LMU Summer pick up report.

[ironlions]

Was able to catch some pick up in Gersten last night.


Corey Counts : A big fan of his since last year. Quick with a great outside shot which was on display a few times. I think he is a very solid back up PG. Highlight- deep jumpers, and out rebounding Chris Ayer

Max Craig : Not present- Hopefully at a big man camp somewhere.

Shawn Deadwiler: Was very happy to see S. Dot looked bigger and stronger. His getting much more lifts on his jumper which is good. I liked seeing his improved speed and toughness yesterday. Highlight- speed drive to the rack with a nice finish.

Marko Deric: Not present- Hopefully getting some toughness somewhere.

Tim Diederichs: Saw him last year at the Best of Summer. Looked strong with decent post moves…seemed a bit raw…but the pick up was mostly a guard’s game. He was doing well on the boards. Highlight- Battling for boards with Chris Ayer

Isaiah Jenkins : Very excited to see him play. A sweet smooth jumper and an affinity to taking it to the rack. He has a swagger and confidence that was great. Highlight- An array of outside shots, and sweet reverse.

Orlando Johnson: High arcing jumper from outside, very strong taking it to the rack…reminded me of watching Brandon Worthy playing his first summer. Similar to Worthy he will be hard to guard because of his strength. Highlight- Sweet spin move in the lane. Catching a one handed lob from Turner thrown from half court and slamming it down.

Chris Kanne : Was working hard, doing his thing.

Mason Maynard: A very nice surprise. Much bigger and stronger. His jumper was on, and he was hitting a lot of shots.

Joel Meyers: No present.

Terron Sutton: Present, but not playing.

Brad Sweezy: Smooth jumper, slasher in the lane. Seems to be very versatile. Highlight- A tip dunk over two people.

Quentin Turner: Seemed very undersized, but wow what speed. He was zooming around everywhere was not afraid to take in the lane. His outside shot was a bit unorthodox, but think we need him to run the team more. Highlight- A lob pass from mid court to OJ. Great handles.

Brandon Walker: Nice J, strong and playing great D.

Jon Ziri: was looking amazing. He was super strong and was killing everybody. I hope this game transfers into the season. Highlight- high flying dunks

I hope to be able to see more pick up and continue summer reports. ;D

Go Lions

[lmu]

Nice to know Chris Ayer is still with us. I always like him and wonder why steve agger didn't make him a starter. Here is a video of him walking by ignoring adam morrison. Priceless

Just watch the last 5 seconds of the video, ignore whatever happened in the first 3:32.

[fanblade]

Good ol' ammo.

LMU Summer pick up report Great writeup ironlions, this makes me feel very good about the upcoming season.

I had a chance to watch a few of the guys about a week ago and walked away really impressed. Got to agree with the S. Dot comments, he really impressed the group of us and Jenkins was raining 3's.

Diedrichs is going to be very good in the coming years, had a very effective spin move up front and was very quick. He was hard to ignore... but that could also be because he's so darn tall. Maynard was much bigger and look forward to seeing him next season. OJ created a lot of buzz because of his aggressiveness and size, he will improve in the coming years to be a real force.

Sutton was there but not playing and Ziri was not present. Glad to hear he was a beast though. We'll need him to show up big and I think he will.

Forgot to mention Doh' Miller was there! I didn't get to see him play because I had to leave but it was good seeing him back on the court he was coming in with Ayer.

[lionboy]

Nice Report. I saw the guys doing cardio workouts outside but not playing anything. I can't wait for madness at midnight and the season to begin. It seems like they will be a fun, mostly young, team to watch.

[ironlions]

Always nice to see hold players return...saw Dustin Brown a few weeks ago. And Brandon Worthy was watching pick up when I was there last.
Go Lions.

[lionspride]

ironlions said:

Shawn Deadwiler: Was very happy to see S. Dot looked bigger and stronger. His getting much more lifts on his jumper which is good. I liked seeing his improved speed and toughness yesterday. Highlight- speed drive to the rack with a nice finish.

This week I too was also able to catch a couple of sessions of pick up. Shawn seems to be showing a bit more improvement. I don't think he looked "bigger", but his agility seemed better.

Orlando Johnson is the real deal. Look for great and amazing things from this young star this year. I don't think it is too far fetched that he will carry this team along with Marco Deric. Orlando already has the body. The experience will come quickly.

B. Walker seems on his way. Look for some contributions from him.

I cannot tell you how excited I am for this upcoming season. It will have some ups and downs, but it will be exciting to see this team grow and develop. I truly think this team will surprise many people.

Go Lions!

