Not sure if it got talked about much, but Brooks had one of the plays of the game. A textbook block shot that was tapped to Jennifer, followed by a sprint to the other end for a dunk. That was the best sequence of play I've seen his two years here. Wonder if there was a replay of that.
(02-01-2018 07:18 AM)jarr Wrote: [ -> ]Not sure if it got talked about much, but Brooks had one of the plays of the game. A textbook block shot that was tapped to Jennifer, followed by a sprint to the other end for a dunk. That was the best sequence of play I've seen his two years here. Wonder if there was a replay of that.
He seems to have turned a corner recently. He's playing with a lot of confidence, not rushing on offense as much, and continued improvement on D.
I'm glad because I really like his defensive prospect and mobility, etc. We will really need him to step up another level or two next year. Glad he is looking better.
I want to see him pull down more rebounds when he's in the game.
(02-01-2018 07:18 AM)jarr Wrote: [ -> ]Not sure if it got talked about much, but Brooks had one of the plays of the game. A textbook block shot that was tapped to Jennifer, followed by a sprint to the other end for a dunk. That was the best sequence of play I've seen his two years here. Wonder if there was a replay of that.
Yes. I posted game highlights video on the game thread. Agree that it was a great play and to see a guy about 7 foot run like a tall gazelle is a thing of beauty!
Poor guy got a foul called on him last night because he was so much bigger and stronger than the guy he was boxing out who just fell down.
(02-01-2018 10:36 AM)rath v2.0 Wrote: [ -> ]Poor guy got a foul called on him last night because he was so much bigger and stronger than the guy he was boxing out who just fell down.
I remember that.
I know a lot of people are worried about replacing our bigs next year, but I think Brooks has the potential to fill in quite nicely.
(02-01-2018 09:25 AM)cpawstoney Wrote: [ -> ]I want to see him pull down more rebounds when he's in the game.
Agreed. He has the physical tools, and we don't need him to be a jump shooter as long as he can catch the ball on the roll and dunk like he did last night. But he sometimes loses rebounds and passes he shouldn't because the ball bounces right off his hands. Hopefully his increased confidence will lead to him holding onto the ones he would have previously dropped.
(02-01-2018 07:18 AM)jarr Wrote: [ -> ]Not sure if it got talked about much, but Brooks had one of the plays of the game. A textbook block shot that was tapped to Jennifer, followed by a sprint to the other end for a dunk. That was the best sequence of play I've seen his two years here. Wonder if there was a replay of that.
I liked the play where he went for the dunk but the defense would have stopped him, so instead he slid off to the right, reached as close to the rim as he could and then tossed it in from a foot away. Nice adjustment.
(02-01-2018 07:18 AM)jarr Wrote: [ -> ]Not sure if it got talked about much, but Brooks had one of the plays of the game. A textbook block shot that was tapped to Jennifer, followed by a sprint to the other end for a dunk. That was the best sequence of play I've seen his two years here. Wonder if there was a replay of that.
Damn straight, Jarr Jarr Brooks. I came away so much more encouraged about our prospects in the paint next season. He could be a beast his senior year if he continues to develop.
I like Brooks but I've got big concerns about how how long he'll be able to stay out of foul trouble as a starter. In addition he's a true 5 in a era where a lot of teams a playing 5 guys on the perimeter. In games like last night there's just not anyone for him to guard. Were going to need to have another plan when teams go small
(02-01-2018 11:25 AM)RealDeal Wrote: [ -> ]I like Brooks but I've got big concerns about how how long he'll be able to stay out of foul trouble as a starter. In addition he's a true 5 in a era where a lot of teams a playing 5 guys on the perimeter. In games like last night there's just not anyone for him to guard. Were going to need to have another plan when teams go small
Houston has 4 forwards that play a lot and have made a total of 1 3 all year; White, Davis, Brady, and Zanna.
(02-01-2018 10:46 AM)MickMack Wrote: [ -> ]I remember that. I know a lot of people are worried about replacing our bigs next year, but I think Brooks has the potential to fill in quite nicely.
I'm not too worried about Center: Brooks and Nsoseme both move better on D then Washington - Nsoseme especially seems to move incredibly well for his size - and will be better defenders than him with practice (Brooks probably already is). Hopefully they will continue to develop more offensive ability around the rim. Washingtons ability to shoot the 3 and jumpers is nice, but I think we can make do without.
