The Shocker Season in retrospect and looking forward

[shox8498]

To take this retrospective and put my own perspective on it, when you really stop and think about what happened this season, culminating in the victory tonight............it's just like Christmas.

After all that waiting and all that time went by, us kids didn't get the gift (s) we really wanted, but we still ended up getting a pretty nice one.

[ShockTalk]

Now that the NIT is over, I'm thinking that winning it was every bit as good as going to the Dance with a one and done.

Watching our guys during the post-game festivities, these last couple of weeks will be a very memorable experience for them.

I also think that the game experience of playing 5 quality opponents, 1 on the road and 2 at the Garden, could really be a driving force for next year. The returning players all know what a great feeling of accomplishment their hard work and efforts gave them.

Thanks to a fantastic group of young men, HCGM, and the rest of the coaching staff. :good:

[shockerfan]

Now that the NIT is over, I'm thinking that winning it was every bit as good as going to the Dance with a one and done.

Watching our guys during the post-game festivities, these last couple of weeks will be a very memorable experience for them.

I also think that the game experience of playing 5 quality opponents, 1 on the road and 2 at the Garden, could really be a driving force for next year. The returning players all know what a great feeling of accomplishment their hard work and efforts gave them.

Thanks to a fantastic group of young men, HCGM, and the rest of the coaching staff. :good:

They ended the season winners and champions. It doesn't matter what label you put on the tournament, those boys are flying high and deserve it.

[shox8498]

Now that the NIT is over, I'm thinking that winning it was every bit as good as going to the Dance with a one and done.

Watching our guys during the post-game festivities, these last couple of weeks will be a very memorable experience for them.

I also think that the game experience of playing 5 quality opponents, 1 on the road and 2 at the Garden, could really be a driving force for next year. The returning players all know what a great feeling of accomplishment their hard work and efforts gave them.

Thanks to a fantastic group of young men, HCGM, and the rest of the coaching staff. :good:

They ended the season winners and champions. It doesn't matter what label you put on the tournament, those young men are flying high and deserve it.

Fixed for merit.

[forevershockerfan]

The Shocker Homecoming was so very special. We have outstanding young Men and we have much to be thankful for. My eyes were misty as what our beloved Shocks accomplished is still sinking in. We finished so strong and were beating solid teams in an impressive way. Coach Marshall and his Staff are to be recognized as well.

[60Shock]

My crystal ball is rather cloudy at this time so I think I'm not going to make any predictions until we see which of the incoming recruits, none of which has ever played D1 ball, can actually fill the "big" roles that Durley, Ellis, and Blair so superbly performed.

[forevershockerfan]

Our looking forward just took a refreshing meaning. 60Shock is correct. We never know how our new recruits will do at this level. However, the overseas trip will help get us all acquainted. I am very pumped up and excited. We still will have several Seniors with lots and lots of experience and quality depth.

Here is a possible starting 5---1. Rags 2. Toure' 3. Kyles 4. Carl Hall 5. Stutz. Among these players, we have some All Valley Candidates from jumpstreet. Who knows. We are not done recruiting yet and other potential starters may appear. If these developments do not light your Shocker fires, your wood is wet.

[SHOXAAC]

I think we all are going to be pleasantly surprised with Smith. Don't count him out as being in the starting lineup. He is a combination of Hatch's toughness and nose for the ball combined with the ability to shoot the long ball better than anyone on the team. I think we will also see him be more aggressive getting to the basket.

[Snapshot9]

I know we have some fresh players coming in, but Hall is the #4 Juco player in the country, Jake White is AA 4th team, and both have good scoring and rebounding records. Wessel, I think, will be our replacement for Hatch with the hustle and toughness, and Cotton came on strong at the end of his season.

I look for us to recruit 1 or 2 more before next season, and I think we will be pretty good next year, top 3-4 of the Valley. I hope Orukpe develops more over spring and summer, and comes to play next fall.

I have pretty good hope for next year's team, and they may just surprise us.

