1, News Articles
Good to see some news about the basketball Dawgs. GeorgiaDogs.com has a video featuring Houston Kessler. Here's the one on Kenny Gaines.
There's more out on the Web. If you haven't checked it out already, you should visit the Dawgs' Twitter page.
2. Roster
I'm about as curious as anyone on how Fox will develop and use his players. Sure, Charles Mann and Kenny Gaines (if healthy) will lead the charge this season. Yante Maten, as the only post with significant experience, will start.
But will we get anything from Osahen Iduwe this year? How about Mike Edwards? Derek Ogbeide? How much will Turtle Jackson play? Where will J.J. Frazier get his playing time?
The 3-position has been a mystery for Georgia since Brandon Morris left. Does Wilridge have the talent to lock it down? Will Fox go big with Edwards? Is Juwan Parker recovered from surgery enough to give us minutes? How about KPG? Did he work hard enough during the off-season to contribute on the wing?
3. Recruiting
UGA commits Tyree Crump and Jordan Harris can play. Who else will we bring in? I figure we need at least one big, but Fox may have different ideas. How many spots will we have, anyway?
As I said, lots of interesting pieces.
Getting excited about basketball.
Showing posts with label Osahen Iduwe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Osahen Iduwe. Show all posts
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Friday, April 3, 2015
Fox Bottom Five in SEC Coaches
according to Clay Travis, Fox Sports commentator.
Article
In answering a reader's question about the upgrade in talent in the SEC coaching ranks, Travis put two of the new guys in his top five coaching picks.
I. Top Five
1. Billy Donovan
2. John Calipari
3. Bruce Pearl
4. Rick Barnes
5. Ben Howland
Hard to challenge his top five, though I probably wouldn't put Bruce Pearl in there. Pearl can coach, but can he stay out of trouble? His margin for error is very thin, but he has some good recruits coming in. Will Auburn finish the year in the SEC's top five? I doubt it.
Billy Donovan can flat out coach. I wonder how his team will perform this year. Will his guys take a big leap forward? Will Chris Walker show why he was a five-star recruit? Donovan has Noah Dickerson coming in, but other than that, I don't remember any significant recruits. I expect Donovan to struggle next season. Maybe he runs off to the pro's.
John Calipari will ride his ridiculous recruiting classes until he leaves for the NBA. Jaylen Brown will probably end up in Lexington.
I believe that if Georgia gets Mike Edwards, we will win one of the two games against UK next year.
II. Next Four
6. Mike Anderson
7. Kevin Stallings
8. Andy Kennedy
9. Frank Martin
I think that Kevin Stallings is a good coach. Runs the motion offense. I still argue that the Vandy arena gives their guys an unfair home-court advantage. Even so, Stallings gets a lot out of his talent.
Disagree that Frank Martin over at South Carolina is any better than Fox. What has he done? I mean, other than yell at his guys.
III. Bottom Five
10. Mark Fox
11. Johnny Jones
12. Billy Kennedy
13. Alabama's Vacant Spot
14. Kim Anderson
Wow. Johnny Jones will win his fair share of games this upcoming season. Jordan Mickey declaring for the pro's will hurt some, but the new kid Ben Simmons can flat out play. Jones won't be considered bottom five for long.
Alabama missed on Marshall from Wichita State. Don't know who they will get. I expect them to take a step back next year.
Fox is probably a year away from making a significant move. He's got the program stabilized, but the SEC is getting tougher almost overnight. The good news is that Jordan Harris and Tyree Crump from southwest Georgia are two 2016 recruits who will make a difference, assuming they sign their LOI's and enroll. Team those two guys with Turtle Jackson and UGA has a perimeter line-up that can go toe-to-toe with anyone. But that's year after next.
I expect 2015/16 will be pretty good. Our line-up top to bottom is probably the best that Fox has had.
Turtle Jackson is better than most people think. Fox may consider starting him at the point, keeping Charles Mann at the three and going to war with Kenny Gaines at the two, and Yante Maten and Derek Ogbeide in the post. Now if UGA gets anything from Osahen Iduwe, we might end up quite good. In any case, a healthy J.J. Frazier and Juwan Parker form a good guard rotation, and we are a recruit or two away from being competitive in the post.
If UGA ends up next season in the top five SEC teams for a third straight year, maybe move Pearl down and put Fox in his place.
Article
In answering a reader's question about the upgrade in talent in the SEC coaching ranks, Travis put two of the new guys in his top five coaching picks.
I. Top Five
1. Billy Donovan
2. John Calipari
3. Bruce Pearl
4. Rick Barnes
5. Ben Howland
Hard to challenge his top five, though I probably wouldn't put Bruce Pearl in there. Pearl can coach, but can he stay out of trouble? His margin for error is very thin, but he has some good recruits coming in. Will Auburn finish the year in the SEC's top five? I doubt it.
