Since Oto has now left the bench and has attained near star status I thought I would take a look at the current bench and see what or who could develop next.
Malik Smith - I took Pitino's radio comment that 'Smith hates defense' as more a good natured jab rather than any real dig on his defensive abilities. When I heard that radio interview with Pitino it was after the Richmond game and the interviewer asked what went into his decision to go into the zone. Pitino said he called timeout right after a Richmond guard scored on a driving layup to put Richmond up by 4 or 5. Pitino asked the players what they wanted to do. Smith piped up and said let's go zone and Pitino cracked that Smith hates defense so he did not want to ask him. I took it as a lil bit of humor directed at Malik about his shooting propensity and not a real dig at his defense. BTW Pitino took Malik's advice and held Richmond scoreless over the last 7 minutes of the game. In a different interview or at least a different part of the same interview I remember Pitino pointing out that Malik probably deserves a good amount of credit for Pitino actually winding up at Minnesota. It is likely Richard knows Malik better than any of the other players on the team. He may have been just messin' with Malik rather than really calling him out for his defense. At least from my untrained eye I see no noticeable defensive liability when Malik is on the court. His 3 in the Richmond game came at a crucial time. I think we will see more of the same without much fall off in defense.
Wofford Game Bench ---
Maverick Ahanmisi - I thought he had a great game against Wofford. 13 minutes - 5 assists - 0 turnovers. Most of his time he was on the wing. He had some great assists there. I look for him to reach Oto like heights soon.
Buggsy - 2 blocks in 9 minutes of play - approaching Eliason like block rate per minute.
Daquein McNeil - Tied for team lead in steals with 2 in only 5 minutes of play. He looked to be improving and more comfortable out there.
Ellenson - 7 points - looks like he is beginning to learn some things from Richard.
King - Hope his jaw heals soon and stays out of the way of Andre's head.
Malik Smith - I took Pitino's radio comment that 'Smith hates defense' as more a good natured jab rather than any real dig on his defensive abilities. When I heard that radio interview with Pitino it was after the Richmond game and the interviewer asked what went into his decision to go into the zone. Pitino said he called timeout right after a Richmond guard scored on a driving layup to put Richmond up by 4 or 5. Pitino asked the players what they wanted to do. Smith piped up and said let's go zone and Pitino cracked that Smith hates defense so he did not want to ask him. I took it as a lil bit of humor directed at Malik about his shooting propensity and not a real dig at his defense. BTW Pitino took Malik's advice and held Richmond scoreless over the last 7 minutes of the game. In a different interview or at least a different part of the same interview I remember Pitino pointing out that Malik probably deserves a good amount of credit for Pitino actually winding up at Minnesota. It is likely Richard knows Malik better than any of the other players on the team. He may have been just messin' with Malik rather than really calling him out for his defense. At least from my untrained eye I see no noticeable defensive liability when Malik is on the court. His 3 in the Richmond game came at a crucial time. I think we will see more of the same without much fall off in defense.
Wofford Game Bench ---
Maverick Ahanmisi - I thought he had a great game against Wofford. 13 minutes - 5 assists - 0 turnovers. Most of his time he was on the wing. He had some great assists there. I look for him to reach Oto like heights soon.
Buggsy - 2 blocks in 9 minutes of play - approaching Eliason like block rate per minute.
Daquein McNeil - Tied for team lead in steals with 2 in only 5 minutes of play. He looked to be improving and more comfortable out there.
Ellenson - 7 points - looks like he is beginning to learn some things from Richard.
King - Hope his jaw heals soon and stays out of the way of Andre's head.
