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**Walker** · March 10, 2019, 01:26 PM

We have great group of guys and I hope they all decide to come back. Ricky can be a liability on defense sometimes but hopefully he can improve in that area as well as his 3pt shooting. Seems like his stance is a bit wonky, but his stance and mechanics are smooth as can be on those pull up jumpers he likes to take. If can sort that out this summer, him and Burton will be a great combination that will allow Fernandez to be eased into the lineup at the point.

**Woodrow** · March 10, 2019, 01:35 PM

Originally posted by Bluzrover View Post

I think the offseason is going to be interesting because I just don't really know that I want any of the current crop of young players to go anywhere. But I'm torn as I certainly would love to see Gregg add another high level recruit to the roster. I just don't know who, at this point, is really likely to leave on his own volition. But it does happen and I guess we'll have to wait a few weeks, if not months, before we learn who that might be.

Whatever happens this off season will be a big improvement over what happened last year.

**Aargh** · March 10, 2019, 03:22 PM

I expect Marshall will bring in one more, and bringing in two would not surprise me a bit. Bringing in two would mean that one current player that's popular with at least some fans would be leaving.

**ShockTalk** · March 10, 2019, 03:31 PM

Originally posted by Aargh View Post

I expect Marshall will bring in one more, and bringing in two would not surprise me a bit. Bringing in two would mean that one current player that's popular with at least some fans would be leaving.

I might be a little concerned that signing another guard could make a currently signed recruit feel like he was being recruited over more so than a current guard with experience under Marshall.

**AZ Shocker** · March 10, 2019, 03:35 PM

I haven't really wanted to comment during the season about possible "departures" thus far due to wanting to watch it all play out for the remainder of the season... but if we wanna compete for Top-3 in the AAC annually and be in the running for at-large March bids...in my humble opinion it sure seems plausible that 2-3 players may not be coming back next year. I just don't see how a few of them can become solid players for a Top-3 AAC team.

Great young men...but you gotta be able to hit 3 pointers all the while playing really high level defense.

Sure it would be somewhat risky having just one point guard returning for next year in Jamarius Burton...but having two new highly regarded guards coming in can hopefully lighten the blow a bit and potenially have a projected higher ceiling by their sophomore seasons.

ES and Ricky just can't hit a shot to save their lives and is a complete deal breaker at this level from the guard positions. Throw in neither are very good defenders...and teams will just take it to the hole at them all next year again for a basket, assist or foul. Can't shoot, can't defend...yikes...probably not what GM was expecting when they signed on.

Rod Brown for all practical purposes gives us basically nothing (even after a red-shirt season) at his position. There may have been some development in practices that the coaches were encouraged by...but again just not enough for Top-3 AAC level play to continue on with.

Unfortunately those 3 are not seniors and due to lack of efficiency are probably considered to be replaceable should the coaches be able to sign a better player heading in to next season.

It sucks to say that...but 3G is used to being at the top and certainly doesn't want his program falling to a mediocer Tulsa type level.

**Dan** · March 10, 2019, 03:52 PM

I don’t like see players leave but when they do, it generally results in an overall upgrade for the team. I think there’s only one obvious potential departure and I think he could be a decent player if he stays. Also, if he leaves, we need someone that plays a similar role and it looks like our best chance at a signing is another guard.

**DUShock** · March 10, 2019, 04:20 PM

I am glad this isn't my problem. I wonder when HCGM started his head coaching journey is he fully understood/appreciated the extent to which the job requires he and his staff being alchemists. Striving to achieve results based on a right balance of talent and chemistry cannot be easy, throw in the decision making skills of 18-22 year old young men and it is not a job I would want to undertake.

Go Shocks!

**wufan** · March 10, 2019, 04:23 PM

Originally posted by DUShock View Post

I am glad this isn't my problem. I wonder when HCGM started his head coaching journey is he fully understood/appreciated the extent to which the job requires he and his staff being alchemists. Striving to achieve results based on a right balance of talent and chemistry cannot be easy, throw in the decision making skills of 18-22 year old young men and it is not a job I would want to undertake.

