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re: Tide Hoops | Offseason
Posted on 4/18/24 at 3:26 pm to Robot Santa
Posted on 4/18/24 at 3:26 pm to Robot Santa
From the Athletic...
quote:
18
Clifford Omoruyi
Ht: 6-11 Wt: 240
As one of the most underappreciated defensive players in college basketball, Omoyuri’s name in the portal will spark a frenzy. He has been the catalyst behind Rutgers finishing fourth and sixth in the country, respectively, in KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency metric in each of the last two seasons. This season, he swatted 2.9 shots per game in just 27 minutes per night, and while he earned Big Ten All-Defense honors for the season straight season, he should have been among the national semifinalists for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award. It is exceptionally hard to finish over his 7-foot-6 wingspan. Whichever team sways him will get an immediate upgrade on that end of the court.
Omoruyi has been more hit-or-miss on offense, likely due to the way Rutgers used him. I’ve always liked him most as a rim-runner in ball screens who occasionally rolled into quick duck-ins. Omoruyi made 70 percent of his attempts as a roller this season, per Synergy. The Scarlet Knights, however, used him more as a straight post-up big, where he is merely okay. His new team would be wise to deploy him as a screener and diver, or move him to the dunker spot when he’s not involved in the primary action. That way, he can wedge his way into deep seals in the post and be in better position for offensive rebound opportunities, where his length has always been an advantage.
It’s a bit of a surprise to see Omoruyi depart, as Rutgers has a loaded recruiting class next year led by Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper. If the NBA is Omoruyi’s goal, the only program with more scouting eyes on it than Rutgers will be Duke. While Omoruyi would be a tremendous defensive anchor for a group of highly-talented freshmen to have, it looks like someone else will get him. — Sam Vecenie
2
Posted on 4/18/24 at 3:27 pm to CCTider
quote:
Omoruyi has been more hit-or-miss on offense, likely due to the way Rutgers used him. I’ve always liked him most as a rim-runner in ball screens who occasionally rolled into quick duck-ins. Omoruyi made 70 percent of his attempts as a roller this season, per Synergy. The Scarlet Knights, however, used him more as a straight post-up big, where he is merely okay. His new team would be wise to deploy him as a screener and diver, or move him to the dunker spot when he’s not involved in the primary action. That way, he can wedge his way into deep seals in the post and be in better position for offensive rebound opportunities, where his length has always been an advantage.
Damn Nate, you just got that big arse raise and you're ghostwriting for The Athletic?
Posted on 4/18/24 at 3:30 pm to CCTider
quote:
32 Chris Youngblood
?
Ht: 6-4Wt: 220
The co-AAC Player of the Year is one of the best on-the-move shooters in the portal. Youngblood averaged 15.3 points per game as a senior at South Florida and was one of the rare players to transfer up a level — from the A-Sun to the AAC — and see his scoring average increase. When he has space, he’s close to automatic from deep. He made 69 3-pointers at a 41.6 percent clip. He’s good off the catch and the bounce.
Youngblood isn’t that quick with the ball but he’s strong and bodies bounce off him. He creates separation with his strength and ability to read screens playing off the ball. He shot 42.6 percent coming off screens, per Synergy. His experience is obvious in the way he plays on both ends. Defensively, he knows where to be and does a good job contesting shots despite having short arms. He didn’t put up big assist numbers (2.1 per game) but his passes arrive on target and with some pop. He usually makes the right read and is willing to make the extra pass when his gravity pulls extra defenders. Youngblood is the type of player who gets everything out of his ability. He helped Amir Abdur-Rahim flip Kennesaw State and then South Florida, where the coach and player won the American in their first year when USF was coming off a losing season. — C.J. Moore
How he fits
Nate Oats loves shooting and lands one of the best shooters in the portal. Youngblood isn’t dynamic with the ball in his hands like Mark Sears or Aaron Estrada, but he’ll fit well as a floor spacer who can occasionally create his own shot. It would benefit Youngblood to play with a guard like Sears who can pull two to the ball and start the domino effect that leads to open shots. (Sears still has a year of eligibility left.) Youngblood does some of his scoring from the mid-range and that usually doesn’t fly at Alabama. But shooting with range is no issue, and that’s obviously why he was an attractive option for Alabama. He’s a Tuscaloosa native, so this is a return home.
— C.J. Moore
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