3 truths thru 6 games

#51
#51
BoroVol93 said:
I like ON better than Anosike... he is more athletic and can play above the rim on both ends... I like anosike and his effort and leadership but I think he will struggle in power 5 play vs taller more athletic bigs...
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Anosike can rebound the basketball and ON just doesn't do it for whatever reason. ON has played better recently but let's see him do it against a power 5.
 
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#52
#52
Unconditional Surrender said:
Keon Johnson is basically Jordan Bowden right now. Pretty damn good for a freshman
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To me, he is Jordan Bowden with more athleticism and talent and even better D. He's hitting 54% from 2-point range, but only 18% from 3. I think he will improve from this as he gets settled. I think Rick is handling his adjustment to the college game well.
 
#55
#55
Barnes thought he had the ability to drive which he must have seen from practice over and over. Rick's big message to Bowden almost every time when he came off the court was "drive the ball." He pushed on Bowden with that message all the time. I think in Barnes' viewpoint they are probably very similar.
 
#56
#56
cardvolfan said:
Barnes thought he had the ability to drive which he must have seen from practice over and over. Rick's big message to Bowden almost every time when he came off the court was "drive the ball." He pushed on Bowden with that message all the time. I think in Barnes' viewpoint they are probably very similar.
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But Bowden was tentative and wouldn’t drive. There is no tentative at all in Keon
 
#57
#57
Yes, that is true. While Bowden was athletic and could drive apparently in practices, he didn't very often. I think Keon has ultimate confidence in his abilities.
 
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#58
#58
therickbol said:
I don't see very many similarities.
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Yeah. Bowden's specialty is Keon's weakness, and vice-versa. Aside from playing the same position and being really good defenders, they are actually quite opposite, offensively.

Keon is much more comparable to Josh Richardson as a young player than Jordan Bowden.
 
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#59
#59
cncchris33 said:
Yeah. Bowden's specialty is Keon's weakness, and vice-versa. Aside from playing the same position and being really good defenders, they are actually quite opposite, offensively.

Keon is much more comparable to Josh Richardson as a young player than Jordan Bowden.
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Richardson is a much better comparison. Keon is a more explosive Richardson at a similar offensive development as a freshman.
 
#60
#60
cncchris33 said:
1. Victor Bailey is a ballplayer, so you better get used to it.

2. Keon Johnson is still very much a work in progress, offensively. He is an elite defender, but he has a ways to go with his outside shot, his decision-making, and valuing the basketball. That's not a knock on him, but he clearly isn't a finished product, yet.

3. Olivier Nkamhoua is getting better with every game. He is earning more playing time with every outing.
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I like Bailey over Vescovi all day. I think our offense flows a little bit better with Bailey running point alongside Springer or vice versa.

I love Johnson's athleticism and his ability to get the to rim. He's a decent defender, probably ahead of most freshman in the country in that area. His shot does need work, agree with you there. With his length and athleticism I still think he's gone after this year, but he has areas that he can improve in. Also agree with Nkamhoua, he's looked much better the last couple of games, albeit in garbage time while UT is 20+ ahead.
 
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#61
#61
cncchris33 said:
Yeah. Bowden's specialty is Keon's weakness, and vice-versa. Aside from playing the same position and being really good defenders, they are actually quite opposite, offensively.

Keon is much more comparable to Josh Richardson as a young player than Jordan Bowden.
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Bowden shot 28% from three last year. Keon is hitting 18% so far, but my guess is he makes notable improvement this year and finishes near what Bowden shot last year.

I do like the Richardson comparison, but Johnson's explosiveness is something else.
 
#62
#62
cncchris33 said:
Yeah. Bowden's specialty is Keon's weakness, and vice-versa. Aside from playing the same position and being really good defenders, they are actually quite opposite, offensively.

Keon is much more comparable to Josh Richardson as a young player than Jordan Bowden.
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I never saw what others saw in Bowden defensively. He had some moments on Defense, but I remember him getting burnt a lot too. Really haven't seen Keon taking defensive possessions off.
 
#63
#63
vols 30 said:
I never saw what others saw in Bowden defensively. He had some moments on Defense, but I remember him getting burnt a lot too. Really haven't seen Keon taking defensive possessions off.
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I think the truth is in the middle. We could probably find some games that he played excellent defense and some not so much. I do think a small handful of posts I've seen are probably over glorifying Bowden's play.
 
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#64
#64
vols 30 said:
I never saw what others saw in Bowden defensively. He had some moments on Defense, but I remember him getting burnt a lot too. Really haven't seen Keon taking defensive possessions off.
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Interesting. Not saying you’re wrong, but I don’t have any memories that stand out of Bowden playing poor defensively. Which usually means you’re doing your job.

But in a similar vein, I actually think Pons is a little overrated defensively. I’d go as far to say he was a flat out bad defender his sophomore year.

He has come a long way since then, and his shot erasing is cool and all. He can guards lots of different positions etc..

But Jimmy Dykes called him best defender in America on a broadcast this year and that’s just overboard IMO.
 
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#65
#65
vols 30 said:
I never saw what others saw in Bowden defensively. He had some moments on Defense, but I remember him getting burnt a lot too. Really haven't seen Keon taking defensive possessions off.
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I thought Bowden played better defense than offense. However, he was inconsistent at both at times.
 
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#66
#66
omghulkhands said:
Interesting. Not saying you’re wrong, but I don’t have any memories that stand out of Bowden playing poor defensively. Which usually means you’re doing your job.

But in a similar vein, I actually think Pons is a little overrated defensively. I’d go as far to say he was a flat out bad defender his sophomore year.

He has come a long way since then, and his shot erasing is cool and all. He can guards lots of different positions etc..

But Jimmy Dykes called him best defender in America on a broadcast this year and that’s just overboard IMO.
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I think his defense is improved this year from last year so far; he seems to be in better position more often imo.
 
#67
#67
No disrespect but 1 and 2 is something some have said for a few weeks. 3 is still TBD, he had a really good game against a squad he should have a really good game against. Bailey has been slept on since he signed. imo Keon is a future NBA player, for a long time. also imo But he has a lot of work to be to player we all thing he'll be.
 
#69
#69
cardvolfan said:
Barnes just commented he thinks Pons is the best defensive player in the country.
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Yeah. I agree with hulkhands that last year I felt like Pons’ defense was maybe a bit overrated (really really good, but wasn’t sure it was DPOY SEC level), but this year I agree with Barnes from what I’ve seen.
 
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#70
#70
Lankykong said:
Yeah. I agree with hulkhands that last year I felt like Pons’ defense was maybe a bit overrated (really really good, but wasn’t sure it was DPOY SEC level), but this year I agree with Barnes from what I’ve seen.
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A 6’-6” guy leading the SEC in blocks won him the defensive POY.
I agree his defense and rebounding appear to have improved this season.
 
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#71
#71
We need more from our inside game, a lot more. Pons doesn't look any better offensively. Fulkerson doesn't appear to have taken a leap in the S&C department. We need our depth to get to average level SEC ability.

We will not go deep in the tournament with this inside game if guard play is just good. It would have to be great.
 
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