__________________________________________
LIONSPRIDE SIGNATURE
How to increase attendance at LMU Basketball Games:
1) Tell someone you know that does not attend games and have them join you;
2) Call the athletic office and ask what they are doing to bring awareness of LMU basketball to the community (let alone its own student population)
3) Donate your tax deductible contribution specifically to LMU Men's Basketball and have it tagged for increased publicity.

LionsPride's answer to most things = attendance

[dead3man]

Interesting lionspride.

I'm going to have to take a trip out there next week to see with my own eyes because my reports are different than yours lionspride. I'll be there Weds, stop by and say high, I'm highly interested in understanding your assesments on how you break down players and expectations. I love chalk talk.

GO Lions and I'm so happy the guys are getting along and working hard. I hear they LOVE ROSCOE's after open gym each night and are BONDING well. Anyone have the schedule yet?

[fanblade]

That is good to hear he team is gelling. That'll be the key ingredient to our success this coming season.

Nice Preview up on lmulions.com (click the link to find the detailed official Preview Guide for the season too, many of the info is what we've been discussing over the past year all in one package)

Full Article: lmulions.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/072007aab.html

The term "Youth movement" is used often in the world of sports to describe teams or programs as being young. The term may never have a more appropriate meaning to a season than the one Loyola Marymount men's basketball is gearing up for in 2007-08. And for third year head coach Rodney Tention, that isn't necessarily a bad thing.

"We have some good young players coming into our program," said Tention. "And last year we dealt with so many injuries and ups-and-downs, the 2007-08 season is a welcome site."

LMU's 2007-08 season will feature a roster with nine freshman and sophomores, four juniors - one of which is an incoming transfer and two others are walk-ons - and just one senior in Jon Ziri. Let the Youth Movement begin.

"We are very excited for this season," said Tention, who had the Lions in the WCC Championship game his first season in 2006. "We have a young group of players who have the potential to gel into a good team."

Heading into the season the Lions will have to replace 75 percent of their offense and 64 percent of their rebounding. But that will not be a new experience for the Lions as 2006-07 was a test case in having to replace lost pieces to the puzzle.

The Lions lost leading scorer and preseason All-American Brandon Worthy 13 games into the season with an ACL injury, setting the tone for a season in which the Lions did not go more than seven games all season with the same starting line-up. LMU started the year 5-2 with the same starting rotation but from that point they used nine different players in 11 different combinations the final 23 games.


"At one point we had our two returning All-WCC players out at the same time for multiple games, something I had never experienced before at all levels of coaching," said Tention. [/b]"However, we kept working toward improving as a team each day and we really gave a lot of players a chance to get better and get a taste of what it takes to be successful."

The Lions finished the season 13-18 overall and 5-9 in the WCC, going 3-1 against Gonzaga and Santa Clara, the top two teams in the WCC. They also posted wins against Oral Roberts and New Mexico State, teams who went to the NCAA tournament.

"I think we experienced a little of everything last year, and it will be a big help to us moving into the upcoming year," said Tention.

Of the experience the Lions have, it will come from Ziri, who has played in 82 games as a Lion, and forward Marko Deric, a junior who has 50 games under his belt. The two combined to start 32 games last year with Deric starting down the stretch at center.

After Ziri and Deric, the Lions get young quick. Junior walk-on Corey Counts came up big down the stretch, playing 24 games and averaging 12 minutes per contest. However, he has played in just 27 games as a Lion. Also thrown into the fire last year were sophomores Mason Maynard (24 games), Max Craig (25 games) and Shawn Deadwiler (19 games). Each had break through moments as freshman but experienced the ups and downs of a first-year player. The trio will be asked to grow-up fast in 2007-08.

Returning from redshirt seasons will be freshman Terron Sutton and Brad Sweezy. Both are talented front-court players who coach Tention feels will play big roles in 2007-08.[/color]

Along with the group of second-year players, the Lions have an incoming class that will bear much of the load for the Lions in 2007-08 and in the future. The five-man class features Quentin Turner (G, 6-1, 180, Jr.-TR, Dickinson, TX), Isaiah Jenkins (G, 6-5, 200, Fr.-HS, Westchester HS), Brandon Walker (G, 6-3, 190, Fr.-HS, Bishop O'Dowd HS), Tim Diedrichs (F, 6-9, 225, Fr.-HS, Snohomish HS) and Orlando Johnson (G/F, 6-5, 205, Fr.-HS, Palma HS). Turner is the lone transfer of the group, coming from Motlow State (Tenn.) Community College.

