Ayo- Much stronger than last year. Looked smooth and effortless. Feel like he could take over anytime he wants. But obviously restrained and trying to get everyone on the team better. Everyone in Ubben held breath for about 3-4 minutes when he went down. Griffin with a hard foul on Ayo to the rim.
Feliz-Andre was my favorite player last year and that has not changed. Many have said he is second best player on team and I would have to agree. Does so many things well and is shooting it better. Just has that knack for right play. For example on a drive to the basket from right side, Kofi was trailing defensively and if Feliz would have went up for a right hand layup Kofi would have blocked it. I am not even sure Feliz saw Kofi behind him but he had presents of mind to go up on left side and let rim help out.
Frazier-Loved what I saw out of Trent. I thought he looked better than he did last year. He has really accepted his role and looks a step faster (ankle last year?). He did everything right offensively and defensively. As a spot up three guy he is automatic. Nice to get two more years out of him.
Jones-Hit everything in warm ups. Didn't have that many opportunities in scrimmage. Running the floor and getting to rim he looked great. Average on defense at best. I think he has made a little jump that you like to see but not as much as Griffin has. Inconstant like our man Kip. Will be interesting how this year goes for him. I could see him go either way.
Griffin-Kid is everywhere. Was money in shoot around. Not so much in scrimmage situations. I didn't see anything wrong with his shots other than they didnt go in. Put down a slam on Ayo that was awesome. Defensively he is a bother much like Damonte with his length.
Kipper-Saw mainly good Kipper with a couple of bad Kipper bonehead decisions. But I do think he is getting after it more on defense. Same old story. Get good Kip and he will be an asset.
Damonte-Same Damonte as last year. Not really much to say other than he can be an asset in a limited role. Still cannot shoot. Watching shoot around he still likes to flick the ball sometimes.
GB=Looks leaner and more cut than last year. Definitely moves even better than he did last year which was great. Didn't see much offensively but like Ayo is really helping get teammates involved. Another reason is when Kofi is guarding him you can definitely tell his size bothers him. Much like Garza and Haarms did to him. Will be interesting to see how he plays with and without Kofi.
Kofi-Kid dunks everything anytime he can. Saw it when they scrimmaged and in drills. Has a nice touch and runs floor great. I think he will have games he struggles just because he is a freshman. But will be a beast. I did see him get frustrated a few times for various reasons. But again a lot of it because he is a freshman.
Hamlin-Much better than I anticipated and much better than I saw his senior year at Lincoln. Runs floor well. Has nice touch and very athletic. Plus he didn't back down from anyone including Kofi. I originally thought he would redshirt but he will help in some spot minutes. Future is bright.
Grandison-Really liked what I saw from him. Runs floor, great length, gets to the rim. Decent defense. Shot well in shoot around. Didn't show that or really have opportunity in scrimmage situations. He will help following two years. Plus helping being on scout team this year.
Hutcherson-Another kid who runs the floor and has nice length. Nice shot. Thought he got lost on a few things. You add that strength and year in offense and Underwood looks like genius getting him and Grandison. Those two will be better than most incoming freshman would have been next season.
Overall I really liked what I saw. No brainer that they will be better than last year. And how much of a jump? I like what most experts have said. That 5-7 range in Big Ten, make tourney and maybe win a game or two. But their ceiling is higher. They get everything going and clicking early enough than shoot a few spots higher in Big Ten. Another big plus is Gentry. Guy might be second best basketball mind in the building arguably behind Underwood. Love his instruction and you can tell players are tuned into him already. Could seriously be worth a few wins. I don't like how it happened but wow what an addition. Also I realize we will lose a lot with Ayo, Feliz and Kipper after this year, but you bring in Miller, Curbelo or Robinson, Hawkins, maybe one more with who we will have coming back that team will be much better than most think.
