Grand Valley State (Exhibition)

[jacobkdoyle]

Jenifer was very highly rated as a youngster. He was a phenom by the time he was 12-13 years old. If you listen to his interviews when he was a freshman in HS he was being recruited by Syracuse, Louisville,etc. His problem was he stopped growing and sort of "peaked" too early. Eventually those schools recruited over him.

This makes him a perfect Bearcat.

I think the thing that separates him the most is his ball handling. That's what can make someone such a natural PG. If someone is up on him, or a big doubles him on a screen, there's no fear of losing his dribble (or the ball). His height can work to his advantage in this regard bc he can keep the ball so low. And his handles are so polished for his age, he can effortlessly go behind the back, between the legs, etc and keep his eyes on the play. That ability can't be overstated. A lot of college players (not just freshman) struggle to walk and chew gum at the same time. When Jenifer doesn't even have to give dribbling a second thought bc he has the ball on a string, that is the main thing that opens the door for him to stay a step ahead of the defense and be a great playmaker.

 

[L-T]

Jenifer was very highly rated as a youngster. He was a phenom by the time he was 12-13 years old. If you listen to his interviews when he was a freshman in HS he was being recruited by Syracuse, Louisville,etc. His problem was he stopped growing and sort of "peaked" too early. Eventually those schools recruited over him.

Sounds like a player that might have a chip on his shoulder. I might have to raise his bar a little higher!

 

[jacobkdoyle]

The perfect example was in the last seconds before halftime the other night. Caupain had the ball and stood at the top of the key until 6 seconds remained. He then made a little move to his right and threw a pass to KJ in the corner who bricked the shot and because Caupain had waited so long, there was zero opportunity for a put-back because the clock ran out. That was just atrocious clock management and resulted in our typical rushed three as the clock ran out, with no points coming out of it. I would have loved to see what Jenifer could have created in the same situation.

I think Troy was looking for Purdue 2.0. I actually forgot about that play, and I couldn't believe he didn't get started sooner.

 

[UCBearcats]

I'm not going to have to worry about him reaching the bar that I've set. Mark it down.

Also, there are actually many people in every profession, who do that profession for a living, and suck at it. That is the same with the people who watch basketball players for a living. I could make my living in the financial world and be able to accurately evaluate basketball talent in one or two viewings on the side, just like a person who spends his full time watching basketball players could be a shrewd financial guru on the side.

I plan to continue to "ridiculously" set the bar high and predict success for Jenifer. If you want to set the bar low so you can be able to call him a huge success if he becomes mediocre, that is your prerogative. I prefer being overly excited about our players. It's much more fun!

I'm surprised to see that type of unrealistic attitude from you. I've always set the bar very high for UC and I've been very critical of Mick in the past because his teams haven't lived up to my expectations.

I realize that some scouts are good and some aren't but you're basically saying that EVERYONE was wrong about him and he's the best freshman PG in this class. I hope and pray to God that you are right but you can't make ridiculous claims like that and expect everyone to just agree with you.

It's your prerogative to make unrealistic claims on the small chance that you might be able to say I told you so later but just realize that's what you're doing. I prefer to deal in reality.

 

[Bearcatboy]

If I said Evans wouldn't be that open against D1 team so he'll have to put ball on floor I'll be trolling. We have special team. Stop putting players against each other to build your favorite up. Everybody like who they like. Me talking jenifer up is topic of month right now. Stay positive and just sit back riding my wave.

Your telling me not to do what you do?
You talk about your best players not a guy who isn't going to start till he's a junior.....

 

[L-T]

I'm surprised to see that type of unrealistic attitude from you. I've always set the bar very high for UC and I've been very critical of Mick in the past because his teams haven't lived up to my expectations.

I realize that some scouts are good and some aren't but you're basically saying that EVERYONE was wrong about him and he's the best freshman PG in this class. I hope and pray to God that you are right but you can't make ridiculous claims like that and expect everyone to just agree with you.

It's your prerogative to make unrealistic claims on the small chance that you might be able to say I told you so later but just realize that's what you're doing. I prefer to deal in reality.

I don't believe I've said anything like what you are accusing me of saying above. I have never once said he is the best freshman point guard in the class. I believe I said he was the best freshman point guard that Mick has ever recruited, and I stand by that comment. I have also not said everyone was wrong. He is a top 100 recruit, so he's obviously very highly rated. Mick has said he was the best 7th grader in the nation and the "only" reason he dropped was because he stopped growing. That says to me that we have one hell of a basketball player in a smaller body. I watched Steve Logan become a first team all-american and one of our greatest players ever in a very similar sized body. I saw John Rothstein include him on his list as one of the top "under-the-radar" players in the nation this year....even before he has played in a single game. Some of the preseason basketball publications that I have purchased have written some really nice things about him. These comments and facts all align pretty closely with the things I'm saying about him. So, to call my comments unrealistic and ridiculous, and accuse me of saying things I haven't even said, well....I'm not sure who the ridiculous one is here. And.....I certainly will enjoy telling you "I told you so!".....as will you the first time he has 6 turnovers in a game.

 

[L-T]

Your telling me not to do what you do?
You talk about your best players not a guy who isn't going to start till he's a junior.....

If you think Jenifer won't start till he is a junior, I'll take that bet. The only way that happens is if Mick recruits someone better. Nobody on this current roster will hold him out of the lineup for 2 years.

