For those that did not know, or attend, K-State had an open scrimmage earlier Saturday. I know many are going to focus on the football game, so I'll just share some quick observations on each player. It was a scrimmage of mixed squads so this will just be a player breakdown.
There will be another scrimmage next Saturday after the football game.
1 - Carlbe Ervin: Did not participate. He's been banged up on and off this summer and early practice. He had his knee scoped this summer so I imagine it's taking a little bit to get back to full strength.
3 - Kamau Stokes: I've heard a lot of good things about this kid heading into the scrimmage and let's just say he didn't disappoint. He probably was the second best on the floor next to Wesley Iwundu, and was easily the best newcomer out there by a long shot. He's got a nice feel for the game, and while he didn't hit all of his jumpers, he's not afraid to pull the trigger. It was one scrimmage, but the point guard play looks to be heading in the right direction.
4 - D.J. Johnson: It was good to see D.J. back on the court. It was a long journey to get back, that's for sure. Johnson is what he is and was exactly that in the scrimmage. He hustled and rebounded. He looks a little leaner than before, too. He didn't play a ton because the staff is easing him into more and more so he doesn't rush and get hurt again.
5 - Barry Brown: Incredibly nervous. That's about the best way to put it. He stepped out of bounds twice, lost control of it once and missed nearly every shot. This is not the same reports I had been hearing. Brown has actually been really good from what I've been told. Today was not that day.
10 - Isaiah Maurice: Maurice is definitely raw. He has some game, though, and even shot a three. He's a big body that needs more development physically and skill set wise. Other than that, I thought he was pretty serviceable and can rebound in traffic.
12 - Mason Schoen: Steady practice player. He likes to defend.
13 - Zach Winter: Did not play with an undisclosed injury.
14 - Justin Edwards: Did not play. He's a little nicked up right now, but he should be back very, very soon. Maybe see him next weekend soon.
15 - Dante Williams: Did not play. He just got out of the boot not too long ago so he's just now running and getting back into shape. I would image he would be close or getting there by the time the season starts in a month.
23 - Ron Freeman: I was actually pretty surprised by Freeman and in a good way. He might not know what to do within the offense all of the time, but he has a good looking shot with nice elevation and a pretty release. He needs to get bigger and he will learn more as time goes on, but his shot mixed with his athleticism has some pretty decent potential.
24 - Pierson McAtee: He will redshirt this year, but the local Manhattan product looked to enjoy getting out there. He's much bigger than what he was in high school, already up about 25 pounds. He comes in and hustles. You can't ask for much more than that right now.
25 - Wesley Iwundu: The boy is starting to become a man. He was by far the best player on the court. He finished at the rim, knocked down a jumper, which looks much better and has more arch, got rebounds and definitely improved his handles. He has made some strides in his game and carries himself pretty well on the court. It was nice to see.
32 - Dean Wade: Did not play for an undisclosed reason. I'm guessing a minor injury.
33 - Brian Rohleder: You're always going to get a lot of hustle out of Rohleder. And on Saturday, K-State got that and point guard play. Yes, the senior was actually running the point. He didn't do too bad.
35 - Austin Budke: I've heard some pretty decent things about him at practice and he definitely is one of those walk ons that brings size and a little game to the table. He's definitely serviceable, if anything. He might even play a little. Threw down the best dunk of the scrimmage.
41 - Stephen Hurt: Trimmed about 10 pounds and still looks pretty fluid out there. He needs to get more physical on the defensive end but he looked pretty good rebounding. It will be up to K-State on how they want to use him offensively.
There will be another scrimmage next Saturday after the football game.
1 - Carlbe Ervin: Did not participate. He's been banged up on and off this summer and early practice. He had his knee scoped this summer so I imagine it's taking a little bit to get back to full strength.
3 - Kamau Stokes: I've heard a lot of good things about this kid heading into the scrimmage and let's just say he didn't disappoint. He probably was the second best on the floor next to Wesley Iwundu, and was easily the best newcomer out there by a long shot. He's got a nice feel for the game, and while he didn't hit all of his jumpers, he's not afraid to pull the trigger. It was one scrimmage, but the point guard play looks to be heading in the right direction.
4 - D.J. Johnson: It was good to see D.J. back on the court. It was a long journey to get back, that's for sure. Johnson is what he is and was exactly that in the scrimmage. He hustled and rebounded. He looks a little leaner than before, too. He didn't play a ton because the staff is easing him into more and more so he doesn't rush and get hurt again.
5 - Barry Brown: Incredibly nervous. That's about the best way to put it. He stepped out of bounds twice, lost control of it once and missed nearly every shot. This is not the same reports I had been hearing. Brown has actually been really good from what I've been told. Today was not that day.
10 - Isaiah Maurice: Maurice is definitely raw. He has some game, though, and even shot a three. He's a big body that needs more development physically and skill set wise. Other than that, I thought he was pretty serviceable and can rebound in traffic.
12 - Mason Schoen: Steady practice player. He likes to defend.
13 - Zach Winter: Did not play with an undisclosed injury.
14 - Justin Edwards: Did not play. He's a little nicked up right now, but he should be back very, very soon. Maybe see him next weekend soon.
15 - Dante Williams: Did not play. He just got out of the boot not too long ago so he's just now running and getting back into shape. I would image he would be close or getting there by the time the season starts in a month.
23 - Ron Freeman: I was actually pretty surprised by Freeman and in a good way. He might not know what to do within the offense all of the time, but he has a good looking shot with nice elevation and a pretty release. He needs to get bigger and he will learn more as time goes on, but his shot mixed with his athleticism has some pretty decent potential.
24 - Pierson McAtee: He will redshirt this year, but the local Manhattan product looked to enjoy getting out there. He's much bigger than what he was in high school, already up about 25 pounds. He comes in and hustles. You can't ask for much more than that right now.
25 - Wesley Iwundu: The boy is starting to become a man. He was by far the best player on the court. He finished at the rim, knocked down a jumper, which looks much better and has more arch, got rebounds and definitely improved his handles. He has made some strides in his game and carries himself pretty well on the court. It was nice to see.
32 - Dean Wade: Did not play for an undisclosed reason. I'm guessing a minor injury.
33 - Brian Rohleder: You're always going to get a lot of hustle out of Rohleder. And on Saturday, K-State got that and point guard play. Yes, the senior was actually running the point. He didn't do too bad.
35 - Austin Budke: I've heard some pretty decent things about him at practice and he definitely is one of those walk ons that brings size and a little game to the table. He's definitely serviceable, if anything. He might even play a little. Threw down the best dunk of the scrimmage.
41 - Stephen Hurt: Trimmed about 10 pounds and still looks pretty fluid out there. He needs to get more physical on the defensive end but he looked pretty good rebounding. It will be up to K-State on how they want to use him offensively.
