"Anthony Grant’s ‘difference maker’ vs Auburn might surprise you"

[Chechem]

Nobody scored many points in Alabama’s 55-49 beating of Auburn last night. One particular light-scoring Crimson Tide guard earned special praise from coach Anthony Grant.

Reserve junior Ben Eblen played 12 minutes, didn’t take a shot and had one free throw in a supporting role. But he did more than the stat sheet says.

“He could have been the difference in the game,” Grant said.

Click here for link

   Mr. Eblen.

[Jamos]

I very much agree with CAG as I stated in another thread, Eblen won't win any style points as far as shooting, but he will give you 110% effort and play as good of defense as anyone on the team.

[Chechem]

I very much agree with CAG as I stated in another thread, Eblen won't win any style points as far as shooting, but he will give you 110% effort and play as good of defense as anyone on the team.

Yep, love his effort.  He was on his man like a tick on a rock during the last 2 minutes.  But, he needs mucho work on free throws or he'll become a target.

[Jamos]

I very much agree with CAG as I stated in another thread, Eblen won't win any style points as far as shooting, but he will give you 110% effort and play as good of defense as anyone on the team.

Yep, love his effort.  He was on his man like a tick on a rock during the last 2 minutes.  But, he needs mucho work on free throws or he'll become a target.

I agree. I think Auburn went brain dead the last two minutes of the game by not fouling Eblen when they chose to start fouling. Actually I told the guy sitting next to me that CAG needed to get him out of their in fear that Auburn would target him as the shooter but he only went to the line once and made one of them. CAG did an excellent job of recognizing the weakness of Bama, outside shooting, in the game and in the second half Bama keep driving the lane and getting foul shot opportunities which was where Bama was having most of their success. To me this was the key in the victory.

I watch Eblen a lot during pregame warmups and he just doesn't have an outside shot at all. Actually he stands around a lot and doesn't seem too interested in improving himself as the other players do.

[BAMAWV]

I very much agree with CAG as I stated in another thread, Eblen won't win any style points as far as shooting, but he will give you 110% effort and play as good of defense as anyone on the team.

Yep, love his effort.  He was on his man like a tick on a rock during the last 2 minutes.  But, he needs mucho work on free throws or he'll become a target.

I agree. I think Auburn went brain dead the last two minutes of the game by not fouling Eblen when they chose to start fouling. Actually I told the guy sitting next to me that CAG needed to get him out of their in fear that Auburn would target him as the shooter but he only went to the line once and made one of them. CAG did an excellent job of recognizing the weakness of Bama, outside shooting, in the game and in the second half Bama keep driving the lane and getting foul shot opportunities which was where Bama was having most of their success. To me this was the key in the victory.

I watch Eblen a lot during pregame warmups and he just doesn't have an outside shot at all. Actually he stands around a lot and doesn't seem too interested in improving himself as the other players do.

No sense in taking warm up shots away from others if he isn't going to shoot. Forget being targeted on last minute fouls. He is one guy you don't have to bother guarding at all--LOL-- actually you just play "loose"on a non-"O" guy like Eblen. If all he brings to the table is he can play "D" as good as anyone else, then anyone else with a tad of offense would be preferable. JMHO Things stall (or never pick up) when Eblen comes in,--been watching it for 2 years.

I've have laid off of BE since he came from VCU with CAG. I think Grant brought him along hoping he would develop more. I'm giving CAG a pat on the back for honoring his (my guess only) commitment to BE. But no way would I be giving him 10-12 minutes. But always remember that CAG sees them play 5-10 times more per week than we do.

[Catch Prothro]

I very much agree with CAG as I stated in another thread, Eblen won't win any style points as far as shooting, but he will give you 110% effort and play as good of defense as anyone on the team.

Yep, love his effort.  He was on his man like a tick on a rock during the last 2 minutes.  But, he needs mucho work on free throws or he'll become a target.

I agree. I think Auburn went brain dead the last two minutes of the game by not fouling Eblen when they chose to start fouling. Actually I told the guy sitting next to me that CAG needed to get him out of their in fear that Auburn would target him as the shooter but he only went to the line once and made one of them. CAG did an excellent job of recognizing the weakness of Bama, outside shooting, in the game and in the second half Bama keep driving the lane and getting foul shot opportunities which was where Bama was having most of their success. To me this was the key in the victory.

I watch Eblen a lot during pregame warmups and he just doesn't have an outside shot at all. Actually he stands around a lot and doesn't seem too interested in improving himself as the other players do.

No sense in taking warm up shots away from others if he isn't going to shoot. Forget being targeted on last minute fouls. He is one guy you don't have to bother guarding at all--LOL-- actually you just play "loose"on a non-"O" guy like Eblen. If all he brings to the table is he can play "D" as good as anyone else, then anyone else with a tad of offense would be preferable. JMHO Things stall (or never pick up) when Eblen comes in,--been watching it for 2 years.

I've have laid off of BE since he came from VCU with CAG. I think Grant brought him along hoping he would develop more. I'm giving CAG a pat on the back for honoring his (my guess only) commitment to BE. But no way would I be giving him 10-12 minutes. But always remember that CAG sees them play 5-10 times more per week than we do.

I think Eblen got more time against Auburn than usual because Releford was having a bad night, and Lacey still has ankle issues.  While not a shooter, Eblen plays good defense and has decent ball control.

[Marshal Dillon]

Eblen provides a steady hand & ball handling skills at the point in relief of Releford and gives us solid D against the other team. That's his role on the team and he's good at it. Also, he comes in late some games when ball handling skills are needed in a close game and we have the lead.



 

[pmull]

Elben is a player who knows his role on the team. He comes in to give Releford a break. When he is in the game he handles the ball well. He has no problem with pressure. His best offense is drive and pass to the open man. Poor fellow just can't shoot. If you play good defense CAG will find a way to get you in the game.

This thread needs a picture of Elben. Notice he is dribbling and not shooting.

[BAMAWV]

Elben is a player who knows his role on the team. He comes in to give Releford a break. When he is in the game he handles the ball well. He has no problem with pressure. His best offense is drive and pass to the open man. Poor fellow just can't shoot. If you play good defense CAG will find a way to get you in the game.

This thread needs a picture of Elben. Notice he is dribbling and not shooting.

CAG had to say something good about Eblen this season. Coaches do that to motivate or maybe to reward him for playing and practicing hard all season.  I spoke up about Eblen in an earlier post but I never intended to blister a player. I'll bet he practices hard, and that in itself is a big role on a basketball team. My comments focused on CAG for giving him that many minutes. Maybe it was just due to Lacey's ankle.  But for a team as sound as we are defensively, and as hungry as we are offensively, playing Eblen for anything more than giving TR a quick blow is too much.

The offense stalls. If we happen to be playing flat it seems to get worse. His 1 or 2 assists and a rebound aren't cutting it. It ranks up there with JG coming back on the floor late in the game, due to foul trouble.

Another thing about Eblen. Being a role player like him is hard as it is.  Coming off the bench, most times cold, against the 1s on the opposing team. If you are only in a couple minutes you never get a chance to get into the rhythm or flow of the game. You have to keep bottled up adrenaline in check-- he almost always picks up a foul-- and you'll find the other team running straight at you, much like a when corner goes down in football.

I hope everyone is home safe from another round of tornadoes!

[Guest]

Username:
Password:
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever

Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

There aren't any users online.

Loading Tweet...