 

[coachpipe]

If you think Jenifer won't start till he is a junior, I'll take that bet. The only way that happens is if Mick recruits someone better. Nobody on this current roster will hold him out of the lineup for 2 years.

Or troy will stay at the 1 and two of johnson/Evans/cumberland/ start at the 2 and 3. I think starting troy and JJ at the same times leaves you with no PG on the bench in any capacity, which may hurt, or may not who knows. Now of course we could still land someone. anything can happen between now and this time next year. but its extremely early to talk about next year when this year hasnt started yet

 

[waterhead]

This makes him a perfect Bearcat.

I think the thing that separates him the most is his ball handling. That's what can make someone such a natural PG. If someone is up on him, or a big doubles him on a screen, there's no fear of losing his dribble (or the ball). His height can work to his advantage in this regard bc he can keep the ball so low. And his handles are so polished for his age, he can effortlessly go behind the back, between the legs, etc and keep his eyes on the play. That ability can't be overstated. A lot of college players (not just freshman) struggle to walk and chew gum at the same time. When Jenifer doesn't even have to give dribbling a second thought bc he has the ball on a string, that is the main thing that opens the door for him to stay a step ahead of the defense and be a great playmaker.

I couldn't agree more about his ball handling and court vision. I gotta say I love his confidence too. Not tentative whatsoever (and neither was Evans for that matter). He looks so comfortable out there and you can tell he won't take riding pine without a fight. As long as he can control the two major things Cronin will sit you down for (D and TO's)...he should push for a lot of minutes.

 

[L-T]

I couldn't agree more about his ball handling and court vision. I gotta say I love his confidence too. Not tentative whatsoever (and neither was Evans for that matter). He looks so comfortable out there and you can tell he won't take riding pine without a fight. As long as he can control the two major things Cronin will sit you down for (D and TO's)...he should push for a lot of minutes.

Because I for some reason have to keep defending my glowing endorsement of Jenifer, it appears as though Evans is an afterthought. He might even be more impressive than Jenifer and I may have even nudged his bar slightly higher than Jenifers. He is the complete player....and....he also has size as well. I love love love what I see in him.

It's just such a complete rarity to actually have a real point guard in Clifton that the giddiness has overwhelmed me.

 

[Bulldog01]

Sounds like a player that might have a chip on his shoulder. I might have to raise his bar a little higher!

All time assist leader

 

[Bulldog01]

I think Troy was looking for Purdue 2.0. I actually forgot about that play, and I couldn't believe he didn't get started sooner.

I was happy he only looked to Mick 2-3x bringing ball up court and quickly realized he doesn't have do that anymore. He looked smooth running offense. You know what your getting out of him penetrating, you'll really be better off on last seconds going with jenifer, cobb, Caupain, Evans and Ellis. Everybody in that line up could create their on offense.

 

[waterhead]

Or troy will stay at the 1 and two of johnson/Evans/cumberland/ start at the 2 and 3. I think starting troy and JJ at the same times leaves you with no PG on the bench in any capacity, which may hurt, or may not who knows. Now of course we could still land someone. anything can happen between now and this time next year. but its extremely early to talk about next year when this year hasnt started yet

Last year we had Cobb running point when TC was out (Cobb still plays for us. Cobb will do just fine if we need an emergency guard. Not to mention I think Evans ran point in HS early on. We can play JJ and TC together if (IF) they give us the best chance to win.

 

[Bulldog01]

Your telling me not to do what you do?
You talk about your best players not a guy who isn't going to start till he's a junior.....

If I talked about water boy it a be topic of hours. I talked about whoever I want when I want. When troy was freshman I talked him up over guyn, now the shoe on other foot. It's always best man Wins for me

 

[coachpipe]

Last year we had Cobb running point when TC was out (Cobb still plays for us. Cobb will do just fine if we need an emergency guard. Not to mention I think Evans ran point in HS early on. We can play JJ and TC together if (IF) they give us the best chance to win.

I was speaking about next year. He mentioned nobody keeping JJ from not starting. And while JJ has really opened my eyes, I still dont guarantee a starting job to anyone other than Clark, Washington, and Troy. That leaves 2 more and Evans has a really good shot being the 4th guy. Meaning the last is up for grabs between Cumberland,JJ and KJ. depending on what type of offense we run and what not.

Again, very far ahead in the future, but a good problem to have in finally having a roster where literally everyone could possibly start

 

[Bulldog01]

I have never once said he is the best freshman point guard in the class. I believe I said he was the best freshman point guard that Mick has ever recruited, and I stand by that comment.

Satterfield,Logan,Dean(UL),Garcia(UL) all were recruits of mick.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

Are people really dismissing Cobb? He was our most important player last year. I had to bet on our leading scorer it would be him...

 

[jacobkdoyle]

Are people really dismissing Cobb? He was our most important player last year. I had to bet on our leading scorer it would be him...

I'd go Ellis, Cobb, and Caupain as double figure scorers. Then Shaq, KJ, Evans and Clark all bunched up behind them.

 

[UCBearcats]

Satterfield,Logan,Dean(UL),Garcia(UL) all were recruits of mick.

Now i know you're a troll

 

[L-T]

Satterfield,Logan,Dean(UL),Garcia(UL) all were recruits of mick.

....Ok, let me re-phrase my statement.....recruited>>>>as a head coach at UC.