"Our second-year players along with our new class will have to play big minutes for us," said Tention. "How quickly they pick-up the speed of the college game at the Division I level and how quickly they gel together will be the key to our season. They are all very capable of leading us to good things."

The youth of the Lions does come in as one of the more decorated classes in recent years. Turner was named all-league by the Tennessee Junior and Community College Athletic Association. Jenkins was an all-city selection for two straight years at local power Westchester. Diederichs was an All-State selection in Washington, while Walker and Johnson were named their league's Player of the Year. Walker was a first-team All-Bay Area while Johnson first-team All-Monterey County.

With such a young squad, the starting line-up could feature a mixture of players that weren't even in Lion uniforms a year ago when the season begins at UC Irvine on Friday, Nov. 9. And starting with UCI, the Lions schedule is not one for the faint of heart.

[golions03]

[Max Craig : Not present- Hopefully at a big man camp somewhere.]

Not big man camp. Member of Team Canada for the U-19 championships. His stat's won't jump out at you, hopefully he has gotten some good work out there.

www.serbia2007.fiba.com

Also in attendence was Gonzaga's Matt Bouldin and St. Mary's recruit Patt Mills.

[smc4]

Nice update golions03. Too bad he couldn't provide an impact for Canada.

[ironlions]

Pick up report part 2:

There was a whole bunch of players in the gym last night including:

Matty Knight, Chris Ayers, Doh Miller, Dustin Brown

Scott Cutley- Weschester player we recruited but choose Kent State...then transfered to Cal St Fullerton. ( Bad choice by him)
Marcus Johnson- Westchester player, four star recruit current player on Uconn. Maybe Isaiah can get him to transfer!!!
Smush Parker- Lakers...not really a big fan of he Lakers, but he seemed like a cool guy.

A lot of other randoms.

Some basic notes_____________

Brady Sweezy-looked great last night...he is got some hops for sure. He had one really sick baseline dunk which had the gym get hype.
Orlando- can't wait to see him this season...I sure he will get some WCC honors. Could be a candidate for Fresh man of the year...but there are alot of great incoming players ( Daye from the Zags...Shelly for Pep...Mills for SMC...)
Brandon Walker- noticed he has a real nice J. He is a lefty too. He had a real battle going against Marcus Johnson of Uconn
Tim Diedrich- I really like his hustle, and work ethic- I think he will be a very nice addition.
Sutton- Seems to have a sprained knee injury...wish I could see him play before summer is over...he will need him to be tough in the lane for us...Marco needs to get more aggressive and gritty.

Go Lions.

[fanblade]

ironlions said:

Marcus Johnson- Westchester player, four star recruit current player on Uconn. Maybe Isaiah can get him to transfer!!!

[dead3man]

Have to catch one next week, my Weds just feel apart. I'm dying not being able to see some pick up this summer.

Go B. Sweezy, sounds like the knee and sitting out the year has helped alot....

Dunk on them ALL!..... Love it....

[dead3man]

I spent a lot of time on campus this Friday thru Tuesday and watched a lot of basketball.

I have tons of comments forthcoming.

I will say this before hand, I WAS IMPRESSED and I know sports having been in or around them all my life. The coaching STAFF is EXCITED! I'm not going to individualize "ONE" player I'm going to write up my feelings and you guys/gals can take it for what its worth.

Someone mentioned that they should put the whole Freshmen class on the ticket, NO they need to put the whole team on the TICKETS because this year theme is about youth and every player on the LMU squad. Not the Big Names of Brandon Worthy or Matthew Knight nor am I trying to take away from what those guys meant to LMU but this is a new era and everyone should be excited about each and every players potential, progress and their bond/chemistry within the team (And lots More).

I tell you what let someone take this team lightly this year because there young and they will leave with a big FAT loss on there record.

The only players I did not get to see play was:

T. Sutton - nursing a sprained knee
M. Derick - not in town
M. Craig - US Canada U19 Team

Wow with those pieces from what I saw, yeah this year will be exciting but next year I think LMU takes over the WCC. Bold words but I know my words and I know my son we've always stepped up to a challenge and I know this TEAM will do so also.

Long story short, I had a great time and came back excited. Last year I went on the Media reports about being good and the return of two stars, well there are no stars just players about to become stars and very hungry to be one.

Can I say I saw NO FEAR from any player playing, just hard nose get it DONE type balling.

Even saw LOCK defense being played in an open gym go figure.

[ironlions]

I'm also really excited about the start of the season. Aside from the Gonzaga and St. Mary's I think the WCC is wide open. Prime picking for a tough hard working team like us to succeed in.

Go Lions.