Had a chance to watch one game from both KU commit Royce Woolridge and KU target Bradley Beal at the Jayhawk Invitational today.

Here’s the breakdown, starting with Beal.

Bradley Beal (Class of 2011)

Stat line:
17 points, 5-for-15 shooting, 1-for-3 three-point shooting, 6-for-6 free throws, four rebounds, three assists, one steal, one turnover.

Strengths:
When asked about his strengths after the game, Beal responded that his game was “smooth,” and I have to agree with him. He has a nice stroke that seems almost effortless. His strength offensively is taking the ball on the perimeter, dribbling in a few steps, and rising up for a mid-range jumper over a defender. Didn’t shoot many threes, but had a nice-looking shot when he did. Was able to create for teammates as well, especially off the dribble. Plays with a bit of a swagger, which I didn’t mind.

Weaknesses:
Like many players on the AAU circuit, he could stand to play harder. He has a long ways to go on the defensive end as well. He didn’t seem interested in going to the boards even though it looked like he had the athletic ability to get more rebounds than he did. Fouled too often defensively.

I’ve heard that when the rankings come out, Beal will be in the 20-30 range in the class of 2011. After the game, he told reporters that KU was one of his leaders.

Royce Woolridge (Game 2 of the day)

Stat line:
24 points, 8-for-16 shooting, 1-for-3 three-point shooting, 7-for-10 free throws, two rebounds, one assists, one turnover, one steal, one technical foul.

What we learned:
Many of the assumptions I made about Woolridge on Friday seemed to stand up after watching him Saturday.

Once again, he was able to use a quick first step to get by his man on the dribble. He also finished well in traffic and around the rim, evidenced by four, three-point plays. He started just 1-for-6 but bounced back nicely, making six of his next eight field-goal attempts.

Much like Friday, Woolridge struggled with his mid-range and outside shots. Nearly every time he gets all the way to the rim on a drive, he makes the shot off the glass. Almost every time he has to settle for a pull-up, though, his shot hasn’t been going in.

The worst moment for him, though, was obviously the technical. On Friday, I said it looked like Woolridge was bothered quite a bit when Harrison Barnes was physical with him. That turned out to be the case again on Saturday. After getting bumped (incidentally) by an opposing post player, Woolridge retaliated, shoving the big guy in the back with two hands. The official called a technical on both players, but Woolridge was fortunate that he wasn’t singled out.

All in all, though, a strong effort from Woolridge, who managed 24 points despite sitting out the final eight minutes with his team in control of the game.

Oh, and Woolridge was toting his things around in a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles backpack.

http://worldonline.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/blogs/entry_img/2009/May/02/51B3HK6UFGL._SL500_AA280__.jpg

Good choice as far as I’m concerned.