Power forward though is very concerning. Scott tries hard and might get close to Gary's level of play on D, but on O he is nowhere close. We need Scott to make a lot of progress in the off-season or for Diarra (who seems to have all the physical tools and the shooting ability - he's just raw) or a new recruit to step in or we will be in trouble.
I heard Cronin on the radio the other night, and he indicated he needs to get Brooks more minutes as he has improved greatly and he has more confidence in him. It definitely looks like the game has slowed down for him. It will be interesting to see where he's at next year at this time. Kid has tremendous upside. Very smooth for a big guy in the paint. Scott is coming, but he still tends to get flusterd in the course of the game. He needs to slow down and relax. At times, he's ok, others he rushes everything. He's a big guy. I didn't realize until the other night he may be taller than Clark.
(02-01-2018 11:49 AM)skyblade Wrote: [ -> ] (02-01-2018 10:46 AM)MickMack Wrote: [ -> ]I remember that. I know a lot of people are worried about replacing our bigs next year, but I think Brooks has the potential to fill in quite nicely.
I'm not too worried about Center: Brooks and Nsoseme both move better on D then Washington - Nsoseme especially seems to move incredibly well for his size - and will be better defenders than him with practice (Brooks probably already is). Hopefully they will continue to develop more offensive ability around the rim. Washingtons ability to shoot the 3 and jumpers is nice, but I think we can make do without.
Power forward though is very concerning. Scott tries hard and might get close to Gary's level of play on D, but on O he is nowhere close. We need Scott to make a lot of progress in the off-season or for Diarra (who seems to have all the physical tools and the shooting ability - he's just raw) or a new recruit to step in or we will be in trouble.
Agree on all points.
On the CBS Sports Network last night, Pete Gillen (I hated him as a coach, but he does an excellent job as an analyst in TV) stated that Brooks had a nightmare of a practice the day before where he could do no right. Gillen then said (after the second dunk, I believe) that Brooks was having a dream of a game where he could do no wrong.
(02-01-2018 02:12 PM)Bruce Monnin Wrote: [ -> ]On the CBS Sports Network last night, Pete Gillen (I hated him as a coach, but he does an excellent job as an analyst in TV) stated that Brooks had a nightmare of a practice the day before where he could do no right. Gillen then said (after the second dunk, I believe) that Brooks was having a dream of a game where he could do no wrong.
Agree on Gillen. I really like the team that did the game last night. I think CBSSN does a great job with games. 100% better than ESPN3, ESPNews, etc. and its not even close. The quality of the broadcast is solid and the team last night is really really good IMO. And its always fun having the catchy CBS March Madness music as the bumper.
(02-01-2018 11:25 AM)RealDeal Wrote: [ -> ]I like Brooks but I've got big concerns about how how long he'll be able to stay out of foul trouble as a starter. In addition he's a true 5 in a era where a lot of teams a playing 5 guys on the perimeter. In games like last night there's just not anyone for him to guard. Were going to need to have another plan when teams go small
I think Brooks would.be a nice complimentary player next year, but still haven't seen enough to say he could hold down post as our main big guy option. Unless Mick can secure an instant impact recruit we may have to go.that route. If JE3 stays, I think we.would see.some.of.him at the 4 spot.
(02-01-2018 11:25 AM)RealDeal Wrote: [ -> ]I like Brooks but I've got big concerns about how how long he'll be able to stay out of foul trouble as a starter. In addition he's a true 5 in a era where a lot of teams a playing 5 guys on the perimeter. In games like last night there's just not anyone for him to guard. Were going to need to have another plan when teams go small
Part of that is the result of true 5's recent appearance on the threatened species list. It seems like a bunch of young guys started watching hybrid bigs/wings facing up to the basket that they forgot what a good post game can do for you.
Make no mistake, the team has benefited this year from multidimensional bigs like Kyle and Gary, but there's still a market out their for the Goliaths.
Unless we land an impact transfer or recruit, I think you'll see Mick platoon the 4 bigs next year. 4 guys = 20 minutes each, give or take. With 4 wings in the 6'5" range, he could also run some 4-guard line-ups with Brooks or Nsoseme manning the post. We might end up playing a little more of the zone defense we used when Ellis and DeBerry were here.