Here we go again. For those who haven't seen this I was a student manager from 2018-2022 so I'm using the things I learned to give an analysis for each game.
Ant Robinson: Usually I started with guys who have started or got the most minutes but why not start with the freshman who made an impact all night? He was fantastic on both ends of the floor. Really impressed with his composure and his ballhandling abilities. There were multiple times that SIUE tried to blitz him off a ballscreen that he would easily split. His shot looks good, it just isn't falling right now but I expect that to change. His defense was extremely impressive. He was hounding SIUE's best offensive weapons on the ball and his rotations off the ball were quick and controlled. He wasn't over-rotating which allowed him to stay in front of the guy he rotated too. This kid has a bright future.
Sean East: Leading scorer each game so far. I will say I'd like to see him more engaged offensively in the second half because he is seemingly doing most of his damage in the first half. I have had issues with East's defending off the ball since last year. He would get beaten backdoor routinely and put the defense in a rough spot. Last night he was beaten backdoor once and I immediately had flashbacks. However, it didn't happen again and he seemed to do a better job of it after the one time. Hopefully that remains constant.
Noah Carter: The birthday boy put on a shooting clinic last night. I was seriously concerned that the workload for Carter would be too much after the Memphis game. He was forcing his shot last Friday and was visibly frustrated throughout the game. It was great to see him knocking down deep threes and staying controlled throughout the game. Getting a double double is a nice touch as well.
Aidan Shaw: His main issue last year was he'd be in the right position defensively but would let his arms reach down over the guy he was contesting. This year he has been going straight up and he's effectively altering shots. Not only that, he's been a menace guarding on the perimeter. It seems he has learned how to use his length and athleticism on defense. Offensively, his ballhandling seems to be better this year and his touch around the rim has improved. Like seeing him get a couple of chances to soar in for putback dunks or alley oops as well. He has to do it against quality competition now.
Caleb Grill: This guy does not get tired. He is all over the place. He's soaring in for rebounds, sprinting on the breaks, constantly moving on offense. I'm really impressed with his stamina because he is always moving at 100%. It was refreshing to see him drill two threes in a row as well with the ball not even touching rim. They missed him a few times when he was open throughout the game so I hope they do a better job of looking for him but that was a really promising sight.
Jordan Butler: I'm impressed with how sound he is defensively as a true freshman. He moves his feet well, keeps his arms straight up, and his timing is really good already. He was a big part of the massive drought SIUE went on in the second half. I'd like to see him try to post up at some point but his form on his jumper looks solid.
John Tonje: The surprise entrance into the starting lineup. Got the team started by scoring a quick 5 points but kind of disappeared after that. I feel he started to settle for threes and I'd like to see him get downhill and attack the basket more. He has a strong frame that I'd like to see him utilize more. He was impressive defensively though moving his feet and causing havoc with ballhandlers.
Tamar Bates: He doesn't appear to be very aggressive getting his shot on offense. Not sure what has happened between now and the first game but they need to get him going again. The common theme is strong defense and he contributed to that as well.
Nick Honor: He's struggled a bit to start the season and I hope his injury isn't too serious. I know you want your point guard to be a threat to drive the ball but he often just gets stuck down there and is forced to just throw it up or turn it over. That's concerning.
Trent Pierce: 2 turnovers in 2 minutes. They gotta get this guy going.
Curt Lewis: He was really good defensively and his shot looks really good. Needs to see one go in.
Overall I was really impressed with the team effort. That drought from SIUE was caused by Mizzou, not just SIUE not being able to score. That team has some talented offensive threats who are also veterans and they were shut down in the second half. I know people were upset that UAPB's two top players both scored 30 in the opener and this performance tonight shows that they don't plan on letting that happen. This defense has a chance to be legit and keep the team in games. They may not be as explosive offensively as they were last year but they have the ability to cause problems on defense. That will only improve with the addition to Vanover. In my pregame notes I said I didn't want to see Kaleb Brown or Jesus anymore. Obviously Kaleb was sick and hurt but we didn't see any of Jesus the entire game. Let's keep it that way por favor.
