Arkansas 77, Vanderbilt 75
February 8, 2014 | 3 p.m. CT | Memorial Gymnasium (Nashville, TN)
Arkansas 15-8, Vanderbilt 13-9
Yanni Hufnagel (Assistant Coach, Vanderbilt): 405-990-2365 (cell)
Recap: Michael Qualls converted a 3-pointer from the left wing with 4 seconds left to give Arkansas a 77-75 victory over Vanderbilt. In an effort to exploit Vandy’s lack of depth (only seven scholarship players), the Razorbacks pressed the entire game, and played 11 guys. Qualls scored a team-high 17 points, while Rashad Madden added 12 and Bobby Portis contributed 8 points and 5 rebounds. On the other side, despite getting outscored 40-2 in bench points, Vanderbilt seniors Rod Odom (22 points) and Kyle Fuller (20 points, 5 assists) kept it close. The win marked Arkansas’ first road win of the season, and furthermore, its first non-Auburn SEC road win under Mike Anderson.
NBA Prospects
1. Bobby Portis (FR, Arkansas): PF, 6-10, 240
2. Damian Jones (FR, Vanderbilt): PF/C, 6-10, 235
3. Michael Qualls (SO, Arkansas): SG, 6-6, 210
Next Tier
4. Rod Odom (SR, Vanderbilt): F, 6-9, 210
5. Kyle Fuller (SR, Vanderbilt): PG, 6-1, 188
6. Rashad Madden (JR, Arkansas): SG, 6-5, 180
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NBA Prospects
1. Bobby Portis — PF, 6-10, 240
Freshman, 19 years old
Season (27 mpg): 13 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 1.3 APG
1 SPG, 1.4 BPG, 54% FG
Game: 8 pts, 5 rbs, 0 blks
3-8 FG, 1-1 three-point
Outlook: Portis did not stand out on this particular day. He clearly has NBA size and wingspan, and has a rare inside-outside feel for a power forward, but I think he needs another year to bring it all together. Offensively, he flows between the post and the perimeter, always on the move and creating mismatches with his size. He can score facing up in the high post, or step out and make the jumper. His low post game is still a work in progress, the foundation of which is a right handed hook shot that’s slowly coming along. Portis is an aggressive rebounder, a terrific athlete with a “wide trunk” to compete for boards.
Right now, though, Portis is merely a shell of his potential. To maximize his potential, he needs to become a more conscientious contributor inside. Solid face up game, but at 6-10, will need to develop at least one go-to move with his back facing the basket. To his credit, a few moves are in the works—right handed hook shot down low, jab-step jumper from the perimeter, strong rip-through from the triple threat position—but his consistency was fleeting. Portis is a guy you want to score, and then score again and again. He needs to develop a mean streak to become a force throughout the game.
Defensively, Portis uses his length and quick feet to defend inside-out.
Three nights after recording 35 points, 9 rebounds and 6 blocks vs. Alabama, Portis had a mediocre showing in Nashville. He needs to develop in the paint, and adopt a permanent mean streak. If he does, Portis has tremendous upside as an NBA prospect.
Strengths (to be continued)
— NBA size (6-10; 7-foot wingspan)
— Versatile inside-outside game (33% of attempts are jump shots; 67% are from interior)
— High basketball IQ
— Quick first step
— Can pass out of post
— Can defend multiple positions
Defects/Areas of Improvement (to be continued)
— Skinny
— Awkward shooting form
— Not always aggressive/disappears for long stretches
— Struggles to maintain handle
— Unpolished back to the basket game
Video (#10)
5 points vs. Vandy
35 points vs. Alabama
3-8 vs. Vandy (misses)
Defending (small snippet)
2. Damian Jones — PF/C, 6-10, 235
Freshman, 18 years old
Season (24 mpg): 11 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.2 BPG, 3 Fouls
Game: 12 pts, 7 rbs, 2 blks
4-6 FG
Outlook: A late bloomer on the high school circuit last season, Jones is a fast-improving big man with speed, agility, and next-level athleticism. At 6-10, he is a human trampoline in the half court, with the ability to seal his man or receive a drop off and quickly rise for a dunk. He has a soft jump hook in the post, can seal his man on the glass, and is athletic as hell.
An engineering major who boasted a 4.0 GPA in high school, Jones is a smart player who has a chance to become one of the best big men in the SEC. He needs to improve his free throw shooting (53% on 4 attempts per game), and add at least 25 pounds, but his combination of shot blocking, athleticism for his size, and touch in the paint are a foundation for a very high ceiling.
