The roster of 12 for the USA U21 basketball squad was finalized Thursday, and Purdue fans, we have good news and bad news. The good news is that the belief that Hummel is one of the most-versatile and all-around solid players in the college game is becoming more-true every six-months. The bad news is that JaJuan's shortcomings seem to have kept him off of this Team USA.
Bo Ryan said,
"I don't want to take anything away from the guys who didn't make it, but the 12 who are on the final list are the ones that if you look at the overall picture — offense, defense, rebounding, things like that — this was the 12 that stood out."And while most Purdue fans asked at least one time during the '08/'09 season, "Why isn't JJ hitting the glass harder?" I think we all know the real reason why Ryan chose not to put Johnson on his roster- comfort level.
I mean, Coach Ryan, admittedly one of the best in the nation at getting the most out of a team, isn't used to having the most athletic big men on his roster...so, while he's right that JJ's still got some work to do make his game complete, he's still pretty damned good...and it's OK that he's not the type of player that Ryan likes to have at center.
Here's to JaJuan letting this minor setback motivate him to make a similar jump as he did in the off-season following the '07/'08 season.
Also, congrats to the Ostrich...stay healthy and kick some ass while in Europe, yo.
Two other BT standouts made the squad. aOSU's long, skilled SF, Evan Turner and PSU ultra-skilled PG, Talor Battle...also on the team, Washington F, Quincy Pondexter...His college team lost the last game they played to a bunch of lousy BT players in black and gold.
Roy Roundtree revisited
I just read that former Purdue verbal commit, Roy Roundtree was not on the two-deep chart at the end of spring practice at UM. That's good stuff, and big-time entertainment, if you ask me...especially when I look at what is currently on our Boiler's depth chart. So where would Roundtree be if he had stuck with his 4-month commitment to Purdue? We'll never know...but I can say this, I wish for Roundtree the same amount of success I wish to Scott Martin.
Non-Sports Awesomeness
If you haven't had the chance, check out the new Comedy Central Show, Tosh.O...especially his weekly Web Redemption segment...Sure, it's derivative of The Soup (fmr. Talk Soup), but Daniel Tosh is funny...and dumb people are funny...thus, this show is hilarious.
9 comments:
I heard JJ couldn't do the hambone and Bo didn't like that. It would've been great for JJ to be on that team and he sure improved from year 1 into year 2. I didn't realize how well Craig Brackins at Iowa St did last year. That guy had a better year 2 than JJ did...though JJ's improvement was good. I remember watching Brackins and ISU vs Purdue in Vegas at the Orleans a few years ago.
Would be great for Jajuan to improve from year 2 into year 3 in all categories, particularly rebounding. Is averaging 9+ a game asking too much? Or maybe just an improvement on the glass.
Sure am looking forward and hoping for great success from hoops team this season...especially with the Final 4 in Indy.
Scott Martin, B-Hansbrough, and the 'gody at ND.....How would you like to see a ND-Purdue final 4 matchup in Indy? Martin v. Hummel?
OK, OK maybe it would be sweet to see that...of course with Purdue winning....and Hummel dropping 40 on Martin, but do I even want to see ND get that far? Probably not, but sure would be an interesting match-up with Scott Martin on that team and all.
I don't think Taylor Battle is all that good, and expect it to become apparent this coming Big Ten season.
Agree on Roundtree. I hope he never sees the field.
I wonder if Talor Battle being on the national championship team helped him make the USA squad.
I'm impressed with Battle...he's quick, has a great first step and is a good shooter. But, he seemed a bit streaky.
In my opinion, JJ has to get a lot stronger to be a 9 reb/gm guy...and that might be tough for him until he gets a bit older...and his metabolism slows down. I think the lack of rebounding prowess will keep him from being a truly elite center, nationwide, at least for a few years...Perhaps we'll see him do that at Purdue, perhaps it will happen in the NBA...but I think it will happen, eventually.
I'd like to see UND make the PSU Invitational again next season.
JJ needs to take the summer and work on positioning and bulk up. I saw him get pushed around some in games against bigger guys. He is just so athletic that I think he can work around the size issue by working with a coach on footwork and rebounding skills. 20+ extra pounds wouldn't hurt either. He'll have to go on the 5,000 calorie diet. God, I miss those days...
Taylor Battle is the real deal, definitely deserving of the selection.
Didn't know if you guys saw this great Marcus Green story today.
http://purdue.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=956896
Great story.
Marcus seems like a good guy.
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