GYERO

Feb 27, 2003
186
491
63
Having Dioubate, Aberdeen, and Oweh out there together made me feel a way I won’t describe so as to not make anyone uncomfortable. Can’t remember the last time we had three physical, aggressive, and skilled upperclassmen dudes like that. Sometimes you just need some dudes when the play breaks down and we have them.

jasper is filthy. Reminded me of Dilly but 5 inches taller. That was his first ever game, what a bright future

Pope will actually maximize the talent, that’s the best part
 

Vismund

All-American
Mar 30, 2007
10,534
8,964
113
I really enjoyed watching Jasper play but think KSta is right, he's going to have some rough games along the way. He seems to lean a bit when shooting and sometimes pitches the ball more than traditional shooting.

That said, it went in more than it didn't, so what do I know?
 

Wayne Dougan

Senior
Aug 11, 2025
130
470
63
There are a few pro athletes in various sports that seemed so uniquely talented that it breaks my brain trying to understand why they are so effective. I'm not talking about being straight up athletic or strong like a Lebron, Jordan, Skenes or Saquon, but just play a different way than most yet are some of the best at their sport.

These the the dudes who I wish when I was in my prime I could have gone up against like in a 1:1 setting. I'm not at all suggesting I would have been at all competitive with them (obviously). It's more about getting a firsthand experience seeing what other pros see who play against them.

Top of my list right now would be SGA. Watching him the other night when he juked KD out to get the foul and win the game, I was almost screaming at the TV to KD not to fall for is head fakes. You know it's coming, but the best in the world can't stop it. It's got to be just amazing to see him do that right in front of you.

Others on that list:
  1. Mariano Rivera (he threw 1 pitch!)
  2. Greg Maddux (the change of speeds and location stuff were just wild).
  3. Luka (a bigger version of SGA in terms of hesitation and control)
  4. Steph Curry (in terms of just how effective he is at getting open)
 

CSC81

All-Conference
May 17, 2017
976
3,267
48
Our depth REALLY wore Purdue out. Yeah, I'm stating the obvious, but our guys didn't even look like they'd broken a sweat at the end of the game, meanwhile, you could literally SEE the starch coming out of Purdue.
Also stating the obvious myself, but Pope was reared in the Pitino school of conditioning, and he has his guys doing the same. Loved seeing them meet their man beyond the half court line and not even letting them get into transition so many times last night. Just made me smile.
 

Dexterdru71

Junior
Aug 11, 2010
101
223
43
There are a few pro athletes in various sports that seemed so uniquely talented that it breaks my brain trying to understand why they are so effective. I'm not talking about being straight up athletic or strong like a Lebron, Jordan, Skenes or Saquon, but just play a different way than most yet are some of the best at their sport.

These the the dudes who I wish when I was in my prime I could have gone up against like in a 1:1 setting. I'm not at all suggesting I would have been at all competitive with them (obviously). It's more about getting a firsthand experience seeing what other pros see who play against them.

Top of my list right now would be SGA. Watching him the other night when he juked KD out to get the foul and win the game, I was almost screaming at the TV to KD not to fall for is head fakes. You know it's coming, but the best in the world can't stop it. It's got to be just amazing to see him do that right in front of you.

Others on that list:
  1. Mariano Rivera (he threw 1 pitch!)
  2. Greg Maddux (the change of speeds and location stuff were just wild).
  3. Luka (a bigger version of SGA in terms of hesitation and control)
  4. Steph Curry (in terms of just how effective he is at getting open)
SGA isn’t overly quick and he isn’t a great leaper by position standards in the NBA, but he can change pace, he understands angles, he knows when to fade away and when to lean into the defender at an elite level.
I couldn’t even put my finger on what made him so effective during his one year at UK. He somehow figured out a way to play ahead of Quade Green. Thanks Cal!!! 😡
Most elite perimeter players are just twitchy quick and can blow by the defender to do whatever they’re going to do, but it’s something to watch someone who doesn’t seem to have that, go to work and just use more subtle athleticism, brains and savvy to get the job done.
Jordan had it all. He could blow by you, he could shake you with change of pace and he could jump over you.
I think the actual key to SGA is his mid range game. He isn’t a great 3 point shooter, nor is he a real threat to posterize anyone, but he can smoothly pull up and hit a 12-18 footer.
 
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HymanKaplan

All-American
Feb 22, 2024
1,659
9,096
113
Also stating the obvious myself, but Pope was reared in the Pitino school of conditioning, and he has his guys doing the same. Loved seeing them meet their man beyond the half court line and not even letting them get into transition so many times last night. Just made me smile.

Nowhere is that more evident than Moreno. Most freshmen big men get gassed quickly. It's usually their biggest limiting factor, but Moreno doesn't show any signs of that. Granted, He's not gonna play 30 minutes a game, but even at the end of his stints, dude was sprinting downcourt with ease.
 

Dexterdru71

Junior
Aug 11, 2010
101
223
43
Nowhere is that more evident than Moreno. Most freshmen big men get gassed quickly. It's usually their biggest limiting factor, but Moreno doesn't show any signs of that. Granted, He's not gonna play 30 minutes a game, but even at the end of his stints, dude was sprinting downcourt with ease.
Moreno is going to be around 2-3 years hopefully?? What’s not to like about his game as a modern 4-5? He can run, has good hands, strong for his age, likes to mix it up and seems to be a vocal leader. I honestly stepped away from watching high school tapes and all star games because of Cal fatigue, but liked what I saw out of Moreno and Johnson last night.
 

HymanKaplan

All-American
Feb 22, 2024
1,659
9,096
113
Moreno is going to be around 2-3 years hopefully?? What’s not to like about his game as a modern 4-5? He can run, has good hands, strong for his age, likes to mix it up and seems to be a vocal leader. I honestly stepped away from watching high school tapes and all star games because of Cal fatigue, but liked what I saw out of Moreno and Johnson last night.

I didn't mean to denigrate Moreno. Not sure how anyone could construe my post in that light. I love his game. When I said he won't play 30 minutes a game, it's merely a function of our depth.
 
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Vismund

All-American
Mar 30, 2007
10,534
8,964
113
Something underrated for recruiting is the fact that a lot of guys will be able to get theirs with limited playing time while playing in a pro style offense.

Future is bright with Pope man, such a perfect marriage.
 
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Hank Camacho

Heisman
May 7, 2002
27,748
10,666
113
If our guys could catch, Boley was going full Willie Beamen on that drive.

Forcht Bank sponsor Noah's banked three last night? If not, they should. I miss the Whitaker Bank Shot of the Game.
 

SWFLwildcat06

All-Conference
Jul 24, 2006
16,750
3,879
113
That stupid three yard pass wouldn’t have got jack **** anyway, UT player was about to blow up our WR had he caught it.

Great call coach
 

Kooky Kats

Senior
Aug 17, 2002
420
782
93
This shít team doesn’t deserve to wear the logo…dress them up in black pajamas with effing birds in their heads