This snuck up on me, but I hope that folks will turn out. See you there!
How did the open practice go? Anything new or different than what we saw from the European trip?
Best news is progress from Patrick Good and some progress from Jeromy. Patrick was a full participant in drills and scrimmage and has got his outside shot going. He's looking like he has not slacked off in weight room work. Patrick's shooting in drills was breathtaking - he's still working up to game speed, but seems to have no physical problems. Several of the Bucs come in looking even more buff than last year - including Pun, Bo, Tray (commented on as the best weight room performer by Blue Ribbon) and Jeromy.
Jeromy participated in some of the drills (not all) and was held out of the scrimmage. He looked strong and moved well without any visible problems in the things that he did. Obviously they are bringing him on slowly. Which is fine by me. We don't need him to peak in November or December. It would be nice to have him at full strength come conference games. I'm not saying that it will take anywhere near that long - we'll have to wait for comment from Forbes to hear more exactly how things are progressing. Just that IMHO there is no need to rush the recovery process.
The shooting is everywhere, but Forbes is insisting that it be kept within the offense. With Lucas hitting 3 three's in a row in drills, Forbes commented to the fans "Yes, he can do that!". Everybody was dropping 3's, (only partly because of a short 3 point line in this gym - nobody was setting up from the short line), including Hugley, Patterson, Weber, Monsanto, Bo and especially Daivien. But Forbes took a couple of guys to task for 3's (including Vonnie after a MADE 3) for putting them up too quickly without running the offense.
The energy, effort and spirit of Forbes' open practices, familiar now after 4 years, were all on full display again.
Bo Hodges, if he stays healthy, has a fully developed man's game. He's just a load to handle, going where he wants to go, and scoring with a range of moves. He remains our best defender on guards or forwards. If he stays healthy and continues to progress he seems ready for a Kevin Tiggs, T.J. Cromer type breakout year.
Daivien is another one who seems primed for a big year. He steps into the 3 and knocks it down without hesitation and remains the quickest man on the floor. He and Pun still go at it like cats and dogs, but in a supportive way. Pun looks really buff and ready for a strong senior year.
Tray Boyd seems to have become one of our best defenders with much more energetic focus on the defensive end. And still bringing both his great outside shot and explosive moves to the hoop. He's talking more to teammates, including the younger ones, on the floor.
Lucas is another one focusing on communicating, urging Charlie Weber to communicate more. He's shooting with even more confidence and effect than last year, with 3 point range that he didn't show then.
Joe Hugley is a big, broad shouldered 6-7 215 pound guy, who dribbles and finishes with either hand. And has a near unstoppable fall away. And scores against 7 footers! With him and Vonnie, Ledarrius, Charlie and Damari, there are still a lot of big bodies on the floor. Joe is good at drawing fouls, and deadly at knocking down the free throws - a welcome sight for the Bucs. He doesn't need to overdribble though - with Lucas in front of him and Pun doubling down from behind he got tied up once. He also showed off a few three's.
Charlie Webber is a slim freshman going against a lot of big, mature bodies. It's hard work. But he shows the same court awareness and range of skills visible on the Euro tapes. He knows when to cut for the hoop, and when to spot and hit another cutter with the pass. And that 3 point shot is as consistent as anyone's on the team. Damari Monsanto is every bit of 6-6 218. He runs drills with the guards, not the bigs. So he's developing a range of skills. But that big body and long arms are very effective around the hoop. Forbes' has commented more than once that he has a shot as sweet as any freshman he's had in 31 years of coaching. Octavion is improved from last year, moving well and still a fine shot blocking threat. Lots of competition in the front court this year.
Vonnie Patterson is going to be a help in many ways - defensively, rebounding, scoring inside, scoring outside. He seems a team player who will let the game come to him and make an impact within the flow of things. Also a good free throw shooter.
Ledarrius is going to be a really valuable guy next year when he's eligible. He's a rangy, strong 6-6 and explosive. All league quality.
This wasn't the revelation that last year's practice was, since most of the guys are familiar now, even the new ones we have seen on the Euro tape. But it is a good picture of a team taking steps toward what could be a really special year. The team and the coaching staff seem pretty excited. This was a good practice to show off, in both skills and spirit, not only for fans, but for 6-8 250 recruit from DeMatha, Paul Smith, who was in attendance. Looking really buff, with a man's body.
Don't miss a chance to see them yourselves.
Thanks for the eyewitness account of practice SWVa. Very much appreciated.
(10-05-2019 07:29 PM)swvabucsfan Wrote: [ -> ]Here's the Johnson City Press take, focusing especially on Tray Boyd. He did play like a new man.
https://www.johnsoncitypress.com/Basketb...am&lp=3&p=
This, I believe, is the first notice we've had the Jeromy actually had surgery on his foot:
Forward Jeromy Rodriguez watched from the sideline as he is still out after undergoing foot surgery.
Now we know Birchfield got it wrong in an earlier article about Good's surgery, so one may take Avento's statement with a grain of salt................but isn't this the first notice of that? One doesn't *normally* treat plantar faciitis with surgery. Rarely, in fact. So this makes us wonder if it was more than plantar fasciitis. Or if Avento somehow got it wrong. Or did someone give Chris Dortch wrong info?
