|
Post by efg72 on Sept 22, 2023 11:01:17 GMT -5
For those of you going to the Hart Center tomorrow for the open gym please provide evaluations/reactions to practice. I know Max Green, the 6'6" CG from Louisville, will be on campus - unless the storms are bad today and tomorrow.
Thanks in advance for the updates.
|
|
|
Post by Tom on Sept 22, 2023 12:05:37 GMT -5
Storms will be bad enough that I predict there will be no parking on baseball, HoJo's, or freshman field. Also bad enough to have a drastic effect on football attendance
Storms will not be bad enough to postpone flights from Kentucky
|
|
|
Post by hc17 on Sept 22, 2023 12:22:20 GMT -5
Any idea if he is close to committing? Based on interest, that would be a big pick-up
|
|
|
Post by KY Crusader 75 on Sept 22, 2023 12:22:59 GMT -5
Perfect weather in Kentucky right now. I've handled my end---- time for you guys in Massachusetts to handle your end.
|
|
|
Post by hcnj on Sept 22, 2023 15:35:17 GMT -5
For those of you going to the Hart Center tomorrow for the open gym please provide evaluations/reactions to practice. I know Max Green, the 6'6" CG from Louisville, will be on campus - unless the storms are bad today and tomorrow. Thanks in advance for the updates. I've liked Max since his name first surfaced. Since he's not a big I'm glad he's 6-6 as a guard. He's coming to a school where guards may become power forwards. I'd be very happy if he decides to come.
|
|
|
Post by longsuffering on Sept 22, 2023 15:39:57 GMT -5
Perfect weather in Kentucky right now. I've handled my end---- time for you guys in Massachusetts to handle your end. Beautiful air and breeze now. I'll check Din Kent's latest forecast for tomorrow.
|
|
|
Post by hchoops on Sept 23, 2023 9:04:16 GMT -5
Another open house
SAVE THE DATE - TICKETS SPORT OPEN HOUSE
Date: Wednesday, October 11th Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Location: Luth Athletic Complex Cost: FREE Who Can Attend: Anyone who is interested
Your Crusader men's basketball, women's basketball, and men's hockey teams invite you to join them during open practices in this exclusive event. This event is FREE to all who attend with Crucessions presented by WooTrucks being open, season ticket member exclusive opportunities, and chances to meet the student-athletes and coaches! More information to come at a later date.
|
|
|
Post by efg72 on Sept 23, 2023 12:43:27 GMT -5
Anybody stop by practice
|
|
|
Post by timholycross on Sept 23, 2023 16:10:50 GMT -5
Was it before the game or now?
|
|
|
Post by efg72 on Sept 23, 2023 16:42:54 GMT -5
This morning
|
|
|
Post by Non Alum Dave on Sept 24, 2023 6:23:24 GMT -5
Was there, as was at least a couple of other posters. Some random observations:
Only non participants were Ryan and Wills; I didn't even see them in the gym.
Louth (looking lean) and Rabs both participated in individual drills; limited participation in other stuff. However, they ran sprints with the team and looked ok to me. Assume they are being extra cautious with them.
Octave participated early on with individual stuff, but was on the sidelines after that. Perhaps nursing a minor injury.
One thing I liked about the frosh who did participate (Nugent, Singleton and Williams) - they at least looked more physically developed than the typical HC frosh. I am very high on Nugent; he seems like a real bull with some shooting skills (by the way, he tweaked his ankle a bit in a full court drill, and did not participate much after that. Again, seemed minor).
Caleb and Kirkwood both look pretty jacked. Batch was Batch. Bo looked healthy and ready to go.
As for Coach Paulsen - I think he had me smiling more in an hour or so than I did over the last 5 years with the former guy. Really likeable personality. When he came over to greet us at the beginning someone asked how it was going. He said with a smile, "well, we are undefeated at the moment." Hard for me to evaluate his practice process; one thing I noticed was that he personally worked with Louth, Rabs and CK on post drills.
After individual stuff, they then spent some time working on full court fast break stuff, just offense. With halfcourt, a few times I think he spoke of being patient, and going through 3 progressions of play options (pardon my ignorance if this doesn't make sense). He did say something to the effect of "against the elite teams, you're probably going to go through all 3 to get what you want".
Then, they did do some halfcourt work with offense and defense. One theme I got from this was that CDP seemed to discourage players from leaving their man to help out. Once, in front of me, Batch left his man (Bo) to help along the baseline as either a frosh or walk-on drove towards the hoop. CDP immediately stopped play; then looked at Batch. CBP motioned to the driver and asked Batch "how many points a game last year did he average?". Batch: "Ah, none?". CDP then looks at Bo and asks Batch "what about Bo?" Batch: "I think 11 or so?" CDP then told him (paraphrasing) that it was not a smart play to leave the opposition's leading scorer to help on someone who wasn't a threat to score. He then (I think in this same sequence) said something to the effect that the driver "went to his right 90% of the time...well, at least right now he does (while winking at the kid)". I liked that.
In the halfcourt drills, CK posted up somebody aggressively and scored. CDP liked that, and said "CK, good stuff!".
By the way, Ben Capron I know is a walk on and is a huge long shot to play at all, but he really made an impression. Twice in the halfcourt drills he agressively stripped the ball from his man, dove to the ground to secure, and let out a huge yell. His teammates seem to really respect him. I like to see that.
Another time someone's cell phone rang. CDP asked they we all put our phones on vibrate. Then he turns to the players and says "oh,by the way, if that ever happens before a game in our locker room, we will be having a track meet at practice the next day."
