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No games in the last seven days since my last weekly basketball “5 things” post. Let’s take a look at each starter individually and give a brief breakdown on how’ve they done in the first 9 games this season…
- PG – Robert Turner | He immediately showed a bunch of talent running the offense and scoring double figures in all 4 of the first games. Then over the last 5 games has only been able to break double digit points in just 1. He has the ability to drive to the basket and is quick to get around his opponent on offense. He does set up and distribute the ball very well getting 2+ assists in all his games. Turner moves his feet well, and is extremely quick which helps him be a great defender. It also helps him stay out of foul trouble as he has never recorded more than 3 fouls in a game; AND is averaging the most minutes of any player at 28.7 mpg. His jump shot still needs work, and his three-point shooting is not a strong part of his game making 6-23 for 26.1%.
- SG – Dusty Hannahs | The outside threat of our team is not off to a hot start. The problem is that every team we play knows his talent and have him shadowed the entire game when he is near the arc. Hannahs has made 12-34 three-pointers for 35.3%. He is an excellent free throw shooter at 85%. Learning to drive the ball more and shooting more mid-range jumpers will vastly improve his scoring average. Also, it might get him to the line for some extra free throws. His defensive skills need improvement as we approach play with the stronger and faster guards of the Big 12.
- SF – Jaye Crockett | The most consistent player on the team that has been able to produce nicely on both ends of the floor. He leads the team in scoring and rebounding. He is averaging 14.1 ppg and has scored double figures in every game except for a 9 point performance in the season opener. He averages the second most minutes on the team at 27.4 mpg, and can grab boards coming up with 6.8 rpg. Crockett is not an outside threat but will take the open look occasionally, but still needs to work on his downtown shot hitting just 23.1%. His jumper has much improved over the years, and his mid-range jumpers and fadeaway shots have looked fantastic this year. He plays the game at mainly the 3 spot, but goes to 4 for periods of the game when Tech needs strength in the paint. Defensively he is better against taller stretch frontcourt players.
- PF – Jordan Tolbert | Always a workmanlike effort on the court by the strongest player on our team. He is second on the team in points and rebounds at this point in the season. There is a chance for him to jump up in front of Crockett in either category as the year goes on while currently at 12.6 ppg and 6.3 rpg. Tolbert is our best inside player and gets his shots in close to the basket. He has scored double figures in all but 2 games. His only area of concern is that he is still getting into foul trouble having 3 or more fouls in 6 of the first 9 games. We need Tolbert in the game to win, not be on the bench because of fouls. A part of his game that might go unnoticed to many is his extreme improvement on free throws. Last season he was a miserable 56.5% from the charity stripe, and this year he is shooting an outstanding 80% from the line!
- C- Dejan Kravic | He has struggled at times to find his groove. Kravic is known as an offensive player yet he has not scored more than 8 points in any game yet this season (averaging 4.6 ppg). He has been having a hard time boxing out and getting rebounds in the low post with only 2.9 rpg. The numbers are down some due to less playing time at 18.4 mpg. He has looked good on defense at times with some very nice blocks, but it has been inconsistent. Kravic has had some nice shots go down as well, but has not seemed to develop much since last season. Big 12 centers are going to bully Kravic unless he can learn to get aggressive in the paint both offensively and defensively.
