The GMU mens basketball team is most certainly on a roll. Cam Long is finally playing like the team leader he was expected to be. Last year he played so well down the stretch it seemed only a matter of time before he got back to that level. I think the cramping issue was bigger than people thought. He has also been much more aggressive the last few games and that is also huge. You can tell he wants the shot.
I believe the biggest reason the team is on a tear as of late is that guys are looking to pass. Passing the ball creates opportunities and we all know the guys are a bunch of talented freshmen/sophmores. You can tell they are starting to gel and looking to get each other easy buckets. Tate has really been an exception role player playing tough D and taking timely 3 pointers. When things heat up, he has been calm and played within his game. Can't ask for more. To me he is the biggest surprise of the year as I certainly didn't have him penciled in as a starter.
For the sophmores, Cornelius is starting to become an all around point guard. You could tell last year and early on this year he would look to shoot first, dribble second, and pass last! He is the CAA's leading 3 point shooter and has been driving the lane more aggressively too. As he looks to pass more, the sky is the limit for this kid. Pearson has been steady and is a workman for the team on the blocks. He makes up for his size by his post skills and left handed shots off the glass. Morrison still has a ways to go, but is getting better with time. Defensively he is a strong presence and shot blocker, but he must become more under control on offense. Not to mention foul shooting... cough....cough.... His athleticism is incredible and he has such a high ceiling of growth yet to come. There is not a more exciting player on offense when he dunks with authority. I can't wait to see what he looks like his senior year.
The freshman have me the most excited. Hancock, Wright, and Williams are going to be a threesome to be feared in a few years. I really think when Williams is a junior he is going to start to become a dominant player in the CAA. He certainly has size, but has soft hands and good footwork at the basket. He just needs to get better timing down and become more aggressive. Wright has already shown flashes of his ability to cut to the basket and make things happen. If he learns to pass off of his penetration he will be deadly in a year or two. A leading scorer for this team in the making. Finally Hancock who has it all. Freshman sloppiness to go along with it! Or maybe freshmen nerves! His passing, following up shots, and ability to drive to the lane have already helped this team win games. He is a leader and will be called upon even more as the season goes on.
There is my synopsis of the team so far! Thoughts? Comments?
No comments:
Post a Comment