Skipped the Saturday games for the pool due to the lack of Hoyas playing and the overabundance of humidity but was back on Sunday. As the unreal heat broke by way of an apparently violent batch of storms, a fairly large group of Hoya faithful were sheltered from reality on the wildly uncomfortable pull out bleachers (I wonder how old when my self consciousness gives way to bleacher seat cushions...) Lucky, I had Dave and Chris join me for the Tombs game so Rich was spared of my benign eavesdropping.
Clark and Team Takeover spent the warm-ups in what amounted to a dunk contest, so it was no surprise with Takeover up twenty, the last ten minutes of the second half devolved into a series of uncontested jams. When six footers repeatedly get open dunks in a set offense, you know ”defense” is an illusion that passes the time until you get the ball back.
Jason Clark was 4-7 with 10 points in a relatively competitive first half. He finished with around 20, but the stats aren’t to faithful to reality. The Team Takeover was by far the better team (VaTech F Jeff Allen in particular impressed) and cruised to a 80-60 final. Clark looked sharp offensively, was strong with the ball, but his offensive prowess has never concerned me.
No Austin today (rumored that he was in Vegas) so The Tombs underclassmen had a chance to run the show.
Reading the number crunching at Hoya Prospectus over this past week has had me anxious about the development of Hollis Thompson. A tall line-up very well might be our best despite not having the most talented 5 on the floor and Hollis hasn’t yet stood out in Kenner. His beautiful left handed take against Ohio was the single positive memory that I took into the off-season and I have high hopes for him this year. With Austin out, Hollis did not disappoint, energetic on defense, hitting his spot up shots on offense, drew fouls under the hoops on offense finished with over twenty. My personal dream scenario: the emergence of Hollis threatens to infringe on Clark’s minutes and forces him to buckle down on defense and make good on the potential he has to be an all-conference defender.
Markel Starks- The Stark Plug? Has it been said yet? He can be the lightening off the bench. The name is too short sighted though- he will be the floor general in turn. It was such a start contrast to see Starks expressionless intensity for the entire scrimmage after watching Clark and co. Harlem GlobeTrotter their matchup. It helped that it was a close game and Starks took control of the team, huddling them around the free throw line and even grabbing some jerseys. In the decisive run to seal the game, he an end to end drive and converted his only three point attempt of the day.
Nate Lubick had a few great boards in the first half, those long white arms rising up, outspread like Touchdown Jesus. He was quieter in the second half until he consecutively dove on the ground for a loose ball and took a charge. If we create a stat for times he ends up on the floor, I think he’ll have a shot a averaging a triple double by time he’s finished at the Hilltop.
After singing the praises of Aaron Bowen last week, he started the day 0-3 from 3pt with two air balls. He looked absent and wore an expression sadly similar what I remember from the Dajaun Summers’ days. Finished the game with a great steal/ breakaway dunk sequence, but it wasn’t enough to wash away the disappointing game. Hopefully this was a fluke, because he doesn’t have the size to cover a 3 man in the Big East, he needs that jump shot to be as beautiful as it was last week to earn PT.
Moses really got the crowd behind him… in warm-ups. He made 5 straight midrange jump shots, with a part of the crowd “ooh-ing” at each make, before one collided in mid-air with another ball. Any hint of refinement amongst his raw athleticism is something to get behind. He also converted his first successful post move that I’ve seen, a simple baby hook, but encouraging none the less.
Jason Clark was 4-7 with 10 points in a relatively competitive first half. He finished with around 20, but the stats aren’t to faithful to reality. The Team Takeover was by far the better team (VaTech F Jeff Allen in particular impressed) and cruised to a 80-60 final. Clark looked sharp offensively, was strong with the ball, but his offensive prowess has never concerned me.
No Austin today (rumored that he was in Vegas) so The Tombs underclassmen had a chance to run the show.
Reading the number crunching at Hoya Prospectus over this past week has had me anxious about the development of Hollis Thompson. A tall line-up very well might be our best despite not having the most talented 5 on the floor and Hollis hasn’t yet stood out in Kenner. His beautiful left handed take against Ohio was the single positive memory that I took into the off-season and I have high hopes for him this year. With Austin out, Hollis did not disappoint, energetic on defense, hitting his spot up shots on offense, drew fouls under the hoops on offense finished with over twenty. My personal dream scenario: the emergence of Hollis threatens to infringe on Clark’s minutes and forces him to buckle down on defense and make good on the potential he has to be an all-conference defender.
Markel Starks- The Stark Plug? Has it been said yet? He can be the lightening off the bench. The name is too short sighted though- he will be the floor general in turn. It was such a start contrast to see Starks expressionless intensity for the entire scrimmage after watching Clark and co. Harlem GlobeTrotter their matchup. It helped that it was a close game and Starks took control of the team, huddling them around the free throw line and even grabbing some jerseys. In the decisive run to seal the game, he an end to end drive and converted his only three point attempt of the day.
Nate Lubick had a few great boards in the first half, those long white arms rising up, outspread like Touchdown Jesus. He was quieter in the second half until he consecutively dove on the ground for a loose ball and took a charge. If we create a stat for times he ends up on the floor, I think he’ll have a shot a averaging a triple double by time he’s finished at the Hilltop.
After singing the praises of Aaron Bowen last week, he started the day 0-3 from 3pt with two air balls. He looked absent and wore an expression sadly similar what I remember from the Dajaun Summers’ days. Finished the game with a great steal/ breakaway dunk sequence, but it wasn’t enough to wash away the disappointing game. Hopefully this was a fluke, because he doesn’t have the size to cover a 3 man in the Big East, he needs that jump shot to be as beautiful as it was last week to earn PT.
Moses really got the crowd behind him… in warm-ups. He made 5 straight midrange jump shots, with a part of the crowd “ooh-ing” at each make, before one collided in mid-air with another ball. Any hint of refinement amongst his raw athleticism is something to get behind. He also converted his first successful post move that I’ve seen, a simple baby hook, but encouraging none the less.
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