Video review -

The trip will be invaluable to Mickey as it gave him 6 games running the show and lots of time to spend with the coaches breaking down his game, his reads and progressions through the offense.

Surprises - Trey Anderson and Ben Allen. If Trey can avoid turning the ball over, he will gain playing time this year as a redshirt frosh. Ben Allen has learned and playing smart to his strengthens - rebound the ball and take shots in and around the paint and he can average close to a double-double. He will start and Tim Williams will come off the bench in the 8 person rotation.

Stalls - Colin Chiverton and Clint Steindl. While Clint was very ill, he still does not impress me with his defensive effort and his touch is still way off - lots of work to do and definite not enough minutes to figure it out. The door was wide open for Chiverton to establish himself as the starter at wing/sf, but he popped the clutch and is out of sync with his game and his shot selection and/or adhearing to coaching advise or something that is not favorable to him having 20+ minutes. I think Trey Anderson played into his minutes, and it was easier for Bennett to move Hunter to the wing and keep the defensive pressure on the opponent's shooter. Both of these guys need to shift it into gear come October.

Performing in Accordance with Expectations. Wayne Hunter and Mickey McConnell. They performed as I have scouted them in my preseason report. I called Hunter a "streaky" shooter and he definitely can surprise (game 6), and disappear on the offensive end (game 5), but he is a known commodity and he will grind it out and give a good effort. His only surprise was losing patience and cool with the referees in game 1, which was not in keeping with his leadership role. Mickey McConnell took the helm and performed well overall and conformed to my scouting report but did score above my expectations, yet had some unacceptable turnovers.

Jury's Still Out. Tim Williams - we saw/read some monster jams, even the ability to hit from outside, yet he has not found all the pieces. He like McConnell will vastly learn from the 6 games on this trip. He needs lots of coaching and encouragement and study. His footwork on the defensive end needs improvement as he could not maintain his position against good competition. I see Ben Allen and the competition between the two as mutually beneficial for their individual games and team contributions. With Kenyon Walker being great competition in practice during the season and Mitch Young looking to make an impression, we have 4 PF's who will be great warriors all at 6-9 and above!

Superman Samhan. He is the fire that drives this team's engine. He is in control and he does his blue collarwork. No silly fouls and taking the opponent's pump fake. He takes no night off and hustles for even loose balls on the floor (game 5). Omar's effecient FT shooting will get him to the 20 and 10 numbers that I am projecting for him this season. He is healthy and energized and can definitely play the 35 minutes a game which the team needs in order to be in the mix in the WCC. He should have been on the Preseason Top 50 Wooden List, but yet another snub that he will make opponents remember his game. He deserves every spot light like Patty receive last year.

Phil Phan. Phil Benson - if you ever talk to him he is the most positive and enthusiastic kid. It's hard not to be a fan of him. He is a Bennett trooper - plays his role and makes a contribution and hustles all the time.

Swinging Door. There seems to be a consensus that one or more of the 4 true freshman have an opportunity to get minutes this year - there's no locked door on the 8 man rotation. It seems that the player who can defend and shoot effeciently will find time as there's only room for one defensive specialist on the floor (Hunter) - the rest must shoot their way into the rotation and minimize mental mistakes.

"Who will fight for old Saint Mary's?" S. Madigan 11/15/1930 Polo Grounds, New York