Montlake Madness » Reeves Nelson

2011/12 Pac-12 Preview: UCLA

Themod — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:33:27 +0000

by: John Chase

UCLA finished second in the conference last season with a 13-5 record and 24-11 overall. The Bruins will be a scary team this season. With six returning seniors, Josh Smith, and the Wear twins, UCLA will have a lot of talent especially in the front court.

They will be tall, strong, and skilled. A very dangerous combination that makes them the clear front runner in the Pac-12 and likely a top 20 to top 15 team. Their guard play may be slightly weaker than in previous seasons with the early departure of Malcolm Lee (he went in the second round to the Chicago Bulls and then was traded to Minnesota) and Tyler Honeycutt (picked in the second round by Sacramento).

UCLA brings in 3 new freshmen as well as gaining the eligibility of the Wear twins to pump up their roster. They have 6 players standing 6-8 or taller, including 4 players at 6-10. No one is shorter than 6-0 on the team.

Key Losses:

Malcolm Lee, 6-5 200lb - Lee was a great PG and SG talent for the Bruins. He was second in scoring behind Reeves Nelson at 13 points per game as well as dishing out 2 assists per outing. His outside shot was a little suspect at only 30%, but he had a dangerous slashing drive attack that gave him a lot of opportunities in the key. Lee had great ball handling and defensive skills that made a huge mismatch for opposing point guards. He had the height to shoot over smaller guards and the speed to move around stronger opponents. Big loss for the Bruins. Lazeric Jones and Jermine Anderson will have to step up their games to fill the gap.
Tyler Honeycutt, 6-8 188lb - Honeycutt was third in scoring for the Bruins at nearly 13 points per game. He was second in rebounding behind Reeves Nelson and ahead of Josh Smith. In my mind, Honeycutt could have used another year to develop his game, but he and the NBA decided they were ready and it probably has a lot to do with his height. Honeycutt did struggle at times against solid defenders and against UW he had trouble getting open shots (he went 4-12 and 0-6 from the field in two games against UW). Honeycutt is very similar to UW’s Terrance Ross in that he has a wide skill set from outside shooting to driving the lane and crashing the boards. Brendan Lane and Tyler Lamb will likely try to fill the hole left by Honeycutt.

Incoming Freshmen:

Khalid McCaskill, 6-6 190lb - A new walk-on for the Bruins, replacing Alex Schrempf who has transferred to UW but will not play this season. McCaskill is known for his driving abilities, but also possesses a decent jump shot. I suspect McCaskill will redshirt or see very little if any play time. Even with a lack of talented depth in the back court, McCaskill is a ways back in the line-up.
Norman Powell, 6-3 200lb - Powell is a slash and drive guard first and foremost. His mid-range and 3 point shot are still in development, but with his speed and athleticism he can create opportunities for himself and others in the open court. Powell will play the 2 as his ball handling skills are rough when going to his left, something that a 1 guard needs to be able to do. Give Powell a year or two to fine tune his game and he’ll be a much better guard for the Bruins.

Returning Players:

Kenny Jones 6-0 190lb
Lazeric Jones 6-0 187lb
Tyler Trapani 6-0 190lb
Nick Kazemi 6-0 175lb
Jermine Anderson 6-2 183lb
Larry Drew II 6-2 190lb
Matt DeMarcus 6-3 203lb
David Brown 6-3 185lb
Tyler Lamb 6-5 200lb
De’End Parker 6-6 215lb
Reeves Nelson 6-8 235lb
Brendan Lane 6-9 223lb
Anthony Stover 6-10 235lb
David Wear 6-10 225lb
Travis Wear 6-10 220lb
Josh Smith 6-10 305lb

Parker is a JC transfer who averaged about 12 points and 6 rebounds per game. A solid prospect with two remaining years of eligibility, Parker should contribute almost immediately at the 3 position.

Smith still remains to be overweight and out of shape, which greatly limits his ability to contribute in transition plays and often led to sloppy fouls when defending outside the post.

Between Nelson and the Wear twins, the Bruins have the strongest 4 and 5, possibly, in the nation. A lot of rebounding and post scoring ability to be sure. Nelson is a work horse who is the returning leading scorer for UCLA at nearly 14 per game and a team high 9 rebounds. Nelson will likely average a double double next season much like former UW star Jon Brockman. I like Nelson for a possible Pac-12 Player of the Year candidate.

