I can't get enough of Pardon

[Sec.112]

I LOVE what he's doing on both ends of the court. At times, he owns the paint.

That power move from the post with the little hook is really becoming a bread and butter shot.

Also, I don't want to ignore his passing or his ability to get up and down the court.

To me, he's really impressive for a sophomore.

 

[Katatonic]

Pardon has really shown what the 'Cats were missing.

While the original plan was for a RS year, think that getting that playing time was crucial and would be more than worth it if Pardon continues to play well.

 

[Gladeskat]

Based upon his greater confidence in the post and improved moves and shooting, I expect a few 20 point games out of Pardon this year. I realize he hit for 28 in his first B10 game last year, but that game was a center fantasy come true in that the ball kept bouncing to him on rebounds all game. I didn't expect him to have another performance like that because that many good bounces doesn't happen often. He'll continue with the quick putbacks and dunks this year when the ball bounces his way again, though.

 

[Mr Wickerpark]

I LOVE what he's doing on both ends of the court. At times, he owns the paint.

That power move from the post with the little hook is really becoming a bread and butter shot.

Also, I don't want to ignore his passing or his ability to get up and down the court.

To me, he's really impressive for a sophomore.

He runs the floor as well as the bigs at kentucky. And when him and skelly were in at the same time, we locked the paint down. Skelly just has to learn to keep his hands from getting stupid fouls.

 

[NU Houston]

He had a really nice steal on a long down court pass in the second half. It was a very athletic play and helped turn the momentum in that part of the game. Huge play.

 

[FloridAlum]

Even before his recent injury he was already my favorite player to watch. I would love to see him become a bit more of a scorer.

PS when he committed I thought he might not be tall enough to play in the low post. What the hell do I know

 

[DonatelloCat]

Even before his recent injury he was already my favorite player to watch. I would love to see him become a bit more of a scorer.

PS when he committed I thought he might not be tall enough to play in the low post. What the hell do I know

the scouting report was that he's not that tall, but his wingspan is huge! and I didn't really understand why everyone kept making a big deal out of that. now after seeing him block shots and get rebounds where he's nowhere near the ball . . . I get it.

 

[willycat]

I LOVE what he's doing on both ends of the court. At times, he owns the paint.

That power move from the post with the little hook is really becoming a bread and butter shot.

Also, I don't want to ignore his passing or his ability to get up and down the court.

To me, he's really impressive for a sophomore.

Really like how he intimates shooters in the paint and his offensive game is growing. He could end being the best center NU has ever had and that includes Esh.

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

Derek is a gamechanger! We will go to NCAA tourney this year! Next year, final four!

 

[ricko654321]

I LOVE what he's doing on both ends of the court. At times, he owns the paint.

That power move from the post with the little hook is really becoming a bread and butter shot.

Also, I don't want to ignore his passing or his ability to get up and down the court.

To me, he's really impressive for a sophomore.

100% agree. We have not had a guy who can score in the low post in a very long time. He didn't flash spectacular moves, but the long arms and soft touch seem to help him find a way to get the ball into the hoop. Not always pretty, but no pictures on the scorecard.

If he can continue to score a few buckets a game in the low post and draw attention, that will REALLY help open up the rest of the offense. And while Benson and Skelly were working hard in his stead during the injury, it's clear that when he's in the game our interior defense and rebounding takes a step up. Great game Dererk, fantastic to have you back!

 

[Fitz51]

I've got a soft spot for Scottie Lindsey since he's a fellow Fenwick alum, but Pardon is my favorite player to watch, for sure.

 

[spartcat]

Ibegyour is coming along well. Sorry we couldn't see how he'd do vs. Nick Ward (MSU) who is a 6 8 left hander with golden post moves (also). Ward is getting a lot more touches and might be a bit better, but Pardon is a bigger 6'8 (short neck) than probably anybody. His shoulders are even with most 6'10 guys. He needs to be more forceful, I think, to maximize his potential, and we need that badly for days with the 3s aren't falling.
IBegYour...IBY. Iby?? Just a thought. Derek sounds better.

 

[NUCat320]

100% agree. We have not had a guy who can score in the low post in a very long time. He didn't flash spectacular moves, but the long arms and soft touch seem to help him find a way to get the ball into the hoop. Not always pretty, but no pictures on the scorecard.

If he can continue to score a few buckets a game in the low post and draw attention, that will REALLY help open up the rest of the offense. And while Benson and Skelly were working hard in his stead during the injury, it's clear that when he's in the game our interior defense and rebounding takes a step up. Great game Dererk, fantastic to have you back!

I love his game. Just different than we've ever had.

That said, I don't think NU needs to make a conscious effort to feed him in the post. Let him get garbage points on putbacks and an occasional sixth sense lob. Otherwise, I want him moving the ball quickly and focusing on the offensive glass.

 

[Medill90]

I've got a soft spot for Scottie Lindsey since he's a fellow Fenwick alum, but Pardon is my favorite player to watch, for sure.

Better shot....Lindsey or Liston?

