Last Season versus this Season

[WuDrWu]

Upon the team's return, we all should have some working knowledge of the "unknowns" of this team.

The potential of the 2011-2012 team rests squarely on the backs of the unknown, which concerns me.

I would have felt really good with a solid inside addition and thought that what really pressured teams last season, namely quality post depth, would be there again.

I don't think we're there, and only time will tell if we get there.


One place that I think we will be improved, perhaps greatly improved, is point guard. Joe Ragland finished last season very strong, and by all accounts has had a productive offseason, and I will be buying ALL the Demetric Williams stock that anyone wants to sell. D-Will is "getting it" and he has a ton of physical and basketball talent. The upside is huge. I believe we're going to be FANTASTIC at the 1.

Toure Murry is one of my all time favorite Shockers, and I believe is sitting on a huge senior season. For all the UNDUE criticism he gets, he's going to be one of the 20 best players in the history of this program when it's all said and done.

Ben Smith will continue his solid, dependable and even occasionally spectacular play. The "3" is well covered. I am concerned about the consistency of DK and I think we're going to need at least one of the new guys to be able to contribute here. Toure' and Ben are so versatile that they may be able to cover a lot of this, but we are certainly better with DK on his A game.

Garrett Stutz will have a huge senior season. Huge. The problem is he needs help...all from new people. This is where our fate will be decided. If Hall, White, Orupke and Anacreon (with a little Smith) can be productive, this team has every chance to be in the NCAA tourney, and make noise. If not.....well I don't like to think about that.

I am cautiously optimistic. I want to see how they do in Brazil, then I need to get to the gym and start breaking down the strengths and weaknesses of the new guys, more seriously than I have to date.

I will continue to harp on my belief that Toure' and Garrett REALLY deserve to get to the dance this year.....nothing can be allowed to stand in the way of that goal.

[shock]

There was nothing 'miraculous' about last year. Fulfilled potential is just that, fulfilled potential. You might as well say the boys were lucky and didn't deserve it.

[another shocker]

This Brazil tour should really help the team. I don't expect a drop off from last year, for better or worse. The style may be a bit different, perhaps, but 25 wins or so could be attainable.

[60Shock]

There was nothing 'miraculous' about last year. Fulfilled potential is just that, fulfilled potential. You might as well say the boys were lucky and didn't deserve it.

Fulfilled potential my rectum. Sounds just like another politician's term for a government give away program.

You obviously have not been around long enough to appreciate how few times in the entire history of this program, any WSU BB team has finished like the boys did last year.

[tropicalshox]

Upon the team's return, we all should have some working knowledge of the "unknowns" of this team.

The potential of the 2011-2012 team rests squarely on the backs of the unknown, which concerns me.

I would have felt really good with a solid inside addition and thought that what really pressured teams last season, namely quality post depth, would be there again.

I don't think we're there, and only time will tell if we get there.

I think we will see James Anacreon at the 4 quite a bit and expect him to contribute.

[shock]

There was nothing 'miraculous' about last year. Fulfilled potential is just that, fulfilled potential. You might as well say the boys were lucky and didn't deserve it.

Fulfilled potential my rectum. Sounds just like another politician's term for a government give away program.

You obviously have not been around long enough to appreciate how few times in the entire history of this program, any WSU BB team has finished like the boys did last year.

I may not have been around as long as some, but I cut my teeth on Shocker ball and endured all the crap that I got from teachers in school that were KU elitists. There was a time that I had no clue that there was such thing as a post season. When I learned about the post season, I figured it held no relevance because it was always one, maybe two games. Then there were these players named Randy and Jamar, and that's when things started really getting disappointing. They succeeded and the stakes got bigger, and as they say, the bigger they are the harder they fall, and I came to know the post season mvc tournament curse and became superstitious to the point of how I sat and where I sat, what I wore and what I ate. The nit losses were heartwrenching and I still remember kyle wilson inbounding the ball and a past half court three that went in... after the buzzer. Then I remember a year when things were going good and then all the sudden they were in position to win the regular season title or tie for it, then a run to the sweet sixteen. Then we played a team that seemed unstoppable who had already beat us once. Then Sean Ogirri coming out of the tunnel at the awards celebration with a swag, then, " I'm stayin." Then a preseason trip to canada that synced the team. And a 9-0 run that ended in Vegas. Then the departure of a coach that I couldn't remember shocker ball without. Then this marshall guy that was going to be a step up in many ways from Turg. And a huge regression. And more disappointment. I remember 1.9. In 17 years I've been to at least two games at home every year, been fan of the game, and have every poster from every year. I may not be the oldest guy or even the most obsessed, but never question my loyalty and love of Shocker ball. And yes I know disappointment, or rather unfulfilled potential.

Now I don't know anything about your rectum, nor do I care to. But I know for once we ended the season in a win. For once we fulfilled potential, even if it was for the last few games. It wasn't miraculous, it wasn't luck, as calling it that takes away from the boys and all their amazing coaching. It was pure ball, not perfect, but pure. And if you keep pressing that it was a miracle you will owe that team an apology because I guarantee you that any one of those players will tell you it took every ounce of blood and sweat and effort, but it was in no way shape or form a miracle. Sorry to disappoint.

[wufan]

I don't have a horse in this race, but well put!

[Ta Town Shocker]

There was nothing 'miraculous' about last year. Fulfilled potential is just that, fulfilled potential. You might as well say the boys were lucky and didn't deserve it.

Fulfilled potential my rectum. Sounds just like another politician's term for a government give away program.

You obviously have not been around long enough to appreciate how few times in the entire history of this program, any WSU BB team has finished like the boys did last year.

