by purple&orange » November 22nd, 2019, 3:17 pm
Evansville.....walkons not included.
DeAndre Williams (Redshirt Sophomore): Off to a great start, averaging 17.8 pts and 8.5 rebounds thus far. Averaging nearly 30 minutes a game, leading the Aces in all three categories. Release on the jumper is a tad slow and unorthodox but is 5-11 from deep. Extremely athletic, can push in transition after grabbing a rebound. Good finisher at the rim for being only 190 lbs.....biggest concern is ability to stay out of foul trouble giving up so much weight at 6-9.
Sam Cunliff (Redshirt Junior): Transfer from Arizona State and Kansas. Averaging 10.5 points a game, was instrumental in the upset vs Kentucky. Can shoot the 3 but an explosively leaper. Sees the floor pretty well, is at his best when he's playing within himself. Much better shooter off the catch than in a pull up.
Artur Labinowicz [La-Ben-O-Wits] (Redshirt Junior): Transfer from Coastal Carolina. Averaging 10.3 points, one of 4 Purple Aces to average double figures (Senior KJ Riley the last). Has a little old man in his game, is a better athlete than he appears to be. Had 21 vs IU-Kokomo, currently coming off the bench with Cunliff.
Marcus Henderson (Freshman): Shooter from North Carolina. Has only played 13 minutes, appearing in 3 of the 4 contests. 6-2, smooth stroke, in his debut he passed up a corner 3 vs Ball State, drawing the wrath of Coach McCarty. Has hit 2 of the 3 he has taken, made a nice hustle play on that same possession vs Ball State to get a steal on the rebound of a missed shot. May struggle to find a ton of minutes this season but I can see his minutes growing as the season goes on.
Thomasi Gilgeous-Alexander (Freshman): A 6-5 Canadian guard whose brother is playing in the NBA. Has not seen the floor this year. A redshirt candidate but that is not set in stone as of yet.
Peace Ilegomah (Junior): 6-9 post transfer from Pittsburgh who will be eligible end of December. A more traditional post who didn't see the floor much at Pitt. Should be a help in Valley play against some of the bigger posts. Will be called upon to defend and rebound. Biggest question for me is will his game translate into what the Aces have done most of the season thus far, spreading the floor.
The first three guys are key cogs in the Aces lineup thus far. Coach McCarty wants to play fast, much faster than some of the glorious rock fights this league has in January and February. The ability Williams, Cunliff, Labinowicz, along with KJ Riley to create off the dribble for themselves and others has really seen the Aces try to spread the floor. That was the gameplan for Kentucky as they struggled to keep their man in front, resulting in layups and some really good looks from deep to spring the upset.
When the ball sticks or when guys over dribble and attempt to create the offense looks pretty rough, see the exhibition vs USI. Getting out on the break is where this team is at its best and the ability for multiple guys to handle and lead the break helps allow not the chance to run, but forces a team to matchup quickly in transition, often leading to a mismatch somewhere.
Final word: There is reason for optimism with this group but my biggest question is how they can handle a more halfcourt game where reaching 50-55 might be enough. Evansville wants to push the pace and play more free.
