Butler 64, Seton Hall 57
January 29, 2014 | 9 p.m. EST | Prudential Center (Newark, NJ)
Butler 12-9, Seton Hall 12-9
Recap: In a back and forth game featuring numerous lead changes, Butler went on a game-closing 7-0 run to defeat Seton Hall, 64-57. Bulldogs forward Khyle Marshall scored 13 points, while Kameron Woods contributed 11 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists, and freshman Elijah Brown added 12 points. Both teams were near-identical in the box score, but the Bulldogs simply made more plays down the stretch. For Seton Hall, swingman Fuquan Edwin had 20 points—including 15 in the first half—to go along with 6 steals. But Edwin went 2-10 down the stretch, and although his team had several opportunities to secure the lead, the Pirates weren’t able to capitalize.
Previous Seton Hall Evaluations:
NBA Prospects
1. Fuquan Edwin (SR, Seton Hall): SG/SF, 6-6, 215
2. Kellen Dunham (SO, Butler): SG, 6-6, 185
3. Kameron Woods (JR, Butler): F, 6-9, 200
4. Elijah Brown (FR, Butler): G, 6-4, 185
5. Brandon Mobley (JR, Seton Hall): F, 6-9, 215
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1. Fuquan Edwin — SG/SF, 6-6, 215
Senior, 22 years old
Season (29 mpg): 14.3 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 3 SPG
39% three-point, 6.4% steal percentage (2nd nationally)
Game: 20 points, 3 rebounds, 6 steals
4-7 three-point
Strengths
— Shooting (catch and shoot, off screens, off the dribble)
— Size for position (6-7)
— On-ball defense/forcing steals
Areas of improvement
— Embracing contact
— Maintaining control of ball through the lane
— Finishing at rim
— Rebounding
Outlook: Edwin’s strengths and areas of upside were transparent in this game. He showcased terrific catch-and-shoot ability in the first half, scoring 15 points on 6-8 shooting. At 6-7, he can get his shot off—and have a clear view—against any defender.
Edwin showcased at least three “NBA moves” off the dribble, something I didn’t see at Coaches vs. Cancer earlier this season. He converted an NBA-caliber step-back jumper on one possession, and pulled-up on another. Per Synergy, Edwin is converting 43% of his jump shots, including 48% off the dribble. He’s constantly in motion off the ball, running off screens and freeing himself up for open looks. Edwin has a fluid shooting motion, which should translate to the NBA.
Edwin is an average finisher around the basket. He hasn’t shown much when I’ve observed him live, but based on the film, it seems like Edwin struggles to maintain control through contact. The synergy between his athleticism and touch are often, well, not in synergy — it’s almost as if his body is one step ahead of his mind, and thus he loses control. He also opts for “floaters” and layups when, at 6-7, he should take it strong to the hoop. His current shot attempt distribution is 60% jump shots, 16% around the basket and 20% runner, while only getting to the free throw line 2.7 times per game. Too many runners, not enough attacking the basket.
Defensively, Edwin is a promising on-ball defender, with great length and anticipation skills. He’s holding opponents to 34% shooting in spot-up situations, and 27% in isolation. Good anticipation skills to go along with extraordinary length. Another skill that could translate to the NBA.
Overall, a great shooter and on-ball defender, but Edwin needs to improve his in-between game and finishing at the rim. He’s young at 22 years old, and with a 6-7 frame and shooting touch, Edwin has a possible future as role-playing shooting guard in the NBA.
Scoring (recent)
Off Screens
Isolation Defense
2. Kellen Dunham — SG, 6-6, 185
Sophomore, 21 years old
Season (36.7 mpg): 17.6 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 2 APG
7.0 3PA, 38%
Game: 9 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists
Strengths
— Shooting (pick and roll, catch and shoot, off the dribble…total package)
— Size for position (6-6)
Areas of improvement
— Overly reliant on jump shot (87% of attempts)
— Finishing at rim (0.88 PPP)
— Ball control with left hand
Outlook: Dunham didn’t do much vs. Seton Hall: 9 points on 3-10 shooting. Thus, this evaluation is primarily based on watching film/interpreting statistics.
vs. Seton Hall
Dunham is first and foremost a shooter with good size (6-6) and range. 84% of his shot attempts are jumpers. Dunham can shoot from anywhere, with his feet set or on the move; however, he struggles to finish at the basket. In terms of shooting, he has NBA range and is capable of creating his own shot, whether he’s running pick and roll or coming off a screen.