FREE VANOVER
Ant Robinson: Usually I started with guys who have started or got the most minutes but why not start with the freshman who made an impact all night? He was fantastic on both ends of the floor. Really impressed with his composure and his ballhandling abilities. There were multiple times that SIUE tried to blitz him off a ballscreen that he would easily split. His shot looks good, it just isn't falling right now but I expect that to change. His defense was extremely impressive. He was hounding SIUE's best offensive weapons on the ball and his rotations off the ball were quick and controlled. He wasn't over-rotating which allowed him to stay in front of the guy he rotated too. This kid has a bright future.
Sean East: Leading scorer each game so far. I will say I'd like to see him more engaged offensively in the second half because he is seemingly doing most of his damage in the first half. I have had issues with East's defending off the ball since last year. He would get beaten backdoor routinely and put the defense in a rough spot. Last night he was beaten backdoor once and I immediately had flashbacks. However, it didn't happen again and he seemed to do a better job of it after the one time. Hopefully that remains constant.
Noah Carter: The birthday boy put on a shooting clinic last night. I was seriously concerned that the workload for Carter would be too much after the Memphis game. He was forcing his shot last Friday and was visibly frustrated throughout the game. It was great to see him knocking down deep threes and staying controlled throughout the game. Getting a double double is a nice touch as well.
Aidan Shaw: His main issue last year was he'd be in the right position defensively but would let his arms reach down over the guy he was contesting. This year he has been going straight up and he's effectively altering shots. Not only that, he's been a menace guarding on the perimeter. It seems he has learned how to use his length and athleticism on defense. Offensively, his ballhandling seems to be better this year and his touch around the rim has improved. Like seeing him get a couple of chances to soar in for putback dunks or alley oops as well. He has to do it against quality competition now.
Caleb Grill: This guy does not get tired. He is all over the place. He's soaring in for rebounds, sprinting on the breaks, constantly moving on offense. I'm really impressed with his stamina because he is always moving at 100%. It was refreshing to see him drill two threes in a row as well with the ball not even touching rim. They missed him a few times when he was open throughout the game so I hope they do a better job of looking for him but that was a really promising sight.
Jordan Butler: I'm impressed with how sound he is defensively as a true freshman. He moves his feet well, keeps his arms straight up, and his timing is really good already. He was a big part of the massive drought SIUE went on in the second half. I'd like to see him try to post up at some point but his form on his jumper looks solid.
John Tonje: The surprise entrance into the starting lineup. Got the team started by scoring a quick 5 points but kind of disappeared after that. I feel he started to settle for threes and I'd like to see him get downhill and attack the basket more. He has a strong frame that I'd like to see him utilize more. He was impressive defensively though moving his feet and causing havoc with ballhandlers.
Tamar Bates: He doesn't appear to be very aggressive getting his shot on offense. Not sure what has happened between now and the first game but they need to get him going again. The common theme is strong defense and he contributed to that as well.
Nick Honor: He's struggled a bit to start the season and I hope his injury isn't too serious. I know you want your point guard to be a threat to drive the ball but he often just gets stuck down there and is forced to just throw it up or turn it over. That's concerning.
Trent Pierce: 2 turnovers in 2 minutes. They gotta get this guy going.
Curt Lewis: He was really good defensively and his shot looks really good. Needs to see one go in.
Overall I was really impressed with the team effort. That drought from SIUE was caused by Mizzou, not just SIUE not being able to score. That team has some talented offensive threats who are also veterans and they were shut down in the second half. I know people were upset that UAPB's two top players both scored 30 in the opener and this performance tonight shows that they don't plan on letting that happen. This defense has a chance to be legit and keep the team in games. They may not be as explosive offensively as they were last year but they have the ability to cause problems on defense. That will only improve with the addition to Vanover. In my pregame notes I said I didn't want to see Kaleb Brown or Jesus anymore. Obviously Kaleb was sick and hurt but we didn't see any of Jesus the entire game. Let's keep it that way por favor.
FREE VANOVER
