I attended last night’s game, thought I’d share my amateur observations in case anyone is interested.
Firstly, rotation format was that predetermined groups of 5 cycled in for each side every 5 minutes of game clock. The last 10 minutes of the game had each team going best vs. best and substituting liberally. This may not be unusual.
Also, by all star game standards, I would say the defensive intensity was reasonably high - likely attributable to the “turf war” nature of the matchup.
Some individual notes:
Xavier Simpson - As advertised, a confident floor general. Did all the little things well, seemed to really relish opportunities to get into defensive stance and embrace on-ball perimeter ball-hawking. Even pulled off perfect dramatic reenactment of Trey’s immortalized pilfer and breakaway lay-up vs. Appling. Only potential weakness exposed was perimeter J, but really too small of a sample size to be fair. Didn’t really look for outside shot, air balled one 15 footer, well short on another…but seemed content playing facilitator/directing traffic and finished great at the rim on all of his makes. Even with limited practice time (teams convened Thursday, I believe), he’d already developed noticeable rapport with teammates.
Teske - To these eyes, what this lad brought was revelatory. Suggesting he had a half dozen blocked shots was laughable…he was well into double figures. Competition and size caveats apply, but his timing and ball instincts were pretty impressive. He’d deftly corral the ball after some rejections and quickly find a PG (usually X) to deliver the ball to enabling quick transition opportunities. His one field goal was a nice step back 12 footer a bit off the baseline, showcased a fluid catch and stroke. Obviously he’ll likely be the 5th option in most lineup permutations, but I think most of us would invite a big focused solely on protecting the rim and snatching boards. Showed solid footwork and overall coordination for a young man his size.
Ibi - the charitable side of me would like to just give him a grade of incomplete. Just very passive and disappointingly willing to defer to others throughout the game. I don’t think he touched the ball once during his first 5 minute shift. He was on the court a fair amount during the final 10 minutes, X even tried to set him up for a couple kick outs late…but showing shades of Mike Griffin, he didn’t really even look at the rim. Again, rationalizing I convinced myself that Caris may have been similarly docile at this age. But so much for the UM staff directive for him to focus on developing a killer instinct. I don’t want to be unduly harsh toward the kid, perhaps there were other factors at play. His one bucket was a nicely adjusted reverse on a fast break.
Q Goodin - for my money, the best player on the court in the first half. Was great to see him matched up with X in the last 10 minutes (they were on separate shifts prior to that). Creative with a nice handle in traffic, able to get to the rim at will in first 30 minutes and finish smoothly - I thought X did a nice job staying in front of him late and forcing him to give it up (although some of that was him trying to set up 3 point shooters during Kentucky’s comeback). As someone who also supports Xavier University (sorry) dating back to Mo Brantley coming down from Belleville, I’m delighted that he’s going to another school I like. I think he must have taped his ear rings for personal safety reasons, to answer the question of another poster earlier.
J Cumberland - UC-bound wing man briefly courted by UM true to scouting report. Thinks he is a perimeter marksman; he is not. I’d estimate he was 1 for 7 or 8 out there, but just kept jacking at every slight opening. He was, however, fairly adroit at slashing to the hoop and either getting off good shot or setting up teammates. He also hit 3 clutch FTs in last minute before the last rimmed out, leading to Kentucky’s I’ll-fated game-winning 3 attempt at the horn.
Overall a very entertaining game…but I am still seeing the repulsive image of Xavier and Sparty-bound Nick Ward fiving warmly right in front of me during a dead ball.