 

[Gladeskat]

Interesting observation, Spartcat. He does seem to have a head perched on tall shoulders. I'll have to check his shoulder height against other players of comparable height.

Pardon is also my favorite player, but I love centers. Pardon looks very good this year and should get the ball more often in the low post. A very underrated player coming out of high school, IMO.

 

[DaCat]

Dererk also has great hands, and is somewhat hampered by the wrap on his right hand even though he is left handed. He would have 3 or 4 more rebounds the past two games if his right hand wasn't taped.

He's also a great shot blocker. Even though he's about 6-8, his wingspan is about 7 feet. Very long arms. NU is #10 nationally in blocked shots with 6.0 blocks per game.

 

[catfans5]

I love his game. Just different than we've ever had.

That said, I don't think NU needs to make a conscious effort to feed him in the post. Let him get garbage points on putbacks and an occasional sixth sense lob. Otherwise, I want him moving the ball quickly and focusing on the offensive glass.

I emphatically disagree. He was doing a great job scoring against Minny and we stopped going to him which mistake. If we are going to rely so heavily on the 3, we need an inside game. It will be open and creates great spacing. He needs to see the ball to score about 4 times a half.

 

[purplejustice]

Going to Pardon consistently inside opens up the outside game. If they double down on him they leave a shooter open. If they do not double down he has the moves and the touch. I am glad he is back. He is only going to get better as his hand continues to get stronger following the injury. Smelly does a great job and his skill set compliments Pardon by providing a good outside threat. We have some weapons.

Go Cats!

 

[thewildcat2011]

Smelly does a great job and his skill set compliments Pardon by providing a good outside threat. We have some weapons.

Go Cats!

Rude.

 

[ricko654321]

Dererk also has great hands, and is somewhat hampered by the wrap on his right hand even though he is left handed. He would have 3 or 4 more rebounds the past two games if his right hand wasn't taped.

He's also a great shot blocker. Even though he's about 6-8, his wingspan is about 7 feet. Very long arms. NU is #10 nationally in blocked shots with 6.0 blocks per game.

Yes I noticed this too. I've described him before as having "vacuum hands" inside. He's not quite back to that level yet, but that's entirely understandable given that he's on his way back from the hand injury and has the wrap on the right hand as you mentioned.

As long as that wrap keeps his hand healthy though I'm all for it. Dererk at 90% effectiveness is still a huge addition to this team. And I think he might have spent some of his time off working on those post moves based on the recent results.

 

[DaCat]

Dererk gives the Cats a strong inside presence, especially on offense with his put backs and rebounds. The post moves against Neb were sweet.

 

[hdhntr1]

I emphatically disagree. He was doing a great job scoring against Minny and we stopped going to him which mistake. If we are going to rely so heavily on the 3, we need an inside game. It will be open and creates great spacing. He needs to see the ball to score about 4 times a half.

But after he beats them a few times, don't the other teams tend to adjust to cut down passes to him or DT him once he receives a pass? Of course this opens up other players and is one of the reasons we shoot so many threes

 

[ricko654321]

But after he beats them a few times, don't the other teams tend to adjust to cut down passes to him or DT him once he receives a pass? Of course this opens up other players and is one of the reasons we shoot so many threes

Yeah, if he gets good enough in the post that he starts drawing double teams I think that would be considered a high class problem to have.

 

[Deeringfish]

Yeah, if he gets good enough in the post that he starts drawing double teams I think that would be considered a high class problem to have.

Just wait till he gets back to 100%.
Just wait till he is a senior and is stronger and smarter.

 

[CatJones]

Dererk has a fantastic inside game due to a combination of talent, skill, long arms, quick feet and soft hands. When I saw him hit the shot from near the three point line near the end of last night's game I have revised expectations: he will develop into an All-big 10 player.

 

[DonatelloCat]

Just wait till he gets back to 100%.
Just wait till he is a senior and is stronger and smarter.

I think that as of last night, he's now playing without the support / splint thingy on his hand, which I can only assume is a positive in terms of his healing?

 

[hdhntr1]

100% agree. We have not had a guy who can score in the low post in a very long time. He didn't flash spectacular moves, but the long arms and soft touch seem to help him find a way to get the ball into the hoop. Not always pretty, but no pictures on the scorecard.

If he can continue to score a few buckets a game in the low post and draw attention, that will REALLY help open up the rest of the offense. And while Benson and Skelly were working hard in his stead during the injury, it's clear that when he's in the game our interior defense and rebounding takes a step up. Great game Dererk, fantastic to have you back!

He has been trying to add that midrange shot and last night finally made one. Start hitting a couple of those a game and opponents should be afraid. Really afraid.

 

[hdhntr1]

Based upon his greater confidence in the post and improved moves and shooting, I expect a few 20 point games out of Pardon this year. I realize he hit for 28 in his first B10 game last year, but that game was a center fantasy come true in that the ball kept bouncing to him on rebounds all game. I didn't expect him to have another performance like that because that many good bounces doesn't happen often. He'll continue with the quick putbacks and dunks this year when the ball bounces his way again, though.

He really likes playing against NEB.