Third and Fourth Summer Practice Updates

[Blounge]

Would love to see the big fella Jerelle Bennimon run it back with Timaj Parker-Rivera, Johnny Davis, Marcus Damas and company from 2013. Bet they could still bully the current players

[Bay Area Tiger]

4 minutes ago, Blounge said:

Would love to see the big fella Jerelle Bennimon run it back with Timaj Parker-Rivera, Johnny Davis, Marcus Damas and company from 2013. Bet they could still bully the current players

I bet Scooter Alexander at age 51 can still shoot it.  

[mat1992]

Short video from yesterday 

https://x.com/towson_mbb/status/1813955064496799967?s=46&t=nScacl1TWT-KyOwj5stBaw

[mat1992]

I went today and will have an evaluation later

https://x.com/towsontigerzone/status/1814048926892470310?s=46&t=nScacl1TWT-KyOwj5stBaw

[mat1992]

More alums were there today to play or watch. Some of the players from my era were there (Chuck Lightening, Larry Brown, Lou Waller, Patrick Manning) as well as Billy Leonard and two from the D2 Vince Angotti era. As for the Skerry-era players, Nolan, Four, Timberlake, Cam and CT were back. Brian Fobbs and Juwan Gray were also there. All were in shape since they were playing overseas, though Fobbs looked a little heavy. But was the best player on the floor as I had him for 17 points.

This was not the same setup as last time fortunately. You had the Black going against the Gold and also the Gray (the veterans). It was fullcourt for four minutes and they kept switching fives. The starters had Messiah Jones at center, Tejada, May, Tarke and Dylan. The Gold was Hicks, Lowery, Sulaiman and a mixture of others. Hicks looked good at times, but since he wasn't playing with May, Tejada or Dylan, he didn't have many shooters with him. I'd still like to see unselfish play as I had him for 4 of 9 and 2 of 5 from 3pt and 11 points. (stats are unofficial).

The guy who stood out to me was Sulaiman. I had him for 11 points including a circus-like reverse layup. Had him for 5 of 10 with five boards. Dylan was solid with 13 points and made the right passes for the most part. C May struggled in the early part making just one of his first five three-pointers. Once the tempo picked up, he had a nice throwdown and drive. Wound up with 10 points but just 2 of 8 from 3. At least it wasn't bad as Nick, who appeared to have a Kansas hangover. I wasn't taking stats for the alums, but he must have missed his first 8 shots including a wide open dunk, but ended with a 3 and a follow up dunk. He also blocked Abdo Samb's shot off the glass, which was probably a goaltending, but not called. 

Lowery should start over Tarke. That's just my opinion, but you kind of know what you'll get from Tarke. You don't know exactly what you'll get from Lowery other than defense. But the dribble-drive game is starting to get there and he can finish because he's a bit bigger. I had him for six points, all on drives. He did not attempt a shot over 5 feet so I guess know your lane, but ultimately, he needs a 15-footer because defenses will just play him for the drive. But the passing, the length and athletic ability, the faster pace and the BB IQ is going to be a big help assuming he plays more minutes.

That's not a good sign for Samb, who is 6-8 and around 220. Doesn't have the best hands and is not going to an offensive threat. The bigger question, assuming they start Jones (who once again struggled) is whether Embeya or Samb or both play minutes at the 5. Embeya had just two points and a bad turnover or two, but he blocked at least two shots and had five rebounds. The more he plays, especially against Thompson and veterans, the better he looks. The game still looks a little fast for him right now. He appears afraid to make mistakes on offense. On defense, he lacks the strength right now to defend a 250+ pound big like Thompson, who abused him once a nice baseline post move. However, he also understands who to use his length to his benefit. He has a pretty good feel, but it's going to take time. 

Coleman showed flashes and his athleticism with a nice flow dunk. Had him for 4 points, 2 steals, and two rebounds. He's better and his athleticism has changed to the point where I've never seen such progress. But he still has to produce more to get in the rotation.

