KAEO: ‪Khalea Turner-Morris‬

[eldonabe]

I'm not saying anyone is wrong or right, and I certainly don't know how it'll all work out. But people are quick to write off players as freshman. He looks to have the physical ability to be an effective player at UMASS and before we give up on him, I'd like to see how he progresses when fully healthy and some time with the staff. Big guys are harder to find in my opinion

This sums it up I think

[km109]

I'm not saying anyone is wrong or right, and I certainly don't know how it'll all work out. But people are quick to write off players as freshman. He looks to have the physical ability to be an effective player at UMASS and before we give up on him, I'd like to see how he progresses when fully healthy and some time with the staff. Big guys are harder to find in my opinion

I think it's also fair to say that big men often take longer to develop than other players. More than willing to keep an open mind on KTM.

[MJatUM]

... Look at Trey Davis. I remember he looked like a deer in the headlights his freshman year, totally overwhelmed at times. But you learn and grow and settle in. Not saying KTM will become the next S. Lasme, but I think it might be unfair to base his potential off of an injury plagued freshman year.

Glad I went back and read through because this was the exact comp I was going to make. Of all the good memories that stand out with Trey, the game at VCU his freshman year is right there with them because of just how bad he looked. Then guess what happened. He hit the gym. He got experience. He got better. Not always the case, but with the right mentality/drive/desire/whatever almost any of these guys can become good enough to be a contributor on a good to great A10 team.

[NilesGold]

^ Not a very good comp. Yes, Trey Davis struggled on the road against HAVOC, but he was already a pretty decent player his freshman year. Even playing on a team that had 8 established players (7 if you exclude Jesse Morgan who was injured 1/2 way through), Davis was able to establish himself and play meaningful minutes. He regularly reached double-figure minutes played late in the season, and had a couple of double-figure scoring games late as well.

[InnervisionsUMASS]

Glad I went back and read through because this was the exact comp I was going to make. Of all the good memories that stand out with Trey, the game at VCU his freshman year is right there with them because of just how bad he looked. Then guess what happened. He hit the gym. He got experience. He got better. Not always the case, but with the right mentality/drive/desire/whatever almost any of these guys can become good enough to be a contributor on a good to great A10 team.

As you know, that VCU game was a sight to see live and in person. Deer in headlights is an understatement.

[69MG]

^ Not a very good comp. Yes, Trey Davis struggled on the road against HAVOC, but he was already a pretty decent player his freshman year. Even playing on a team that had 8 established players (7 if you exclude Jesse Morgan who was injured 1/2 way through), Davis was able to establish himself and play meaningful minutes. He regularly reached double-figure minutes played late in the season, and had a couple of double-figure scoring games late as well.

I agree with Niles. Trey had big ones even as a freshman. He had 3 double digit scoring games in conference play and I think he won the Xavier game us. However, I'm all for giving KTM another year to show us what he can do when healthy before passing judgement on his future.

[umass2001]

is KTM injured?

[capezona]

is KTM injured?

He played tonight. Got a nice block and disrupted several shots. He looks bigger (heavier) than I remember him.

[Juice Stand]

I thought he looked pretty good out there, albeit against an obviously inferior team in UNH. He had really good energy which can be difficult to get when you sit on the bench for most of the night.

[uz2b-len]

Yeah, that was one of his biggest strengths last year--playing with a lot of energy and determination. Last year he was very good at setting the high pick and also getting up and down the court pretty quickly. Didn't see that at all against Lowell. Wonder how much that hip injury is affecting him. I thought he looked pretty gimpy against Lowell. I still don't see him coming back next year to play behind Baptiste, Chatman, and the freshman.

[DoctorJ]

Perhaps Chatman will slide over and back up Laurent at the 4 the rest of the year? Diallo doesn't seem to be that good yet. I think he will be, in time.

I think we will see UM leave before KTM.

[69MG]

Perhaps Chatman will slide over and back up Laurent at the 4 the rest of the year? Diallo doesn't seem to be that good yet. I think he will be, in time.

I think we will see UM leave before KTM.

That was my thought, but I'm holding off until Baptiste gets here. I think Chatman is better suited for the 4 than the 5.

[DoctorJ]

I think KTM should stay and work hard. Having several bigs is important, at least it can be an asset.

Wonder what Bapttste is doing to stay sharp. He sure looks like he takes care of himself.

To me, Diallo looks like a guy who could have benefitted from a red shirt year, but wtf do I know. Just a fan.

[69MG]

I think KTM should stay and work hard. Having several bigs is important, at least it can be an asset.

Wonder what Bapttste is doing to stay sharp. He sure looks like he takes care of himself.

To me, Diallo looks like a guy who could have benefitted from a red shirt year, but wtf do I know. Just a fan.

I think I mentioned this in another thread. I had a chance to talk to Cody Greene, the strength and conditioning coach. He has set up a training/conditioning program for Baptiste this semester. They communicate a few times a week and he said that Baptiste was doing what he set up for him. However, "basketball shape" is different.

[DoctorJ]

Thanks for the update!

As long as he is in shape enough to be in a 3 man rotation at that position the rest of the year, we should be in better shape with him. Plus Chat sliding over to backup at the 4 is an upgrade there, too.

Can't wait to see this guy in Maroon, even if he comes in a little rusty. He has a decent amount of minutes in an elite conference.