Blue-White Scrimmage Thoughts & Notes
Longwood held it’s (I guess now annual) Blue & White game last Saturday. It was our first look at the Lancers since they were bounced from the CBI Tournament last March in Chicago thanks to a dirty charge call.
Here are some takeaways from our first look at these Lancers.
Leslie needs a nickname
The biggest mystery on this Lancers team is the frontcourt. Will the Lancers play small ball or rely on an unproven set of big men? The biggest standout in the frontcourt was Leslie Nkereuwem on Saturday. The Georgia product was getting busy in passing lane and isn’t built like your average freshman. He’s an old school four that could find a valuable role for the Lancers if he can stay disruptive on the defensive ends not only with his anticipation but cleaning the glass.
Houston, we have a problem…
Griff might have a problem heading into the season opener versus Marymount and it’s a good one. The Lancer's backcourt is stacked. With the late eligibility announcement regarding DeShaun Wade, there is a log jam at the point guard position. Shabooty was Shabooty, Heru showed he can be a bully, Wade is a premier Big South talent, and Juan Munoz remains the steady hand we saw in March last year.
JaShaun the Vet
The Lancers high flyer has proven himself as a steady presence for Coach Aldrich. This guy deserves all Willett Hall has to offer this season and will be the veteran presence we all expect this season.
Bombs Away…
NCAA: We’re moving the three-point line
No one: …
Longwood: Hell yea!
Longwood is going to continue to bomb it this season and that showed on Saturday. Newcomer Nate Lliteras is going to have some big nights right out of the gate as he lives and dies by the three-ball.
Work in progress
Probably the biggest mystery coming into Saturday was Abe Deng. Deng redshirted last year after being recruited by the likes of VCU and Temple. We saw grainy videos of Deng running the floor last year and this was our first real glimpse He’s still refining his game, but you can see the makings of someone who can be special in the Big South.
What’s next?
Longwood will scrimmage VMI this weekend in what is sure to be an up and down affair against the Keydets. Griff Aldrich will look to refine his rotation before the Lancers try to spark another A10 upset on the Friday night of opening week.