Go Shocks!

I would DEFINITELY take on that task...and be 3.3 mil richer the following year when I got fired.

**MadDog** · March 10, 2019, 10:22 PM

I think AZ was spot on with his analysis. We only have one proven 3 point shooter returning on the whole team, and 3 guards that have proven they are not good shooters. 2 of the 3 are not good defenders. Unfortunately we have AAC Q4 guards right now. We have to get better guards to compete in this conference.

Im also concerned about the 4 position. I know there are a lot of Markus detractors on here, but his backup only plays about 5 minutes per game and there is a reason for that, he’s just not an AAC caliber player.

We we also have four centers which is not a luxury I’m sure we can afford when we are so deficient at 3 point shooting. I like them all and maybe Poor Bear can become a 4. If not, we probably need to trade a center for another outside shooter.

If if we stand pat with what we have now and the new players coming in, we’re a sixth place team again next year. Fortunately HCGM knows this and continues to recruit hard for the coming year. He’s worked too hard to accept 6th place finishes every year.

**Aargh** · March 11, 2019, 02:09 AM

I think AZ and MadDog have it right.

Let me start with the recruitment of Sherfield. If we sign him, we have to lose a guard. Burton is the starting PG and Torres is the best passer and has the best court vision on the roster. It's incredibly unlikely that a commit would ask out of an LOI because we added a 4* guard.

I don't know how half the people out here think ES was a great shooter in HS. He was a volume shooter, but wasn't a great shooter. His shooting numbers this year are in the 32% range on all shots and 26% from 3. Watch how the better teams play against him when he's defending. They drive on him non-stop. ES hasn't shown that he can be an adequate defender against the top end of the AAC. He's just not quick enough. He's a hard worker, a "hustle" player, and busts his butt, but he has some physical limitations on D and his shot is off. Maybe he got the "yips" playing D1, but putting a 30% shooter who struggles to guard quicker players isn't going to cut it in this league. ES would absolutely destroy the MVC, but that's not the scale we can judge by any more. Love his motor and his work ethic, but that may not be enough.

Moving on to front court players

Udeze taking a shirt would be great. He was showing a lot of potential before he got hurt, but he's going to miss almost a year of competitive ball, miss almost a year of upper-body strength training. Miss an entire summer of workouts, pickup games, shooting, and drills A year off would go a long ways toward getting rid of the negative effects of all that.

Poor Bear seems to be in the Durley mold. Considering some of the times he was apparently past the end of the bench, that's usually a sign that he wasn't busting butt in practice or had done something else to cause Marshall to not play him. He's got some potential and could have great upside, but he might not be as comfortable here as he might think he could be somewhere else.

Rod Brown is the most obvious spot for an upgrade, but there's not a lot of recruiting going on for a PF. Brown is undersized at PF, and shows no potential for being a stretch 4, but he's the only returning player with experience at PF. Teddy becomes eligible and Gordon comes in, so going with no exp on this squad at the position might be the way to go.

Considering potential lack of fit, lack of PT, possible chemistry issues, and players who may be more comfortable "closer to home", I think Brown, Chandler, and Stevenson are the most likely transfers. That's not saying I want to see them leave, but those appear to be the most likely and I think it's possible it could be as much their decision as it would be Marshall's decision.

We don't need 4 centers or 3 PF's. Signing a guard and keeping all the existing perimeter players isn't out of the question.

**ShockerExpress** · March 11, 2019, 09:28 AM

Since 1/30 - ES has been 33% from three. I don't disagree with most of what you said - but I think he is closer to the 33% mark than the 26% you have listed here.

That is all I really wanted to point out.

Originally posted by Aargh View Post

I think AZ and MadDog have it right.

