UKOwnstheSEC
10-22-2006, 09:45 PM
LEXINGTON - Two things that might not seem all that important jumped out at Kentucky coach Tubby Smith here Saturday as he watched his team's annual Blue-White Game.
First, players made shots. For a team that has struggled to score at times the last two years, that was a good sign even in an intrasquad scrimmage.
Second, his players played hard even though he knew they were tired from a week of two-a-day practices, including one earlier Saturday.
"They were a bit fatigued but I liked the way they competed down the stretch," Smith said after the Blue team won 95-87. "I like to see that competitive nature come out in the guys."
Since this was the first real look at Smith's team, here are a few observations on the scholarship players:
Bobby Perry.
He was much more aggressive and offensive minded. He went 10-for-16 from the field, including 6-for-10 from 3-point range. "My defense was not up to par, but I do think I can score more for this team this year," Perry said.
Sheray Thomas.
He vowed he would be more aggressive and offensive minded this year. In the scrimmage's first two minutes, he forced a steal that he converted into a fast break score and went over center Randolph Morris to tip in a missed shot. "Those are the things I can do, and should do," Thomas said.
Lukasz Obrzut.
The senior center-forward is still big on effort, but short on results. His low-post offense did not look any better and he still often gets confused on position. "Woo, where are you going?" Smith yelled after one second-half miscue. He did hit several 15-foot shots and finished 6-for-10 from the field, but don't look for a big improvement here.
Joe Crawford.
The best sign for Kentucky could have been early when he passed up an open 3-point shot to drive inside and score. He looked more team-oriented and comfortable playing two guard than he has his first two years at small forward. He had 29 points on 12-for-22 shooting, didn't force shots and was much more involved in a smooth flow on offense.
Randolph Morris.
He was 12-for-16 from the field and easily scored against UK's other inside players. However, he managed just four rebounds - not exactly what one might envision in a scrimmage just two days after Morris said he planned to average in double digits in rebounding this year. "We want to see him more aggressive in attacking the boards," Smith said.
He better be if UK wants to be better because the Cats don't have a lot of other inside options.
Ramel Bradley.
He's going to be a shooting point guard. Accept that. He got 21 shots from the field and 10 free throws to score 28 points. But he did have four assists, five steals and three rebounds as it was obvious he wants to be UK's floor leader. "I think my shot selection could have been better. I could have pitched the ball out more," Bradley said. However, turning Bradley into a non-shooter would ruin his game and Smith seems content to believe he'll understand the right balance of shots and passes the Cats need from him.
Jared Carter.
Reports of his improved strength and understanding of the game were not visible in this game. Or at least not often. He still got pushed around inside and fails to have the strength to muscle inside or snatch rebounds away from other players. He took just one shot - which has to be a record for a scholarship player in a Blue-White Game.
Jodie Meeks.
The freshman guard had one rim-rattling dunk that showed off his athleticism. He was active on both ends of the court, but also had trouble at times on defense making sure players did not go by him. However, he didn't force plays and seemed content to play whatever role is needed.
Derrick Jasper.
He said at Media Day on Thursday that he needed to work on his shot. He went 6-for-11 from the field, but clearly preferred to drive inside rather than shoot outside (he was 0-for-2 from 3-point range). His passing skills were as good as advertised as he had a game-high five assists and just seems to have a knack for finding open players. His size at guard also is an obvious plus.
Michael Porter.
His defensive skills are better than what most people know. Early in this scrimmage he forced a turnover by deflecting a pass, and on the next trip he harassed Bradley into a five-second count. He also knows his role on offense - pass the ball. He didn't take his first shot until 18 minutes into the scrimmage and his only other first-half shot was as time was about to expire. However, he did have trouble against aggressive defense and had seven turnovers.
Perry Stevenson.
He was billed as a rebounder and defensive specialist. He had seven rebounds - three more than Morris - but was 0-for-2 from the field and seemed hesitant to shoot. He should be able to block, or at least alter, shots often and he does run the court well.
So overall what did Smith think of the Blue-White Game?