Billy Donovan can flat out coach. I wonder how his team will perform this year. Will his guys take a big leap forward? Will Chris Walker show why he was a five-star recruit? Donovan has Noah Dickerson coming in, but other than that, I don't remember any significant recruits. I expect Donovan to struggle next season. Maybe he runs off to the pro's.
John Calipari will ride his ridiculous recruiting classes until he leaves for the NBA. Jaylen Brown will probably end up in Lexington.
I believe that if Georgia gets Mike Edwards, we will win one of the two games against UK next year.
II. Next Four
6. Mike Anderson
7. Kevin Stallings
8. Andy Kennedy
9. Frank Martin
I think that Kevin Stallings is a good coach. Runs the motion offense. I still argue that the Vandy arena gives their guys an unfair home-court advantage. Even so, Stallings gets a lot out of his talent.
Disagree that Frank Martin over at South Carolina is any better than Fox. What has he done? I mean, other than yell at his guys.
III. Bottom Five
10. Mark Fox
11. Johnny Jones
12. Billy Kennedy
13. Alabama's Vacant Spot
14. Kim Anderson
Wow. Johnny Jones will win his fair share of games this upcoming season. Jordan Mickey declaring for the pro's will hurt some, but the new kid Ben Simmons can flat out play. Jones won't be considered bottom five for long.
Alabama missed on Marshall from Wichita State. Don't know who they will get. I expect them to take a step back next year.
Fox is probably a year away from making a significant move. He's got the program stabilized, but the SEC is getting tougher almost overnight. The good news is that Jordan Harris and Tyree Crump from southwest Georgia are two 2016 recruits who will make a difference, assuming they sign their LOI's and enroll. Team those two guys with Turtle Jackson and UGA has a perimeter line-up that can go toe-to-toe with anyone. But that's year after next.
I expect 2015/16 will be pretty good. Our line-up top to bottom is probably the best that Fox has had.
Turtle Jackson is better than most people think. Fox may consider starting him at the point, keeping Charles Mann at the three and going to war with Kenny Gaines at the two, and Yante Maten and Derek Ogbeide in the post. Now if UGA gets anything from Osahen Iduwe, we might end up quite good. In any case, a healthy J.J. Frazier and Juwan Parker form a good guard rotation, and we are a recruit or two away from being competitive in the post.
If UGA ends up next season in the top five SEC teams for a third straight year, maybe move Pearl down and put Fox in his place.
Friday, March 13, 2015
Mike Edwards?
I don't see it.
Nothing against Edwards, but why go up to Michigan for a guy when we can find a back-up center from somewhere in-state? Georgia high school coaches have long memories.
From the looks of his (?) YouTube channel, it appears that Edwards considers himself a member of our 2015 signing class. I guess we beat out Ball State and Northern Illinois for his services. Of course if Edwards does end up at Georgia, I will support him and hope he turns into an absolute beast.
However, for now, the Edwards recruitment has me totally unconvinced. Reminds me of other Fox recruiting efforts. John Florveus. John Cannon. Tim Dixon. Good kids. Guys who contributed, but weren't the high level athletes that UGA needs to challenge the elite teams. Have my fingers crossed that Iduwe and Kessler will make a big leap next year.
This far along in the Mark Fox tenure I had hoped we were past getting a 2-star/project big man/role player late after the difference-maker goes elsewhere.
I liked the Yante Maten signing last year. Derek Ogbeide will definitely help this year. SMH on this one.
If Jaylen Brown turns us down, please get an in-state guy or save the ship until next year.
Nothing against Edwards, but why go up to Michigan for a guy when we can find a back-up center from somewhere in-state? Georgia high school coaches have long memories.
From the looks of his (?) YouTube channel, it appears that Edwards considers himself a member of our 2015 signing class. I guess we beat out Ball State and Northern Illinois for his services. Of course if Edwards does end up at Georgia, I will support him and hope he turns into an absolute beast.
However, for now, the Edwards recruitment has me totally unconvinced. Reminds me of other Fox recruiting efforts. John Florveus. John Cannon. Tim Dixon. Good kids. Guys who contributed, but weren't the high level athletes that UGA needs to challenge the elite teams. Have my fingers crossed that Iduwe and Kessler will make a big leap next year.
This far along in the Mark Fox tenure I had hoped we were past getting a 2-star/project big man/role player late after the difference-maker goes elsewhere.
I liked the Yante Maten signing last year. Derek Ogbeide will definitely help this year. SMH on this one.
If Jaylen Brown turns us down, please get an in-state guy or save the ship until next year.
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Derek Ogbeide Video
I spotted the video below, and thought I'd share it with the Blog readers.
Fox has a lot to work with with Ogbeide. Good hands. Has a few moves in the post.
