** Allen Flanigan is taller and thicker than the average Auburn 2 guard. He was also playing some 3 today. He has a smooth, quick release and was knocking down some 3’s.
** Jaylin Williams made three consecutive 3’s during one drill. Has a nice shot for a stretch 4, and as I’ve mentioned previously has the length of a much taller player. Also had a smooth jump hook inside during 5 on 5.
** Turbo (Tyrell Jones) was practicing but he hasn’t been cleared for full contact yet. Javon Franklin was also limited as he returns from a JUCO injury.
** Auburn again spent a lot of time and energy on defensive drills. Bruce Pearl was very animated during these drills, which is not a surprise with so many newcomers. Players responded and were very vocal during drills.
** They still have a temporary new 3-point line and Pearl was encouraging his shooters to pull up well behind it just to get used to the range.
** J’Von McCormick was very quick, assertive and was knocking down some 3’s. I think he’s going to step up and be more of a volume 3 shooter this season, which AU will need with the departure of Bryce and Jared.
** Samir Doughty really stood out when they did 5 on 5 full court, had some nice drives and rebounds. Learned afterwards that he had a root canal earlier in day.
** Austin Wiley looked impressive to me again. Physically, he’s bigger and quicker and he was even knocking down some 3-pointers today. Had some monster dunks and rebounds during 5 on 5.
** Danjel Purifoy was playing mostly 4 and knocking down shots. Had one stretch during 5 on 5 when he made a 3, rebounded a miss at other end and then came down and drilled another 3.
** Jamal Johnson has a nice, smooth shot from outside. Isaac Okoro looks like he could suit up for the football team. He’s probably been the most impressive newcomer so far and is definitely a potential starter. Overall, this year’s team just has a lot more bigger athletes on it compared to previous years.
** Here’s how they lined up in one drill: 1 J’Von McCormick, 2 Samir Doughty, 3 Isaac Okoro, 4 Danjel Purifoy, 5 Anfernee McLemore. 1 Jamal Johnson, 2 Will McCoy, 3 Allen Flanigan, 4 Jaylin Williams, 5 Austin Wiley.
** And here’s how they lined up in a fast break drill a little later: 1 Turbo 2 Samir 3 Okoro/Flanigan, 4 Danjel, 5 Wiley. 1 J'von 2 Will 3 Jamal 4 Jaylin 5 McLemore.
** And another lineup during 5 on 5: 1 J’von, 2 Samir, 3 Okoro, 4 McLemore, 5 Wiley.
** They ended with a 3-point shooting contest. The 3-man team of McLemore, Purifoy and Okoro won round one. Samir, Turbo and J'Von won round two. The losers had to run more sprints after each round. Then they shot free throws when everyone was gassed.
** Wiley made a final free throw, which forced all the coaches to do 25 pushups instead of the players.
