Friday, October 26, 2012

Expectations for Aggies scrimmage?

Junior forward Renaldo Dixon has been buried behind players like Wendell McKines and Troy Gillenwater at the power forward position. He's an intriguing talent that could get a look this year.
The Aggies have a scrimmage on Saturday at 1 p.m. According to head coach Marvin Menzies on Twitter, some players could sit early on due to  learn a lesson. Other than that, here are three things I'm looking forward to.

Newcomers
Starting with 7-5 Sim Bhullar, I'm interested to see what the new faces could or will bring to the table. With his size, Bhullar could be a game changer at the defensive end as part of the puzzle with a ton of length on the perimeter as well with Watson, Sy and Mullings. At 7-5, you would think he will be productive offensively around the basket and on the offensive boards. I want to see how well he moves offensively and how long he can get up and down the court. Both  point guards are new to the team. KC Ross-Miller sat last year out and Terrel de Rouen missed the year to injury. They are working to replace Hernst Laroche, who was underrated as a four year starter. Laroche wasn't flashy but you knew every night what he was going to do at an important position. I think Ross-Miller and de Rouen each bring different things to the table, but I think it will take time for both to get to that level. Also looking forward to see if either JC transfer Kevin Aronis or freshman Eric Weary can provide the shooting touch off the bench this team missed last year.

Returners in new roles
The Aggies will go as far as Daniel Mullings, Chili Nephawe, Tyrone Watson and Bandja Sy will take them. Mullings and Watson I think will be solid but Nephawe and Sy are players who you would like to see take another step this year. Both have been able to have big nights, but just as easily have disappeared for long stretches. Mullings is a first team preseason pick who people are excited about. He will have more expected of him this year so it will be interesting to see how he responds.

Renaldo Dixon is a player I'm hoping can play a bigger role. At 6-8, Dixon is taller than Wendell McKines, which you would think could translate to helping replace the 10 rebounds per game McKines brought every night. The question is will he get the opportunity to do that and will he take advantage of the opportunity?

Shooting and defense
I'm sure we won't get too much of an idea on the Aggies' defensive strategy until the games start. But we can still see how the big guys defend ball screens, who can guard on the ball and who can't and who can grab a rebound to put a period on the possession like Wendell McKines liked to  say. Also looking forward to seeing some open shots go down from the likes of Sy, Aronis Weary and Buovac.







No comments: