Anything is Possible!!!

Anything is Possible!!!

March 19, 2016

NCAA First Round Recap: Thoughts on Cal/Hawaii

This game was on upset alert earlier in the week when the news came out that Cal fired one of their assistant coaches. In addition to that, senior stud Tyrone Wallace missed this game due to injury. That set the stage for an experienced Hawaii team to take down a depleted Bears squad.


2016 NBA Draft

Jaylen Brown, SF, California

4 points, 1-6 FG, 0-2 3FG, 7 turnovers

Rough game for Brown in this one. Really tough game to scout him, as the referees weren't doing him any flavors with some pretty awful calls that got him into foul trouble. He couldn't get into any sort of rhythm. His jumper doesn't look bad, even though he has struggled to shoot it some this season. He had a nice crossover to a pull up that just didn't go in. He kicks his legs funny at times. He needs to land straight up and down when he shoots. He is athletically superior than anyone else, and was able to still look good in transition. He is more willing to move the ball than people think. The seven turnovers were rough, but he generally moved the ball well in the flow of the offense. He does need to work on going left more. He looks uncomfortable doing anything with his left hand. This performance doesn't really do Brown in. He will still be a high lottery pick on draft night.

Ivan Rabb, PF, California

13 points, 5-11 FG, 12 rebounds

Rabb didn't have his best game either, but he also flashed a lot of the things that will make him a lottery pick in June. He runs the floor hard, which will make scouts fall in love with him. He works constantly on the defensive end. He isn't the most athletic player, which could be seen when he defended the rim at times, but his footwork and diligence on the defensive end is huge. He is a defensive machine, calling out coverages and actively switching onto guards, stopping them without a problem. He sometimes worries too much about what is going on in the whole picture that he will screw up his own assignment, but the activity is there with much to like.

Offensively, he will be a work in progress but that hard work translates on to this end as well. He doesn't quite have the feel that some of the other bigs in this draft have. You could tell that by how he would stand on the same block on the side of the lane that the other big would roll towards. He doesn't move the ball when he gets it into the post and likes to go to his left shoulder too much. Cal didn't run much spread pick and roll, which would've been nice to see. He has nice touch with both hands, just fell in love with his right hand too much. He is huge on the glass as well, stronger than you would think despite his thin frame. He will get a chance to play both big spots in the league and can excel defending even at power forward at the NBA level. For sure lottery pick this season.

Keep an eye on…

Stefan Jankovic, PF, Hawaii

16 points, 5-9 FG, 0-2 3FG, 5 rebounds

Jankovic was really impressive in this game. Him and Rabb battling each other was fun to watch. Jankovic did well guarding Rabb. They were equal in terms in terms of strength but Jankovic is long and did well contesting his shots at the rim. He is nimble on his feet and has several nice moves, including a euro step to a floater. You don't find big men as shifty as he is with the ball and on his feet. He has a nice shooting stroke even if he missed two threes. His tough with both hands is soft and he can drive both ways, finishing with either hand. Next year will interesting to watch him and see if he can have a huge year and sneak his way into second round consideration.

Jordan Matthews, SG, California

23 points, 9-15 FG, 3-8 3FG, 4 rebounds

It was hard not to notice Matthews in this game. He was Cal's leading scorer, and he did it in many ways. He drives really hard going right and will try going right, for better or for worse. He looks long and that length helped him finish tough shots at the rim and in traffic. His jumper looked smooth, even though it took him forever to get it off. He worked hard on defense and the glass as well, doing great guarding on the ball. I don't know what he would be in the NBA but you can't let a game like that get overlooked. He could be a Summer League standout who scores slashing to the rim and gets hot from outside.

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