High School Hoops tonight - IMG vs. Montverde
Saw this on twitter but not on the board -- Apparently there is a big HS Hoops tourney this weekend that features most of the top teams in the US including IMG.
The top game is #1 Montverde vs. #2 IMG and it is on ESPN tonight at 7:30 Eastern. Good opportunity to watch Moussa Diabate and Jett Howard against top competition.
Both IMG and Montverde crushed opponents earlier in the weekend and I believe IMG plays another top 5 team on Monday or Tuesday. As far as I know tonight's game is the only one televised.
January 17th, 2021 at 2:43 PM ^
I am by no means a hoops recruiting fanatic. Maybe Matt or another expert can add the other prospects on both teams that M will be recruiting so we can take note.
January 17th, 2021 at 2:51 PM ^
User njvictor posted about this a week ago and included this information in his post:
“This game features multiple Michigan signees (5* wing Caleb Houstan on Montverde and 5* big Moussa Diabate on IMG) along with Michigan targets on both teams. IMG features 2022 4* wing Jett Howard, 2022 5* wing Jarace Walker, 2022 5* Jaden Bradley, 2022 4* wing Eric Dailey and Montverde features 2022 5* big Jalen Duren, and 4* wing Justice Williams.”
I take no credit for this information; I simply copied it from his post. And I mean no shade to OP here; I was grateful for the reminder.
January 17th, 2021 at 4:41 PM ^
There is also a schedule and game breakdown on the news site we shall never mention here but it rhymes with...
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.com
January 17th, 2021 at 5:21 PM ^
I approve
January 17th, 2021 at 3:13 PM ^
Anyone watching penn state vs Purdue? John Beilein is doing color commentary for the first time ever. It is easy to tell it is his his first time, but the familiar voice, brilliance, and honesty make for a very pleasant viewing/listening experience.
January 17th, 2021 at 3:49 PM ^
Yes, I watched about 1/2 hour of it.
He is too nice (unsurprisingly) at this point, praising each team for stuff that is a bit overboard (e.g., "Penn State can come back from 15 down easily when you can shoot like they can!" Maybe last year, Penn State this year is fine, but not that good). But he, obviously, knows the game very well and already is pretty good at giving the right amount of info in the allotted time.
Once he gets more game experience, and is coached up to be a bit more pointed (without going the full Dan "I Sound Like I Just Go Off My Talk Radio Shift" Dakich), he'll be quite good.
January 17th, 2021 at 5:54 PM ^
Also of note, Paul VI Catholic (VA) is squaring up vs Sunrise Christian (KS) on ESPN 3 now.
PVI features 4star 22’ Offer Dug McDaniel (Michigan lean) + former target 5star Guard/Wing Trevor Keels.
SC features 5stars Kennedy Chandler + Kendall Brown and MSU commit Jaden Akins and a host of others.
January 17th, 2021 at 6:56 PM ^
Matt,
Im curious to your assessment of Dug McDaniel and how he fits in with Michigan going forward? I know you’ve talked about before how Michigan just wants to impose their will and power over people but so far Howard has had Simpson, Smith, potentially Collins and then maybe Dug at point guard. This isn’t taking anything away from those guys at all, I’m just curious how you think Dug fits in with Howard’s future style. Frankie is a phenomenal athlete for his height.
January 17th, 2021 at 7:26 PM ^
From an athletic perspective, Dug is Superior to Frankie in terms of First-step acceleration, straight line speed and overall agility. Frankie is the more explosive leaper that absorbs contact better.
Both are outstanding athletes, with similar skillsets in terms of collapsing the defense off the bounce and playmaking for teammates. Both are below average/average shooters.
Early on, Juwan wants to win with an athletic advantage that manifests in the open court and these two certainly fit the mold.
Frankie and Dug remind me a lot of the guards Pitino had at Louisville with Russ Smith + Siva in terms of physical profile + athleticism.
January 17th, 2021 at 7:32 PM ^
Ok, I guess I had misinterpreted some of your earlier comments as in he wants to physically overwhelm opponents and thought by size and strength. That makes more sense on the speed and ability to run the floor. Interesting break down on Dug’s ability. Thanks
January 17th, 2021 at 7:48 PM ^
Size + strength applicable as well. Juwan definitely wants to win via physical advantages as opposed to winning through the less mistakes route.
January 18th, 2021 at 10:11 AM ^
Akins went all the way to Kansas to find a new school to play for? Man, talk about getting as far away from Bates & Ypsi Prep as possible.
January 17th, 2021 at 7:53 PM ^
Paul Biancardi comparing Duren to Chris Webber...do want! He’s defended well against Diabate early.
January 17th, 2021 at 8:01 PM ^
Jalen Duren is the best HS prospect in America regardless of class regardless of what mainstream rankings may tell you.
The fact that Moussa can even blow by him facing up, even though Duren has recovered + blocked, means Diabate is elite in his own right.