Predicted Starting Line-Up

G – Lazeric Jones, 6-0 187lb
G – Jermine Anderson, 6-2 183lb (After his two game suspension for theft)
G/F – Tyler Lamb, 6-5 200lb
F – Reeves Nelson, 6-8 235lb
C – Josh Smith, 6-10 305lb

What to Expect:

Smith and Nelson will be the leading scorers and rebounders this season, without a doubt. Smith uses his weight to make up for his lack of agility in the post to score against defenders. Aziz N’Diaye will need to keep his foul situation under control against UCLA to prevent Smith from dominating inside.

UCLA has a tough tournament ahead in Maui (which UW participated in last year). UCLA’s success will largely depend on how well the backcourt can move the ball around to feed it inside where their true strength lies.

Expect UCLA to dominate a lot of smaller teams and, even in conference play, they should find a few teams they can push around at will. Teams can beat UCLA by excellent guard play and defense, preventing the ball from moving inside.

UW should be able to compete, but I expect a series split this season with each team winning at their home court. I can’t see UCLA losing to many games in conference and should finish no lower than third, though finishing lower than second in conference should be considered disappointing considering the talent on the team.

Five Impact Bigs Coming to the Pac-10 This Year

Themod — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:00:19 +0000

We’ve written before that we think calling the Huskies’ frontcourt a “weakness” is an overstatement. But it’s hard to argue that, since our guard play is likely to be our biggest strength, there are some questions about the ability of our frontcourt to score, rebound and defend as well as we have in years past.

We’re still more than a month away, but we’ll start previewing different elements of the upcoming season in the coming weeks. Our goal is to prepare you to watch both the Huskies and our Pac-10 opponents with as much insight and background as possible.

So, with that in mind, here are five big men new to the conference this season who will do their best to give fits to Quincy Pondexter, Matthew Bryan-Amaning, Darnell Gant, and the rest of the Husky frontcourt:

Alex Stepheson – USC
6’9″, 235, Jr. (transferred from North Carolina)

Stepheson was a role player on UNC’s 2008 Final Four team, averaging 4.3 points and 4.5 rebounds, before sitting out last season as part of the transfer process. The only player in the conference not wearing a Bruins uniform with Final Four experience, Stepheson could step in and immediately be the Trojans’ most productive player after Dwight Lewis.

With Leonard Washington ineligible for the first half of the season, Stepheson should start from day one for the Trojans and projects as a double-double threat. If Stepheson does indeed live up to the high expectations of him coming out of high school (he was Scout.com’s #55 player in the 2006 class, ahead of Wayne Chism, Russell Westbrook, and Luke Harangody), the Trojans can be a little better than many are projecting them to be. Maybe not good, but a little better.

Reeves Nelson – UCLA
6’8″, 225, Fr. (Modesto, CA)

Nelson could eventually be the heir apparent to Jon Brockman as the conference’s best rebounder. He’ll have to prove he can do it at this level, of course, and also prove that a torn meniscus suffered playing football in late 2008 has healed completely. The word on Nelson is that he’s big enough and tough enough to contribute immediately at Westwood.

Even if not this season, Nelson should prove a force to be reckoned with on the boards for the Bruins and develop into a consistent scorer in the post as well.

Kreal (Kyryl) Natyazhko – Arizona
6’9″, 250, Fr. (Ukraine)

It will be a surprise if Natyazhko doesn’t start for the Wildcats right away, since he’ll be the most talented center on the roster almost by default. Effective scoring from the outside and the post, Kreal won’t be expected to produce too much on the offensive end early on. Coach Sean Miller will instead look for his new center for rebounding and shot-blocking, and to improve on defense, thought to be his biggest weakness.

If he can put together a nice freshman year, expect whispers of Natyazhko leaving early for the NBA, possibly after the 2010/11 season, given the fact that he’s already got a nearly NBA-ready body.

Markhuri Sanders-Frison – Cal
6’8″, 265, Jr. (South Plains JC)

With Jordan Wilkes departing, Sanders-Frison likely slots in as the Bear’s man in the middle. This gives Cal the enforcer it mostly lacked last year, when Harper Kamp tried to play that role, but is just too unathletic to be counted on as a starter on a team with championship aspirations.

Sanders-Frison is expected to clog the middle, work on the boards, and even occasionally pop out for a fifteen-footer. Most of his offense, though, will come right around the basket where he’ll get opportunities on put-backs and dishes from Cal’s talented backcourt.

Brock Motum – Washington State
6’9″, 215, Fr. (Australia)

With only two returning players on the roster taller than 6’7″, the 6’9″ Motum will find himself teaming with DeAngelo Casto in the frontcourt early in his tenure at Wazzu. The most productive player on Australia’s U19 team, Motum projects as more of a finesse big man than departing Aron Baynes.

