Scouting Patty Mills

by Jeff Nusser on Mar 16, 2009 2:30 PM PDT in Cougar Basketball Comment 12 comments

Ever wonder what the big deal is about St. Mary's star guard Patty Mills? Here's your primer. We'll go more in depth later as to how the Cougs might contain this guy, but this ought to get you started.

Video after the jump.

Mills was a total unknown to U.S. hoops fans before burst onto the scene last year with this crazy, 37-point performance against then-No. 11 Oregon. The Ducks turned out to be not that good, but it was a big darn deal at the time. (It didn't hurt Mills that this game was played at 76 possessions -- fast even by the Ducks' liberal standards.)

That led to a whole host of attention, including this little piece from Aussie Hoops America, showing some highlights and giving some of Mills' background. Pretty fascinating stuff, I think -- especially his indigenous heritage:

His spectacular freshman year led to a prominant place on the Australian national team for the Olympics. Mills scored 20 against the Americans in this exhibition game (he's No. 5 if you can make out jersey numbers). While Australians will point to how silly he makes Jason Kidd look as evidence of his awesomeness, Americans will point out this does not make him unique.

ADDED: Finally, we've got this little 2008-09 season preview from the guys who brought you the first video. If you haven't figured it out yet, Mills is kind of a national hero ...

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While Australians will point to how silly he makes Jason Kidd look as evidence of his awesomeness, Americans will point out this does not make him unique.

ROFL

Tony Bennett for Heisman!

by johnnycougar on Mar 16, 2009 2:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I can't get the ESPN video to work

Is anyone else having the same problem? The others work fine.

by SW WA Coug on Mar 16, 2009 3:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

You know, that seems to be a problem on ESPN's end

I went to the original page and it’s not working there, either. Let me see what I can figure out.

CougCenter

by Jeff Nusser on Mar 16, 2009 3:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

OK, I can't find any highlight package of that video anywhere else

I’ll just take it off.

CougCenter

by Jeff Nusser on Mar 16, 2009 3:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I added a new video

A lot more comprehensive. But I really wish I could have found a decent highlight package of that Oregon game — 37 points on 20 shots is what you would call pretty darn impressive.

CougCenter

by Jeff Nusser on Mar 16, 2009 3:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Enjoyed all the videos

by SW WA Coug on Mar 16, 2009 4:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Anybody know much about their other players?

I’m mostly interested in 6-11 / 260 Jr. C Omar Samhan. He’s got pretty decent numbers at 14.2 ppg and 9.4 rpg, but don’t know how they equate to effectiveness percentages you guys talk about all the time.

Can Baynes handle this kid? How about DeAngelo? Any insightful information?

by SW WA Coug on Mar 16, 2009 4:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Be on the lookout tonight

I contacted the Gonzaga blogger to do a scouting report for us, since he’s seen plenty of them. He’s going to write it either tonight or tomorrow morning. We’ll get it up on the front page when it comes in.

CougCenter

by Jeff Nusser on Mar 16, 2009 4:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Awesome! Great job! Looking forward to it for sure.

by SW WA Coug on Mar 16, 2009 4:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Baynes/Samhan

Baynes has gone up against Hill, Gibson, Pendergraph, Brockman, Dunnigan, etc. He constantly is double and tripled teamed. I could end up totally wrong because I only have seen clips of Samhan but it would really surprise me if he is able to match up with him straight up.

My question for the Gaels is how do they stop Baynes without a double and who matches up with Klay Thompsons? I’m sure they will play off of Capers but I just don’t see how they slow down WSU unless WSU slow down on their own.

by BornCoug on Mar 16, 2009 9:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

So, after watching all this Mills video, I've come to one solid conclusion

I so want us to win this game tomorrow night so that our Baynes can get in on some of this national love. You’d think Patty Mills was the only Australian player in college basketball. Everywhere you look it’s Mills, Mills, Mills.

Since footage of this game is sure to be broadcast back home, let’s get our own Big Bad Aussie in the limelight.

CougCenter

by Jeff Nusser on Mar 16, 2009 5:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Australian Institute

Just looked at St. Mary’s roster and realized they have 5 Aussies on their team from the AIOS. No wonder Mills gets so much attention in Australia – obviously he is good, but it probably doesn’t hurt to have so many watching St. Mary’s for multiple Australian players – not just Mills (Mills just ends up being the best one with a shot in the NBA so of course he is going to get the most talking press).

I’m sure that Klay has gotten his own version of a scouting report from his older brother down that Pepperdine. Having to face St. Mary’s twice each year for the last couple years, I’m sure he is giving him a crash-course; as is his dad who I’m sure has watched the Pepperdine-St. Mary’s matchups as well.

by LeaveItToWeaver on Mar 16, 2009 6:09 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs