Charles Matthews Kentucky's Newest Recruit!!!!!

Today at St Rita High School in Chicago, Charles Matthews a 6'6" guard-forward committed to the Kentucky Wildcats. He's a Class of 2015 recruit so a great get for the future. Here is my take and scouting report on him: CHARLES MATTHEWS(6'6" GUARD FORWARD, ST RITA, CHICAGO)- He is a versatile player who can play three positions on offense and defense which is key. He is long, lanky, can slash to the basket, has a great midrange jumper, is very explosive off the bounce. I have seen him play for his high school team a few times in the last three years. He seems to float through some games, to me he has not shown that he can dominate......yet. Thing is he's playing with five other Division 1 recruits including his brother Dominique, so that could be part of the reason for this. I have been told he plays a more dominant game on the travel circuit with his Meanstreets AAU Team(which he was paired up with Tyler Ulis another UK recruit last summer). Locally he is known more as a National recruit than a local one. In some corners he's 2nd in the State in Class of 2015 behind Jalen Brunson who's been more productive for his high school team. This year he was slowed by a foot injury earlier in the season, lately he has shown some dominant tendencies on the basketball court. He's averaging about 15 points and 6 rebounds a game for St Rita who as a team has disappointed so far this season. To me the best is yet to come for Charles Matthews, I foresee a dominant senior season for him. He is ranked in the Top 15 in the country on most recruiting sites. WHAT DOES HE BRING TO KENTUCKY???????? As I said before he brings versatility on both ends of the floor as he is a very good defender and willing defender, also can play point in a pinch. He has range out to the three point line and fits Calipari's dribble drive offense perfectly with his versatile skills. He is not outstanding in one thing, but very good in a number of things, shooting, scoring,rebounding, and passing. By committing so early he can start talking to other recruits to get them to join Kentucky. I as a Kentucky fan am glad he committed to us but want to see more from him on his high school team. Can he get his team to the State Finals this year? That will be tough with the Sectional they are in but St Rita has the talent. Let's see if he can explode in the IHSA Playoffs this year. THIS IS MY RANT FOR TODAY, WELCOME TO BBN CHARLES MATTHEWS!!!!!! GOD BLESS AND PEACE TO THE CREATURES!!!!!!!

Chicago Public League Championship Game!!!!!!!

This is the Top Heavyweights, CLASH OF THE TITANS, both team and individual. Neither team has lost a game in the State Of Illinois all year. Curie has not lost a game with Cliff Alexander in the lineup this year. Heck last game they lost with Big Cliff in the lineup was..........last year in Sectional semifinal against....guess who......Whitney Young. Curie is ranked #2 in the Nation by USA TODAY while Whitney Young is unranked Nationally. Here's the breakdown: #1 CURIE VS #2 WHITNEY YOUNG 7PM CENTRAL TIME- HERE IS A BREAKDOWN OF THE MATCHUPS:  CURIE GUARDS VS WHITNEY YOUNG GUARDS Alondre Pickens(5'7" senior),Devin Gage (6'1" sophomore) and Joe Stamps(6'2" senior)for Curie. Rodney Herenton Jr(6'2" sophomore), Miles Reynolds(6'3" senior) and Skylar Nash(6'5" sophomore) for Young. THIS MATCHUP I THINK WILL DECIDE THE GAME, WHO'S GUARD'S PLAY BETTER. REYNOLDS AND JOE STAMPS ARE A WASH TO ME, YOUNG WILL DARE PICKENS TO SHOOT THE 3 AS HE HAS NOT BEEN EFFECTIVE AT ALL THIS POSTSEASON SHOOTING IT. KEY AT THIS POSITION WILL BE THE PLAY OF GAGE(CURIE) AND HERENTON JR(YOUNG). THEY HAVE TO BE STEADY FOR THEIR TEAMS. EDGE:CURIE. CURIE AND YOUNG'S FORWARDS:Josh Stamps(6'5" junior) for Curie. Paul White(6'9" senior) for Young. USUALLY THIS MATCHUP WOULD GO TO WHITE EASILY BUT WHITE HAS AN ANKLE AND HAMSTRING INJURY WHICH EVENS THINGS UP A LITTLE. BOTH OF THESE GUYS HIT OUTSIDE JUMPERS TO LOOSEN UP DEFENSES TRYING TO PACK IT IN ON ALEXANDER AND OKAFOR. JOSH STAMPS IS VERY ATHLETIC AND WILL DUNK ON YOU ANYTIME, ALSO CAN SHOOT THE THREE.  EDGE:YOUNG. CURIE AND YOUNG'S CENTERS: CLIFF ALEXANDER VS JAHLIL OKAFOR ALREADY WENT OVER THIS ONE PREVIOUS, THIS IS A WASH.   BENCH PLAY: Neither team has a bench to speak of they go maybe six deep but Young's Erwin Henry(6'2" senior) and his thee point shooting gives Young a slight edge here.  Coaches are a wash also. I WILL SAY CURIE WINS THIS GAME BY 4 POINTS AND THE CITY TITLE!!!!! THERE YOU HAVE IT, SHOULD BE FUN THIS CLASH OF THE TITANS!!!!!! GOD BLESS AND PEACE TO THE CREATURES!!!!!!!!

