Slats - First game synopsis

[MikeInClifton]

Posted just now. (http://bearcatnews.com/articles/219) Comments are welcome.

[swilsonsp4]

I saw the game as well and came away with basically the same opinions about the incoming freshman. It was obvious that this team is mostly recruits. They started the game trying to ooh-and-aah the crowd, rather than making effective plays. There were too many attempts at flashy play. Meanwhile, the CSU players ran offensive sets that had been practiced. But, this is to be expected at this point.

Cintas was a good opening opponent for the recruits. They would've had a very difficult time competing against the Waleskowski boys and Josh Duncan, for instance, in their first Deveroes game. The experience would've been too much to overcome.

Speaking of experience, it was the play of Mike Williams and Deonta Vaughn that pulled Slats through. Also, Mel Levett appeared to be in good condition and played hard.

Now, if Mike Williams can hit a FT (0-for-4 doesn't really tell the story of how bad he was) then D1 opponents won't utilize "Hack-a-Shaq" against him. On the other hand, Larry Davis calmly dropped two FTs during crunch time.

I do have one question, since there were no programs available: Who was the 6'8" kid (#9) who sat on the bench, but didn't play for Slats? He warmed up and shot around (poorly).

[Kindog202]

Went to the Slats game yesterday. Slats lost by about 9. Thought I'd give my impressions of what I saw in the game and of the players. First Deonta can dunk and dunk with ease, at least in warmups. I don't know if he would ever try it in a game. Also, Larry Davis surprised me with how quick and athletic he is. He and Mitchell appeared to be having a dunk off in warmups, and he was attempting some pretty difficult dunks. In my opinion, Mitchell is the real deal. He has the complete offensive game. He hit a few 3's, a few pullup mid-range jumpers and also took it to the hoop strong, he finished with 21 pts. I really don't see how he is not a starter from day 1. He could also challenge Deonta's scoring mark from last year as a freshman. I was very impressed with him. I will agree with Mike, Deonta looks much more defined this year and also quicker. No one could stay in front of Deonta, especially in the second half, he finished with 28 pts. Davis is very quick and has quick hands which led to a few steals and a few near misses. In one article, he was described as a "hip-hop version of Field Williams" and I would agree very much with this statement. He has a better all around game than Field did at this point and is able to take people off the dribble better now than Field ever did. Rashad Bishop again did not play that much, maybe 5-10 minutes total. He appeared to be fine physically, so don't know why he didn't play more??? Kenny Belton is big and strong, but definitely got lost in this up tempo game. As quick and athletic as guys like Vaughn, Mitchell and Davis are, Belton is that slow and plodding. He is definitely more suited for a half-court game. He definitely will bring the muscle down low, I just worry about his ability to run the court at the speed that Mick and the other guys will play at. Finally, I regretfully have to say this, but he got absolutely posterized in the game by Josh Chichester. Anyone who was at that game knows what I am talking about. Gentry was sitting right across the aisle from me and he just put his head down after that one, laughing. The funny thing about it was, I don't know if Kenny realized he had been dunked on, Chichester was that high above him. Also note that Kenny appeared to have tweaked his knee during the game, came out got some ice on it and did not return. I was walking out of the gym behind him and he appeared to be fine, so hopefully nothing serious. Mike Williams looked solid, although the refs were letting a lot go underneath, so Mike got mugged a few times with no call.

Overall, I am impressed with the recruits, I think these kids will be a solid foundation on which to build. Also note that both Mitchell and Davis brought the ball up court some and appeared pretty comfortable doing it.

[bearcatjoey]

Kindog, your observations are exactly accurate. I attended yesterday, and came away with the same thoughts.

[MikeInClifton]

Mike Williams looked solid, although the refs were letting a lot go underneath, so Mike got mugged a few times with no call.


I think Mike has been outstanding so far. He is getting mugged, but his athleticism, nose for the ball, secondary jumping ability and outlet passes have been excellent.

[Oldtimer_UC_fan]

I think Mike has been outstanding so far. He is getting mugged, but his athleticism, nose for the ball, secondary jumping ability and outlet passes have been excellent.

We really need for him to be 'good'. If not....we're in big trouble again. We need his veteran leadership out there.

[The real Bearcat Fan]

I did not get a chance to go so I appreciate your comments on the summer league. You guys have done such a good job I feel like I was there.

[Kindog202]

Does anyone know what's up with Bishop playing sparingly in the summer league?

Also, I agree with Mike, my earlier comment about Mike Williams being solid was based on what I saw yesterday. The game was more about the guards running and gunning as opposed to running actual sets and offense. Since Mike doesn't bring the ball up, he had very little chance to do anything outside of rebound and get putback baskets. I am very confident that Mike will be a good/great player for us this year.

He did send X's Charles Bronson packing a few times yesterday and Bronson probably had 2-4 inches on Big Mike.

[solomon33]

Thanks for the update Kindog, where's the invite to the game? Any word on Mclain making a summer league appearance or Adam H?

[Kindog202]

Sorry Sol, it was kind of a spur of the moment thing, I literally was heading home on the lateral around 3 yesterday and remembered Mike had said Slats was playing at 3, so I stopped off to watch the game. We'll have to head out sometime in the upcoming weeks. I don't think McClain is in town yet and some others on here have claimed that H has looked good, is active and is more of a face-up big man than a back to the basket big man. H's team didn't play yesterday when I was there so haven't seen him in person.

