Now that we are approaching the halfway mark in the season, I think it's time to evaluate each player and see where they've improved and how they've done so far this season.
Dazon Ingram- He is the leader. It's becoming more and more apparent as the season goes on. He is taking control in late game situations and packing the stat sheet. His FTs are coming along and he is cutting down on TO's.
Avery Johnson Jr: He has surprised everyone this season, even his pops. He has shown leadership potiential and that he is the most emotional player on the team. His ballhandeling and that sweet floater in the lane are deadly and should continue to improve and develop.
Corban Collins- He has been average but he is another ball handler on the floor with a lot of experience. He is a player who is more of a improviser than someone who takes control. He prefers to get others involved, but that is what a PG is supposed to do. His injury has slowed him down but I expect him to improve.
Braxton Key- He doesn't play like a freshman. He is instinctive, plays with aggression, and is also a good spot up shooter. He is at his best attcking the basket and creating mismatches. He has been the MVP of the team so far. It showed last night when he got 4 fouls, that's when MSU made their run and we struggled to score.
Donta Hall- He may be the most improved player on the team and one of the most important. His shot blocking ability is elite, even though he is still raw in that aspect. Once he understands timing his jump and positioning, he will be scary defensively. Offensively he has developed multiple post moves and even trying a short range jump shot. His FTs look a lot better as well.
Jimmie Taylor- He is Mr. Reliable on this team. He has played in over 170 straight games and always plays hard. He's still an excellent rebounder but he has added a nice hook shot with both his right and left hand. He looks like has added some Muscle as well.
Riley Norris- Mr. Do It All for Bama is still doing all the dirty work and still doing well. Riley may be our best and most instinctive defender on the team. It showed last night on Weatherspoon. He is a lot faster than Riley but he used angles and instinct to stay with him. If only he could nail 2-3 3's a game.
Shannon Hale- Shannon may have declined more than anyone from last season. He is a nonfactor in most games and I question his effort on most nights. He looks uninterested and non emotional. He is super talented and has a great basketball body, but none of that matters if you're not into it mentally.
Bola Olaynian- Coming from SIU, he's know for his rebounding and he has been good even against bigger players. He plays hard and showed last night he shows a lot of emotion. We need some scoring production out of him with as many minutes as he plays.
Armond Davis- He may be the biggest disappoint considering we needed a big time 3 point scoring threat and he was one of the top JUCO scorers in the nation. He's a liability defensively and has been ice cold offensively. It seems to me he is out of the rotation barring any kind of injury.
Nick King- King had the most hype coming into the season being considered the best player on the team, by myself included. I've seen him practice and he's a beast, but it failed to translate to the game early on. Before his infection, he started to play within himself and was playing well. I look forward to seeing him progress once he is healthy.
I think this team has potiential to win 10+ conference games this season with our schedule. It will be fun to watch this team progress as Avery has already made big adjustments and they seem to be paying off. He's letting the players play instinctive basketball and that's what they need. Buckle Up.
Dazon Ingram- He is the leader. It's becoming more and more apparent as the season goes on. He is taking control in late game situations and packing the stat sheet. His FTs are coming along and he is cutting down on TO's.
Avery Johnson Jr: He has surprised everyone this season, even his pops. He has shown leadership potiential and that he is the most emotional player on the team. His ballhandeling and that sweet floater in the lane are deadly and should continue to improve and develop.
Corban Collins- He has been average but he is another ball handler on the floor with a lot of experience. He is a player who is more of a improviser than someone who takes control. He prefers to get others involved, but that is what a PG is supposed to do. His injury has slowed him down but I expect him to improve.
Braxton Key- He doesn't play like a freshman. He is instinctive, plays with aggression, and is also a good spot up shooter. He is at his best attcking the basket and creating mismatches. He has been the MVP of the team so far. It showed last night when he got 4 fouls, that's when MSU made their run and we struggled to score.
Donta Hall- He may be the most improved player on the team and one of the most important. His shot blocking ability is elite, even though he is still raw in that aspect. Once he understands timing his jump and positioning, he will be scary defensively. Offensively he has developed multiple post moves and even trying a short range jump shot. His FTs look a lot better as well.
Jimmie Taylor- He is Mr. Reliable on this team. He has played in over 170 straight games and always plays hard. He's still an excellent rebounder but he has added a nice hook shot with both his right and left hand. He looks like has added some Muscle as well.
Riley Norris- Mr. Do It All for Bama is still doing all the dirty work and still doing well. Riley may be our best and most instinctive defender on the team. It showed last night on Weatherspoon. He is a lot faster than Riley but he used angles and instinct to stay with him. If only he could nail 2-3 3's a game.
Shannon Hale- Shannon may have declined more than anyone from last season. He is a nonfactor in most games and I question his effort on most nights. He looks uninterested and non emotional. He is super talented and has a great basketball body, but none of that matters if you're not into it mentally.
Bola Olaynian- Coming from SIU, he's know for his rebounding and he has been good even against bigger players. He plays hard and showed last night he shows a lot of emotion. We need some scoring production out of him with as many minutes as he plays.
Armond Davis- He may be the biggest disappoint considering we needed a big time 3 point scoring threat and he was one of the top JUCO scorers in the nation. He's a liability defensively and has been ice cold offensively. It seems to me he is out of the rotation barring any kind of injury.
Nick King- King had the most hype coming into the season being considered the best player on the team, by myself included. I've seen him practice and he's a beast, but it failed to translate to the game early on. Before his infection, he started to play within himself and was playing well. I look forward to seeing him progress once he is healthy.
I think this team has potiential to win 10+ conference games this season with our schedule. It will be fun to watch this team progress as Avery has already made big adjustments and they seem to be paying off. He's letting the players play instinctive basketball and that's what they need. Buckle Up.
