Shocker Madness

[_kai_]

http://shockerhoops.net/shocker-madness-recap/

Posted up my recap of the night, as well as my review of the players.

[Shocker85]

Here is my BOLD prediction:

Evan Wessel red-shirts. He may never play a game as a Shocker. This would make me sad, but at same time happy with the level we have raised the bar two with a kid with his talent and intelligence cannot find a place on our team.

I don't see this. Wessel seems to have the game that Marshall likes: active on defense and offense, inside/outside game without fear, scrappy dive-for-loose-balls attitude. He isn't super athletic, but he's a smart player and his time on the football field has made him really confident to go in and challenge around the basket.

I think he can be a Graham Hatch type of player.

--'85.

[SubGod22]

I also think he's a better athlete than Hatch. Wessel may or may not start in the future, but he'll definitely contribute.

I could see him not starting until maybe his SR year. Next year could look something like:

Ehimen
Hall
Early
DWill
Armstead

After that it gets difficult because of recruiting

?
White
Early
Baker/Wessel
FVV

But I don't doubt that hell be a major contributor

[shockar25]

Thanks everyone for your concise 'reporting' and analysis. I'm really disappointed that I couldn't make it, but I did manage to see about 1/2 of the 2nd half of the scrimmage on Shocker vision.

It sounds like we have plenty to be optimistic about, and Garrett's poised to have a breakout season!

[ShockerFever]

I could see Wessel playing if they think he'll see enough PT. With others that play on the wing though, I wonder if it's worth it. Kyles, Murry, Smith and DWill are going to get their minutes. That's 80 at those two spots. You figure Murry will play close to 30. Smith and Kyles should probably play about 40 between the two. That leaves 10 for DWill and/or someone else. If DWill is going to play pretty exclusively at PG, than it'd make sense. If not, I'm not sure it's worth not having Wessel 5 years from now.

Unless some miracles happen in the next two weeks, I don't see Murry getting 30. I'd like to see Smith grabbing the most minutes. He definitely makes me more comfortable out there.

I think there may be room out there for Wessel this year. We'll see.

Again, though, Murry needs to cut down on TO's and improve shot selection. When he was in there, I saw more of the same unfortunately. A lot of rushed, hurried shots that didn't even have a chance, a string of about 6 or 7 wide open misses before finally hitting a runner in the lane. If Murry's gonna get 30 minutes, it's gonna be for his defense.

[proshox]

It was exciting to see the newcomers. Carl Hall will not have much trouble adjusting division one and will be a very good player starting in early November. He just doesn't hesitate around the basket.

All other players new to the team showed upside and room for improvement. I could see where all could help if there were minutes available due to injury or foul trouble.

A lot of folks seem to be down on DK's performance, but I watched a guy with a nice jump shot, that covers a lot of court, and he actually runs the offense. I beleive he has been the best actual player at feeding the post for two years running and that continued to be the case last night. He does a lot right and will be just as likely to have as many minutes per game as TM and BS.

The rotation will look a lot like last year's for spots 1-3. The biggest change will be that Ben Smith will eat up all the minutes Hatch left behind. The starting pair at the 2/3 probably isn't that important, but there will be 80 minutes split between TM, DK, and BS (It will probably be a pretty evan split through-out the season).

[_kai_]

It was exciting to see the newcomers. Carl Hall will not have much trouble adjusting division one and will be a very good player starting in early November. He just doesn't hesitate around the basket.

All other players new to the team showed upside and room for improvement. I could see where all could help if there were minutes available due to injury or foul trouble.

A lot of folks seem to be down on DK's performance, but I watched a guy with a nice jump shot, that covers a lot of court, and he actually runs the offense. I beleive he has been the best actual player at feeding the post for two years running and that continued to be the case last night. He does a lot right and will be just as likely to have as many minutes per game as TM and BS.

The rotation will look a lot like last year's for spots 1-3. The biggest change will be that Ben Smith will eat up all the minutes Hatch left behind. The starting pair at the 2/3 probably isn't that important, but there will be 80 minutes split between TM, DK, and BS (It will probably be a pretty evan split through-out the season).

I mentioned it in my write up, but I'll reiterate it again here. I don't think people are down on DK, I think people expect more from him. He's a pretty polar player. He'll have a bad game, and then the next game he'll be lights out. It's when he's lights out that he really impresses everyone. And I think we all expect to see him play like that, and then when he comes out and plays a normal game like he did at Shocker Madness, we are all a bit disappointed that he didn't get on fire. So in a nutshell I think DK has the ability to be such a game changer, that when he isn't, we feel let down. Even though he's a fairly consistent contributor.

[wufan]

My only thought on the to red-shirt or not to red-shirt is that we are likely to have an injury to someone at some point that will put them out for multiple games. In fact, this will probably happen to several people. That being the case, I think you don't RS Cotton, knowing that he can step in and play a steady back-up PG role and D will can move to SG which can push TM down to SF and Smith in to the 4 position (if needed). It's like dominoes. If any player gets hurt, by inserting Cotton the rest of the rotation can be shifted to cover for that injured player. Perhaps if Baker or Wessel is PG ready, they make sense...but just my thought.

[Aargh]

My only thought on the to red-shirt or not to red-shirt is that we are likely to have an injury to someone at some point that will put them out for multiple games. In fact, this will probably happen to several people. That being the case, I think you don't RS Cotton, knowing that he can step in and play a steady back-up PG role and D will can move to SG which can push TM down to SF and Smith in to the 4 position (if needed). It's like dominoes. If any player gets hurt, by inserting Cotton the rest of the rotation can be shifted to cover for that injured player. Perhaps if Baker or Wessel is PG ready, they make sense...but just my thought.

"Freshman" and "point guard" should generally not be used in the same sentence, unless the sentence is describing something to be avoided.

[wusphlash]

DK will be better than he was last year just like he improved from Soph to Junior. He's not going to be a MVC first teamer because he lacks the consistancy everyone craves. He is, without a doubt, the best athelete in the Valley. If he shows the same measure of improvement this year as last, will you be disappointed? It's about matchups and he will frequently be the best option. He will make both spectacular and head scratching plays. I'm betting the first outnumbers the later.

[wufan]

"Freshman" and "point guard" should generally not be used in the same sentence, unless the sentence is describing something to be avoided.

Generally agreed, but if Rags or Williams go down it's a freshman or Murry as the back-up. If Murry is the back up then you need someone that can be an emergency 3rd PG and SG. Cotton makes sense to me, but Baker or Wessel might also do the trick.

[Capitol Shock II]

Don't underestimate DW. I think if he gets the minutes he will surprise a lot of people.

[SHOXAAC]

I hope I am dead-dog-wrong, but if we are depending on EO starting next year, we are in a world of hurt at the 5. Plus, we have another unproven project in Henry Uwadiae on his heels. We have to get a non-project big to occupy the post.

[Ta town]

I hope I am dead-dog-wrong, but if we are depending on EO starting next year, we are in a world of hurt at the 5. Plus, we have another unproven project in Henry Uwadiae on his heels. We have to get a non-project big to occupy the post.

Hall played the 5 in Juco and is most comfortable there. I think next year will be Hall at the 5 and Early at the 4.

[Kung Wu]

I hope I am dead-dog-wrong, but if we are depending on EO starting next year, we are in a world of hurt at the 5. Plus, we have another unproven project in Henry Uwadiae on his heels. We have to get a non-project big to occupy the post.

Carl Hall is way more than capable of playing the 5. In fact, right now he would prefer it.