Saturday Scrimmage Report

Hey everyone... sorry I didn't get to this last night. Had to watch the World Series!

Anyway, the scrimmage was unfortunately cut short due to a lack of healthy/present players. Big John was sitting out with a twisted ankle (Reveno said it happened earlier in the week and that he should be fine), Luke was out with his bum knee (Rev also said that he's progressing well, and he was participating in some light drills at the end of the day), and Robin had gone home because his grandfather passed away.

So with those guys all out, it was five on five to start: Campbell, Stohl, Raivio, Knutson, and Mitrovic against Waterford, Ito, Porter, Niedermeyer, and Hannibal. Raivio and Niedermeyer were both playing the power forward spot because of the lack of bodies.

Unfortunately, they only got to play for 12 minutes or so before Niedermeyer twisted an ankle and they had to switch to some drills. But during the run of play came away impressed with Campbell for sure. He's quick, can penetrate, made some good passes... he's going to be good. Possibly really good. And even Waterford looked good too - he attacked the basket well and is definitely athletic. Niedermeyer also looked good - made some nice passes, was aggressive, and just looked a lot more comfortable as well as strong. Of course, he was matched up against Raivio in the paint so it could have been a bit misleading, but I have heard that he has been looking good in practice as well.

As for Hannibal, he is in such better shape it's amazing. His body is truly transformed, and he was getting up and down the court no problem at all. He's still raw though - for all the nice plays he had, he also had some bad turnovers. He's clearly still learning the game, but I do think he will definitely contribute. Kramer looked good - bulky but lean, if that somehow makes sense. He had a few buckets and some boards, and he played good defense on Jasonn.

It was tough to gauge Raivio... he was playing way out of position, but he too looks stronger. Seriously - everyone on the team just looked a lot stronger. Brad Scott did a terrific job this summer with them all. But during shooting drills after Ethan went down, he displayed a good shooting touch for sure.

Jared... Jared is automatic. He hit a few buckets in the scrimmage, but during the drills it was ridiculous... I tried to keep track, and I think I saw him miss maybe three shots out of 20 or so, most from behind the arc. And he too looked bulkier - Reveno even joked when he was introducing the players that Jared was eager to show off his new biceps.

Ito was playing shooting guard instead of the point, so it's tough to say anything... honestly I don't really remember any particular plays sticking out.

BJ Porter had the highlight reel play of the day, a big-time dunk off a fast break. He is apparently fully healthy after his surgery this summer for a hernia and he also showed a nice stroke in the shooting drills. I did hear in conversation though that he probably won't be getting too many minutes, and after seeing the improved Niedermeyer and coming away impressed by both Campbell and Waterford, I can believe it.

Mitrovic didn't play particularly well in the scrimmage (he had one particularly bad air ball), but watching him in the drills he clearly has a very nice shooting stroke. Rev said in the podcasts that he is behind the other guys in terms of understanding the offense and playing tough defense and all of that (a product of playing in Canada, I guess), but I definitely saw potential in him. His shot looked really pure, and I could envision him coming off the bench from time to time when our offense is stagnant just to see if he couldn't go out there and knock down some shots.

I think that covers everyone... overall it was a bummer that the scrimmage got cut short and that I didn't get a chance to see Big John, but I came away feeling very good about Campbell and the obvious physical transformation of the team. We are stronger and in better shape, no doubt about it. And Stohl... man, that guy... if he gets even a few feet of daylight, his shot is money. I think we really need to have him out on the court a lot and the guys need to look for him... he's just way too dangerous from downtown.

So yeah - I wasn't disappointed with anyone and I definitely am encouraged by what I saw. Of course, I'm also a big-time Pilot homer, but still... I think that this team should definitely be a lot improved over last year's.

Rev showed he was impressed with the fitness progress the players have shown over the summer.
He made a special point of introducing Brad Scott and Jay Tieder, the Athletic performance guys.

And he had Jared show off his new guns.

Stonehouse a good report and my impression was about the same, however.

Jasson certainly runs the floor much better and stamina greatly improve, but skill wise has quite a way to go. Porter would be a heck of a player with 2" in height and twenty pound heavier but right now he is a "tweener". Our best athlete, but will have ti play as a wing where he would be better suited as a small forward.
TJ is a great addition and can handle the ball, shoot and drive the basket. iF i were the coach he would start at PG. When we play PSU he and JD should have a pretty good time. He is the only player that can match up against JD. Ravion will magain be the leader and I feel he will be more comfortable at SG. Stohl looks great and hopefully will bail us out when noone can find a shot.
Not seeing big John a disappointment. Diid he ever get up off the bench ? I'm afraid stamina
will be a problem as it was with Jasson. I liked Waterford and Mitrovic can shoot the three
so there is hope for more three pointers. Also Luke looked in great physical shape and as Stoney was shooting and moving ok after the scrimmage

Is there any timeline for Sikma's recovery?

He should be ready for the season start

I've probably heard the least about Waterford. What are his strengths? Thx.

tough to say, he was playing the 4 or 5 because they were shorthanded.

not his position

Mmmm... I saw Waterford play the point across from Campbell.

Did you see something else?

For me, his strengths were athleticism and an ability to penetrate. He attacked the basket well, though he did make a few bad passes too. Honestly, he looked more ready to contribute than I was expecting... wouldn't surprise me if he got a few minutes every now and then. He's bigger than Campbell, so if we're matched up against a big, athletic point he might be pretty useful.

Stonehouse wrote:
Did you see something else?

Hmm, maybe I'm thinking of BJ?

Yeah, I think so... they have pretty similar body types, but BJ's got a few inches on Waterford and was playing the wing.

The more I think about it, the more I'm pretty excited about Campbell. It was the first time I'd been able to see him play... he's going to make a big difference. Our team really needed a player like him and I'm excited that we've got him.