Observations from the Red-White scrimmage:
• The lineups: Julius Mays, C.J. Williams, Scott Wood, Dennis Horner and Jordan Vandenberg started for the White.
Javi Gonzalez, Farnold Degand, Johnny Thomas, DeShawn Painter and Tracy
Smith started for the Red, with Josh Davis subbing for Thomas.
• The White won the 15-minute scrimmage, complete with three officials, 22-21 on Williams' running jumper at the buzzer.
• As expected, Smith looked strong in the post. He had two good takes, one at the expense of Vandenberg, and will obviously be the focal point of the offense. Where his help will come from is another question.
Horner's a little bigger, but is still more of a face-the-basket player. Painter's got some length, at 6-9, but he's relatively skinny.
Lowe insisted Vandenberg wasn't a "project" during media day but he made some rookie mistakes — bringing the ball low in the post so Gonzalez could steal it, the most glaring — that suggest he's not going to be a part of the 10-man rotation Lowe talked about.
• Wood's rep is as a shooter and he didn't disappoint, hitting a 3-pointer and converting three free throws after getting fouled on a 3-point attempt. His minutes will go up the more zone defense State sees.
• It looks like Degand has made a full-fledged transition to the 2-guard. Whether he stays there, and whether Lowe starts to use Mays and Gonzalez together, remains to be seen.
Gonzalez looked more assertive and he'll have to be as a junior and with all the new players in the program.
Comments
Costner
Sun, 10/18/2009 - 16:12 — sbas2why "bust" on a dude (Costner) who is gone? a reminder of how people kept at Sendek although he was gone-although i admitt that the media keeps bringing up his name providing for further negative (deserved?) statements toward him. of course, making negative statements toward Sendek, who is very well paid, isn't as bad as making them toward Costner.
It's relevant.
Sun, 10/18/2009 - 16:24 — JPDOhioState's lack of leadership the last two years contributed to the less than stellar seasons. I believe that the Pack has a chance to do better than expected if some true leaders emerge and every player commits to the team instead of themselves. This would not be possible with Costner still there.
Expectations
Mon, 10/19/2009 - 11:40 — SurferTrue, JPD, but what are the expectations this year?
Perhaps Sid should go with the ten man, non rotation approach. (Getting my shots in while I can)
Agree about Costner, he did appear to mope around at times. I can see Gonzales being more of a leader, if he gets the minutes.
Expectations are low.
Mon, 10/19/2009 - 13:21 — JPDOhioBased on the pre-season predictions of the pundits and my son, who inherited none of my optimistic genes. (Although some would say he got reality genes from his mom that I apparently lack).
So the chances of the Pack exceeding expectations, I think, are pretty good, since there is much more room on the upside than the downside.
!The absence of Costner is a plus.
Sun, 10/18/2009 - 01:30 — gvillegatrI've been laughing for at least 2 minutes!! too funny! and so true!
what do you think he is thinking, right now, about ncsu? does he come back for games? does he acknowledge the school during interviews? does he simply never look in the rear view mirror??
That's easy
Sun, 10/18/2009 - 10:07 — JPDOhioHe complains about how Sid Lowe screwed up his life.
So it begins.
Sat, 10/17/2009 - 15:13 — JPDOhioThe absence of Howell due to injury is unfortunate, but hopefully he will be back and fully healthy for most of the season. State will need him up front and he will need to the experience.
The absence of Costner is a plus. I don't know who will step up to lead on this team, but at least they won't have to defer to that schitzo jerk.