News of the day, 2/24
Hey everyone. I'm writing for the paper right now and it's getting a little late, so I have to blow through these and leave you without the prettiness for the time being.So it goes.
Auburn 88, Alabama 76 (men): Lucas Hargrove went off, scoring 28 points and basically emerging as a dominant element Sunday. He hit three 3-pointers, six shots from inside the arc and hit 7-of-9 from the free-throw line. Also of note was the subtle contribution from newly redesignated PG Tez Robertson: 8 points, 7 assists, 0 turnovers, 6 rebounds, 4 steals in 40 minutes.DeWayne Reed was moved to a reserve role, so here is your revised lineup: PG Robertson, SG Frank Tolbert, SF Rasheem Barrett, "PF" Lucas Hargrove, "C" Quan Prowell.
Georgia 68, Auburn 56 (women): Choke city. The Lady Bulldogs are not all that good this year and the Tigers needed a win after laying an egg at Ole Miss earlier in the week. Maybe the NCAA Tournament won't be a reality after all.Football practice started today. They went about two hours in shorts. Not much exciting to report, honestly, though I met some of the new guys. Dashaun Barnes is a really nice, sunshiny kid. Chris Todd is a cool customer. He's a careful talker and obviously has been in front of the camera/recorder/pen before. I saw DeRon Furr only from a distance. He's wearing No. 15. Todd is No. 12.Auburn got its first commitment of the 2009 SEASON today when Mobile/Williamson High DE Terrence Coleman announced plans to sign with the Tigers in 12 months. In a weird twist, he is the nephew of current DE Antonio Coleman. He's only a junior. I figured uncles would be a lot older, you know?DT Sen'Derrick Marks (who has moved inside from DE) said Sunday that he didn't get stronger during offseason workouts. He underwent hernia surgery in January and was instructed to avoid weightlifting altogether. Marks since has resumed. I mean, it's not like he's going to be a weakling or anything. I just thought that was interesting.The quarterbacks handled the increased Tony Franklin workload in different ways. Neil Caudle rolled out of practice with a Gabe Gross-style iceberg on his right shoulder. Chris Todd spent at least 20 minutes after practice throwing additional passes with wideout John Cubelic.Questions? Comments? You can email me at jgtate@gannett.com or post a comment directly to the blog.
Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University
posted by Jay G. Tate at
6:27 PM
58 Comments:
I thought that was a good move by Lebo starting Hargrove. He actually gives you a little more height and is a lot more of a threat from the outside. Plus Dewayne Reed AND Quantez Robertson can be overkill at times. If your not going to make any postseason tournaments that's the game you want to win.
I think Hargrove could be very productive next year. It was nice to see him step out.
Jay I was at the spring practice and the whole time I thought Todd was #19. Turns out that was Neil Claude! He was the most impressive QB out there to me! Burns looked ok but Claude looked like a starter. I just knew that was Todd. Anyway what are your thoughts on him?
Mr. Reed looked like his feelings were hurt that he didn't start today. He just had that look on his face that let me know immediately that he wasn't going to be able to throw it in the ocean standing on the beach.
The last time I saw Caudle play in a meaningful situation was last spring. He really impressed me. He has an easy motion and throws downfield with authority.
I'm just convinced that Chris Todd will be the guy. He didn't come here from JUCO to sit around and watch other people play.
I tend to agree with you, except I've just got this funny feeling about Caudle. Something about competition and the whole coming of age thing. Maybe he's that sleeper we've been talking about. Except I think he was pretty highly rated. I don't know. Maybe Todd is here because we thought, hey, the more the merrier. I am most likely dead wrong, but my gut tells me ... nothing is a sure bet.
Well, I'd bet it if I could.
Neil Caudle was a pretty big recruit. He'd have been huge without the torn knee ligament during his senior season at Spain Park. Auburn took him on as a project of sorts, but I wouldn't go so far as to call him a sleeper. He has legit skills.
anon ... so what DID Todd look like?
or Jay G., if that's where you were today.
Todd is a little taller than Caudle. He seems a little more raily (if that's a word) though Caudle certainly isn't overweight or anything. I think Todd has more running ability.
Does he have that glow thing where he just looks like "the guy"?
Do you know what I am talking about?
Todd does not have more running ability than Caudle. That's a fact. Caudle is and always has been a runner, and he's deceptively fast. He was rarely caught from behind (don't twist that up) in high school.
Franklin's already commented that he was pleasant surprised by Caudle's speed.
Basketball
Hard to understand why Prowell's name was not mentioned. He dominated in every aspect of the game. Without him there's not an inkling of a chance. He rebounded, drilled the 3s, blocked shots, dished several key assists...
What more can he do other than play like that every game?
Consider this going out on a limb if you will. Prowell's not nationally known. But he's NBA material up and down.
Just watch..
