My early take on the basketball players individually and as a team are based on what some people in the basketball program and others involved in basketball, but not directly connected to the program any longer and are pretty close to each other. This is based on their observations, not mine.
Team wise defense is perhaps a little better with more length making opponents having fewer clean open shots.
Rebounding is poor and will likely be an issue all season
Offense will be a work in progress with shooting being good some nights and bad others, probably more bad than good though
Pray, and pray hard, that Brandon stays healthy
Good quickness and athleticism
Expect to see many lineup combos that are very small in stature
Individuals
Brandon- Will have to stay healthy and out of foul trouble. Needs to attack the gaps in the defense and not get too deep driving to the hoop
Torry Johnson- Won't be much of a factor offensively but does play decent defense
Chaundee- Needs to take the step up which people are expecting/hoping for, so far still questionable
Mike Wynn- Good shooter but has some footwork issues and is limited (especially laterally) athletically. Not much of a rebounder or defender
Ikenna Smart- Very strong but not very skilled. Will get in foul trouble a lot against ACC level competition
Hoard- Very skilled but can try to force things and will make freshman mistakes
Jamie Lewis is just not ready yet which hurts us depth wise at the PG spot. Has skill but his 18 months away from playing has been damaging
Sarr- Definitely stronger but not a volume rebounder and will appear MIA at times. Still could be out 2nd best player
Mucius- Just not strong at all and is a streaky shooter
Wright- Has to get stronger but has some really good skill and plays with a high motor. Shot is inconsistent but has good form on it
Okeke- Still big and strong but has not developed much
Starters for the ECU scrimmage and likely to start the season are Sarr, Hoard, Brandon, Chaundee and Wright Jr. 1st off the bench will depend of foul trouble, poor play, matchups etc will be Mucius ,Johnson, Smart or Wynn. Minutes will change but my guess would be:
Brandon-33 all PG
Hoard- 32- 22PF, PG5, SF4
Chaundee-30 -24SG 6SF
Sarr 35- 28C 7PF
Wright- 22- 15SF 7SG
Mucius- 10PF
Johnson- 10 8SG 2PG
Wynn- 10- 8SF 2SG
Smart- 6C
I know the minutes don't add up exactly but the "deep down the bench", walkons will get the remainder. This will b a very young team but one of the more athletic at Wake in several years
Team wise defense is perhaps a little better with more length making opponents having fewer clean open shots.
Rebounding is poor and will likely be an issue all season
Offense will be a work in progress with shooting being good some nights and bad others, probably more bad than good though
Pray, and pray hard, that Brandon stays healthy
Good quickness and athleticism
Expect to see many lineup combos that are very small in stature
Individuals
Brandon- Will have to stay healthy and out of foul trouble. Needs to attack the gaps in the defense and not get too deep driving to the hoop
Torry Johnson- Won't be much of a factor offensively but does play decent defense
Chaundee- Needs to take the step up which people are expecting/hoping for, so far still questionable
Mike Wynn- Good shooter but has some footwork issues and is limited (especially laterally) athletically. Not much of a rebounder or defender
Ikenna Smart- Very strong but not very skilled. Will get in foul trouble a lot against ACC level competition
Hoard- Very skilled but can try to force things and will make freshman mistakes
Jamie Lewis is just not ready yet which hurts us depth wise at the PG spot. Has skill but his 18 months away from playing has been damaging
Sarr- Definitely stronger but not a volume rebounder and will appear MIA at times. Still could be out 2nd best player
Mucius- Just not strong at all and is a streaky shooter
Wright- Has to get stronger but has some really good skill and plays with a high motor. Shot is inconsistent but has good form on it
Okeke- Still big and strong but has not developed much
Starters for the ECU scrimmage and likely to start the season are Sarr, Hoard, Brandon, Chaundee and Wright Jr. 1st off the bench will depend of foul trouble, poor play, matchups etc will be Mucius ,Johnson, Smart or Wynn. Minutes will change but my guess would be:
Brandon-33 all PG
Hoard- 32- 22PF, PG5, SF4
Chaundee-30 -24SG 6SF
Sarr 35- 28C 7PF
Wright- 22- 15SF 7SG
Mucius- 10PF
Johnson- 10 8SG 2PG
Wynn- 10- 8SF 2SG
Smart- 6C
I know the minutes don't add up exactly but the "deep down the bench", walkons will get the remainder. This will b a very young team but one of the more athletic at Wake in several years
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