All in all, without any real scrimmaging it's really hard to see where things stand. I do wish they have some more length on the squad. Still, I just feel real comfortable with this coach; I think they've finally got the right guy.
While standing out overlooking the football practice facility saw RJ come by with Max Green and family. RJ did a nice selling job with the little snippets I heard....
Finally, in attendance was Dr. Nairus, Frank Powell, RP. Jr, Chris Morgan, Rick Mashburn, Ed Thurman, and the Ponce Puerto Rican Flash, along with some others. Good to see the team in the flesh.
|
|
|
Post by hchoops on Sept 24, 2023 7:12:41 GMT -5
Many thanks NAD Terrific to hear that many hoops alums were there. Sounds as if DP ran an effective practice How healthy did Louth and Rabs seem to you in those individual drills ? Did the assistants seem active ? Verbal ? Did Singleton show out ?
|
|
|
Post by trimster on Sept 24, 2023 7:18:41 GMT -5
Nice report NAD. Thank you.
|
|
|
Post by Non Alum Dave on Sept 24, 2023 7:27:03 GMT -5
Many thanks NAD Terrific to hear that many hoops alums were there. Sounds as if DP ran an effective practice How healthy did Louth and Rabs seem to you in those individual drills ? Did the assistants seem active ? Verbal ? Did Singleton show out ? Singleton looks to have some promise; nice looking shot, looks pretty strong as well. With Louth Rabs, honestly, if I hadn't been aware of their situations, I never would have known they were coming back from injury. They just took it easy with them I think. Assistants were active; however, CDP was clearly taking the lead in most everything. He just gives me a comfortable feeling, like an old favorite pair of shoes. Time will tell.
|
|
|
Post by trimster on Sept 24, 2023 7:38:01 GMT -5
It’s so nice to have some optimism back.
|
|
|
Post by hchoops on Sept 24, 2023 7:41:22 GMT -5
Many thanks NAD Terrific to hear that many hoops alums were there. Sounds as if DP ran an effective practice How healthy did Louth and Rabs seem to you in those individual drills ? Did the assistants seem active ? Verbal ? Did Singleton show out ? Singleton looks to have some promise; nice looking shot, looks pretty strong as well. With Louth Rabs, honestly, if I hadn't been aware of their situations, I never would have known they were coming back from injury. They just took it easy with them I think. Assistants were active; however, CDP was clearly taking the lead in most everything. He just gives me a comfortable feeling, like an old favorite pair of shoes. Time will tell. Thanks, Dave Love to hear more if you think of anything else. were any other posters there ?
|
|
|
Post by DiMarz on Sept 24, 2023 7:53:43 GMT -5
Nice report Dave. Sounds a lot like what I saw and felt this summer when I was at practice. Great to know the Alums are are interested and CDP wants them around.. AJ posted a selfie at the football game. Not sure who he was with, but both were in matching HC sweatshirts..
|
|
|
Post by WorcesterGray on Sept 24, 2023 8:49:22 GMT -5
Finally, in attendance was Dr. Nairus, Frank Powell, RP. Jr, Chris Morgan, Rick Mashburn, Ed Thurman, and the Ponce Puerto Rican Flash, along with some others. Good to see the team in the flesh. Thanks for the report, Dave.
Btw, Chris Morgan was this year's recipient of the HCAA's Young Alumni Leadership Award. In his remarks at Friday night's dinner, he thanked - among others - Cullen Hamilton, Eric Green and (especially) Milan Brown for their influence.
|
|
|
Post by efg72 on Sept 24, 2023 9:05:11 GMT -5
Thanks NAD for your report. I believe many of the former players in attendance are assigned as mentors to the current group.
|
|
|
Post by Non Alum Dave on Sept 24, 2023 9:33:06 GMT -5
Just me, maybe, but one other thing I liked. CDP was able to control the room without a bunch of F bombs flying about. Like he feels confident enough to lead without trying to act like some intimidating tough guy.
|
|
|
Post by efg72 on Sept 24, 2023 9:41:08 GMT -5
He is a very good teacher and leader.
Players listen and execute or they don't play. You rarely need to raise your voice
|
|
|
Post by longsuffering on Sept 24, 2023 10:31:24 GMT -5
Just me, maybe, but one other thing I liked. CDP was able to control the room without a bunch of F bombs flying about. Like he feels confident enough to lead without trying to act like some intimidating tough guy. I like that. Anything you can say with an expletive you can say better without.
|
|
|
Post by KY Crusader 75 on Sept 24, 2023 10:44:00 GMT -5
Just me, maybe, but one other thing I liked. CDP was able to control the room without a bunch of F bombs flying about. Like he feels confident enough to lead without trying to act like some intimidating tough guy. I like that. Anything you can with an expletive you can say better without. I agree--but General Patton, famously, disagreed "When asked by his nephew about his profanity, Patton remarked, "When I want my men to remember something important, to really make it stick, I give it to them double dirty. It may not sound nice to some bunch of little old ladies at an afternoon tea party, but it helps my soldiers to remember."
|
|
|
Post by ndgradbuthcfan on Sept 24, 2023 15:55:18 GMT -5
I kind of agree with Patton on this, and judging from a pep talk I overheard Chesney give to the team before the Harvard game last year, he does too (speech was under the stands in a semi public area).
|
|
|
Post by Non Alum Dave on Sept 24, 2023 16:47:14 GMT -5
Its possible we received the G rated version of his practice, but it seemed natural. Football I think is a different animal, where the coach is trying to whip the players into a frenzy. Key is to be yourself I guess.
|
|