Blue-White Game: Thriving On Chaos, Blue 101-White 74

Just so everyone knows, even if you have not heard Cal say it, he has his hands full. And after watching this year’s Blue-White game. I kinda believe the spin a little more than usual. This team is very talented, very fast, and very short on personnel. By the end of the first half, I saw speed, out of control offense and defense, a lack of leadership, and some incredible talent. Some of the more bizarre stats, Harrellson had 16 first half rebounds. And the only real breakaway power dunk of the first half came from Jon Hood. That’s right, Jon Hood. The players appear to be unselfish on offense, much like last year’s team, but they also need some vocal and physical leadership on the court. Brandon Knight, while playing very well, needs to make his presence and leadership skills a focal point of his game. Even though he is only a freshman, he has to make this his team.

DeAndre Liggins did his usual “Spiderman” impersonation, because he was all arms and legs on the court. The young man seems to be 10 feet wide out there. Hood was a true speed demon trying to demonstrate that he is just as fast and working as much as anyone. Harrellson seemed to be much as he was last year, sturdy and solid, yet unspectacular. Darius Miller is smooth as silk sheets and shooting fairly well, but much more aggressive in the paint.

Doron Lamb probably worked harder than anyone in the first half, with the exception of Liggins. Lamb got open, worked the edges well, and was everywhere, but lacked the skill to consistently make his shot. This will come, but he is not there yet. Stacy Poole was basically a non-factor in the first half. But if there was a “star” performance in the first half it belonged to Terrence Jones. Jones had 18 first half points, and they came from all over the floor. The young man moves both with and without the ball extremely well, and is deceptively fast.

The second half, while showcasing some of the same from the first, brought a much more controlled and structured game. The DDMO was replaced by a lot of set plays, and a lot of power moves both inside and out. Knight showed much more than the first half, but still needs to get more responses from his teammates. Although he and Jones seem to be completely in sync already. They ran the break with ease, and played very well together. By virtue of having no subs, everyone was a full time player, and I can say with confidence that the entire team played very hard both halves. The final score of Blue 101- White 74 showed what was seen all night, as the more experienced players and better shooters were in blue uniforms most of the night.

A lot of good can be taken away from this game, because again, everyone played very hard all night. The players were exhausted and cramping up by the end of the game, and you could tell they left it all out there on the hardwood. There are a lot of things to work on, including foul shooting, which was horrendous, at less than 33% I believe. But stats told nothing of the hustle and hard work seen from the opening whistle to the final buzzer. Brandon Knight had 37 points. Harrellson had 16 points and 25 rebounds, great numbers, but not something you want to have to rely on. But as in the first half, Jones is this team’s big play guy as his 29 points were all style and highlight reel material. He worked hard on the defensive end and was rewarded by Knight and the other guards with lobs and picks which his teammates set for him. The overall team speed was even better than advertised, as Hood and Liggins speed were added to the incoming freshmen who we knew were fast. Vargas played solid, and blocked a few shots and had his share of put backs. The absence of Enes Kanter was downplayed by all of the broadcast team, but was obvious to even the most inexperienced viewer as the control of the paint by either side was just not there.

A lot will be made of the freshmen and their contributions, but the combination of Miller, Liggins, Hood and Harrellson are going to be the backbone of this team. They showed poise, and a lot of the skills that Cal covets so much in his kinds of players. If this team were at full strength of 13 scholarship players, and possibly Polson still a walk-on, I would be ecstatic at this point. But as thin as we are, we are truly only one big injury( or non-qualification) from a very long and tedious season. But Cal has the guys he wants, they are truly talented players, and they are very fun to watch. A week from today we will know if they are having fun too.

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