If Motum can translate his scoring ability (13.6 ppg for the Australian U19 team) to the Pac-10, he could team with Klay Thompson and DeAngelo Casto to give Ken Bone the offensive talent he needs to install a slightly less deliberate style in Pullman.

Hey, thanks for coming!

Reconnaissance Mission: UCLA Junior Guard, Spencer Soo

Themod — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 12:00:35 +0000

For the next in our series of opposing player interviews, called “Reconnaissance Mission,” I had the opportunity to speak with Spencer Soo, a 5’8″ guard from UCLA. Soo will be starting his junior season this year, playing again as a walk-on. Soo only appeared in six games last season, but is a fan favorite at Pauley Pavilion, in part at least for his ridiculous ability to do things like this.

Montlake Madness: UCLA has had a lot of guys leave in the last couple of years for the NBA. Explain how this season’s team will have a different makeup than last year’s squad.

Spencer Soo: Besides youth, there really isn’t any change in the team’s makeup. Our coaches do a great job recruiting all around great guys. The team is still the same UCLA players as far as hustle, toughness, heart, and passion.

MM: Who are the two or three guys that need to have big years for UCLA to compete for the Pac-10 title?

SS: As you already know, it’s going to take team effort to capture the Pac-10 title. Leadership from our seniors Roll, Keefe, and Dragovic is a must considering we are a young team. But I am expecting great things out of sophomore Malcolm Lee and freshman Mike Moser.

MM: Who’s been the freshman to impress you the most so far when you’ve played together this off-season?

SS: I actually just got back from a trip to Seattle this past summer. I visited my friend Quincy Pondexter and I got to play with a lot of previous Huskies.

I am impressed with them all (our freshmen). They all have an intense passion for the game and are very competitive. However, I am most impressed with Moser and Reeves Nelson.

MM: Malcolm Lee is a guy who didn’t put up big numbers last season, but is becoming a trendy pick to challenge for a spot on the all-conference team. Explain why his potential is so great.

SS: Malcolm is a special player. He kind of reminds me of another Russell Westbrook. Russ didn’t put up the best numbers or even minutes his first year, and look what happened after his second. Malcolm has worked hard over the summer in the weight room and in the gym, and it is paying off. He will be an explosive player for us.

MM: You’ve got ridiculous hops for a shorter guard. I know your playing time was limited during your first two seasons, but have you gotten a chance to throw down in a game yet?

SS: I have not yet tried to throw one down. To me, two points is two points. Although, I feel if I were to dunk in a game, it would end up on Sportscenter: “5’8″ walk-on dunks.” I am not really worried about getting one though, I’m just excited to be on the floor representing UCLA.

MM: I would imagine that every player wants to earn more time on the floor. You may have an opportunity to play a little more just by virtue of what some feel is a lack of depth at the PG position. What do you need to do personally to earn more time on the floor?

SS: I have to keep working hard. It’s simple. But for the most part, my role the past couple of years has been to make my teammates better in practice.

MM: Do you have aspirations to make basketball a career after school?

SS: Actually, I do. I do feel my height has its major disadvantages, and to play in the NBA would be awesome, but it’s not very realistic for me. After college, I will look into the Asian leagues. I just want to play basketball as long as I can — I love it. I will graduate with a degree from UCLA, and I understand the nine-to-five job will always be there; my athleticism won’t.

MM: There’s a lot of guys out there around 5’8″ who would love to be able to dunk — if for no other reason than to impress the ladies! — As someone who can, what can they do to increase their chances?

SS: I believe I can jump high due to all the stretching I’ve done in my life. I had 10 years under my belt with Tae Kwon Do, and I am very flexible.

So, my advice to anyone that wants to jump higher is to set attainable goals, stretch as often as possible, and practice jumping (play as much ball as possible).

MM: Tell me about playing for Ben Howland. Best thing? Worst thing?

SS: The best: He knows what he’s talking about, and has a passion for the game. His attention to detail is another thing that I admire.

The worst: His attention to detail points out our mistakes, but it’s only to make us better.

MM: Finally, do you guys currently on the team pay much attention to the recruiting stuff? For instance, UCLA and UW are duking it out for Josh Smith, a guy from up here near UW. Is that even on your radar, or do you just wait it out and see who your teammates will be when guys commit?

SS: We let the coaches handle the recruiting. We focus on the team that we do have, and build on the relationships that are in front of us.

MM: So, no awareness at all of the HS landscape?

SS: Not really.

Hey, thanks for coming!