he had a boot on and was on the bike. If he's still like this in another month, I assume they will have to redshirt him. 

So you had Tarke dressed but not playing. Marcus Watson on the bike rehabbing his ACL and Cole still not available. The good news is that there are three pretty good freshmen counting Dylan Williamson and this team is a lot longer and more powerful than last season. If Tarke plays, they should be fine, but without him and Cole, there is very little depth in the backcourt. It also means that Williamson and Hicks will probably play together some while Lowery, May and Tejada will play a lot at the 2 and 3 spots. Sulaiman can play some 3 (he's around 6-5, 230), but is more of tweener.

A few things stood out. Messiah Jones banged two threes out of three shots and that would be huge if he can start making those. He was 0 for 7 from 3pt over his last two seasons. He does have a pretty nice lefty form. He does have a very unorthodox post game where he will take some funky looking off-balanced lefty shots and hooks. John Davis at least had a pet move, where he would fake right and go left. Either way, Jones is going to help with his bulk, rebounding and some interior scoring. Again, if he can add that three-point game, it would be a huge help. Another issue is fouling and I'm sure the coaches have gone over with him and others about reaching and too much fouling. He's definitely not a 30+ minute player. I had him for 14 points in 24 minutes (all 10 guys played both 12-minute periods).

Dylan Williamson is more of a scorer than a point guard though he made some nice passes today. He had 10 points and a couple of assists on 3 of 7 shooting. Made both threes he took. I think he's still learning to be a point guard though I had him for just one turnover. 

Tyler Tejada looks really good physically. When I first saw him in June, I wasn't sure what to think. I thought he looked a little better in late July and then in Canada, he played very well, averaging around 12ppg. He didn't shoot the three well (0-3), but did have eight points, including four on two soaring dunks in transition. When Tejada was defended by Mekhi Lowery, it was tough getting a shot off. That's how good Lowery is on defense with his tremendous length and leaping ability. On offense, he took just one shot and struggled to finish on a drive. He did make both free throws. 

Since offense is so important, Lowery will likely only play 10-15mpg off the bench and I see Tejada playing more. God forbid Tarke is out or not eligible, he may end up starting. 

As for C. May, I saw him putting the ball on the floor and driving some. I didn't see that here and I think that tells you a little more about Lowery, who can protect the basket along with Sulaiman and Paar's size. But he did show more mid-range ability. His confidence as a 3-point shooter seems a bit down this season. He made just 1 of 5 and while I had him for two assists, he's not there to be the next Cam. We need him to average at least 12+ points per game. Personally, I've compared him with Corey Kispert, as a big, athletic wing (May is a bit better athlete), who needs to do more than just shoot. Kispert figured it out last season with the Wizards. I know May is just 19 or 20, but hopefully he becomes more aggressive. He's 10 pounds or so heavier, he's very athletic so needs to use that and not just become the next NT.

Sulaiman's game is really growing on me. Few people are going to like his corkscrew jumper, but it goes in. I wish he slashed a little more to the basket, but the handle does seem to be there. He did have nine points and he's always around the basket when there's a miss. Will likely be the team's 2nd or 3rd best offensive rebounder (after CT). His defense is also on point.

As for Radhir Hicks, other than two turnovers in the second half, he played a near-perfect 24 minutes. He had nine points, hit a three and did not miss a shot with three assists.  He could have had around six assists had guys made their open jumpers. But I've seen this before. He does well in preseason and then he doesn't make open shots when the lights go on. If he can do that, just give us 7-8ppg and 3-4apg, the point guard position would be in pretty good shape when you add Williamson's potential to score (hopefully around 6-7ppg, 2apg in 20mpg).

I thought Chase Paar was....Chase Paar. At times, he overpowered CT and had eight points with about 4 rebounds. He also had three turnovers because the center has to handle it a lot in the high post and our defense was swarming. He was huffing and puffing some, but he's definitely in much better shape and has lost a bunch of weight since his first season.

As for CT, I didn't see this new progression of him taking jumpers. Maybe he gave up on that. My biggest concern is free throw shooting. It seems like he has a hitch in his form. I had Towson for just two missed FTs in the scrimmage (18 of 20). Coleman and Thompson had one miss apiece. That was a good thing considering they didn't shoot that well in Canada from the line. Charles also shot some long hooks and I know Paar has the 6-10 frame and did a nice job. I think against bigger and wider dudes (not 6-10 string beans like at Stony Brook), he needs to shoot that short jumper he now has (did in this game) or take them off the dribble. He also had a really nice up-and-under move today. Had just seven points but a bunch of boards. Not really worried about CT though. 

So all in all, not bad for the first fall scrimmage. A little sloppy early but not bad. I guess knowing that Tarke wasn't playing and that Cole is still out (not surprised) kind of left me in a slightly bad mood. The key is getting all three of the four freshmen as many reps as possible along with the newcomers in Tomiwa and Jones. If Cole can somehow get healthy in a month, maybe you ease him back into the rotation or just as a bench player. Maybe he can play more in conference play or of course, the other redshirt scenario is out there.

I don't want to put that ole "wait until next season" type of thing. Who knows who will be back, but we will have some serious length and athletic ability next season with 6-6 wing Chike Ndefu now on board and the 6-9 center Caleb Embeya (who was there today). Add Tejada, Lowery and hopefully a healthy Cole (a long 6-4) with Sulaiman. We'll miss Charles but have a super long and athletic team. Ndefu can shoot it by the way. Who knows about Watson returning, but Tarke and May. We'd probably only need a transfer or two and I would definitely say another big. And well if we had two ships, a point guard or combo guard who can break you down off the dribble.