Terrence Coleman
Check out his film if you have a Rivals subscription. If not, take Saban's word for what you feel it is worth. He said it is the best D-lineman film he's EVER seen. Check this. Coleman turned 16 in December. He was 15 in the film Fonze refers to.
I've seen it. It's pretty damn impressive. We need to hang on to him.
Crudup ... I agree with you about Quan. I guess no one brought it up because it was not as surprising. One thing I really like about him; he is so low key. It's classy. After his two handed monster gorilla dunk, he just ran down the court with a little smirk on his face. Really cool.
phred, you're right. but that's pretty much the auburn way and always has been. there have been relatively few show outs in the orange and blue.
quan stepped up immeditely from the tip off. the money's his if he continues to do that.
Start the 2009 recruiting class off well.
There are going to be a LOT of show-outs in Lucas Hargrove's career. Book it.
he does seem to be "excitable"
Do you think coaches notice things like the new quarterback and a walk on receiver staying after practice for more practice? Nah, probably not.
I thought it was an odd decision, yes. Not sure if coaches noticed ... or cared.
I agree with Jaybird. You're a college Qb at a big time program. It's your job to do whatever it takes to get better. The bottom line is it has to translate over to the field in live game action.
On Caudle, his one and only problem is his proverbial glass jaw. He doesn't take hits well. To date, he's no Brandon Cox to date.
Jay, I like that you're at least sort of high on Hargrove seeing that you're a UK alum and have witnessed some terrific basketball up close. Hargrove immediately looks like a tad of a throw back to me. He does the little things right and he understands the flow and when to shoot.
I think the Rifleman and his little brother might be witnessing a new sherriff in town.
crudup ... I think you are a great guy and everything, but are you seriously comparing Hargrove to Chuck Person, the finest basketball player to ever walk on the floor at Auburn? The man who, if they had 3-pointers back then, would have about 3000 career points?
I thought Lucas played a great game and I think he will continue to develop and become even better, but I'm not sure that you will ever see anyone as pure a shooter as Chuck. I mean, a pull up jumper from half court was like a free throw for him. Seriously man ... I think that is a stretch at best.
Lucas Hargrove = Chris Porter
That's a little more like it. But Porter couldn't shoot at all. He could jump out of the gym, but couldn't hit a basket outside of 10 feet.
Honestly, I think Hargorve will be his own man. But let's see what happens before we annoint him as a superstar. He has that look about him, but the proof is in the pudding.
Of course, these insightful opinions are coming from the worlds all time most terrible living basketball player. My observations are based on what I have seen, and not what I can do.
I've heard that Jay G. can shoot the rock though.
Hargrove has almost nothing in common with Chris Porter. I think Hargrove is more like Mack McGadney -- both on the floor and in real life.
No disrespect intended because, look, I know Chuck Person was one hell of a player. I've never seen a more valuable player than Marquis Daniels. I didn't see Barkley play, but I'd put him right there as well.
I know. You're thinking Marquis Daniels? He became a real leader, a highly versatile guy who elevated his level of play in taxing situations. He's probably my favorite college player of all time because of the kid he was in high school, the kid he became at Auburn and the way he consolidated years of improvement during his final year.
Other people in that conversation:
Jamal Mashburn (UK)
Billy McCaffrey (Vandy)
Stephon Marbury (Ga. Tech)
Courtney Alexander (Fresno St.)
Paul Little (Faulkner, 2001 NAIA MVP)
HARGROVE = MACK MCGADNEY?
oops.
MACK THE JACK? that dude would shoot it from anywhere.
i loved marquis. he was fun. even more fun was Aubie driving around in a cardboard 'Grand Marquis'. AUsome.
Mack is a good comparison.
Marquis was maybe the best slasher I have ever seen. What has become of him?
Not Porter and certainly not Person.
I was a kid when Barkely and Person played, I think I was 10 or 11, maybe 12. But I remember well seeing them play. Person was far and away better than Barkley.
A lot of people have forgotten this, but Auburn people didn't like Sir Charles for a long time. He left early and we had a problem with it. His junior year, AU went to the final 16 with the Person/Barkley duo. The next year we made it to the final 8 with the Person show. A lot of folks always wondered, what if?
Are you saying Lucas has good shot selection? Come on.
Marquis is playing for Indiana these days and doing OK. He's been in trouble a few times as a pro, which surprised me.
Although Marquis Daniels was much better my favorite player was Bryant Smith. That guy gave energy to the entire team and was damn good at playing defense. It was sickening that chris porter even received some of the credit for that year. And we all saw what happened when chris porter left the team the next year, Auburn almost won the SEC tourney thanks to the emergence of marquis daniels. So pretty much chris porter is the most overrated basketball player in Auburn history, and hopefully Auburn will never have anyone like him again.
Hmmm
Changing subjects ... could Gary Busey BE anymore bizzare? That has to be the strangest cat on earth. Did they perform a partial lobotomy on him after his motorcycle wreck?