"The defense is not where it is supposed to be and the offense is not where we would like it. But we are playing together and the guys are communicating better on the court. Those are things I really like," Smith said.
http://www.amnews.com/public_html/?module=displaystory&story_id=26065&format=html
First, players made shots. For a team that has struggled to score at times the last two years, that was a good sign even in an intrasquad scrimmage.
Second, his players played hard even though he knew they were tired from a week of two-a-day practices, including one earlier Saturday.
"They were a bit fatigued but I liked the way they competed down the stretch," Smith said after the Blue team won 95-87. "I like to see that competitive nature come out in the guys."
Since this was the first real look at Smith's team, here are a few observations on the scholarship players:
Bobby Perry.
He was much more aggressive and offensive minded. He went 10-for-16 from the field, including 6-for-10 from 3-point range. "My defense was not up to par, but I do think I can score more for this team this year," Perry said.
Sheray Thomas.
He vowed he would be more aggressive and offensive minded this year. In the scrimmage's first two minutes, he forced a steal that he converted into a fast break score and went over center Randolph Morris to tip in a missed shot. "Those are the things I can do, and should do," Thomas said.
Lukasz Obrzut.
The senior center-forward is still big on effort, but short on results. His low-post offense did not look any better and he still often gets confused on position. "Woo, where are you going?" Smith yelled after one second-half miscue. He did hit several 15-foot shots and finished 6-for-10 from the field, but don't look for a big improvement here.
Joe Crawford.
The best sign for Kentucky could have been early when he passed up an open 3-point shot to drive inside and score. He looked more team-oriented and comfortable playing two guard than he has his first two years at small forward. He had 29 points on 12-for-22 shooting, didn't force shots and was much more involved in a smooth flow on offense.
Randolph Morris.
He was 12-for-16 from the field and easily scored against UK's other inside players. However, he managed just four rebounds - not exactly what one might envision in a scrimmage just two days after Morris said he planned to average in double digits in rebounding this year. "We want to see him more aggressive in attacking the boards," Smith said.
He better be if UK wants to be better because the Cats don't have a lot of other inside options.
Ramel Bradley.
He's going to be a shooting point guard. Accept that. He got 21 shots from the field and 10 free throws to score 28 points. But he did have four assists, five steals and three rebounds as it was obvious he wants to be UK's floor leader. "I think my shot selection could have been better. I could have pitched the ball out more," Bradley said. However, turning Bradley into a non-shooter would ruin his game and Smith seems content to believe he'll understand the right balance of shots and passes the Cats need from him.
Jared Carter.
Reports of his improved strength and understanding of the game were not visible in this game. Or at least not often. He still got pushed around inside and fails to have the strength to muscle inside or snatch rebounds away from other players. He took just one shot - which has to be a record for a scholarship player in a Blue-White Game.
Jodie Meeks.
The freshman guard had one rim-rattling dunk that showed off his athleticism. He was active on both ends of the court, but also had trouble at times on defense making sure players did not go by him. However, he didn't force plays and seemed content to play whatever role is needed.
Derrick Jasper.
He said at Media Day on Thursday that he needed to work on his shot. He went 6-for-11 from the field, but clearly preferred to drive inside rather than shoot outside (he was 0-for-2 from 3-point range). His passing skills were as good as advertised as he had a game-high five assists and just seems to have a knack for finding open players. His size at guard also is an obvious plus.
Michael Porter.
His defensive skills are better than what most people know. Early in this scrimmage he forced a turnover by deflecting a pass, and on the next trip he harassed Bradley into a five-second count. He also knows his role on offense - pass the ball. He didn't take his first shot until 18 minutes into the scrimmage and his only other first-half shot was as time was about to expire. However, he did have trouble against aggressive defense and had seven turnovers.
Perry Stevenson.
He was billed as a rebounder and defensive specialist. He had seven rebounds - three more than Morris - but was 0-for-2 from the field and seemed hesitant to shoot. He should be able to block, or at least alter, shots often and he does run the court well.
So overall what did Smith think of the Blue-White Game?
"The defense is not where it is supposed to be and the offense is not where we would like it. But we are playing together and the guys are communicating better on the court. Those are things I really like," Smith said.
http://www.amnews.com/public_html/?module=displaystory&story_id=26065&format=html