VCU 69, Boston College 50
Saturday, December 28, 2013 | 7:30 p.m. EST | Barclays Center (Brooklyn, NY)
VCU 11-3, Boston College 4-9
Recap: Four VCU players scored in double figures en route to a relatively easy 69-50 win over Boston College. VCU perfectly executed its “havoc” defense, forcing a 23 turnovers. Juvonte Reddic had 14 points and 8 rebounds, Treveon Graham added 13 points and 6 rebounds, and x-factor guard Briante Weber contributed 6 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds and 3 steals. Sophomore guard Olivier Hanlan led BC with 17, and Ryan Anderson contributed 13 points and 7 rebounds. But those numbers didn’t carry any weight, as VCU led from start to finish. VCU improved to 3-0 against the ACC this season, while Boston College continues to struggle, now losing five of six.
NBA Prospects (ranked in order of performance/potential shown):
1. Olivier Hanlan (SO, Boston College): G, 6-4, 190
2. Juvonte Reddic (SR, VCU): F/C, 6-9, 250
3. Ryan Anderson (JR, Boston College): PF, 6-8, 220
4. Briante Weber (JR, VCU): G, 6-2, 165
5. Treveon Graham (JR, VCU): G/F, 6-5, 220
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1. Olivier Hanlan — G, 6-4, 190
Sophomore, 21 years old (at time of Draft)
Season (35.6 mpg): 19.4 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.2 APG, 8.3 FTA
Game: 17 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 7 turnovers
Outlook: Last season’s ACC Freshman of the Year, Hanlan is an aggressive combo guard capable of scoring in a variety of ways. He can shoot from the perimeter—both with his feet set and creating off the dribble—and has a strong frame to attack the basket. Hanlan has a quick first step and big frame to finish at the hoop. He’s shooting 69% in the paint this season, to go along with an excellent 1.55 points per attempt. He also accumulates free throws, attempting 8 per game.
His 3-point shooting has dropped from 39% to 31% this season, but his true shooting percentage has increased from 57% to 59%, and he is a clear perimeter threat in college. Hanlan is also a solid rebounder, something that should translate to the NBA.
However, his biggest NBA question mark for me is determining where he fits at the next level. Is he a shooting guard or a point guard? Hanlan could probably play alongside another ball handler due to his 6-4 frame and off the dribble ability, but I’m not sold yet. I’m not sold on his point guard prospects, either, because despite his assist numbers increasing this season, his 20.7% assist percentage ranks 429th in the country.
Hanlan’s defense also concerns me. He’s 6-4 with a relatively short 6-5 wingspan – can he guard NBA shooting guards? Furthermore, on film he appears to stays upright in his stance, and sometimes lacks the lateral quickness needed at the NBA level.
Overall, an undefined position gives me pause, but Hanlan’s scoring ability is nonetheless impressive. I still don’t fully understand his game, so I’d like to see him again this season. If he can continue to score while also increasing his assist numbers—and if he can lead BC to a few ACC victories in the process—Hanlan NBA’s potential will become more transparent to me.
Scoring Ability
Video: Outside Shooting
Video: Driving
Video: Spot-Up
Passing
Video: Assists
Defense
Video: Containing Penetration
Video: Perimeter Defense
2. Juvonte Reddic — F/C, 6-9, 250
Senior, 22 years old
Season (26.2 mpg): 11.7 PPG, 7.3 RPG
Game: 14 points, 8 rebounds
Outlook: Reddic impacted the game with his athleticism and energy around the basket. He didn’t showcase any advanced moves on offense, per se, but he finalized several dunks in half court and transition. He also displayed scoring ability near the rim, and was a noticeable force on the glass, finishing with 8 rebounds. His 1.52 points per offensive rebound ranks in the 93rd percentile of all players.
Looking at his statistics and watching film, it seems Reddic is more high energy than skilled. He has the grittiness and athleticism of, say, Udonis Haslem, and could potentially fill a similar role at the next level. However, he doesn’t have the corner jump shot—or any jump shot, really—of Haslem, so that comparison is far fetched. Right now, Reddic is best as a high-energy rebounder with a developing post game.
But at 6-9, he’ll need to be more than an interior player in the NBA. Per Synergy, he’s shooting 35% on jump shots this season, but on film it’s clear he’s worse than his percentage. His .74 points per jump shot is more indicative of his shooting ability. There’s a reason 75% of his shots are in the paint this season, and it’s mostly due to his poor shooting.
Overall, Reddic brings some valuable attributes to a team, some of which are intangible. If he can develop a face-up game and extend his range to 15-20 feet, he will work his way into the Draft conversation.
Video: Crashing Boards (put-backs)
Video: Developing Post-Up Game
Video: Poor Jump Shot
3. Ryan Anderson — PF, 6-8, 220
Junior, 21 years old
Season (29.8 mpg): 16.2 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 6.9 FTA
Game: 13 points, 7 rebounds
Outlook: Anderson is a versatile forward who can score anywhere inside the 3-point line. He can play either forward position, although most of his offensive production comes from 18-feet and in. Good athlete to finish with dunks and over-the-shoulder moves in the paint, and he has nimble feet to take bigger defenders off the dribble. Anderson can occasionally step out and hit a 3-pointer, but not with consistency.
