About two months ago, I chimed in with some early thoughts on this team. Wondering how we've progressed since then, I took a look back at them. Here's what I was thinking then, and my thoughts since then:
1a) Brunson can ball. He is easily the most under control freshman guard that I have ever seen at Villanova. Let's see how that holds up over the course of the season when he gets pressed more, but he more than looks the part. The ball-handling/passing are elite. He can score it from anywhere, so he'll command attention. He is fearless in the lane. Seems to me that he has a lot of Lowry in his game without the elite quickness.
Still think this way, although he has had the typical freshman "Welcome to the Big Leagues Kid" moments. A bit of an overreaction comparing him to Lowry - he isn't afraid to take it to the rim, but doesn't finish with the same intensity. That said, he's averaging 10 pts and almost 3 assists on a team with an established, senior PG and is shooting 81% on FT. Not sure anyone wouldn't have taken that at the beginning of the season.
1b) The above said, to me, Jalen is nothing close to a one and done player. He is a good, but far from great, shooter. He is nowhere near as big as Arch, who is only 6'3", and doesn't look bigger than Booth to me either. DO NOT GET ME WRONG -- I love his game and I see why he was so highly ranked. But I do not see at all how he can be a first round pick in the draft this year. It would not surprise me, at all, to see him picked in the lottery down the line. But I can't agree, at this point, with anyone suggesting that he is gone after this year.
Think this way even more now, although I think that is becoming apparent to most who watch him. He might be an NBA guard in a couple years, but not now.
2) For those criticizing Jenkins after last night, you were obviously not watching the game on the defensive end. That was one of the best defensive/rebounding efforts I have ever seen Kris Jenkins give. His effort on block-outs down low was tremendous. Even when he didn't get rebounds, he cleared his man out of the lane so one or more of his teammates could. Defensively he stayed in front of his man and made things tough on whoever he was guarding. If he gives us that kind of effort all season, he is FAR from a liability. His shots are going to fall eventually -- it is the effort on the other end that he needs to pick up, and he did that last night.
For some reason, the shots haven't fallen yet (from deep). Not sure I really understand why. His form looks fine, and shot selection hasn't really been an issue that I can see. Still think he is going to find his form eventually, but I'm surprised it hasn't happened yet. Defense has been pretty good. He hasn't grabbed the rebounds I thought he might. But he's a starter on a first place, 14-2 team, so let's not panic yet.
3) I like Donte D's enthusiasm and hustle, but I think he is a year away. Thought he was very skittish with the ball last night. It seems like he needs some time to get used to this level of play. Of course, he'll have that luxury this year.
The injury hasn't really let us see how DD is developing, so more of an incomplete on this one. I will say, though, that before he got hurt, he put together a couple pretty nice efforts, so that was encouraging. Hope he comes back strong and Jay gives him some run.
4) Reynolds is noticeably bigger this year. Hit the weight room hard in the offseason. Still have my doubts about whether he is really trustworthy enough to play 10-15 minutes, but you can tell that he worked in the offseason.
Still noticeably bigger, but still not a factor offensively and he can't guard frontline bigs in the Big East. He is rebounding, though, and he's only a bench/role guy. No need to worry too much here.
5) Hart's line - 19 pts/5 rebounds/4 steals. An all-around threat.
Best player in the Big East not named Kris Dunn. Not sure this is really an arguable point - you might say Ellenson is there, but I'll take Josh. There is not a college basketball team in America that Josh Hart wouldn't get major minutes for. One of the best recruits of the Jay Wright era.
6) The team doesn't lack for leadership. Arch and Chef have picked up right where Hilliard and JVP left off last season, with Jenkins and Hart in strong understudy roles. The JW hierarchy remains strong.
Very much still true, although you can see Hart taking a leadership role right alongside Arch and DO. Jay's culture breeds leadership.
