We need a Dude who can Bust the TREY

(12-22-2022 05:16 PM)MtownTigers916 Wrote:  Very impressed by Kao. He’s basically played two games since Dandridge has been out and has already tied his best point total for the season and far eclipsed his block total. We almost set a school record for blocks last night

Totally agree. Extremely fast and athletic for someone his size. Demonstrated a nice surprise jump hook also. With a little gain in muscle mass, he has a lot of upside potential.

(12-23-2022 09:08 AM)presskh Wrote:  

(12-22-2022 05:16 PM)MtownTigers916 Wrote:  Very impressed by Kao. He’s basically played two games since Dandridge has been out and has already tied his best point total for the season and far eclipsed his block total. We almost set a school record for blocks last night

Totally agree. Extremely fast and athletic for someone his size. Demonstrated a nice surprise jump hook also. With a little gain in muscle mass, he has a lot of upside potential.

IDK what his wingspan is, but he really gets to a lot of shots.

Joey Dorsey working with him

Kao knows his role and I like it.

His main limitation is bulk, IMO. He gets pushed around.

(12-23-2022 10:55 AM)Tiger1983 Wrote:  Kao knows his role and I like it.

His main limitation is bulk, IMO. He gets pushed around.

I agree, but he seems to be improving with time on the floor. It's not always the size of the dog in the fight.

(12-23-2022 10:55 AM)Tiger1983 Wrote:  Kao knows his role and I like it.

His main limitation is bulk, IMO. He gets pushed around.

His lack of bulk may not be a big issue in most conference games. Hope he keeps improving; kid will play an essential role in the tourney.

Kao is giving what I’d hoped we would get from Rand last year.

His leaping ability makes up for some of that lack of bulk, plus his block shot instincts are pretty incredible that also makes up for a lot of his other issues. I personally dont believe we have a better option at the 5. I like C. Lawson but he is a little undersized for the 5, and Dandridge cannot play within his abilities and forces a lot of mistakes because of that.

(12-23-2022 10:47 AM)Tiger87 Wrote:  Joey Dorsey working with him

I love it. Joey remains one of my favorite all time Tigers. If we can hang on to Kao next season and he adds 10-15 pounds of mostly muscle over the off season he could be a bruising presence.

(12-23-2022 09:21 PM)memtigbb Wrote:  His leaping ability makes up for some of that lack of bulk, plus his block shot instincts are pretty incredible that also makes up for a lot of his other issues. I personally dont believe we have a better option at the 5. I like C. Lawson but he is a little undersized for the 5, and Dandridge cannot play within his abilities and forces a lot of mistakes because of that.

There was one pass - or it may have been a bad lob pass - into Kao where he didn't put the ball on the floor but instead went straight up and scored. Malco, not being the point forward he thinks he is, would have put it on the floor for a spin move with a 50/50 chance of it being stripped. At times Malco looks good with that move but just as often he turns it over. I don't think I've ever seen him execute a jump hook either.

(12-24-2022 08:56 AM)TigerBlue4Ever Wrote:  There was one pass - or it may have been a bad lob pass - into Kao where he didn't put the ball on the floor but instead went straight up and scored. Malco, not being the point forward he thinks he is, would have put it on the floor for a spin move with a 50/50 chance of it being stripped. At times Malco looks good with that move but just as often he turns it over. I don't think I've ever seen him execute a jump hook either.

I feel there's nothing but upside to Kao. Impressed with his length and athleticism. Boxing out and rebounding seems to be his biggest challenge at this stage, but I expect that to improve with development from the coaching staff and mileage in games.

Haven't heard any recent updates regarding Malco. As it stood, he was still suffering from lingering issues, and this recent injury may have pushed him back to square one. Does anyone on this board know more?

(12-24-2022 11:48 AM)msu35 Wrote:  

(12-24-2022 08:56 AM)TigerBlue4Ever Wrote:  There was one pass - or it may have been a bad lob pass - into Kao where he didn't put the ball on the floor but instead went straight up and scored. Malco, not being the point forward he thinks he is, would have put it on the floor for a spin move with a 50/50 chance of it being stripped. At times Malco looks good with that move but just as often he turns it over. I don't think I've ever seen him execute a jump hook either.

I feel there's nothing but upside to Kao. Impressed with his length and athleticism. Boxing out and rebounding seems to be his biggest challenge at this stage, but I expect that to improve with development from the coaching staff and mileage in games.

Haven't heard any recent updates regarding Malco. As it stood, he was still suffering from lingering issues, and this recent injury may have pushed him back to square one. Does anyone on this board know more?

Hopefully working with Dorsey will help with his rebounding. He should be a rebounding machine.