Despite his wiry 220-pound frame, Anderson is a good rebounder at BC. He establishes position in the paint to battle stronger defenders, and has a nose for the ball when crashing boards from the wing.
Anderson has shown the ability to score consistently—he averaged 15 points and 8 rebounds as a sophomore—and he scored at least 20 points eight times last season. He’s continued that production this season, and despite Boston College’s overall struggles, Anderson has continued to produce.
The question marks for me are his 1) defense, 2) motor, and 3) jump shot. He won’t make the NBA as a skinny 6-8 power forward with a few around-the-basket moves; he’ll need to extend his range as a pick-and-pop threat. Also, I’m skeptical of Anderson’s upside — how much better can he get? When I watch the film, I feel like he should be averaging 22 and 12, not 16 and 7.
Defensively, Anderson stays upright in his stance and \on the perimeter, and his 220-pound frame is too frail in the post. He’s kind of stuck in no man’s land.
Overall, Anderson’s scoring ability and offensive versatility should garner NBA consideration. If he can extend his range to the 3-point line and improve defensively, he has a chance to carve out a role as a versatile stretch-forward.
Scoring Versatility
Shot Attempt Breakdown:
46% in the paint | 30% post-up | 19% jump shots | 5% runner
Video: Scoring around the basket / Post Up
Anderson is shooting 56% in the paint. He can dunk the ball with good lift at the rim, and can finish as a pick-and-roll screener. He’s definitely skilled in the paint, but his skinny frame makes it hard for him to initiate—and finish through—contact.
Video: Around the Basket
Video: Post-Up
Video: Shooting (decent)
Anderson is shooting 33% on jump shots this season.. not great. He needs to polish his jump shot, especially from deep.
Defense (room for improvement)
Video: Perimeter Defense (Closing Out)
Anderson does a good job closing out on shooters, but he stays upright in his stance and gets beat off the dribble. The video below is a decent (at best) portrayal of this.
Video: Interior Defense
Anderson is allowing 1.2 points per possession in post-up situations, ranking in the bottom 80th percentile nationally. He’s too skinny right now to compete with bigger, stronger, more physical players.
4. Briante Weber — G, 6-2, 165
Junior, 21 years old
Season (29 mpg): 8.5 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 4.5 APG, 3.9 SPG
7.7% steal percentage (1st nationally)
Game: 6 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, 3 steals
Outlook: Weber may be the fiercest in-your-face defender in all of college basketball. He draped the Boston College guards defensively, and never relented. He’s 6-2 but has long arms, similar to Rajon Rondo in his makeup.
As a prospect, Weber is very raw offensively, but has terrific defensive instincts. His 7.7% steal percentage is highest in the country, and even though VCU’s system is conducive to forcing turnovers, his talents are apparent on film. He has long arms to deflect passes and reach for steals, and his length helps him recover from behind when he gets beat.
Offensively, though, Weber has a long way to go. Frankly, he has very poor shooting mechanics right now. He also converts less than half his attempts at the basket. Opposing defenses often leave Weber open to shoot, and he still struggles to convert.
Also, how does he fit in traditional offensive sets? It’s tough for me to evaluate these VCU players when they’re playing in such an unconventional (albeit enjoyable) system.
Overall, Weber needs to focus on developing his offensive skills. But he’s young for his age, and his physical tools are rare for a point guard — length, explosiveness, motor, defensive instincts. If he can refine his jump shot—and that’s a huge “if”—I think Weber has a chance to play in the NBA.
Video: Transition makes
Video: Transition misses
Video: Steals
Video: Poor Shooting
Video: Assists (court vision)
5. Treveon Graham — G/F, 6-5, 220
Junior, 21 years old
Season (28.3 mpg): 15.7 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 1.9 APG
Game: 13 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists
Outlook: Standing at 6-5, Graham is an aggressive guard who “bullied” his way to the rim on several possessions. He didn’t showcase athleticism or quickness, but he used his strength to attack the basket for points and rebounds.
Looking at his statistics, Graham can shoot from the perimeter as well as finish in the paint.
He’s shooting 36% from 3-point range (5 attempts per game), which is OK, and converts 67% of his attempts around the basket. However, his “around the basket” stats may be misleading because he gets a lot of baskets at the rim in transition.
Defensively, I’m not sure what position Graham will guard at the next level. He’s a tough defender, but he’s slow laterally, and will probably struggle to contain penetration at the next level.
Overall, Graham is a strong scorer and rebounder on the college level, particularly inside the paint. He’ll always fill up the box score playing in VCU’s system. Going forward, I would like to see how his jump shot and perimeter defense progress, because he’ll be playing on the wing should he make the NBA.
Video: Shooting
Video: Around the basket
Video: Put-Backs (Crashing boards)
Video: “Runner”
Video: Defending Shooters
Video: Fouls (gambling on defense)
*Ages calculated at time of 2014 NBA Draft