therickbol
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I spent the weekend in Knoxville at the Coaching clinic hosted by Bruce Pearl and Pat Summitt. Throughout the weekend I observed the team practice multiple times. Here are some of my observations.
Ramar Smith- Potential is there, he looks like an athlete. But, as far as his national ranking, he is overrated. His shot selection and decision making is questionable. His outside shot is not good. He plays with no energy or passion. He is lazy on defense. You heard it first right here...he will not be our starting PG the 1st game of the season.
Josh Tabb - He was very underrated. He is going to be the glueman for this group of freshman. He will not redshirt. He will get PT this season. Great athlete, plays with intensity, gets after it on defense, above average outside shot, good size.
Marques Johnson- It is pronounced Marcus. He is the best "true PG" we have. Great physical build, good handles, plays hard, good decision maker. He does not have upper level lateral quickness to guard elite PG's and that is the only thing holding him back from the starting PG spot.
Wayne Chism- He is the defensive post we need. He has goods skills, i.e. shooting, dribbling, post moves, etc. But he is a little too soft with the ball in the paint. I think it is just because it is a huge adjustment from high school to college. He will get there.
Duke Crews- I did not get to see his full potential because he did not seem to practice with full intensity. His athletic ability is evident. He is the best "athlete" on the team. His outside game is nowhere near where it needs to be to play the SF position. He will not play the 3 spot any this season. His defense does not look to be his strong point.
Chris Lofton- He has lost a good amount of weight since last season and looks a step quicker. He still gets off some amazing shots and is deadly. His pressure defense seems to be the biggest improvement due to his new weight.
Dane Bradshaw- He looks to be 100% healthy and will be the same important player he was last season. He does every little thing you can ask as well as you can ask him to do it. He just physically isnt gifted enough to be a domiant SEC player.
JuJuan Smith- Wow, he could be special if he chose to be. He hustles and gets after it, but only on his own time. In games, but he takes practices off. He is an amazing ball hawk on defense. Him and Josh Tabb could terrorize a backcourt with pressure man-to-man defense. I think you will see intances where JuJuan is guarding the PG and Tabb the SG and being very effective. His shot is great and his handles are good. If he had any solid decision making he could be a good PG, but its just not his game.
Ryan Childress- He will have to get minutes this season, unfortunately. But at least he does look like he has improved a lot since last season. He is more slender, but more cut. Very strong. His athleticism has improved and his speed and quickness are better. He will never be a upper-level SEC player, but I think he has gotten himself to the point where he can be serviceable until Chism and Crews develop.
Ramar Smith- Potential is there, he looks like an athlete. But, as far as his national ranking, he is overrated. His shot selection and decision making is questionable. His outside shot is not good. He plays with no energy or passion. He is lazy on defense. You heard it first right here...he will not be our starting PG the 1st game of the season.
Josh Tabb - He was very underrated. He is going to be the glueman for this group of freshman. He will not redshirt. He will get PT this season. Great athlete, plays with intensity, gets after it on defense, above average outside shot, good size.
Marques Johnson- It is pronounced Marcus. He is the best "true PG" we have. Great physical build, good handles, plays hard, good decision maker. He does not have upper level lateral quickness to guard elite PG's and that is the only thing holding him back from the starting PG spot.
Wayne Chism- He is the defensive post we need. He has goods skills, i.e. shooting, dribbling, post moves, etc. But he is a little too soft with the ball in the paint. I think it is just because it is a huge adjustment from high school to college. He will get there.
Duke Crews- I did not get to see his full potential because he did not seem to practice with full intensity. His athletic ability is evident. He is the best "athlete" on the team. His outside game is nowhere near where it needs to be to play the SF position. He will not play the 3 spot any this season. His defense does not look to be his strong point.
Chris Lofton- He has lost a good amount of weight since last season and looks a step quicker. He still gets off some amazing shots and is deadly. His pressure defense seems to be the biggest improvement due to his new weight.
Dane Bradshaw- He looks to be 100% healthy and will be the same important player he was last season. He does every little thing you can ask as well as you can ask him to do it. He just physically isnt gifted enough to be a domiant SEC player.
JuJuan Smith- Wow, he could be special if he chose to be. He hustles and gets after it, but only on his own time. In games, but he takes practices off. He is an amazing ball hawk on defense. Him and Josh Tabb could terrorize a backcourt with pressure man-to-man defense. I think you will see intances where JuJuan is guarding the PG and Tabb the SG and being very effective. His shot is great and his handles are good. If he had any solid decision making he could be a good PG, but its just not his game.
Ryan Childress- He will have to get minutes this season, unfortunately. But at least he does look like he has improved a lot since last season. He is more slender, but more cut. Very strong. His athleticism has improved and his speed and quickness are better. He will never be a upper-level SEC player, but I think he has gotten himself to the point where he can be serviceable until Chism and Crews develop.
