BEVERLY HILLS (MI) — Now that one-quarter of the Flyer basketball slate is in the books (okay, so 7/30 = 23.3% — sue me) it’s time to hand out report cards on the guys wearing Red & Blue.

Back at Notre Dame Prep in Fitchburg, MA, the all boys HS turned basketball factory that I attended in the previous century, we used to have tri-weekly exams followed by Quarterlies. For the latter, we would have two tests per day for three days, resulting in a trio of half days of school and eventually, our report cards. I used to celebrate my bonus free time by hitting the woods and plugging chipmunks and squirrels with my .22.

Rest assured that absolutely no chipmunks or squirrels were harmed in the making of these report cards.

Players

Jordan Sibert: B+

“Smooth Jordan” isn’t stroking the threes as silkily as he did last season, at least not yet. As noted by many in the UD Pride game threads, Sibert is best when catching and shooting. If he shoots off the dribble he tends to drift and miss. Needs to attack the rim more. Still a game-breaker when he is on, tho.

Dyshawn Pierre: A-

Archie was quoted recently as saying that Air Pierre is one of the best at beating a zone that there is in the country and he ain’t lyin’. His nickname should be “Matchup Nightmare.” Dyshawn still has a tendency to disappear at times. Needs to be more consistent at the FT line, a complaint that could be made about the entire team.

Devon Scott: A

DS has given Archie extremely consistent play in the middle, mitigating the loss of of freshman Steve McElvene to a redshirt season. The obvious change is in Devon’s ability to stay out of foul trouble for the most part. He got banged up at the end of the EMU game — if he is injured, UD is hurtin’ for certain.

Jalen Robinson: C

Jalen could be the genesis of a new stat in college hoops: SS or “shots snuffed.” I can’t recall a 6’9″ player having so many of his shot attempts returned to sender. Yeah, he was hurt most of the summer and his hops are not back to where they were yet, but still. He had some really great games for the Flyers last year and Archie needs him to do likewise this campaign.

Scoochie Smith: B

Dayshon (his real name) is still searching for the perfect PG balance in his game. On the plus side, he seems to be shooting with much more confidence; on the negative side of the ledger, The Scoochinator is turning the ball over too frequently. Gotta remember that he is only seven games into being the man at the controls of the Flyer offense.

Kendall Pollard: A-

KP would have graded higher were it not for his performance at the FT line, which is eminently fixable. I submit the name of Terry Ross, a Flyer big man in the ’70s who shot around 40% his frosh year from the stripe; by the time he graduated he was making a respectable 75% of his tosses. Pollard has been the most pleasant surprise on the entire UD roster and has to be considered Matchup Nightmare II for Flyer foes.

Kyle Davis: B

KD is a defense-first 2 guard, which is unusual for a guy his size. Has to avoid falling in love with the three point shot, as he is at his best driving to the rim. Like Scott, UD needs him to stay out of foul trouble. Love his quickness and his Chicago attitude.

Darrell Davis: B-

Started out like the proverbial house afire but has now become a pass first player. Outside of Sibert, Baby D has the best pure stroke of any Flyer. He has looked like a freshman on defense on more than one occasion. Needs to take advantage of his size on both sides of the floor.

Ryan Bass: Incomplete

I’m gonna give the kid the benefit of the doubt. Having banged my squash a few times and ending up on Goofy Street, I’m here to tell you that concussions are no fun. Can’t wait to see the Arena react the first time he dunks in a game.

Bobby Wehrli: Incomplete

Archie said early on that walkon Wehrli was gonna play in every game, but that was before Ryan Bass recovered. He has the size to play multiple slots. There is going to be a night or two where his number gets called in a tight spot, so he needs to stay ready

Detwon Rogers: Incomplete

The JUCO transfer is back to dunking, which is a good sign for a guy recovering from knee issues. The hope here is that he makes his Flyer debut before the holidays so he can be ready to kick butt and take names in conference play.

Coaching

Archie Miller: A

Archie has had the Flyers in every game and has surprised the “Play a Freakin’ Zone!” faction of Flyer Fandom by doing just that on selective occasions. My favorite coaching move was Archie admitting that “scripted substitutions” were not working at all and being man enuf to sh*tcan them entirely. Good on you, Arch!

Crowd

Puerto Rico Tipoff: A+

As anyone at ESPN can attest, the Flyer Faithful travel as well as any D-1 hoops program and San Juan was no exception. It’s always cool to see and hear a sea of Red in the stands when UD plays in one of these made-for-TV tourneys.

Red Scare: A+

When the student section is full and rowdy for a buy game like Alabama A&M, you know the season is off to a great start. Kudos to whoever was responsible for the change in how student ducats are distributed — it has clearly made a big dif.

That’s it “From the Swamp.”
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