[forevershockerfan]

Remember the Season we went to the Su-weet 16? Was we not picked around 5th in the Valley and then won it? It will be interesting where we will be picked. Ben Smith could indeed crack that lineup next season. Clevin improved as a Senior as will Rags.

[1979Shocker]

I know we have some fresh players coming in, but Hall is the #4 Juco player in the country, Jake White is AA 4th team, and both have good scoring and rebounding records. Wessel, I think, will be our replacement for Hatch with the hustle and toughness, and Cotton came on strong at the end of his season.

I look for us to recruit 1 or 2 more before next season, and I think we will be pretty good next year, top 3-4 of the Valley. I hope Orukpe develops more over spring and summer, and comes to play next fall.

I have pretty good hope for next year's team, and they may just surprise us.

On the Coach's Show, Marshall said a lot of good things about Jake White. He also said that Wessell is a smaller version of Jake White.

[1972Shocker]

Remember the Season we went to the Su-weet 16? Was we not picked around 5th in the Valley and then won it? It will be interesting where we will be picked. Ben Smith could indeed crack that lineup next season. Clevin improved as a Senior as will Rags.

Unlike his Junior year where Rags was unsure of exactly how to approach the D-1 game he will get a running start next year. His development was key in the Shocks run to through the NIT.

The key components may very well be how Toure, Garrett and David step it up for their senior years.

I think Ben will be Ben. Hitting the big trey when left open and somehow cleaning up on the offensive board against much bigger players.

If Carl Hall is the real deal the Shocks should be very competitive in the MVC next year.

[RoyalShock]

I know we have some fresh players coming in, but Hall is the #4 Juco player in the country, Jake White is AA 4th team, and both have good scoring and rebounding records. Wessel, I think, will be our replacement for Hatch with the hustle and toughness, and Cotton came on strong at the end of his season.

I look for us to recruit 1 or 2 more before next season, and I think we will be pretty good next year, top 3-4 of the Valley. I hope Orukpe develops more over spring and summer, and comes to play next fall.

I have pretty good hope for next year's team, and they may just surprise us.

Remember, Hall's #4 ranking was pre-season. I dare say that might be higher after the season, particularly considering the relatively disappointing season that Robert Goff (#3, IIRC) had. But to be fair, Hutch had a number of offensive weapons, especially Joe Mitchell. At NW Florida, I think Hall was the primary offensive weapon.

One way or the other, the potential is there for us to remain very strong at the PF position.

[SHOXAAC]

I know we have some fresh players coming in, but Hall is the #4 Juco player in the country, Jake White is AA 4th team, and both have good scoring and rebounding records. Wessel, I think, will be our replacement for Hatch with the hustle and toughness, and Cotton came on strong at the end of his season.

I look for us to recruit 1 or 2 more before next season, and I think we will be pretty good next year, top 3-4 of the Valley. I hope Orukpe develops more over spring and summer, and comes to play next fall.

I have pretty good hope for next year's team, and they may just surprise us.

Remember, Hall's #4 ranking was pre-season. I dare say that might be higher after the season, particularly considering the relatively disappointing season that Robert Goff (#3, IIRC) had. But to be fair, Hutch had a number of offensive weapons, especially Joe Mitchell. At NW Florida, I think Hall was the primary offensive weapon.

One way or the other, the potential is there for us to remain very strong at the PF position.

Hall might (and I do say might) have a bigger offensive impact than JT because with Hall you we are getting a true post player. His game is within 10 feet of the basket being relentless at getting to the rim as well as pounding the offensive glass. JT struggled at times with balancing his quality production inside and beyond the 3-point line. There is no doubt Hall will find his points close to the basket.

I also think he will transition quickly. Remember he has had two, and maybe even three, different juco coaches and has posted 18-20 points and 10-12 rebounds a game. It appears he picks up a new system pretty fast.

[RoyalShock]

I agree. I think Hall is what Ramon Clemente would have been with another year or two of experience. Ramon was a little undersized but not Hall.