The media was able to observe practice today and I had John Coon go up there for me.
Here’s what Craig Smith said about the team and the new guys:
-Seven new guys currently and eight in the fall. Likes the new guys and their thirst for improvement. Team has good synergy right now. They’re all learning as they go and he plans on doing a lot of different things with this team.
-More physical, fast, and athletic. Feels like it’s a higher IQ team too.
-Not a lot of plays put in yet.
-Saunders is incredibly fast and light on his feet. Great defender and brings great pace with his playmaking on offense. He left practice early with what they think is a minor knee injury today.
-Keita is ferocious. Smith says he called him a freakazoid today after one of his dunks. He does some things that you just can’t teach. He’s physical, very smart, very intelligent and does some things very naturally that they’ve been even more surprised than they expected. He’s great with the screen and roll, has excellent feet and very good hands. He’s a great finisher around the basket.
-Tarlac has a high basketball IQ. Smith feels like he has a photographic memory. He’s an easily likable guy. He makes everyone around him better. He stands out better on film than in person because of all the little things. He’s a rebounder, he’s a great passer, and he’s fluid. He’s also a natural cutter, so he creates great spacing. He just does a lot of things that impact winning.
-Exacte is a powerful dude that has a great feel for the game. He’s already played at a very high level coming in here. He’s extremely versatile, great playmaking ability, and has explosiveness. He can score effectively at all three levels. Great defensively too.
-Baxter’s biggest nemesis is staying healthy. He’s an athletic 6-foot-8 player with a 7-foot-6 wingspan. He’s been very diligent with his rehab. Smith believes he really fits their style of play. He said he had nightmares about Baxter after their game against BYU last year. He’s only doing non-contact stuff right now, but he seems to retain the playbook and what’s being taught, fast.
Here’s what Craig Smith said about the team and the new guys:
-Seven new guys currently and eight in the fall. Likes the new guys and their thirst for improvement. Team has good synergy right now. They’re all learning as they go and he plans on doing a lot of different things with this team.
-More physical, fast, and athletic. Feels like it’s a higher IQ team too.
-Not a lot of plays put in yet.
-Saunders is incredibly fast and light on his feet. Great defender and brings great pace with his playmaking on offense. He left practice early with what they think is a minor knee injury today.
-Keita is ferocious. Smith says he called him a freakazoid today after one of his dunks. He does some things that you just can’t teach. He’s physical, very smart, very intelligent and does some things very naturally that they’ve been even more surprised than they expected. He’s great with the screen and roll, has excellent feet and very good hands. He’s a great finisher around the basket.
-Tarlac has a high basketball IQ. Smith feels like he has a photographic memory. He’s an easily likable guy. He makes everyone around him better. He stands out better on film than in person because of all the little things. He’s a rebounder, he’s a great passer, and he’s fluid. He’s also a natural cutter, so he creates great spacing. He just does a lot of things that impact winning.
-Exacte is a powerful dude that has a great feel for the game. He’s already played at a very high level coming in here. He’s extremely versatile, great playmaking ability, and has explosiveness. He can score effectively at all three levels. Great defensively too.
-Baxter’s biggest nemesis is staying healthy. He’s an athletic 6-foot-8 player with a 7-foot-6 wingspan. He’s been very diligent with his rehab. Smith believes he really fits their style of play. He said he had nightmares about Baxter after their game against BYU last year. He’s only doing non-contact stuff right now, but he seems to retain the playbook and what’s being taught, fast.