Jahlil Okafor vs Cliff Alexander Round 2?????????

You say Round 2? Yes this would be Round 2 because they went head up last season in the Sectional Semifinal at Argo. Curie led by 10 at halftime of that game before Young came back and won the game. The individual matchup was a standoff as I was at that game watching in the stands. This is Round 1 this year with a possible Round 2 in the Marist Sectional Final this year, but that might not happen as that Sectional is full of land mines for both teams. Here's the breakdown: HEIGHT- Jahlil Okafor is 6'11", Cliff Alexander is 6'9" but Alexander makes up for lack of height with an out of this world explosiveness off the floor. Okafor is more floor bound but knows how to use his body very well to carve out space. WEIGHT-Okafor goes about 270, Alexander goes about 240 so 30 pound weight advantage for Okafor but Alexander is well put together so will not get knocked off his space in the paint. ATHLETICISM-As I have said Alexander's athleticism is off the charts as he tries to dunk anything within miles of the rim. Okafor is not athletic at all but makes up for it with his smooth play in the post, also he's a very smart player. SHOOTING-Both Okafor and Alexander have a good shooting touch out to 15 feet, Alexander has worked hard on extending his range as a shooter. Okafor can handle the ball very well for as big as he is so makes up for lack of shooting range as compared to Alexander. REBOUNDING-Both average double digits on the boards but Alexander is a better rebounder by a wide margin. To me Okafor should get more rebounds than he does but has improved in this area. SHOT BLOCKING-Alexander has a wide edge in this area too as he blocks just about anything close to the rim. Okafor has improved too but he intimidates in a different way with his size and great feet. PASSING-Okafor wins this one hands down as he has great vision in the post to find teammates. Alexander is improving in this area but has some work to do here. Also Okafor's footwork in the post is better than Alexander's.  POSTUP GAME- Okafor is better in posting up, great footwork, some of the best I've seen in a high school big man in awhile, probably since Kevin Garnett. Alexander still is a work in progress with his footwork but he has worked hard to improve this area of his game. FINALLY THIS SHOULD BE A GREAT MATCHUP AS JAHLIL OKAFOR IS RANKED #1 IN THE COUNTRY IN MOST RANKINGS, CLIFF ALEXANDER IS RANKED #2 OR #3 DEPENDING ON WHICH SCOUTING SERVICE YOU LOOK AT!!!!! WE MIGHT SEE THIS MATCHUP AGAIN IN THE MARIST SECTIONAL FINAL, BUT WILL ENJOY THIS ON FRIDAY!!!!! BY THE WAY OKAFOR IS HEADED TO DUKE AND ALEXANDER IS HEADED TO KANSAS!!!! THIS IS MY RANT FOR TODAY, LATER I WILL BREAKDOWN THE GAME!!!! GOD BLESS AND PEACE TO THE CREATURES!!!!

Chicago Public League Semifinals!!!!!!