The biggest factor is Derek's athleticism. He runs the floor well and has good bounce for a big man. He'll play a lot in the fall. We really need something from Iduwe, but if we don't get it, we'll go to war with Maten and Ogbeide being our key posts.
Ogbeide
Fox has a lot to work with with Ogbeide. Good hands. Has a few moves in the post.
The biggest factor is Derek's athleticism. He runs the floor well and has good bounce for a big man. He'll play a lot in the fall. We really need something from Iduwe, but if we don't get it, we'll go to war with Maten and Ogbeide being our key posts.
Ogbeide
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Derek Ogbeide
The guy that Ogbeide reminds me most of is not a hoops player. It's Cordy Glenn from UGA's football team a few years back. The first time I saw Glenn, I said, "this guy is going to be a player."
Sure enough, Glenn later starred on the offensive line for Georgia. Cordy is now in the NFL, playing offensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills.
In the same way, I am projecting good things for Ogbeide. He has a large frame, big hands and feet, and for a big man, good athleticism. Catches the ball well. Is a true post player. Doesn't float around on the perimeter.
I liked what I saw of Ogbeide in Pebblebrook's game against Laney of Augusta. Pebblebrook doesn't run many plays, and Ogbeide rarely gets passes. However, in an up and down, guard-oriented game, Ogbeide had 16 points, 18 boards and 7 blocks.
I wouldn't call Ogbeide skilled. Not in the same way that Tony Parker was skilled at the same point in high school. However, if Ogbeide continues to grow physically and athletically, he may end up as the better NBA prospect.
Next year could be a good one for UGA basketball. Charles Mann, J.J. Frazier, and Turtle Jackson playing point; Kenny Gaines and Juwan Parker at the shooting guard spots, Iduwe (here's hoping he bulks up and learns a few moves), Yante Maten, and Ogbeide in the post, and Kenny Paul Geno and E'Torrion Wilridge on the wing. If we somehow bring in Jaylen Brown, that looks like a definite NCAA team to me.
Sure enough, Glenn later starred on the offensive line for Georgia. Cordy is now in the NFL, playing offensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills.
In the same way, I am projecting good things for Ogbeide. He has a large frame, big hands and feet, and for a big man, good athleticism. Catches the ball well. Is a true post player. Doesn't float around on the perimeter.
I liked what I saw of Ogbeide in Pebblebrook's game against Laney of Augusta. Pebblebrook doesn't run many plays, and Ogbeide rarely gets passes. However, in an up and down, guard-oriented game, Ogbeide had 16 points, 18 boards and 7 blocks.
I wouldn't call Ogbeide skilled. Not in the same way that Tony Parker was skilled at the same point in high school. However, if Ogbeide continues to grow physically and athletically, he may end up as the better NBA prospect.
Next year could be a good one for UGA basketball. Charles Mann, J.J. Frazier, and Turtle Jackson playing point; Kenny Gaines and Juwan Parker at the shooting guard spots, Iduwe (here's hoping he bulks up and learns a few moves), Yante Maten, and Ogbeide in the post, and Kenny Paul Geno and E'Torrion Wilridge on the wing. If we somehow bring in Jaylen Brown, that looks like a definite NCAA team to me.
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Turtle Jackson: Ten Reasons Why I'm Psyched
Couldn't be happier for UGA basketball and Coach Fox. Well, I could. Can we flip Daniel Giddens?
One at a time, one at a time.
Glad to be posting again. Life gets busy sometimes. Anyway, back to the subject at hand. UGA recently received a commitment from William "Turtle" Jackson. That is huge news for at least ten reasons:
1) Dude can play.
Nice arc on his jump shot. Note that he has the ability that other great point guards have, in that he goes either right or left, full speed, and always keeps his head up so he can make the right pass. Dishes with either the right or left hand. Is not bothered by "bump and run" style defense. Finishes through contact. Willing rebounder and defender. Not an explosive leaper yet, but he might develop plenty of lift as he continues to work on his game.
2) High Character
Turtle Jackson is a good kid. He'll represent UGA well. As we have seen with football, a good player with bad habits ends up at _____________ (you put in the name of the school. A couple come to mind for me).
3) Position of Need
We brought in two big men for 2014. Yante Maten and Osahen "Fred" Iduwe will hopefully hold down the front court in future years. So unless something changes drastically, we won't add any guards this year. I had hoped that Cameron Johnson of Clarke Central might somehow find a spot, but he got signed by College of Charleston.
At any rate, by the fall of 2015, Charles Mann will be entering his senior year. We have J.J. Frazier, a scrappy, but undersized point guard who by then will be a junior, but we need a big point guard. Turtle Jackson fits the bill perfectly.
4) Legacy Signee
If I'm not mistaken, Turtle Jackson's Dad played at UGA. We ought to be able to sign a kid like Jackson, and we will.
