author="ic59"]Open Practice/Scrimmage at 3PM on Saturday.[/quote]thanks and no midnight madness [/quote
I finally made arrangements to make today's open practice...One of my son-in laws away on a business trip the other head of Security for all 13 New Rochelle Schools had to be at a NRHS football game, but he just called me to say that he will find time to get and pick me up for the practice session as the football home field is only a short drive to the Sun Rise Home and then to Iona...
Be sure to all say hello regardless of our back and forth postings...
author="ic59 "]Open Practice/Scrimmage at 3PM on Saturday.
thanks and no midnight madness [/quote
I finally made arrangements to make today's open practice...One of my son-in laws away on a business trip the other head of Security for all 13 New Rochelle Schools had to be at a NRHS football game, but he just called me to say that he will find time to get and pick me up for the practice session as the football home field is only a short drive to the Sun Rise Home and then to Iona...
Be sure to all say hello regardless of our back and forth postings... [/quote]
Happy for you OT-great news. Sorry I won't be there! Look forward to observations from the attendees.
Just back. The biggest crowd in Meet the Gaels history, an estimated 763 people witnessed the typical Cluess run shootout as Maroon beat White 131-127. Here is my quick synopsis on each player:
Maroon:
Washington-Scored 30 plus, in fantastic shape and had about as good of a time as I have ever seen any player during a scrimmage. A true character. Most impressed on just how good his body looked and how well he ran the floor. Probably first team all maac just has to keep himself on the floor by staying out of foul trouble.
Cassell-Per Iona twitter scored 39 but nearly half on foul shots. Drives to basket well but sometimes takes the shot too much. Not the greatest 3 point shooter but OK. Has good size and strength and will probably start. Despite the huge scoring night Didn't completely win me over, I know he was mostly hurt at uconn but I can see why he couldn't get major minutes. I need to see more.
McGill-Played Ok, didn't stand out. Think he is more impressive in a real game, due to defense does not really show up in this type of game. Will fight with Severe and Cassell for 2 of three last starters.
Crawford-Looked like a frosh. Had moments. Hit a few 3's. Didn't seem like in as good shape as some of the other players. I think will be 8th or 9th in rotation to start the season.
Turner-Built like a linebacker, looks like a smaller Amayo. When left alone he had a nice 3 but seems like a complimentary bench player. 8th or 9th in rotation.
Bessick- Not in uniform but looked in good shape.
Milosaviljevic-Walk on from Austria.Seemed like best walk on.
White:
Much-Scored 37 and will be first team all Maac. 3 points are lay ups for him. Our next big star guard.
Casimir-In Uniform and did pre game warm ups but did not play. Not sure what to expect but have to say I think he may be the difference on just how good this team will be. If he is back to normal he will make this team very tough and will start. If he isn't his old self this team will likely be anywhere from 3rd to 5th.
Severe- Strong and quick. Scored 20+ mostly on drives. Early on impressed and then didn't stand out as much as the game progressed. Will fight for the last starting guard spot.
Saintil- A true point guard who at times looked good and at times looked bad. Should be part of the rotation next year.
Svandrlik- I think he will start at the 4. Early on bricked 3's and then hit about 5 in a row. I think scored about 20. Strong. I think his game will improve as the year goes on. I like him even though I don't think he had his best day.
McCombs-Walk on from Staten Island.
Williams-At times impressed. Strong and not afraid to bang with Washington. Had some nice moves inside and I think he scored about 20. Had nose for the ball. I think he will get a lot of minutes and will be first big man off the bench.
Overall team looks about where they are being projected has a lot of different options but mostly guards. It will be interesting to see how the rotation developes. As said up top I think difference maker will be Casimir, just how well he recovers could be the difference between title contender and battle to avoid Pig.
Estimated starters: Much, Washington, Cassell, Svandrlik and Severe. First guard off bench McGill, First big man off bench: Williams. Turner and Crawford 8th and 9th men. Casimir to be determined.
Last Edit: Oct 15, 2016 17:45:36 GMT -5 by Joebird
My totally unofficial box score: Maroon 18 McGill 39 Cassell 24 Crawford 3 Milosavljevic 17 Turner 31 Washington 132 Total
White 32 Severe 15 Saintil 36 Much 26 Svandrlik 21 Williams 130 Total
Great job by epatrick, I was sitting behind him and that is where I got most of my estimates. Didn't realize Severe had that many, same with Crawford, but when you score 130 and basically play 38 minutes as most did, everyone is going to score a lot of points.
As EP pointed out, 260 points were scored by scholarship players, with two points scored by Milosavljevic. Hence the ten guys averaged 26 PPG. I'll do a detailed take in the morning, but if you like "Run and gun", you should have been at the HAC, this afternoon. Great fun.
As EP pointed out, 260 points were scored by scholarship players, with two points scored by Milosavljevic. Hence the ten guys averaged 26 PPG. I'll do a detailed take in the morning, but if you like "Run and gun", you should have been at the HAC, this afternoon. Great fun.
I'll start by apologizing to OT, for not realizing that he was there, and missing the chance to say hello. My loss.
*As a team it will be great to see how we matchup against Siena. A VG backcourt vs. a VG front court. We know we can run, but you can't run w/o the ball. Will Siena get a bushel of offensive rebounds? An interesting contest/contests.
*Iona-FF. First team to 110 wins. Iona-SPU. That's too easy. If I'm not sure how Iona will do, I'm less sure about Monmouth. I know they'll be good, but they were "less good" last year w/o Deon Jones. How they replace him is something to watch. Manhattan shouldn't be in the top five, but Stevie M. has a reputation for a reason. And I mention Manhattan last because of their pressing defense.
