Game Recap

Dayton entered this ESPN televised game 22-5 on the season and undefeated in the month of February. Their perfect month continued after beating Davidson 89-82 in OT.  

Davidson used their inside play, shooting, and the home crowd to keep them in it. Dayton tried to make it a running game and used their athleticism. This one was back and forth from the start and both teams attacked the basket early and often resulting in a lot of whistles. Both teams ended up in the bonus early and 28 FT’s were shot in the 1st half. Davidson really struggled defending Dayton’s motion pick and roll attack while Dayton struggled to guard Davidson patient half court offense.  Davidson lead most the 1st half behind 19 points from Peyton Aldridge but it was Dayton who used a flurry of baskets to take the 46-45 lead at the half.

The 2nd half was back and forth with neither team able to really take a big lead or take control. Both teams struggled with turnovers. Davidson was finally able to make a run and their lead got as high as 11 with 7:58 left before FT’s by Charles Cooke ended Dayton’s drought.  This prompted a 17-5 run for Dayton to tie it up and then Scoochie Smith scored 11 points in OT to help Dayton get the win.


Scouting Reports

Davidson

Peyton Aldrige, F, JR, 6-8

Peyton Aldridge had it going early tonight and it continued all game. He was hitting 3’s, scoring on the block, rebounding, and blocking shots. He looks better and better every game. He finished with 27 points and 7 rebounds.  

 Jack Gibbs, G, SR, 6-0

Struggled early on but finished strong and played well most of the game. Played solid defense tonight and made plays. Wa able to get the rim area practically at will to draw fouls. Finished with 27 points. 

Dayton

Charles Cooke, G, R-SR, 6-5

Leads team in scoring at over 16 per contest and finished with 17 tonight. . Super long and athletic. Can put the ball down and get to the rim w/ 1 dribble and finish. Has a great looking stroke and can hit the 3 ball with consistency. High motor guy who defends. 

Kendall Pollard, F, SR, 6-6

Really solid body that he uses to get deep position on the block where he can score with either hand. Has some Draymond Green in him but doesnt shoot the 3. Handles the ball decently well for his size. 

Scoochie Smith, G, SR, 6-2

Leads team in assists per game and is 3rd in scoring. Can turn the corner off the pick and roll and is an excellent passer. Showed his scoring ability in the OT period by scoring 11 points. 

Xeyrius Williams, F, SO, 6-8

One of the best potential filled prospects on the court. Has really good length. Runs the floor hard. Showed he could hit the set open 3.

 

Game Scouted: Davidson vs George Washington

Davidson wins 74-63

Peyton Aldridge, F, 6’8”, 225 lbs, JR

Stats- 40 minutes, 11-23 FG, 3-5 3 pt, 2-2 FT, 8 reb, 2 assists, 3 steals, 27 pts

Strengths

Tremendous footwork on the block. Showcased a variety of moves where he displayed good patience, change of speeds, ability to slide dribble, and showed he could finish with either hand. Really good hook shot with either hand.

Has a good shooting stroke and can extend the court out to 3. Showed he could shoot it off the dribble. Can easily create his own dribble.

Runs the floor well at both ends. Good rebounder who attacks boards with 2 hands on both sides of the ball. Keeps rebounds alive by tipping the ball when he cant secure it. Can lead the break with the dribble after rebounding it.

Hedges screens pretty well defensively. Hedges out with hands high.

Weaknesses

Lacks some explosion.  Could stand to gain about 15-20 more pounds which would help him hold his ground on the block and finish better too. He gets bumped off of driving lanes at times as well. Solid post defender but not a rim protecter. 

Overall

Talks on the court and is a leader on both ends directing traffic. Is in great shape- can play extended minutes without showing lapses. Plays hard in those minutes.

Matched up tonight against GW’s Tyler Cavanaugh and won the matchup. 

Peyton is a player who has been on NBA radars since his freshman year. He will have to continue to get stronger and keep showing he can play the stretch 4 to move up with NBA teams. Bigs like him who rebound and can shoot the ball are valuable. I can see him possibly making a training camp with a good summer league performance after his senior year.

 

De'Mon Brooks Davidson basketball scouting report

By James Blackburn

Game Scouted: UVA vs Davidson at the Time Warner Cable Arena (Charlotte)
Virginia Wins 70-57
Box Score

De’Mon Brooks (F, 6’7”, SR)

Stats
36 min, 4-15 FG, 2-3 3 pt, 3-4 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 TO, 1 blk, 1 steal, 13 TP

Strengths
High motor undersized PF who has a nose for the ball. Solid rebounder who is better then his final rebound total stated today in the box score. Solid post defender who has a good base and defends with out fouling. Quick hands defensively for a player his size. Tremendous help defender who drew several charges this game. Understands proper defensive positioning. Very impressed with his defense this game.
Offensively, Brooks struggled for most of the game, before finding some success late. His teammates didn’t do a great job of getting him the ball early on in the post. Solid agility and good strength inside on the block. Loves to go into the spin move- where he can spin either direction and finish w/ either hand. Drew the double team in the post most of this game, and did a solid job of not turning it over and getting it out early to the open perimeter player. Good ball handler with either hand, actually went right more times then he went left. Does a good job of finding the right angle and using creativity around rim to finish. Uses pump fakes and the glass to his advantage. Uses his body well to shield and create space to finish lay-ins. Draws contact well. Good footwork in the post.

Showed the ability to stretch the floor out to 3 point range. Can hit the open 3- lefty but has an unconventional stroke. Above average FT shooter – has improved in this area every year at Davidson. Good rotation on his shot. Has the ability to be a stretch 4 with his pick and pop ability
Weaknesses

His lack of athleticism and height hurts him the most and this hurt him on both ends today. I thought he could have demanded the ball more inside when he had post position. Struggled to finish in this game around the rim- couldn’t get anything going. Having a hard time finishing and scoring over the more athletic and taller Akil Mitchell and Mike Tobey.
I thought he could of run the floor better and he looked a little out of shape this game- could be an effect of him playing major minutes and having to battle bigger players on both ends. Although Brooks does an unbelievable job of being in the correct defensive position, his lack of height doesn’t allow him to adequately defend taller post players when they get position. “Tweener” – what position is he?

Overview
Brooks struggled this game scoring the basketball, but he continued to battle and play hard. Big issue is his lack of a true position. He is not quick enough to guard a SF, but is undersized to play the PF at next level, at least the NBA level. Not the best game Brooks has played as he struggled to score over taller defenders most of the game and battled repeated double teams, but he should dominate his conference this season and is poised for a breakout year. It would be nice to see Brooks at the PIT this season and see how he stacks up there- has a good chance in my opinion. Will definitely watch again this season. Will be a tremendous get for an overseas team as his rebounding and agility are covetable assets.

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