Not much to say about Chike Ndefo. I think he took one shot. I'm sure he'll even be in the rotation. I'd say Sulaiman and Tarke or Lowery are definites off the bench. Then you have Samb, Embeya and possibly Coleman at the post spot. Hicks would back up the point. I think they need one more shooter off the bench.

I didn't mention Tarke because I thought he struggled badly at times with turnovers and tough threes. If I'm the coaches, Tarke is only shooting 3s if he's wide open or the clock is winding down. He backed down Four McGlynn a couple of times and scored. Love to see that more. His dribble drive game is adequate, but he's still not finishing on his way to the basket. The only player who finishes pretty consistently is D-Will and Hicks, who doesn't drive much, has been pretty good at finishing near the cup on drives or floaters.

IMO, this is Dylan Williamson's team. Yes, Tejada could lead the team in scoring this year. Maybe May. I know it's just the summer, but I'd like to see Tejada a little more involved offensively. I had him for just five shots, making two. But ultimately, I'd like to see some two-man game with him and Dylan. He needs to post up some and move around a little more without the ball. He's wasted at 6-8, 220, if he's just going to stay on the perimeter. I assume that will come in the fall when more offensive plays are added.

[mat1992]

https://x.com/wbaltv11/status/1814080980463825312?s=46&t=nScacl1TWT-KyOwj5stBaw

Some video from WBAL-TV

[mat1992]

[TuTigers2012]

1 hour ago, mat1992 said:

More alums were there today to play or watch. Some of the players from my era were there (Chuck Lightening, Larry Brow, Lou Waller, Patrick Manning) as well as Billy Leonard a two from the D2 Vince Angotti era. As for the Skerry-era players, Nolan, Four, Timberlake, Cam and CT were back. Brian Fobbs and Juwan Gray were also there. All were in shape since they were playing overseas, though Fobbs looked a little heavy. But was the best player on the floor as I had him for 17 points.

This was not the same setup as last time fortunately. You had the Black going against the Gold and also the Gray (the veterans). It was fullcourt for four minutes and they kept switching fives. The starters had Messiah Jones at center, Tejada, May, Tarke and Dylan. The Gold was Hicks, Lowery, Sulaiman and a mixture of others. Hicks looked good at times, but since he wasn't playing with May, Tejada or Dylan, he didn't have many shooters with him. I'd still like to see unselfish play as I had him for 4 of 9 and 2 of 5 from 3pt and 11 points. (stats are unofficial).

The guy who stood out to me was Sulaiman. I had him for 11 points including a circus-like reverse layup. Had him for 5 of 10 with five boards. Dylan was solid with 13 points and made the right passes for the most part. C May struggled in the early part making just one of his first five three-pointers. Once the tempo picked up, he had a nice throwdown and drive. Wound up with 10 points but just 2 of 8 from 3. At least it wasn't bad as Nick, who appeared to have a Kansas hangover. I wasn't taking stats for the alums, but he must have missed his first 8 shots including a wide open dunk, but ended with a 3 and a follow up dunk. He also blocked Abdo Samb's shot off the glass, which was probably a goaltending, but not called. 

Lowery should start over Tarke. That's just my opinion, but you kind of know what you'll get from Tarke. You don't know exactly what you'll get from Lowery other than defense. But the dribble-drive game is starting to get there and he can finish because he's a bit bigger. I had him for six points, all on drives. He did not attempt a shot over 5 feet so I guess know your lane, but ultimately, he needs a 15-footer because defenses will just play him for the drive. But the passing, the length and athletic ability, the faster pace and the BB IQ is going to be a big help assuming he plays more minutes.

That's not a good sign for Samb, who is 6-8 and around 220. Doesn't have the best hands and is not going to an offensive threat. The bigger question, assuming they start Jones (who once again struggled) is whether Embeya or Samb or both play minutes at the 5. Embeya had just two points and a bad turnover or two, but he blocked at least two shots and had five rebounds. The more he plays, especially against Thompson and veterans, the better he looks. The game still looks a little fast for him right now. He appears afraid to make mistakes on offense. On defense, he lacks the strength right now to defend a 250+ pound big like Thompson, who abused him once a nice baseline post move. However, he also understands who to use his length to his benefit. He has a pretty good feel, but it's going to take time. 