From playing third fiddle to Julius Randle (Kentucky) and Matt Jones (Duke) on the Texas Titans, to cementing himself as the future of Vanderbilt, Jones is getting better in a hurry. Mobile, athletic, and a developing post game. If his interior game continues to develop, Jones will become an NBA prospect soon enough.
Video (#30)
12 points vs. Arkansas
Contesting shots (small snippet)
3. Michael Qualls — SG, 6-5, 210
Sophomore, 20 years old
Season (25 mpg): 11.5 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.4 APG
42% FG, 35% 3-Pointer
Game: 17 pts, 3 ast
5-10 FG, 3-5 three-point
Outlook: One of the more underrated shooting guards in the country, Qualls is flourishing in Arkansas’ uptempo system. He has quick hands defensively, is an explosive leaper, and makes plays in transition. Offensively, he’s more skilled than I thought. His January struggles notwithstanding (20-80 FG), Qualls is a reliable spot up shooter (1.1 points per attempt), with a excellent first step to get into the lane. He’s “live and active” on both sides of the ball, and most importantly, he delivers in crucial moments (game-winner vs. Kentucky, game-winner vs. Vanderbilt, etc).
If he can refine his perimeter skills to become a more efficient scorer, Qualls should get Draft consideration. He shoots, jumps, defends and rebounds at a high level, with significant upside in all areas.
Video (#24)
17 points vs. Vandy
5-10 vs. Vandy (misses)
3 assists vs. Vandy
Next Tier
4. Rod Odom — F, 6-9, 210
Senior, 22 years old
Season (36 mpg): 15.2 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.1 APG
Game: 22 pts, 3 rbs, 1 ast, 5 to
8-14 FG, 3-7 three-point
Outlook: Odom is a skinny 6-9 forward who primarily plays on the perimeter. He’s shooting 44% on nearly seven 3-pointers per game. He has an awkward shooting form, releasing the ball just above his hip, but he makes it work.
While he can shoot, I didn’t like how Odom strayed to the perimeter the entire game—it almost felt like he was wasting his size. He can shoot, but Odom struggles to handle the ball against pressure; he panicked vs. Arkansas’ press, committing five easily-avoidable turnovers. Not a good look for a senior.
He’s also paper thin, at 210 pounds. Perhaps Odom could carve out a role as a pick and pop stretch-forward, but I don’t see it. Too weak, and not enough ball skills. He can’t attempt seven 3′s a game at the next level.
Video
22 points vs. Arkansas
Video: 8-14 vs. Arkansas (misses)
Video: 5 turnovers vs. Arkansas
5. Kyle Fuller — PG, 6-1, 188
Senior, 22 years old
Season (32 mpg): 11.7 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 4.4 APG , 3 TO
Game: 20 pts, 5 ast, 3 to
5-13 FG, 8-13 FT
Outlook: Fuller is the driving force and heartbeat of this Vandy team. His strong frame and tight handle—specifically a swift two-way crossover—repelled Arkansas’ pressure all game long. Fuller is not a natural scorer; instead, his production is a result of toughness and chipping away on every possession. Good handle and pace, can get into the paint and distribute. Fuller is as durable as any player in college basketball—he’s played 383 of a possible 400 minutes in 10 SEC games.
But he’s only 6-1, and lacks the athleticism and lateral quickness to defend at a high level. Admirable competitor, but will struggle to make plays at the next level.
Video
20 points vs. Arkansas
Video: 5-13 vs. Arkansas (misses)
Video: Contact Drawn (8-13 FT)
Video: 5 assists vs. Arkansas
6. Rashad Madden — SG, 6-5, 180
Junior, 22 years old
Season (25 mpg): 12.7 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 2.3 APG, 49% FG
Game: 12 pts, 2 rbs, 3 ast
5-7 FG
Outlook: Madden is versatile in the backcourt with the ability to play point guard, or also off the ball. He entered college as a drive-first player, but has developed into a solid 3-point shooter (44% on 4 attempts per game) who can facilitate off the bounce. He pushes the ball in the open floor, with the ability to pull-up for a jumper or finish over smaller defenders.
Defensively, he can apply pressure, though he’s not exceptional in this regard. Kind of stuck defensively, with average foot speed and length.
Overall, Madden is a smooth guard who can score in variety of ways. But he appears to be a step too slow, lacks an identity offensively (he’s good-but-not-great across the board), and struggles through contact. Madden is a reliable scorer and a main cog in Arkansas’ attack, but he doesn’t distinguish himself in any facet of the game. I don’t see it.
Video
12 points vs. Vandy
2 turnovers vs. Vandy
*Ages calculated at time of 2014 NBA Draft