January 17th, 2021 at 8:03 PM ^
My five cents. Houstan just has that calm and demeanor of a guy that will come in and contribute right away as a freshman. Moussa might need some early time coming off the bench.
As for Duren, he looks like the best player on the court. That size and passing skills. I will take him. As a catholic high Philly boy maybe Martelli has some contacts?!?
January 17th, 2021 at 8:11 PM ^
I’m a little curious on Houstan, does he drive to the basket or does he primarily sit on the three point line?
January 17th, 2021 at 8:19 PM ^
The announcers said don't underestimate his dribble drive and passing skills. I just noticed one nice assist, and he does definitely look to get it down to their stud in the box, but he certainly has the height to do some harm in the box.
As an update, the announcers compared him to Klay Thompson....which then begs the new version of your question....was Klay Thompson much of a dribble drive player at Washington State?
January 17th, 2021 at 8:23 PM ^
Starts out the third quarter with a drive to the basket.
January 17th, 2021 at 8:31 PM ^
Houstan is very much and catch + shoot type that attacks off the bounce from time to time.
Limited athlete with good positional size and awareness on defense.
Others project him as a potential one and done, but I don’t agree. Doesn’t have the overall agility/athleticism that NBA GMs covet from one and dones.
His comps (Danny Green, Cam Johnson, etc) all have one thing in common.....multiple years at the college level.
January 18th, 2021 at 12:01 PM ^
Cam Johnson is a good comp for Houstan. Both 6'8" PF who can shoot but are average at best athlete.
January 17th, 2021 at 8:21 PM ^
Diabate definitely looks athletic and quick. Will be a plus defender from day one.
January 17th, 2021 at 8:27 PM ^
Where are Bediako and Reid at?
January 17th, 2021 at 8:50 PM ^
They play for the post-grad IMG team
January 17th, 2021 at 9:03 PM ^
Ok thanks.
January 17th, 2021 at 8:32 PM ^
Houstan reminds me a lot of Franz. Lengthy and a shooter. So far I’ve seen him knock down his free throws, drain a 3, get a steal by disrupting a pass, and block a guy.
January 17th, 2021 at 8:35 PM ^
I can see that. The Klay Thompson and Paul George comparisons are good as well. I’ve only seen him drive once so I’m not sure much on that ability.
January 17th, 2021 at 8:39 PM ^
NOWHERE near a PG level player. PG was an ELITE level shot creator with great shiftiness + athleticism/agility even in college. Houstan has the look of an elite shooter but the PG comp isn’t something we should expect.
January 17th, 2021 at 8:44 PM ^
That was from Biancardi
January 17th, 2021 at 8:52 PM ^
Biancardi's analysis and player comps have been very suspect
January 17th, 2021 at 8:41 PM ^
I understand that Duren is a bit of a recruiting unknown....but just curious why Michigan (53%) is leading on Rivals fans projections of where he will go?
I watched Chris Webber play in high school and college and Duren certainly has a similar peripheral vision/passing skill that cannot be taught. He has had the best two passes of the game so far in my humble opinion. Would he be an amazing 2022 pick-up to replace a sophmore Hunter Dickinson.
January 17th, 2021 at 8:56 PM ^
Rivals fans projections
Michigan fans: there's a lot of us and we tend to be over confident lol
January 17th, 2021 at 8:50 PM ^
Houstan has been great so far. Great shooter, always in control, good at moving off ball, reminds me of Brooks on defense (but as a wing)
Diabate you can see his raw talent but is just kinda out of control
Jett is definitely a top 50 player and is solid on both ends
Dailey and Walker are both athletic wings with great upside
I want Duren so bad. He would be an absolute beast down low and with Juwan's coaching
January 17th, 2021 at 8:52 PM ^
Jarace Walker never saw a shot he didn’t like lol. Between him and Bates, nobody else shoots much.
January 17th, 2021 at 9:09 PM ^
I was impressed at how often Walker was out on the perimeter guarding smaller players. For his size, he has some good footwork. I agree though, he is not the guy you want as a high volume shooter. Course Moussa's shot selection left something to be desired as well.
January 17th, 2021 at 9:28 PM ^
It’s one game but I didnt see the one and done from either Diabate or Houstan. Duren I can see it from.
January 18th, 2021 at 10:37 AM ^
Best thing I saw in the game is how complete Houstan appears as a player. Sure, his strength is having the height and outside shot of a Duncan Robinson...but he got 16 points on 6 shots attempts (only 3 made) because he was constantly in motion and testing their defense. I can see him likewise making 8 of 11 free throws in college ball as well given the problems he would present for any defenders. He also seemed to constantly be in the right place on defense and had at least one blocked shots and a couple steals. Right at this moment, he may be the closest thing we have to a certain start on next year's squad (obviously in part because of the uncertain status of the existing starters).
January 18th, 2021 at 1:13 PM ^
I would love for him, Franz and Wagner to play together one year.