It takes a village...oops...make that a team. Some on here have criticized various players on the team before the season and for their play during the year. I just want to point out that the Tigers win and lose as a team. Last night every one of the eight scholarship players contributed in the upset of Alabama...who had just come off of beating Oklahoma four days earlier. I'll just discuss the players, but I could make good comments about all eight players. Robertson was terrific; great defense (with only a couple of fouls), 22 points, and quickness to loose balls and a few rebounds. Nikko gives the Tigers a big who generally can play without getting in serious foul trouble. His high ball screen with a dive to the basket gives the Tigers another play. Last year, he missed a lot of layups, but this season he (now) seems to be able to get free for successful dunks. Geist is hot and cold, but he is also our bulldog and has keep his temper under control. His effort is A++. Depending upon the opponent, the can (sometimes) make acrobatic plays around the basket. Like Phillips, he has a quickness and anticipation that allows him to get a number of defensive rebounds.
Puryear gives you good effort without excess fouls. His FT shooting has improved and he handles the ball fairly well for a small forward. Tilmon seems to be improving. His big problems remain excessive fouling (along with unfair fouls) and handling the ball too far from the basket. He is okay with screens, but not dribbling very far from the basket and attacking. He may go pro...somewhere...after this season; however, he would be far better off staying in college and working under our coaches. CVL gives you everything he has...every night. Against most defensive players, he is an adequate ball handler and needs to be closely guarded...or he can knock down a three. Jontay Porter is hot and cold...mainly due to his tough and the huge jump in competition; however, his game against Alabama was 500% better than the performance at Texas A&M. (I'm not sure he even played in the second half at College Station...and I am sure he did not play in the final 12 minutes. JP could be terrific next season. Barnett is Barnett. He can carry the team for minutes or even most of a half. His ball handling is still questionable, but it is improving. His outside shot (3-point) and free throws are much better than last season. Bottomline: It takes a team and last night our team played up to its potential...and pickup a huge road win over a quality opponent.
Puryear gives you good effort without excess fouls. His FT shooting has improved and he handles the ball fairly well for a small forward. Tilmon seems to be improving. His big problems remain excessive fouling (along with unfair fouls) and handling the ball too far from the basket. He is okay with screens, but not dribbling very far from the basket and attacking. He may go pro...somewhere...after this season; however, he would be far better off staying in college and working under our coaches. CVL gives you everything he has...every night. Against most defensive players, he is an adequate ball handler and needs to be closely guarded...or he can knock down a three. Jontay Porter is hot and cold...mainly due to his tough and the huge jump in competition; however, his game against Alabama was 500% better than the performance at Texas A&M. (I'm not sure he even played in the second half at College Station...and I am sure he did not play in the final 12 minutes. JP could be terrific next season. Barnett is Barnett. He can carry the team for minutes or even most of a half. His ball handling is still questionable, but it is improving. His outside shot (3-point) and free throws are much better than last season. Bottomline: It takes a team and last night our team played up to its potential...and pickup a huge road win over a quality opponent.