Today is the CPS or Chicago Public League semifinals, I plan on being out at Chicago State tonight. Should be some great basketball once again, I was 2 for 4 in predictions on Sunday(smh). Let's see if I do better today. CURIE VS HYDE PARK 5PM- These teams finished 1st and 2nd in the Red Central this year. First game Curie dominated, 2nd game was a three point game down to the last shot. Will the 3rd time be the charm for Hyde Park? Hyde Park is here on the strength of their guards Marcus Smith (6'2" senior) and Cashell Dixon (6'2" senior) both are very underrated. Inside game consist of Kendall Ivy (6'3" senior) and Antione Pike (6'5" junior). Curie is ranked #2 in the nation with National Player of The Year candidate Big Cliff Alexander (6'9" senior) signed with Kansas and the Stamps brothers Joe(6'2" senior) and Josh(6'5" senior). Not sure Hyde Park can slow down Alexander enough. Prediction: Curie moves onto the Final. WHITNEY YOUNG VS ORR 7PM- This will be a war between 1st and 2nd place teams in the Red West. Young won the only matchup between these two teams in regular season, the 2nd game was cancelled due to weather. For Young of course #1 player in the country Jahlil Okafor(6'11" senior) signed with Duke. Also Paul White(6'9" senior) signed with Georgetown who was key in the lone regular season matchup, the third big gun is Miles Reynolds(6'3" senior) signed with St Louis who suffered a bad gash on his forehead in quarterfinals vs Morgan Park. He gutted it out and will probably play tonight. As for Orr the key will be inside once again with Marlon Jones (6'8" senior) and Tyquaan Greer(6'5" senior) who had a monster game in the quarterfinals. Orr needs All-City Player Louis Adams Jr(6'4" senior) to be at his best to beat Young. As it is I think Young is too experienced and poised to lose this one. Prediction: Young moves onto the Final and a Clash of the Titans Jahlil Okafor vs Cliff Alexander two of the top 3 Players in the Country. THIS IS MY RANT FOR TODAY!!!!!!!! I WILL BE HERE TO PREDICT THE FINAL ON FRIDAY NIGHT!!!! GOD BLESS AND PEACE TO THE CREATURES!!!!!!!!    

Chicago Public League Quarterfinals

It's down to the Elite 8 in the CPS(City) Playoffs that are being played on Sunday at Chicago State. Here are the match ups: FARRAGUT VS HYDE PARK- Farragut was one loss from not making the City Playoffs and also dropping to the White Division for the 1st time in history. They have a transcendent player in 6'4" point guard Ashante Jones and a bunch of scrappers around him. I frankly do not know much about Hyde Park except they finished 2nd in the Red Central. I will go out on a limb and pick Farragut in another upset. UPLIFT VS ORR- Red North Champ Uplift is a great story, only been in existence for about 5 years and in their first quarterfinal. They have a great backcourt in Jeremy Roscoe(6'2" junior) and Quintin Olagbegi (6'0" senior) can control a game from the backcourt but will need rebounding help from Jamaya Wyatt to stay with Orr. Orr should win this game with their talented trio of All-City Louis Adams Jr (6'4" senior), Tyquaan Greer(6'7" senior) and Marlon Jones (6'8" senior) to dominate the glass with adequate backcourt play from Isaiah Hayes (6'0" senior). I'll take Orr in this one but don't be surprised at an upset. WHITNEY YOUNG VS MORGAN PARK-This one should be a barnburner Young is the defending city champ with their great senior trio of Duke signee Jahlil Okafor(6'11" senior), Georgetown signee Paul White (6'9"senior) and St Louis signee Miles Reynolds (6'3" senior) leading the way. Morgan Park counters with Josh Cunningham(6'7" senior), Lamont Walker (6'5" senior) and Charlie Moore(5'9" sophomore). Morgan Park is too careless with the ball to win this one so I'll take Whitney Young. CURIE VS SIMEON- This one is tough to call even though Curie is ranked #2 in the country. Curie has Kansas signee Cliff Alexander (6'9" senior) along with the Stamps brothers Joe(6'2" senior) and Josh (6'4" junior), Devin Gage (6'0" sophomore) is key in this game. Simeon has been inconsistent this season as they are young and turn the ball over a lot with inconsistent guard play. Edward Morrow(6'7" junior) and Loyola signee Dante Ingram(6'5" senior) have been the most consistent for Simeon. Simeon has been playing very well lately. I will pick Simeon in the upset here. THERE YOU HAVE IT: SHOULD BE A GREAT SUNDAY AT CHICAGO STATE, I WILL BE THERE TO CHECK OUT THE GREAT BASKETBALL!!!!!! THIS IS MY RANT FOR TODAY, GOD BLESS AND PEACE TO THE CREATURES!!!!!! I WILL HAVE THE SEMIFINAL BREAKDOWN ON MONDAY OR TUESDAY OF NEXT WEEK!!!!!!