Catch and Shoot
Off the Dribble
Perhaps Dunham could make the NBA solely because of his shooting ability, but his defects are clear. 1) He struggles to attack the basket, in any capacity—again, only 13% of his attempts come in the paint. 2) He strongly favors his right hand.
Quickly glance at these numbers:
Isolation: 67% drives right; 33% drives left.
57% FG percentage going right; 18% FG percentage going left
The film shows that Dunham struggles to keep his dribble alive with his left hand. Thus, he prematurely stops his dribble when going left, forcing himself into poorly angled pull up jumpers.
However, when driving right, he has the ability to maintain control through the lane. He still pulls-up for jumpers on occasion, but he is clearly more comfortable operating with his right hand.
Left Hand
Right Hand
Only 13% of Dunham’s attempts have come in the paint. Not crafty or skilled enough in the painted area. He needs to attack the basket with aggression and finish with consistency if he’s going to round out his game.
Finishing Struggles
Again, I need to see Dunham live again before making any definitive conclusions. But overall, his size and shooting ability make him a potential NBA prospect. It will be interesting to see how Dunham’s game develops—if at all—over the next year.
3. Kameron Woods — F, 6-9, 200
Junior, 21 years old
Season (34 mpg): 9 PPG, 9.4 RPG
26.7% defensive rebounding percentage (15th nationally)
Game: 11 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists
Strengths
— Athletic and quick forward
— Runs floor in transition, active in half court
— Cutter/Slasher
— Decent Jump Shooter; Can face up and put ball on the floor
Areas of improvement
— Poor shooting beyond 12 feet
— Limited ball handling
— Only 200 pounds
— No back to the basket game
Outlook: Woods is a tall and slender forward who provides energy, effort and activity. He is most effective cutting to the basket, while also developing his arsenal to create one on one. Woods began entered college as a raw 6-9 athlete lacking feel or touch. Three years later, he’s developed into a versatile forward who can score from 15-feet and in.
Woods’ minutes have doubled from last season, and his production has likewise followed suit. He impacts the game on the glass, and roams the baseline for cuts toward the rim (80% FG percentage on cuts). He’s improved his jump shot every year (27%; 36%; 42%), while decreasing his attempts, but he’s still a poor shooter in my opinion. Awkward form—he brings the ball way above his head, with an inconsistent release point—and shooting only 38% in spot up situations.
Woods needs to add 20 pounds of muscle and continue to polish his offensive repertoire—specifically adding a few back to the basket moves. But I don’t see it—he lacks a true position, and doesn’t do anything at a particularly “elite” level. To me, he’s a serviceable yet run of the mill athletic forward.
Scoring (recent)
Driving/Around the Basket
Put Backs
Poor Shooting
4. Elijah Brown — G, 6-4, 185
Freshman
Season (19 mpg): 6.7 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 1.5 APG
Game: 12 points, 2 rebounds
2-4 three-pointers
Strengths
— Shooting
— Pick and roll scoring
Areas of improvement
— Facilitating/playmaking
— Perimeter defense
— Develop right hand
— Make transition to point guard
Outlook: The son of NBA coach Mike Brown, Elijah is a 6-4 lefty combo guard with scoring instincts and a developing jump shot. He quickly turns the corner on pick and rolls, converting 41% of his attempts in such situations. Brown has a second burst to get into the lane and deceptive athleticism to score at the basket.
Brown is currently stuck between point guard and shooting guard; he has a high basketball IQ and can score, but he’s not much of a facilitator. Brown also favors his left hand; he must develop his right hand to initiate offense from both sides of the court.
Defensively, he stays upright in his stance, often getting beat off the dribble. Opponents are shooting 48% in spot up situations, and 70% around the basket.
It’s still early in Brown’s career. If he can become a better playmaker and improve his right hand, he could become a reliable scoring threat.
Scoring (recent)
Pick and Roll
Defending Shooters
5. Brandon Mobley — F, 6-9, 215
Junior, 23 years old
Season (26 mpg): 8.8 PPG, 5 RPG
Game: 10 points, 10 rebounds, 5 blocks
Strengths
— So-so scorer inside the paint
Areas of improvement
— Awful jump shot
— Weak frame
— Position-less defensively
— 23 years old
Outlook: Barring drastic improvement in the near future, in my opinion the writing is on the wall for the 23 year-old Mobley. The good: an athletic forward who occasionally finishes around the basket. The bad: a tweener on defense, lacks an identity offensively, has a weak frame, and an awful jump shot.
Good athlete, but poor ball handler, poor jump shooter, and a weak frame.
Cutting
Perimeter Struggles
Post Up Struggles
*Ages calculated at time of 2014 NBA Draft