Coleman showed flashes and his athleticism with a nice flow dunk. Had him for 4 points, 2 steals, and two rebounds. He's better and his athleticism has changed to the point where I've never seen such progress. But he still has to produce more to get in the rotation.

Not much to say about Chike Ndefo. I think he took one shot. I'm sure he'll even be in the rotation. I'd say Sulaiman and Tarke or Lowery are definites off the bench. Then you have Samb, Embeya and possibly Coleman at the post spot. Hicks would back up the point. I think they need one more shooter off the bench.

I didn't mention Tarke because I thought he struggled badly at times with turnovers and tough threes. If I'm the coaches, Tarke is only shooting 3s if he's wide open or the clock is winding down. He backed down Four McGlynn a couple of times and scored. Love to see that more. His dribble drive game is adequate, but he's still not finishing on his way to the basket. The only player who finishes pretty consistently is D-Will and Hicks, who doesn't drive much, has been pretty good at finishing near the cup on drives or floaters.

IMO, this is Dylan Williamson's team. Yes, Tejada could lead the team in scoring this year. Maybe May. I know it's just the summer, but I'd like to see Tejada a little more involved offensively. I had him for just five shots, making two. But ultimately, I'd like to see some two-man game with him and Dylan. He needs to post up some and move around a little more without the ball. He's wasted at 6-8, 220, if he's just going to stay on the perimeter. I assume that will come in the fall when more offensive plays are added.

Very nice that they invited the alums back and they showed.  Hopefully they support the program financially as well. This type of support has not been the norm until recently. Kudos to them for putting this event together.

You’re usually very optimistic and these reports are some good then some bad.  Wish we had more consistency.  The 5 spot is going to be rough and besides our choking down the stretch, will be our downfall

[mat1992]

24 minutes ago, TuTigers2012 said:

Very nice that they invited the alums back and they showed.  Hopefully they support the program financially as well. This type of support has not been the norm until recently. Kudos to them for putting this event together.

You’re usually very optimistic and these reports are some good then some bad.  Wish we had more consistency.  The 5 spot is going to be rough and besides our choking down the stretch, will be our downfall

I'm calling it the way I see it as I always do. If guys play great, just as Timberlake did two summers ago, I'm going to give him his kudos. I've said it here several times that May wasn't great over the summer in 2023 and it showed in his lack of consistency in the fall. I think the quicker pace will help him get some transition points. But I also can't say I'm overwhelmed with the center position. Why do we need guys to give, whether it's from basketball alums or alums period for NIL? Look at the center position.

But I'm really high on Williamson, Tejada and Lowery. I just hope Mekhi can find a semblance of a jumper because he FTs look better. He's almost too unselfish but that ability to get to the basket off the dribble and finish is a nice sight to see.

[AtlantaTiger]

These updates on the team’s progress and performance are terrific and very much appreciated.  I’m sure the guys are busting their tails this offseason to be in great shape and form for the upcoming season.

What I’d REALLY love to know is what Coach Skerry and his staff have been doing to improve at their craft. As I’ve pondered in offseasons in the past, what does Pat do in the summer to get better as a coach?  Does he attend coaching clinics? Does he visit other programs and meet with other coaches to compare ideas, concepts and strategies? How much film of OTHER teams does he watch to possibly “borrow” set play designs or better understand clock management? 
 

If Pat is convinced that his system and style of play is untouchable and is in no need of adjustment, we’re doomed. Won’t matter who starts at the 5, how many minutes so-n-so gets, how many free throws they practice, etc. I think it’s been pretty well established that a lot of our failures as a program have been less about the Jimmy’s and Joe’s and more about the X’s & O’s.

What is PAT doing this summer to be a better coach?