As I reported Sunday, forward Aaron Tate's suspension is up
and he will be re-joining the action tonight at Bradley.
Tate will be a welcoming sight to the Colonials. While only
standing at 6-foot-5, Tate brings a skill set that no one else really has. Here's
how his impact will be felt:
1) 1) Rebounding: This will be the most obvious
impact. Last year, Tate had the second best defensive rebounding percentage on
the team at 18.7 percent and the best offensive rebounding percentage at 9.4
percent. Both ranked him in the top 365nationally. Through two games, those
numbers would both be team highs.
2) 2) Defense: It's hard to statistically measure
defensive abilities but you don't have to with this guy. Tate passes the eye
test. His strength allows him to not get pushed around in the low post and his
size and quickness gives him the ability to guard other positions.
3) 3) Hanging around the rim: Last season, Tate had
the second highest percentage of shots at the rim on the team (only behind
point guard Kavon Stewart). While his shooting percentage wasn't outstandingly
crazy at 56% (not suggesting that's a bad percentage either, just average), he'll
get some putback opportunities.
I've seen some criticism of Kavon Stewart's game. I think he'll
be helped tremendously with Tate back. Stewart is the type of guard who wants
to drive and kick. When he's going to the rim, he sometimes will have three big
men swarm him with no one to dump off too. Stephan Bennett may be a big man,
but he likes to hang out 15 feet away from the rim. Stewart having someone in
the paint to dump off to could be huge for his game.
Welcome back Aaron!
and he will be re-joining the action tonight at Bradley.
Tate will be a welcoming sight to the Colonials. While only
standing at 6-foot-5, Tate brings a skill set that no one else really has. Here's
how his impact will be felt:
1) 1) Rebounding: This will be the most obvious
impact. Last year, Tate had the second best defensive rebounding percentage on
the team at 18.7 percent and the best offensive rebounding percentage at 9.4
percent. Both ranked him in the top 365nationally. Through two games, those
numbers would both be team highs.
2) 2) Defense: It's hard to statistically measure
defensive abilities but you don't have to with this guy. Tate passes the eye
test. His strength allows him to not get pushed around in the low post and his
size and quickness gives him the ability to guard other positions.
3) 3) Hanging around the rim: Last season, Tate had
the second highest percentage of shots at the rim on the team (only behind
point guard Kavon Stewart). While his shooting percentage wasn't outstandingly
crazy at 56% (not suggesting that's a bad percentage either, just average), he'll
get some putback opportunities.
I've seen some criticism of Kavon Stewart's game. I think he'll
be helped tremendously with Tate back. Stewart is the type of guard who wants
to drive and kick. When he's going to the rim, he sometimes will have three big
men swarm him with no one to dump off too. Stephan Bennett may be a big man,
but he likes to hang out 15 feet away from the rim. Stewart having someone in
the paint to dump off to could be huge for his game.
Welcome back Aaron!