[MikeInClifton]

Sorry Sol, it was kind of a spur of the moment thing, I literally was heading home on the lateral around 3 yesterday and remembered Mike had said Slats was playing at 3, so I stopped off to watch the game. We'll have to head out sometime in the upcoming weeks. I don't think McClain is in town yet and some others on here have claimed that H has looked good, is active and is more of a face-up big man than a back to the basket big man. H's team didn't play yesterday when I was there so haven't seen him in person.

Last I heard was that McClain will not be in town in time for the DSL.

Adam has been playing. Got bounced to the Mike Albert team after the first set of games. He is more of a face up guy. Hasn't done much outside shooting, they he was known for that coming in to town.

[Mick's Da Man]

I caught some of the game and came away thinking that Larry Davis will be one of the biggest surprises of all. He could do far more than I thought he would be able to do. He has more to his game that people realize and he's very quick. He's more than just a shooting guard or three point shooter. I definitely see the diamond in the rough status that Mick mentioned. I won't proclaim him to be a starter, but he'll definitely contribute more in the coming years than I think Field Williams did.

Mitchell definitely has game. I look for him to either start or definitely be one of the first guys off the bench. Not to mention he has the right amount of confidence/cockiness that this team needs. And he can back it up.

I'm really happy with what I see from our guards. Throw in Deonta being all fit and raising his game, this guard tandem may surprise people, if not next year, the year after.

[SLMadiCat]

I caught some of the game and came away thinking that Larry Davis will be one of the biggest surprises of all. He could do far more than I thought he would be able to do. He has more to his game that people realize and he's very quick. He's more than just a shooting guard or three point shooter. I definitely see the diamond in the rough status that Mick mentioned. I won't proclaim him to be a starter, but he'll definitely contribute more in the coming years than I think Field Williams did.

Mitchell definitely has game. I look for him to either start or definitely be one of the first guys off the bench. Not to mention he has the right amount of confidence/cockiness that this team needs. And he can back it up.

I'm really happy with what I see from our guards. Throw in Deonta being all fit and raising his game, this guard tandem may surprise people, if not next year, the year after.

All I really hope for Davis is to come off the bench every now and again and be a zone buster and provide an outside threat. I think that was a huge part that they were missing last year. Between Vaughn, Davis, Mitchell, Adam H, Sykes, and Gentry they should be a pretty good 3pt shooting team.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Davis doesn't have the zone busting, 3 point game like Field Williams did.

[SLMadiCat]

Davis doesn't have the zone busting, 3 point game like Field Williams did.

Who said anything about Field Williams?

I just want him to be a zone buster and an outside threat. I don't care if he is like F. Williams or not.

[Oldtimer_UC_fan]

Davis doesn't have the zone busting, 3 point game like Field Williams did.

Are you talking about the Freshman version of Field Williams, or the Senior version. If memory serves, Field wasn't much of a factor his first couple of years.

[tophat]

Davis may not be the shooter Field was but he has an excellent chance of being a better all around player. Field only had one natural strong point: being able to shoot from a standstill while not being closely guarded. He didn't have the ability to create a shot at all his first two years -- he developed that a little bit later on, but then he rarely made it if he was forced to shoot under pressure. Huggins said he was probably the worst athlete he recruited here. His ball skills were limited. His defense improved from terrible to mediocre through hard work. Bobbit totally overshadowed him his senior year in big game situations. I respect Field for his tremendous work ethic, but he could only develop so far with his limited talent. I expect Davis to become a better player if he can stay healthy.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Who said anything about Field Williams?

I just want him to be a zone buster and an outside threat. I don't care if he is like F. Williams or not.

Williams was that (ZB and OT). Davis isn't. Kept it very simple for you.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Davis may not be the shooter Field was but he has an excellent chance of being a better all around player. Field only had one natural strong point: being able to shoot from a standstill while not being closely guarded. He didn't have the ability to create a shot at all his first two years -- he developed that a little bit later on, but then he rarely made it if he was forced to shoot under pressure. Huggins said he was probably the worst athlete he recruited here. His ball skills were limited. His defense improved from terrible to mediocre through hard work. Bobbit totally overshadowed him his senior year in big game situations. I respect Field for his tremendous work ethic, but he could only develop so far with his limited talent. I expect Davis to become a better player if he can stay healthy.

Davis will be a fine guard if healthy but he's not a zone buster or outside shooter.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Are you talking about the Freshman version of Field Williams, or the Senior version. If memory serves, Field wasn't much of a factor his first couple of years.

Either. Field was a long range bomber. Davis isn't.

[SLMadiCat]

Davis will be a fine guard if healthy but he's not a zone buster or outside shooter.

Davis is not an outside shooter? Hmmm, first I've heard of that.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Davis is not an outside shooter? Hmmm, first I've heard of that.

He is a fast breaking, slashing type guard (based on his play as Texas HS junior). That's correct.

[SLMadiCat]

He is a fast breaking, slashing type guard (based on his play as Texas HS junior). That's correct.

Not saying I don't believe you, it's just the first I've heard of it. Everything I have read says he has good range and has a pure looking shot.