Texas Tech basketball: Scouting incoming 7-foot center Vlad Goldin

Goldin dominated an overmatched Golden State Prep

In the second game I watched, Goldin had his way with Golden State Prep to the tune of 19 points and 4 rebounds.  In the 79-42 laugher, he was 1-3 at the line, had 2 blocks, and came away with a steal.

If you want to get excited about what Goldin could become, watch this game.  That’s because he looked like a player from another universe, though the competition was not nearly as stiff as it was in game one.

His athleticism can be seen at the 20:30 mark when he comes up with a steal and leads the fast break.  Here he appears more than comfortable handling the ball as he takes it from one end of the court to the other.

Later, at the 29:43 mark, Goldin hows of great footwork getting to the basket after posting up at the foul line.  On the play, he begins to drive to his right and then reverses his dribble to the left allowing him to knock down a layup near the rim.  Again, that type of ball handling will be necessary in Tech’s motion offense.

You can see him make a beautiful turnaround jumper in the paint at the 30:15 mark.  Meanwhile, at 47:58 of the video, he finishes an alley-oop again showing his hands as well as his athleticism.

But my favorite moment from this game came at the 48:47 mark.  There, the big guy saves an airball from going out of bounds then is rewarded when his teammates gives the ball right back to him for a one-handed reverse dunk.

What you have to love about that play was that the score at the time was 53-23 and yet, Goldin is selling out to save a possession.  That’s the type of mentality that will serve him well when playing for Beard.