5) Local Product
He'll be a fan favorite right off the bat. Will we see more local fans out at the games?
6) Desire
Turtle Jackson wants to play for Georgia. He has committed to us, and though he could open up his recruitment again, I seriously doubt it. We want guys who want to come to, or as in Jackson's case, want to stay in, Athens.
7) Room to Grow
Jackson is 6' 4" or thereabouts right now. Who's to say that he won't grow another inch or even two over the next year and a half? He has had a knee injury, but by the time fall 2015 rolls around, he should be good to go. Throw in a good preseason weight-training and conditioning program, and he'll be ready to help UGA post some victories up on the schedule.
8) Early Commit
I have wanted just this kind of result for a while. It seems the other programs get commitments early from talented players. Meanwhile, UGA hangs on but ultimately misses out on guys (I am reminded on Tony Parker) and ends up trying to find potential signees late in the process. Definitely not a formula for recruiting success. Jackson is on board during the summer before his senior year. That's huge.
9) Makes others Better
You see that phrase tossed around a bit, but what I mean by it is that a player works hard, is unselfish and is a positive influence in the locker room, all the while having the skill set to help get wins on the court. Jackson is all that.
10) Momentum
Great shooters want somebody who has the ability and willingness to get them the ball. Great big men want to play with someone who can feed the post. Great recruits want to go someplace where other great recruits are going.
Sometimes all you need is an ice-breaker, a guy who will commit early and then work the phones and social media to help the staff bring in the next key recruit. All the better if he is a point guard. All the better if he is William Jackson.
Let's bring in Jaylen Brown, Giddens, and a shooter. UGA basketball finally has recruiting Mo' on our side.
One at a time, one at a time.
Glad to be posting again. Life gets busy sometimes. Anyway, back to the subject at hand. UGA recently received a commitment from William "Turtle" Jackson. That is huge news for at least ten reasons:
1) Dude can play.
Nice arc on his jump shot. Note that he has the ability that other great point guards have, in that he goes either right or left, full speed, and always keeps his head up so he can make the right pass. Dishes with either the right or left hand. Is not bothered by "bump and run" style defense. Finishes through contact. Willing rebounder and defender. Not an explosive leaper yet, but he might develop plenty of lift as he continues to work on his game.
2) High Character
Turtle Jackson is a good kid. He'll represent UGA well. As we have seen with football, a good player with bad habits ends up at _____________ (you put in the name of the school. A couple come to mind for me).
3) Position of Need
We brought in two big men for 2014. Yante Maten and Osahen "Fred" Iduwe will hopefully hold down the front court in future years. So unless something changes drastically, we won't add any guards this year. I had hoped that Cameron Johnson of Clarke Central might somehow find a spot, but he got signed by College of Charleston.
At any rate, by the fall of 2015, Charles Mann will be entering his senior year. We have J.J. Frazier, a scrappy, but undersized point guard who by then will be a junior, but we need a big point guard. Turtle Jackson fits the bill perfectly.
4) Legacy Signee
If I'm not mistaken, Turtle Jackson's Dad played at UGA. We ought to be able to sign a kid like Jackson, and we will.
5) Local Product
He'll be a fan favorite right off the bat. Will we see more local fans out at the games?
6) Desire
Turtle Jackson wants to play for Georgia. He has committed to us, and though he could open up his recruitment again, I seriously doubt it. We want guys who want to come to, or as in Jackson's case, want to stay in, Athens.
7) Room to Grow
Jackson is 6' 4" or thereabouts right now. Who's to say that he won't grow another inch or even two over the next year and a half? He has had a knee injury, but by the time fall 2015 rolls around, he should be good to go. Throw in a good preseason weight-training and conditioning program, and he'll be ready to help UGA post some victories up on the schedule.
8) Early Commit
I have wanted just this kind of result for a while. It seems the other programs get commitments early from talented players. Meanwhile, UGA hangs on but ultimately misses out on guys (I am reminded on Tony Parker) and ends up trying to find potential signees late in the process. Definitely not a formula for recruiting success. Jackson is on board during the summer before his senior year. That's huge.
9) Makes others Better
You see that phrase tossed around a bit, but what I mean by it is that a player works hard, is unselfish and is a positive influence in the locker room, all the while having the skill set to help get wins on the court. Jackson is all that.
10) Momentum
Great shooters want somebody who has the ability and willingness to get them the ball. Great big men want to play with someone who can feed the post. Great recruits want to go someplace where other great recruits are going.
Sometimes all you need is an ice-breaker, a guy who will commit early and then work the phones and social media to help the staff bring in the next key recruit. All the better if he is a point guard. All the better if he is William Jackson.
Let's bring in Jaylen Brown, Giddens, and a shooter. UGA basketball finally has recruiting Mo' on our side.
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