(10-06-2019 11:42 AM)posterformerlyknownasthedoctor Wrote: [ -> ] (10-05-2019 07:29 PM)swvabucsfan Wrote: [ -> ]Here's the Johnson City Press take, focusing especially on Tray Boyd. He did play like a new man.
https://www.johnsoncitypress.com/Basketb...am&lp=3&p=
This, I believe, is the first notice we've had the Jeromy actually had surgery on his foot:
Forward Jeromy Rodriguez watched from the sideline as he is still out after undergoing foot surgery.
Now we know Birchfield got it wrong in an earlier article about Good's surgery, so one may take Avento's statement with a grain of salt................but isn't this the first notice of that? One doesn't *normally* treat plantar faciitis with surgery. Rarely, in fact. So this makes us wonder if it was more than plantar fasciitis. Or if Avento somehow got it wrong. Or did someone give Chris Dortch wrong info?
Maybe surgery is a new treatment for plantar fasciitis. Im sure they would have the best treatment for a top rebounder if it really is the problem...
Who is the world knows with our local media what the condition is? Apparently the coaches are expecting Jeromy to be good to go by the start of the season. This is going to be an exciting team to watch. I cannot wait.
Got goosebumps reading SWVA's recap of practice!
(10-06-2019 07:16 PM)jwfansince73 Wrote: [ -> ]Maybe surgery is a new treatment for plantar fasciitis. Im sure they would have the best treatment for a top rebounder if it really is the problem...
No, surgery is not a new treatment for plantar fasciitis. That surgery option has been available for decades. However, it takes a very severe version/case of it to require that. Probably more than 9 in 10 cases don't need surgery - and most surgeons wouldn't want to perform surgery unless really needed. Or maybe it was a bit more involved than *just* that. I *can* imagine that because he is such a large person, that surgery might have been a
bit more likely, but still very unlikely. I'm just wary of this stuff because of the overall secrecy, and past issues (see: Brad Nuckles).
(10-07-2019 09:37 AM)posterformerlyknownasthedoctor Wrote: [ -> ] (10-06-2019 07:16 PM)jwfansince73 Wrote: [ -> ]Maybe surgery is a new treatment for plantar fasciitis. Im sure they would have the best treatment for a top rebounder if it really is the problem...
No, surgery is not a new treatment for plantar fasciitis. That surgery option has been available for decades. However, it takes a very severe version/case of it to require that. Probably more than 9 in 10 cases don't need surgery - and most surgeons wouldn't want to perform surgery unless really needed. Or maybe it was a bit more involved than *just* that. I *can* imagine that because he is such a large person, that surgery might have been a bit more likely, but still very unlikely. I'm just wary of this stuff because of the overall secrecy, and past issues (see: Brad Nuckles).
That is a somewhat common injury in the NFL, and those are some VERY large guys, never heard of anyone getting surgery for it.
(10-07-2019 09:37 AM)posterformerlyknownasthedoctor Wrote: [ -> ] (10-06-2019 07:16 PM)jwfansince73 Wrote: [ -> ]Maybe surgery is a new treatment for plantar fasciitis. Im sure they would have the best treatment for a top rebounder if it really is the problem...
No, surgery is not a new treatment for plantar fasciitis. That surgery option has been available for decades. However, it takes a very severe version/case of it to require that. Probably more than 9 in 10 cases don't need surgery - and most surgeons wouldn't want to perform surgery unless really needed. Or maybe it was a bit more involved than *just* that. I *can* imagine that because he is such a large person, that surgery might have been a bit more likely, but still very unlikely. I'm just wary of this stuff because of the overall secrecy, and past issues (see: Brad Nuckles).
You guys, he really is a Doctor!! Omg!! I agree, I think there is some grand conspiracy against the team's best player. I have 3 kids and I would definitely go along with a health related conspiracy against one of them!
(10-09-2019 09:04 AM)flashmob Wrote: [ -> ] (10-07-2019 09:37 AM)posterformerlyknownasthedoctor Wrote: [ -> ] (10-06-2019 07:16 PM)jwfansince73 Wrote: [ -> ]Maybe surgery is a new treatment for plantar fasciitis. Im sure they would have the best treatment for a top rebounder if it really is the problem...
No, surgery is not a new treatment for plantar fasciitis. That surgery option has been available for decades. However, it takes a very severe version/case of it to require that. Probably more than 9 in 10 cases don't need surgery - and most surgeons wouldn't want to perform surgery unless really needed. Or maybe it was a bit more involved than *just* that. I *can* imagine that because he is such a large person, that surgery might have been a bit more likely, but still very unlikely. I'm just wary of this stuff because of the overall secrecy, and past issues (see: Brad Nuckles).
You guys, he really is a Doctor!! Omg!! I agree, I think there is some grand conspiracy against the team's best player. I have 3 kids and I would definitely go along with a health related conspiracy against one of them!
Jesus dude, what's your deal? Rodshaw and I don't agree on that much, but what the hell is your problem with doc?