Hoopfest Thursday

I will not be able to attend living in St. Louis, so give us the news after the Hoopfest please. Just think, a city the size of Evansville, having a Division 1 basketball team, in a great conference, and people not supporting them. I wish I could be there.

Blake will have something to prove this year, and I believe that he will be in the running for freshman of the year. I had never missed a Hoopsfest until this one, but just felt too bad to make it.

Overall I thought it was a pretty good showing. I was glad to see Ryan show leadership and score some nice 3's and go to the basket. Jaylon Brown was impressive and I also liked Benzon. DJ was quite tonight but so was Colt in last years Hoopfest and we know how that turned out. Mock controlled the boards and handled the ball well. Wing hit some nice 3's and Moore played well. Simmons played well. Mislav showed some nice moves, to bad he has to sit out. Didn't see much of the motion offense.

I liked the play at the end when Benzon laid the ball up for mock to dunk.
Anybody know why Rokas didn't play?

Not really fair to Boo, saying Jaylen Brown's job to lose after one, public attended, intra-squad scrimmage.
I think they'll both see equal time, on the floor.
Jaylen seemed a bit more relaxed, after being on the floor, for the slam dunk contest, as Boo sat and watched, from the baseline.
When the scrimmage started, Jaylen was floating on the energy, he got from the crowd. Boo, is ultra quick. And was directing an Orange Team, full of newcomers, other than DJ.
Geez, Blake can light it up. Think he had all but three points for the Orange. Not to mention his three point contest performance. He should fit in nicely to relieve Adam, on the Wing (pardon the pun).
EMO, EMO, EMO...gonna be a force, inside. Looks like he needs a little more foot work, but ran the floor well and misdirected, intimidated, or blocked almost everything on the inside. Moore and Howard did notta against him.
Ryan Sawvell.....stud.
Runs the floor, fleet of feet.
Dropped that first three pointer like a Veteran.
Showed his leadership abilities, I had noticed, on the sideline prior to everything starting, when the other ACES gathered around him, on more than a few occasions.
DJ, had one really good look, on a top of the key shot, but didn't fall. He's a shooter, he'll drop those shots, when needed.

I think, we're in for a nice treat, this season.
These guys love to run the floor, Marty was pushing them, they are fun to watch, and will, as all ACES have in the past, leave it all on the court every game.

GO ACES[/b][/color]

Hoopfest thoughts:
First of all, I am feeling much better about this season. More young potential than I have ever seen UE have. We have legitimate basketball players, not just athletes.
1. Sawvell looked outstanding at the 4 spot. I mentioned before this was the key to the season. I know it’s early, but if he can play like that every night, watch out. He drilled two threes with Jaylon Moore right in his face, had a three point play on a nice drive to the basket and a nice tip in. All in about 7-8 minutes. Also did a good job moving his feet on D and rebounding.
2. Blake Simmons completely exceeded my expectations. Had no idea he was that good of a shooter. Hit all six of his shots in the three contest and looked comfortable in the scrimmage moving without the ball and shooting. Could be a tremendous weapon coming in off the bench. Probably can play the 2, 3, or 4 well.
3. Wing looked good too. Made two threes and played good defense.
4. Was very impressed by Brown. Looked confident in his shot, handled the ball well, and was very athletic.
5. Balentine didn’t score but I think he will be fine. He looked good moving without the ball and looked confident. At this point that is what you want to see.
6. Mock looked fine, he looked really good on defense, and a little better on offense. They made a concerted effort to get the ball to him inside. That was nice to see. Ptacek made some nice passes to him, and made a three.

It’s really too early to say anything about the rest. But I am feeling much better about the season. It will all depend on what Marty does with this talent. We will truly see how good of a coach he is this year because I think we are finally on a level playing field, as far as talent and size are concerned, with the rest of the conference. Very encouraging performance.