I may not have been around as long as some, but I cut my teeth on Shocker ball and endured all the crap that I got from teachers in school that were KU elitists. There was a time that I had no clue that there was such thing as a post season. When I learned about the post season, I figured it held no relevance because it was always one, maybe two games. Then there were these players named Randy and Jamar, and that's when things started really getting disappointing. They succeeded and the stakes got bigger, and as they say, the bigger they are the harder they fall, and I came to know the post season mvc tournament curse and became superstitious to the point of how I sat and where I sat, what I wore and what I ate. The nit losses were heartwrenching and I still remember kyle wilson inbounding the ball and a past half court three that went in... after the buzzer. Then I remember a year when things were going good and then all the sudden they were in position to win the regular season title or tie for it, then a run to the sweet sixteen. Then we played a team that seemed unstoppable who had already beat us once. Then Sean Ogirri coming out of the tunnel at the awards celebration with a swag, then, " I'm stayin." Then a preseason trip to canada that synced the team. And a 9-0 run that ended in Vegas. Then the departure of a coach that I couldn't remember shocker ball without. Then this marshall guy that was going to be a step up in many ways from Turg. And a huge regression. And more disappointment. I remember 1.9. In 17 years I've been to at least two games at home every year, been fan of the game, and have every poster from every year. I may not be the oldest guy or even the most obsessed, but never question my loyalty and love of Shocker ball. And yes I know disappointment, or rather unfulfilled potential.

Now I don't know anything about your rectum, nor do I care to. But I know for once we ended the season in a win. For once we fulfilled potential, even if it was for the last few games. It wasn't miraculous, it wasn't luck, as calling it that takes away from the boys and all their amazing coaching. It was pure ball, not perfect, but pure. And if you keep pressing that it was a miracle you will owe that team an apology because I guarantee you that any one of those players will tell you it took every ounce of blood and sweat and effort, but it was in no way shape or form a miracle. Sorry to disappoint.

I am a little confused about the disparity in the comments on our coach. I don't want to stir the pot on Turgeon vs. HCGM but at this point and time I am definitely impressed with the progression of the team under HCGM.

[shock]

There was a regression bc Turg left the cupboard bare resulting in more disappointment. When HCGM got his players the team got better. There was nothing there meant to slam HCGM or to be negative. I can see where you misinterpreted that though.

[60Shock]

There was nothing 'miraculous' about last year. Fulfilled potential is just that, fulfilled potential. You might as well say the boys were lucky and didn't deserve it.

Fulfilled potential my rectum. Sounds just like another politician's term for a government give away program.

You obviously have not been around long enough to appreciate how few times in the entire history of this program, any WSU BB team has finished like the boys did last year.

I may not have been around as long as some, but I cut my teeth on Shocker ball and endured all the crap that I got from teachers in school that were KU elitists. There was a time that I had no clue that there was such thing as a post season. When I learned about the post season, I figured it held no relevance because it was always one, maybe two games. Then there were these players named Randy and Jamar, and that's when things started really getting disappointing. They succeeded and the stakes got bigger, and as they say, the bigger they are the harder they fall, and I came to know the post season mvc tournament curse and became superstitious to the point of how I sat and where I sat, what I wore and what I ate. The nit losses were heartwrenching and I still remember kyle wilson inbounding the ball and a past half court three that went in... after the buzzer. Then I remember a year when things were going good and then all the sudden they were in position to win the regular season title or tie for it, then a run to the sweet sixteen. Then we played a team that seemed unstoppable who had already beat us once. Then Sean Ogirri coming out of the tunnel at the awards celebration with a swag, then, " I'm stayin." Then a preseason trip to canada that synced the team. And a 9-0 run that ended in Vegas. Then the departure of a coach that I couldn't remember shocker ball without. Then this marshall guy that was going to be a step up in many ways from Turg. And a huge regression. And more disappointment. I remember 1.9. In 17 years I've been to at least two games at home every year, been fan of the game, and have every poster from every year. I may not be the oldest guy or even the most obsessed, but never question my loyalty and love of Shocker ball. And yes I know disappointment, or rather unfulfilled potential.

Now I don't know anything about your rectum, nor do I care to. But I know for once we ended the season in a win. For once we fulfilled potential, even if it was for the last few games. It wasn't miraculous, it wasn't luck, as calling it that takes away from the boys and all their amazing coaching. It was pure ball, not perfect, but pure. And if you keep pressing that it was a miracle you will owe that team an apology because I guarantee you that any one of those players will tell you it took every ounce of blood and sweat and effort, but it was in no way shape or form a miracle. Sorry to disappoint.

I don't question your loyalty, Shock, just your outlook. Perhaps you need to lighten up. Ye gads, what do you have running through your veins if the only verbage you can use describing a team that has achieved a "significant" or "miraculous" achievement is that they "fulfilled potential? Is that as emotional as you can get.

Just for your edification, I did not say this was a miracle and it certainly did not involve any religious intervention. One online Webster's definition, however, does a miracle as:

An extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing, or accomplishment. In my opinion, our winning a National BB Championship falls into that category. Obviously, your's does not.

However, I will gladly apologize to any BB player on last year's team if they were in the very slightest insulted by my comment that their achievement was miraculous. I seriously doubt any were though.

Let's just examine a much more famous example.

Do you really believe or have an ounce of proof that any US Hockey team players were insulted after their victory over the Russian Hockey team at the 1960 Winter Olymics when Al Michaels coined, "Do you believe in miracles?"

And if so, I'm sure too that Mr. Michaels would have apologized as well.

This is my last comment.