Thursday afternoon I headed out to “The Dav” so
that I could
get a look at the 08-09 Lobo Men’s Basketball team! I found out that
the Lobos
run conditioning drills (which I was taking a look at) 3 days,
weightlifting 2
other days, and they just “run” the 6th day. These are
“voluntary
workouts” and no basketball coaches are allowed, except for a strength
and
conditioning coach.
Sorry about photo quality, but I'm
sure you get the idea of where Will Brown is going with the rock!
So
I felt pretty lucky going out and taking a look at the
newest Lobos and even luckier to bring a video camera and a single shot
so you
all could get a look at these guys play!
The
first thing I wanted to see was how is the chemistry?
The Lobos are mixing in 6 new scholarship players. How do you mix these
guys
in? How will they be welcomed, as everyone’s role on the team will
change.
I really enjoyed
watching the interaction of the veteran players working with the
incoming
freshmen, and the freshmen not only working with one another, but
pressing the
older guys as well. I spoke with Dairese Gary about that and he said,
“I tell
these guys this year, what last year’s leaders told me. This is a
different
level than high school or AAU. You can’t come in expect to be great if
you
don’t work.” Sr. Daniel Faris said, “I’m a senior now so I believe you
automatically have to be a leader. I’ve been trying to show these guys
what I
know, and what they have to do, and they are great guys that listen and
want to
learn.”
So
onto the hoops… NCAA doesn’t allow the coaches to watch
or participate so it is conditioning first Click here to see some of
the
conditioning. Followed up with games. “We’re just having some
fun. We get
to run up and down and the coaches aren’t here to yell at you or get
into you,
kids Dairese Gary. “We’re just having fun getting to learn about each
other.
It’s been real good for us.”
Click here to see
TheRedMenace.com photo album of Thursday's run!
Just
some observations watching:
Daniel Faris- looks stronger and solid, he was able to body
up on newcomers Will Brown and AJ Hardeman prompting Mr. Hardeman to
say, “I’ve
got to get some weight on.” Daniel looks very solid down low and he
should as
he has a goal, “This is my last year. I need to get me a ring!”
Dairese Gary- The sophomore looks more comfortable this
year. He still has the ability to take the ball and use his body to
bully his
way into the paint, and this year there are so many weapons on the
wings, down
low, or trailing for him to really pile up the assist numbers. Was
great to
watch him continue to develop, “The coaches and seniors are really
helping me
establish myself as a better player and a floor leader, “says Gary.
Jonathan Wills- Wills was smooth Thursday evening with a
nice mid range jumper. Love the way he pulls up and knocks it down! The
mid
range pull up J has become such a lost art in basketball.
Tony Danridge- Awesome watching the “old
man” on this team
running with the pack! You could never tell he was coming off injury.
Will
Brown- I hate to do the “this guy is the man” already,
but Will is a solid 6-9 225 and you have to love his wingspan. He has
nice
movement around the hoop.
AJ
Hardeman- Lanky frosh had some blocked shots out there
Thursday night, and has great athleticism (like everyone on this team
does.)
Daniel
Faris said about his fellow big men, “these guys are
going to make me so much better. They are so athletic, they are big,
they are
quick, and they can run up and down the court… Really we are deep at
every
position and if you want to play, you’re going to have to practice hard
to
protect your spot.
Phillip
McDonald- Showed a nice inside/outside game. His
turn around jumper and fade away are sweeeettttt….
Curtis
Dennis- Still getting his altitude legs under him.
Showed flashes of athletic ability during the evening, and as he gets
used to
the air up here, he will just get better and better!
Roman Martinez and Chad Toppert are just solid contributors doing
their specialty. Both are heady players with great basketball smarts
that will
continue to help this program to greatness!
Nate
Garth- Like watching Nate play, he also displayed nice
athleticism and will continue to get better!
And you all thought the ‘boys of summer’ was about baseball…
Click here to see Lobo
practice video!
Okay
you've seen the video, click here to talk
about the Lobos!
I want
to thank Jay Blackman (UNM SID) making this all
happen and answering all my questions.