 

 

Ugh, not good to hear both those things about tarke. We need him in order to be competitive this year.   
What did we overall shoot from 3?  Sulaiman is a junior?

We have heard the Hicks thing for a while. Until he actually shows it, it’s just like Bigfoot. In 2023 what’s the point of redshirting when there’s so much movement? If he can play a little in January or February, great. We need warm competent bodies.

Thinking about next year already is not a great sign

 

 

[mat1992 2,237]

7 minutes ago, TuTigers2012 said:

Ugh, not good to hear both those things about tarke. We need him in order to be competitive this year.   
What did we overall shoot from 3?  Sulaiman is a junior?

We have heard the Hicks thing for a while. Until he actually shows it, it’s just like Bigfoot. In 2023 what’s the point of redshirting when there’s so much movement? If he can play a little in January or February, great. We need warm competent bodies.

Thinking about next year already is not a great sign

 

 

I had us 6 for 15 from 3-point range. Sulaiman has a Covid year and he has two seasons left. 

Hicks played well. I can't say he has done much in terms of shooting in the regular season, but all I can report is that he shot it well. He didn't in Canada. He doesn't have to do much. Just make a few open shots per game and take care of the ball.

As for Cole, if he can't go in November and can't go in January, what's the point in NOT redshirting him. I don't care about player movement. If Tarke is available and there's a chance that Conway returns at some point in 2024, Cole wouldn't play much, if at all. Yes, I would assume they wait awhile on Cole because of what happened with Williamson last season. Once he redshirted and we lost Hicks for a bit and Gibson for the season, there was no depth at point guard. It's not a good sign to see him in a boot over a month after I saw him shooting on the side and practicing in non-contact drills.

[TuTigers2012 1,071]

3 minutes ago, mat1992 said:

I had us 6 for 15 from 3-point range. Sulaiman has a Covid year and he has two seasons left. 

Hicks played well. I can't say he has done much in terms of shooting in the regular season, but all I can report is that he shot it well. He didn't in Canada. He doesn't have to do much. Just make a few open shots per game and take care of the ball.

As for Cole, if he can't go in November and can't go in January, what's the point in NOT redshirting him. I don't care about player movement. If Tarke is available and there's a chance that Conway returns at some point in 2024, Cole wouldn't play much, if at all. Yes, I would assume they wait awhile on Cole because of what happened with Williamson last season. Once he redshirted and we lost Hicks for a bit and Gibson for the season, there was no depth at point guard. It's not a good sign to see him in a boot over a month after I saw him shooting on the side and practicing in non-contact drills.

May be mistaken but you can burn a redshirt right?  If they declare him as one, but need him in January that can happen right? If so, there’s no need to unless he’s hurt the entire year.  
Conway back in calendar 2024 or 2024 season???  If there’s no ruling by mid October on Tarke, someone needs to drive to Indy 

[mat1992 2,237]

Just now, TuTigers2012 said:

May be mistaken but you can burn a redshirt right?  If they declare him as one, but need him in January that can happen right? If so, there’s no need to unless he’s hurt the entire year.  
Conway back in calendar 2024 or 2024 season???  If there’s no ruling by mid October on Tarke, someone needs to drive to Indy 

Conway back this season, but depends on a lot of things that are above my pay grade.

I think once decide to officially redshirt a player, it's over and this would be more medical redshirt. So I would assume that they wait as long as possible. 

[TuTigers2012 1,071]

1 hour ago, mat1992 said:

Conway back this season, but depends on a lot of things that are above my pay grade.

I think once decide to officially redshirt a player, it's over and this would be more medical redshirt. So I would assume that they wait as long as possible. 

Interesting to both. Never knew that it was that official regarding the red-shirt declaration rules

[TSU88 1,074]

So, the opening game is 5 weeks away and Conway is almost certainly out for the season (his trial date isn’t until February 4th); Watson is out for the season; Cole (who I had great hopes for) appears increasingly likely to be headed for a redshirt and we don’t know if Tarke is going to be cleared by the NCAA. I mean even the most optimistic of us would find it challenging to be brimming with optimism, given all this 

[TuTigers2012 1,071]

1 hour ago, TSU88 said:

So, the opening game is 5 weeks away and Conway is almost certainly out for the season (his trial date isn’t until February 4th); Watson is out for the season; Cole (who I had great hopes for) appears increasingly likely to be headed for a redshirt and we don’t know if Tarke is going to be cleared by the NCAA. I mean even the most optimistic of us would find it challenging to be brimming with optimism, given all this 

Shhh. Can only be positive on here!!

[Bay Area Tiger 347]

Great update as usual..

 I think you can redshirt a player to start but also change that distinction later on in the season..  I say that because last season here at San Francisco we had Ndewedo Newbury start playing on like January 19th (3rd league game) after it was determined that Julian Rishwain was out for the season with a knee injury.  
Newbury waived his red shirt season to play. 

[mat1992 2,237]

I know I gave a bit of gloom and doom report yesterday or a least started out that way. Tarke should be fine physically. The wait for his eligibility is not fun and it would be nice if it happened this week so they can prepare for either scenario.

I don’t know if Cole could have helped other than with his shot and I guess in that respect he’d replace Conway. The other freshmen are physically ready, while he’s about 20 pounds away from that optimum weight. We’re still a month away and if the injury improves again, I’ll be more positive about him playing this year at some point. But right now it appears it will be awhile until he gets on the court just to practice with contact.