Chicago Public League(City Playoffs)

Well the City Playoffs begin tonight, to me it's the hardest high school basketball tournament to win in the country. Want proof? Jabari Parker's 4 time State Champion Simeon teams only won the City Tournament once. What would make this must see television around the country would be if Curie and Whitney Young clashed in the Final? Big Cliff Alexander (Kansas) vs Jahlil Okafor(Duke), two of the top 3 players in the country. But both have some big land mines in front of them before this matchup could materialize. Here are the contending teams: CURIE- Big Cliff Alexander(Kansas) has had a National Player of The Year type season for Curie. The improvement of this team is it's guards have finally started getting Alexander touches in the interior every time down the floor. Key will be the Stamps Brothers both guards (Josh a senior, and Joseph a junior) being knockdown three point shooters. Devin Gage is key at the point steadying the offense. Curie has lost once all season which was in Michigan when Alexander sat out due to suspension. Can they win their first City Title? WHITNEY YOUNG- This veteran team and defending City Champ has a rough road to the Finals, especially with possibly Morgan Park in the quarterfinals and Orr in the Semifinals. Leader is the senior trio of Jahlil Okafor(Duke), Paul White(Geogretown), and Miles Reynolds(St Louis) a 3 point sniper. Key will be the play of point guard Ant Moseley, and staying out of foul trouble especially since Whitney Young has no bench to speak of once again. Will they defend their title? ORR- This is my 3rd choice, they have quietly had a wonderful season with only 2 losses. They have inside play with Marlon Jones (6'8" senior) and Tyquan Greer (6'7" senior) doing damage on the glass. To me the key is the Coaches son Lou Adams Jr(6'4" senior) can he control his emotions and take advantage of his explosive and immense talent? If he can then they might pull the surprise and win the City Tournament.  BOGAN- This is a small, explosive team that won the toughest division in this league the Red South. Luwan Pipkins (5'9" junior) a small quick explosive guard who can light up the gym from three point range, also Bryce Barnes (5'7" sophomore) is another explosive point guard who keeps the pace up. Key will be rebounding as Antonio Thomas will be key on the glass. This is a young team with only one senior in the rotation, could be a year away. SIMEON- Four time defending 4A State Champs have been up and down this season. They are frightenly young like Bogan and have been inconsistent most of the season. They are starting to play better in the last couple of weeks, Donte Ingram(Loyola Chicago) 6'5"senior swingman has taken a big leadership role the past couple of weeks. Ed Morrow (6'7" junior) has been a monster on the glass, Illinois commit DJ Williams (6'7"junior) needs to be more assertive if they are going to have a chance at the title. Evan Gilyard(5'11" freshman) has been effective at the point, Simeon as a possible date with Curie in quarterfinals. MORGAN PARK- Defending Class 3A State Champ has been up and down this season also. Josh Cunningham (6'7" senior) is probably the best uncommitted player in the country has to be a leader, Lamont Walker(Missouri Kansas City) 6'5" senior is the defensive ace. Charlie Moore (5'9" sophomore) has to run the team for Morgan Park to have a chance at the title. They also have to hit the glass better for their size. THERE YOU HAVE IT!!!! THIS WILL BE AN EXCITING 2 WEEKS CULMINATING WITH THE FINALS ON FEBRUARY 21ST!!!!!!!! WILL COME BACK WITH PREDICTIONS FOR THE QUARTERFINALS!!!!!!!! THIS IS MY RANT FOR TODAY, GOD BLESS AND PEACE TO THE CREATURES!!!!!!!




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