'12 IL PF T.J. Bell (8/16/2011)

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Thanks,
I love your reports because they are long and detailed. For someone that can't get enough ball, like me, it's what I need.

The way you described him, I think you are right about his position being basically inside. I got the same impression from the video of him I saw. I prefer bigs that want to go inside and do the dirty work. I hope he grows and fills out. Sounds like a good prospect, though.
 
I recall reading somwhere that he has moved around a lot. Think that lack of (basketball) continuity has anything to do with his "rawness?"
 
I was at the game as well and here is my take on what I saw:

My first impression of TJ was at halftime of the JV game and the rest of the varsity guys were out shooting around and he was lounging in the stands. Second impression was during warm-ups and he was yawning and missing layups. Putting it bluntly...so far not impressed at all.

Now, on to the game:

He was BY FAR the most talented kid on the court. He has some very impressive skills. At one point a Paris kid started to get physical with him and I don't think he reacted very well to it. Someone really needs to light a fire under his :censored:. He should have scored 30 points on that team, at least. Now, I will say, his team didn't look for him much, but he doesn't really demand the ball either. I had him at 3 for 9 from the free throw line. If we are going to make him a back-to-the-basket type player he will defintely need a lot of work. He played around the 3 point line a lot.

I realize there is a bunch of negative there, but I did see a ton of potential. His problems seem to be mostly effort and drive. Hopefully when he gets into a more demanding and competitive environment he will start to show some passion.
 

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This is purely a gut feeling, but I feel like I would be comfortable with Rhett being on the floor for us next year. It will be tough for him on the depth chart, though.

Well I have seen both play and I will tell you that your gut is probably right. Smith way ahead of Bell and Smith still has away to go. He needs some work - you have to take into consideration that both of these guys play small school ball, big difference from D1.

You know who the Sycamores struck out on? Matt O'Leary from THN.
 
So now that Bell is playing some, I decided to go back and look at his tape and read about him. What is everyone's view on him now that we're halfway into his first season playing? Is he progressing? How do you think we will use him in the future?
 

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So now that Bell is playing some, I decided to go back and look at his tape and read about him. What is everyone's view on him now that we're halfway into his first season playing? Is he progressing? How do you think we will use him in the future?

I think that is unknown right now. Needs another year and we'll see what he can do.
 
Yeah his impact is unknown at this point. Hope he doesn't get discouraged by the lack of minutes as an underclassmen. This is as good/deep of a frontcourt as we've had in forever. Most years he would be playing major minutes already due to him just being a strong 6'8 guy who runs the floor well. For TJ it all comes down to if he's willing to put in the work to get better in the next 1 1/2 seasons while not getting massive minutes. If he does that by the time his JR and SR year's roll around he should pay big dividends.
 
Yeah his impact is unknown at this point. Hope he doesn't get discouraged by the lack of minutes as an underclassmen. This is as good/deep of a frontcourt as we've had in forever. Most years he would be playing major minutes already due to him just being a strong 6'8 guy who runs the floor well. For TJ it all comes down to if he's willing to put in the work to get better in the next 1 1/2 seasons while not getting massive minutes. If he does that by the time his JR and SR year's roll around he should pay big dividends.

This pretty much sums it up.

Put it like this - he could still grow a little bit and even if he doesn't he has a D1 body and D1 ability.

But he's gotta refine his game a little bit. He has to be able to play basketball without thinking about playing baskeball and right now he makes mistakes because he can't do that.

He needs to put hours upon hours in the gym and if he does he could be a really good basketball player. If he doesn't, then hes like every other big man that comes to IState
 
I like his frame but not his game. I know it has been limited minutes, but the post is one of the easier spots to produce in limited minutes since every shot you take is usually a high percentage shot. I do think he has the potential to be a plus rebounder/shot blocker for us so I hope he keeps busting his butt in the weight room.
 

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Article on Bell...

http://www.tribstar.com/sports/loca...cle_f5f9f078-884e-501e-a156-991a9cde0dbb.html

"His first season out was planned as he sat out 2013-14 as a redshirt. At that point, your future is ahead of you, but since Bell won't be able to regain his junior season of eligibility, this absence stung the Sycamores particularly hard."

Can someone explain to me why he's losing his junior year of eligibility...seems like this season should be a medical redshirt. Or is a redshirt a redshirt, whether it's medical or not, and you only get one?
 
Article on Bell...

http://www.tribstar.com/sports/loca...cle_f5f9f078-884e-501e-a156-991a9cde0dbb.html

"His first season out was planned as he sat out 2013-14 as a redshirt. At that point, your future is ahead of you, but since Bell won't be able to regain his junior season of eligibility, this absence stung the Sycamores particularly hard."

Can someone explain to me why he's losing his junior year of eligibility...seems like this season should be a medical redshirt. Or is a redshirt a redshirt, whether it's medical or not, and you only get one?

You have 5 years of elapsed time to play your 4 years.
 
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