As his three point shot improves he is looking more like a Matt Bonner stretch 4. Big ask to get that good, though.
His free throw and three point percentage improvement is a testament to how hard he works. He has a nice stroke. Add to that everything he does and he’s a complete player.
This kid was just such an interesting eval and develop. Older for his grade, we still urged him to do a prep year so we would be more physically prepared. Kind of a 3-4 tweeter, very physical and active, relatively athletic, way ahead on the defensive end. He struggled more than I expected defensively last year, but was actually our most efficient 2 pt scorer. Moved well off the ball, threw his body around, rebounded capably, and finished at a high clip in limited opportunities. Thought he could be a solid 8 and 6 kinda guy (my favorite comp for him was Brent Wright), but never imagined he would shoot as well (especially as clutch!) as he has from the line or the arc. His free throw, rebound, assist rates are all massively improved from last year. In any ordinary season, he would be slam dunk as SEC 6th man.
The staff always said that they weren't worried about Tommy's shot. They saw it every day in practice and knew he would eventually get it going in games.
What I remember of Matt, was the big body, big bone type of guy. His shooting stroke was very good, yes he could even drive the basket. His career in the pros and he still had a common car for years, banking a lot of income, can I say good common sense and smart. The bid redhead was a good teammate and worked hard. God willing when his working days are over, he will live a financial secure retirement.
I mentioned a few games ago that his shot looked more confident and look at him now! Man, I'm awesome.
He really plays well as a stretch 4, but considering who we MAY have at Center next year, Condo (if here) would be needed at the 4 and not the 5. I would hate to see Condo and Haugh only at the 4 because their energy together is so vibrant. That would mean Haugh at the 3. Maybe with the Bigs protecting the rim, and how hard Haugh works, that would be viable.
If all the bigs return TFG will have a lot of versatility/options. We'll also (hopefully) have CJI as a 6'6" 3.
Of course you are right. But, the energy of Haugh and Condo is exceptional and Condo will likely play exclusively at the 4.
Nah. Move Condo to the 3. Run twin towers with Chins and Handles, 6'11" Condo at the 3, 6'9" Hawk at the 2, and tiny little 'Zel running point at 6'4". Would be funny to see...
Zel is 6’5” but I agree. I was saying to my friend yesterday for one of the early games against a scrub team like JU or FSU (jk) we need to start a lineup of Rioux, Micah, Chin, Condo, and Haugh just to start the biggest lineup of all time. We can just space them out and advance the ball up the floor without dribbling it, like the old women’s rules. If Rioux can establish position under the rim we get 2 points every single possession. It’s a foolproof plan.
As long as Rioux doesn’t have to dribble it at all. His dribble would start roughly at people’s shoulders, that’s a long way for a ball to bounce and not get stolen
He just runs the floor and parks under the basket. By the time the ball gets passed to him, all he has to do is drop it through the hoop. With my plan, no one dribbles. It's all passes up high. Can someone put me in touch with Coach Golden? Surely the only reason we aren't doing this already is that he hasn't thought of it.
