- The Puerto Rico national team is very legit competition, equivalent to a top 15 college team. Current NBA players and past college players who were very good. The junior team is the equivalent of a low tier ACC team, but were not playing any starters against that team.
- UofL lost both games tonight, but both were very competitive
- The game against the national team was EXTREMELY chippy. Seems like a fight could break out at any minute but then the players would be fist bumping and slapping asses next time down the court. Great competition and seems to be a mutual respect although there were some dirty plays
- The officiating is as lopsided as you would expect. I can't imagine these guys are getting paid much, but they're definitely aware of the pride at stake for their national team.
- Onto the players ... Damion Lee is the real deal. Haven't seen the official box score but they said he put up 36 points. Lightning quick release from outside. Can put it on the deck, pull up, or get to the rim and finish through contact. Don't think he missed a free throw all night.
- Trew Lewis is a bulldog. Great competitor, but he was really frustrated by the poor officiating. Has a nice stroke but has a quick trigger. He'll be a good leader for this team.
- Chinanu Onuaku showed great progress. He was really looking to start the break off defensive boards, to a fault sometimes. He was really carving out space on the offensive boards and was finishing strong in traffic. The underhand free throws were not effective - finishing 3 of 6.
- Quentin Snider is noticeably more athletic. Got up and down the floor really fast and made some great passes. Struggled shooting the ball, but I like him as our starting PG.
- Anas Mahmoud is just a basketball player. Even at 7'0 tall, he always seems to make the right play offensively and has great timing on the defensive end. If it were up to me, he'd be the leader for the starting PF spot.
- Mangok Mathiang showed an improved aggressiveness on the offensive end. Showed a little ability to put the ball on the deck, but he's just never going to be an offensive threat. He'll be the best role player on the team though with his hustle and rebounding ability on the offensive end.
- Jaylen Johnson was aggressive and made some athletic moves to the basket, but struggled finishing. He'll be a good player for us, but he's not going to be a 10 point per game player. I like his work ethic on the glass.
- Matz Stockman is not a basketball player. He missed two uncontested dunks in the first half, and was probably 0-8 in the first half from 5 feet around the basket. Usually lost on defense and seems to whiff on blocks. He showed some moxy by staying aggressive in the 2nd half to make up for the poor first half, but I didn't like what I saw from him.
- David Levitch is still David Levitch. He provides good depth for the end of the first half.
- Onto the newcomers, Donovan Mitchell had a rough night. Lost his handle quite a few times, but he showed flashes of the athleticism I was hoping to see on the defensive end. I'm going to have to see a few more nights from him to really gage it, but Snider is the starter over him at this point.
- Deng Adel looks really promising. Long, athletic, energetic, and above average skill. Can hid the mid range shot and drive aggressively to the bucket. He will definitely carve out a role on this team, with great potential down the road.
- Ray Spalding doesn't have a very clear role to me. He spend a lot of time on the perimeter but really struggles with his handle and passing ability. Moves like a deer ... sometimes a baby deer, but he has size, length, and speed that can't be taught. Will be a solid defensive role player.
- Jay Henderson adds some very legitimate depth in the backcourt. This is a sneaky good late pickup by the coaching staff. Fans will like. Can lock down on defense and hit a few open 3's.
