My body doesn't respond well to getting up at 5 a.m. for Wake basketball practice. . . just thought I'd share that off the top.
- Coach Manning and Keyshawn Woods spoke to us before practice, at about 6:15 a.m. (have I mentioned it was early?), and I'll have both those interviews up for you folks later today.
- "Big Sam," Sam Japhet-Mathias is with the team now and fully practicing. He's listed at 6-11, 275 but I've heard rumblings (no pun intended) that he's more in the 290 range. Big physical body that moves well in the post. Seems to have a nice touch in the paint and seems pretty focused on taking in the coaching he's receiving.
- Overwhelming thought is that the Deacs have added a lot of shooters, and should immediately have sizeable increases in 3-pt and FT shooting this season. Most lineups will likely feature guys that have to be guarded on the perimeter in the 1-4 spots on the floor, which will open up driving lanes and post passes. Offensively, I look for this team to be much improved by the time the season gets here.
- Along those lines, Donovan Mitchell even looked comfortable shooting from long range, and that was a guy largely thought to be more of a defensive specialist. Playing time this season will be fascinating, for we all know coach Manning likes to use a deep rotation. He should be able to play 8-10 comfortably, without getting to the Trent Van Horns or Greg McClintons (no offense to either of those guys).
- Bryant Crawford is flat-out a competitor. You can tell this guy hates to lose. Even in the 20-minute, half-court organized scrimmage today, Crawford was making a push at the end to come out on top. He's going to be a fun one to watch in the coming years.
- Pretty balanced scoring in the scrimmage. No one player or group of players stood out. Keyshawn Woods showed a nice presence, and generally knew to be in the right spot at the right time.
- Coach Manning stressed the importance of giving 100 percent for each possession and each practice rep, reminding the team, for instance, that one possession can easily be the difference in a ballgame, citing the home game last year against Virginia as evidence.