Chris Porter was the SEC MVP on the best team in Auburn basketball history. With the same players from the year before that didn't make the NCAA, Porter came in and took them to a regular season SEC title and No. 1 seed in the NCAA. I agree the Bryant Smith was a good player, but he was not the reason for that team's success.
thank you Jim ... I didn't want to say it first.
"poor shot selection" - what you say about the guy who just missed three in a row.
"good shot selection" - what you say about the guy who just threw it over the backboard and made it to take the lead.
Just kidding of course, but there is a little truth in it. Good shot selectors are guys who make the shots they select.
Chris porter was SEC player of the year his junior year. What was he his senior year? Second team all-SEC and they were being nice. Chris Porter could do one thing well and that was jump. He was not good at anything else and was a cancer on the team. He got alot of publicity because of his highlight reel dunks, but if he wasn't finishing a fast break or putting back a missed shot he was useless.
or getting rebounds or blocking shots or setting up the shot block for Mamadou, which is what he and Bryant both used to do. Haven't seen anybody do it before or since. They would defend the shooter and force him to take a shot, then Mamadou would come over the top of the defender to block it.
setting up a block shot must consist of being lazy letting someone drive by you and Mamadou N'diaye blocks the shot, sounds creative.
anyway, Jay G. - did we have practice today and did you go? football that is.
Porter led the team in scoring, rebounds, steals and was second in blocks and FG %. Does it matter how he scored most of his points? He was a finisher-the best I've ever seen at Auburn.
whew ... thanks again Jim. I can't keep holding my breath like that.
How about this? What was the difference in Porter's junior year (one of the best teams in Auburn history) and porter's senior year (barely a tournament team)? ANSWER: Bryant Smith.... Porter was highly overrated.
but i agree he is the best dunker i have ever seen at auburn. Marquis Daniels is the best "finisher" i have ever seen
How about ... let's change the subject. This argument is no fun, and kinda pointless. Nothing personal.
Chris Porter was very good. That team wouldn't have been great without Doc and Bryant Smith and that's that.
Also ... no practice today.
The next one is Tuesday morning. I'll be there with a full report afterward.
Phred, not comparing Lucas to the Rifleman just yet. Big "might" there. Chuck played absolutely no defense and didn't consistently hit the boards. He was a shooter and he was a great one.
Lucas is in no way comparable to Porter either. They're not even from the same planet.
I wouldn't compare Lucas to Mack either. That's an insult. Mack was called the Terminator because he killed possession with stupid shots, not because he was great.
Look, I think the deal here is that Auburn needed a pure shooter. They have one now. Case closed.
You're right, Jay. Bryant Smith was the unsung hero of '98. Look what happened when he was gone. He was the guy who bridged the gap between great and pretty good.
Jay Heard was a very exciting up and comer until he decided to get fat and quit basketball for all it's worth. He was pretty important that year. He drilled UF.
Spring Practice Photos
Looks like a lot of our players skipped the weight room sessions this winter. But I'm looking at Slaughter and he's actually ripped, with some bulk, too. Furr's also totally ripped.
Tristan Davis, Hot Boy, DeShaun Barnes, and Josh Bynes all look soft as cotton. Of course they didn't show a pic of Fannin. He's not of this planet genetically.
Sure, Barkley wasn't the most popular player after leaving auburn early; even when he was there his late night pizza parties got under Sonny Smith's skin. That being said, I got to see he and C. Person play on many occasions and Barkley was amazing. He was a playmaker off of whom everyone on the team fed. Person's turn around jumper at the top of the key was a sight to behold, but you just knew that Barkley was something different altogether. He scored 6 points in the final 5 seconds in a (back then) routine route of the school from tuscaloosa, once (back when the Van Halen song "jump" was a hit--the entire crowd kept yelling jump when he got the ball. 'twas very cool). and, yes, that makes me an old man.
im wondering in phred has a job
I was off today thank you very much.
but, I am a builder and as you have heard ... business ain't so good right now.
Hot Boy is like 17. He shouldn't be ripped.
I do not think Hargrove's legacy will be his shooting. He's a mid-range guy in the middle of a hot streak from outside.
Here are things that Mack and Lucas have in common:
*Unusually affable
*Tall but love the outside shot
*Streaky
*Highly emotional on the court
*Average defender
Things they don't have in common:
*McGadney was thicker.
*Hargrove has some Tay Prince arms.
*Hargrove is a better dribbler.
*No ACL tear for Hargrove.
Mack was a terrible athlete. Awful. Lucas is a pretty good athlete.
Also, no reason one can't be ripped at 18 years old. Look at Terrance Coleman. Look at Furr. Look back to Fannin right out of high school at 17.
Hot Boy needs some meat. He's not much for stopping the run right now.
This is pretty sad.
http://blog.al.com/live/2008/02/former_star_mccants_arrested_o.html
that link isn't working for me ... what is it?
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