*And yesterday we had trouble, at times, inbounding the ball, and then going from backcourt to front court. It's early in the preseason but it's something we have to work on. Seems like it's a problem we always have.
*I don't know the stats but it seems that we shot better than 40% as a team from 3Pt range. By my score sheet three's made were as follows: Much (8) Svandrilik (6) Turner (5) Cassell (4) Severe (2) Santil (2) Luka (1) Crawford (1) I missed the start of the second half, so I might have missed a couple.
*At the half the PA announcer said that Williams led the White team with 12 rebounds. Not bad for a half.
*I must be an easier grader than Joebird, who, for him, the jury is till out on Sam Cassell. Granted it was hard to evaluate him as a PG with so much up and down offense. But he showed off some some great fast break passes. From the foul line he shot 13-15, and if the ball is going to be in his hands at the end of the game, he has to be able to knock down free throws. For me he's a certain starter, even w/o scoring 39 points.
*I expect Much to lead the team in scoring, as his range is something else. If he needs to improve in one area it might be decision making, as at times he makes up his mind to shoot, he doesn't seem to look for someone who might have a better look. Maybe I should just chalk that up to confidence.
*Aakim didn't have VG shooting day, yesterday, but the coaches said that he had 40 in Friday's scrimmage. He'll definitely help next season.
*The, "You've come a long way baby" award goes to Tyrell Williams. He looks so much better in October than he did in July, shortly after arriving. Much better shape and he showed off his shot blocking, along with nice moves around the basket. He does have to work on his FT shooting, as I had him at 2-9, with a one and one among the misses. Bottom line we have nice insurance policy for JW.
*And speaking of JW, his weight loss is noticeable. He is great running up and down, but, at times, plays too aggressively resulting in fouls being called. His O/S shot is much improved.
*Ricky, even if he's not a starter, shows that we'll do well when he's on the court. He's fun to watch, and probably our best defender.
*First extended look at Jon Severe, and I wasn't disappointed. His game is more mid-range than long range, un-Cluess like, and he he's very quick going to the basket. Didn't see the selfishness that Fordham fans complained about. Probably our best mid-range shooter. Should start.
*The "Energizer Bunny" award goes to Jan Svandirlik. He plays all out all the time. And even though he's a natural SF, lokks to be our starting PF. Missed his first three or four three pointers, fro the same spot in the left corner, and it looked like he was pressing. Then moved out on top and hit his first attempt, and that seemed to get him started. Went on to hit five more.. Hit the boards and ran the court all afternoon. Can he rebound enough when going up against a great PF like Brett Bipsing?
*The thing I like best about Crawford is that he's a lefty. Just gives him an advantage as defenders are used to playing against right handed shooters. He's an OG/SF who is being forced to play PF. Not really a rebounder, but he does make the effort. My hope is that if he's being guarded by a PF he can beat them away from the basket, which should make up for any rebounding deficiencies. Should top 1500 points for his career.
*Turner has been described as having the build of a football player. And he does. But he does have a VG 3Pt shot. Will not start but is better than Proctor off the bench. A microwave type.
*Got a chance to speak with one of our all time nice guys, Ryden Hines, before the game. He;s working in the Athletic Department, and will finish up his MA in May. Hard not to be impressed with him as a person, and I think his future is bright, in what ever field he goes in to.
*Close by saying the guy who worked the hardest, yesterday, was the Official Scorer. And also, most impressed, by the speed of Clusses' Comets, who seemed as fresh at the end of the scrimmage as at the beginning. Should be a fun season.
Per JoeBird "Svandrlik- I think he will start at the 4. Early on bricked 3's and then hit about 5 in a row. I think scored about 20. Strong. I think his game will improve as the year goes on. I like him even though I don't think he had his best day."
Looked like he just ran out of gas in the second half. Smart kid. Always around the ball. A big plus for us. Kid can shoot, rebound, play D, bring the ball up, distribute. High IQ.
Kudos to Sharkey for being on top of this kid and providing the board with his game updates and progress while he was at Indian Hills this past season.
Against smaller teams: Cassell Severe Crawford/Casimir Much Washington
Against bigger teams: Cassell Severe Much Svandrlik Washington
Really like the "big" lineup. Lots of toughness combined with good skill sets. Bench of Casimir, Williams, McGill, Turner/ Crawford. Possible help from Bessick and George.
Pretty deep roster. Staff did a great job in a "rebuild " year
After arriving home from practice game I typed out for aprox, 30 minutes a post with my observations...My shaky right hand hit the wrong key and somehow lost it...Mad at myself, I was about to try over when I came across Joebirds post...After reading it I decided except for few slight spots we had pretty much the same observations.....
Washington looked in excellent shape...Very assertive...Will have a all MAAC season....
Much...Might be best shooter in MAAC...On a under and over 20 point per game this season, put me down for a over wager...
Tyrel Williams...Still very raw but a world of potential...Terrible foul shooter, don't want him any where near a foul shot line with game on line....
Jan Svandrilk.....Excellent shooter...Must get more assertive...Tends to be laid back at times...Once he gets going we will have another very good outside shooter...
McGill, Cassel, and Severe....3 guards with plenty of talent...Once they learn to play together, may be MAAC's best....They all have very quick moves to basket and very similar styles......
Cluess was very nice and came over to sit and chat with me for about 15-20 minutes...
Casimir in warm up outfit did do some jogging around...His injuries and corrective proceedure were serious, but all those I talked to are praying and hopeful for recovery including Cluess...
All in all......A positive rating with a ''Tune Up'' job.....
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