Keve Aluma – The Young Veteran

Portsmouth Invitational Day 1 Notes

Day 1 Notes From The Portsmouth Invitational

PIT WE BACK!!!

Following two straight cancellations. We are finally getting another PIT. This is by far my favorite even of the year. I love how it’s a showcase for seniors that may be “under the radar” or not “top” prospects for the NBA. A few of these guys may be drafted. But……. All of theses guys will be playing pro basketball at some level next year if they chose to do so. It’s the ultimate job interview.

I just want to highlight some players that stood out to me good or bad in the first day of the PIT.

Good

Jared Rhoden 6’6 210 G/F From Seton Hall

Rhoden played very well. Made some tough shots in iso situations. Showed a nice m/r jumper and also an ability to attack off the dribble. Love his body and size also.

Keve Aluma 6’8 235 PF From Virginia Tech

Aluma showed versatility as a scorer. He can hit the p/pop jumper from 3 and the m/r. He also showed the ability to score in the post with his r/hook. On defense he showed solid lateral movement as well.

Fatts Russell 5’11 165 PG From Maryland

Russell showed how he can be very dangerous when attacking the lane under control. He kicked out to open shooters countless times. He was also hitting his 3pt shots as well. When Russell finds the balance of when to pass and when to score he is a solid athletic PG. Now he still loves to gamble on defense, but thats just in his DNA.

JD Notae 6’2 190 G From Arkansas

Notae is electric. He can be erratic at times, but tonight he attacked off the dribble more often that shooting deep 3’s. He got to the rim often and creates space very well off the dribble. I look forward to what else he can do the next few days.

Garrison Brooks 6’9 230 PF From Mississippi State

Brooks dominated in the mid to deep post. He has a solid jump shot. Despite the fact his arc almost touches the ceiling of the gym its intoxicating to watch. Brooks showed the ability to hit the m/r jumper and showcased his much improved 3pt range. Physically he is tough as well on offense and defense. He was definitely one of the most impressive standouts.

Bad

The first few minutes of the first game were rough. Tons of turnovers. Missed shots, air balls etc. It’s expected, but thankfully it got better.

The amount of times players stepped out of bounds looking to pump fake a 3 then drive.

Make your ft’s.

Interesting things I liked

Lucas Williamson having a bad first half shooting, then finding a way to make an impact on defense and as a facilitator in the second half.

Trevor Hudgins D2 PG Legend vs R.J. Cole Former Howard University player that transferred up to UCONN. Both has similar games and styles. And their both lefties. They both also have been overlooked. For Cole not too long, but Hudgins his whole career. Well guess what… Cole had 5 pts, 3 assists and 4 turnovers. Hudgins had 11 pts, 3 assists and 1 turnover.

Darryl Morsell picking up Fatts Russell full court. Being a resident of Maryland and watching both of these players a lot in my career I just found this battle very fun to watch. Two tough minded competitors not giving an inch to each other.

Jordan Usher and Nysier Brooks being great teammates. They talked and cheered while on the bench constantly. I loved it.

Koby McEwen’s quick hands on defense.

Quenton Jackson’s explosiveness. Sometimes it was good, sometimes a little much. But, it made an impression for sure.

The passing of Grant Golden and Tommy Kuhse. I love an unselfish player that understands WHEN to pass a ball without forcing.

Well here we go. Day two is coming soon!

Game 8 of 37 – Terps fail to close the game against the Hokies and fall 62-58

Game 8 of 37 – Terps fail to close out the Hokies and fall 62-58.

#Terps #accmbb #Hokies
#B1Ghoops #b1gmbball #LenBias
#CBHOF

On a night where Maryland was honoring the late great Len Bias, for finally getting inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame, the Terps yet again showed the same struggles that have plagued them early this season. The Terps shot 1-13 from three. That literally could be the end of the story of this game. Because nowadays if you only make one three you probably lose 95% of the games (don’t fact check me, I just made that up). Maryland also added 15 turnovers. Not all turnovers are created equal. A lot of these were forced passes trying to run the fast break. Now, Maryland seems to be best suited to play fast, but they desperately need to build some continuity to do so.

Virginia Tech played solid most of the game. The game was close throughout. The biggest lead for both teams was seven. When Maryland went up by seven around midway left of the second half the Hokies turned it on. Hunter Cattoor hit several huge three’s in the second half ended with four on the night to go along with 12 points, three assists and two steals. Cattoor provides steady defense and the ability to knockdown three’s at over 40%. He stepped up huge on a night where Storm Murphy went scoreless.

The front court of Keve Aluma and Justyn Mutts is what really provided the difference for the Hokies. Though a bit undersized, Aluma and Mutts are versatile and mobile big men. They can both step out and hit an outside jumper, or even play the dribble hand off or two man game. They struggled with Qudus Wahab in the paint, but Wahab has size and length on them. Wahab did get into foul trouble which Va Tech took advantage of. Aluma dominated the glass getting twelve rebounds and finishing with a team high 17 points. Mutts is an athletic combo forward. He can post up and use his length and strength, or spot up from the outside. He is a tough overall defender with a lot of versatility as well.

The Hokies impressed me overall. They lack height, but the play with toughness on both ends of the floor. They also can shoot the three ball. And like I said you see how important that is nowadays.

For the Terps, Qudus Wahab had a solid game. While he still shoots a little off balanced of fading away in the post, he is still very effective with his size and soft touch. He will need to improve his quick twitch or explosiveness to really have the same success in the post at the next level. The main problem Wahab will have all season seems to be staying out of foul trouble. He commits silly fouls or has simple lacks of concentration at times on defense. Wahab finished with a game high of 18 points and seven rebounds.

Donta Scott and Hakim Hart had okay games. Hart probably the better, even with rushing his last shot which was a triple screen around the top of the three point arc to tie the game. Had he took his time, he was wide open. Scott and Hart need to keep aggressive looking to score. Russell and Ayala had nothing going for them. Scott finished with eleven points and seven rebounds. Hart finished with ten points.

Another very clear way to say the Terps lost just by looking at the box score is Eric Ayala and Fatts Russell combined to go 3-19 from the field and 0-6 from three. This may have been the worst I’ve ever seen Ayala play. The Hokies were extremely physical with him on defense. Ayala, who is normally very aggressive at attacking the basket just never got there. He would pull up or shoot a very bad fadeaway shot. He was forcing the issue. Russell same thing. Too much 1v1, dancing with the ball just to settle for a step back 25 footer.

On a night where Len Bias was honored, the Terp fans and students left very disappointed.

Up next for me is Long Island University SHARKS!!! vs Towson