Let me start with the recruitment of Sherfield. If we sign him, we have to lose a guard. Burton is the starting PG and Torres is the best passer and has the best court vision on the roster. It's incredibly unlikely that a commit would ask out of an LOI because we added a 4* guard.

I don't know how half the people out here think ES was a great shooter in HS. He was a volume shooter, but wasn't a great shooter. His shooting numbers this year are in the 32% range on all shots and 26% from 3. Watch how the better teams play against him when he's defending. They drive on him non-stop. ES hasn't shown that he can be an adequate defender against the top end of the AAC. He's just not quick enough. He's a hard worker, a "hustle" player, and busts his butt, but he has some physical limitations on D and his shot is off. Maybe he got the "yips" playing D1, but putting a 30% shooter who struggles to guard quicker players isn't going to cut it in this league. ES would absolutely destroy the MVC, but that's not the scale we can judge by any more. Love his motor and his work ethic, but that may not be enough.

Moving on to front court players

Udeze taking a shirt would be great. He was showing a lot of potential before he got hurt, but he's going to miss almost a year of competitive ball, miss almost a year of upper-body strength training. Miss an entire summer of workouts, pickup games, shooting, and drills A year off would go a long ways toward getting rid of the negative effects of all that.

Poor Bear seems to be in the Durley mold. Considering some of the times he was apparently past the end of the bench, that's usually a sign that he wasn't busting butt in practice or had done something else to cause Marshall to not play him. He's got some potential and could have great upside, but he might not be as comfortable here as he might think he could be somewhere else.

Rod Brown is the most obvious spot for an upgrade, but there's not a lot of recruiting going on for a PF. Brown is undersized at PF, and shows no potential for being a stretch 4, but he's the only returning player with experience at PF. Teddy becomes eligible and Gordon comes in, so going with no exp on this squad at the position might be the way to go.

Considering potential lack of fit, lack of PT, possible chemistry issues, and players who may be more comfortable "closer to home", I think Brown, Chandler, and Stevenson are the most likely transfers. That's not saying I want to see them leave, but those appear to be the most likely and I think it's possible it could be as much their decision as it would be Marshall's decision.

We don't need 4 centers or 3 PF's. Signing a guard and keeping all the existing perimeter players isn't out of the question.

**top20shock** · March 11, 2019, 09:46 AM

Originally posted by ShockerExpress View Post

Since 1/30 - ES has been 33% from three. I don't disagree with most of what you said - but I think he is closer to the 33% mark than the 26% you have listed here.

That is all I really wanted to point out.

This makes no senses. Stevenson is a true Freshman meaning his body and game is still developing. Torres is 23, he’s not getting any better.

**Dan** · March 11, 2019, 10:00 AM

I like Burton, but watching Daniel from Tulane was very glaring how we lack a penetrating point guard. Hopefully one of our incoming freshmen can add that dimension.

**FadedCrown** · March 11, 2019, 10:09 AM

Our record since this was posted: 9-3

Yeah, let's post more threads about how we are worried for the future.

**im4wsu** · March 11, 2019, 10:19 AM

Originally posted by Aargh View Post

I don't know how half the people out here think ES was a great shooter in HS. He was a volume shooter, but wasn't a great shooter. His shooting numbers this year are in the 32% range on all shots and 26% from 3. Watch how the better teams play against him when he's defending. They drive on him non-stop. ES hasn't shown that he can be an adequate defender against the top end of the AAC. He's just not quick enough. He's a hard worker, a "hustle" player, and busts his butt, but he has some physical limitations on D and his shot is off. Maybe he got the "yips" playing D1, but putting a 30% shooter who struggles to guard quicker players isn't going to cut it in this league. ES would absolutely destroy the MVC, but that's not the scale we can judge by any more. Love his motor and his work ethic, but that may not be enough.

Sounds like this board when it was talking about Evan Wessel throughout his career. Too slow, defensive liability, can't shoot consistently. Yet there is something about winning, though. ES has the second highest +/- on the team and third highest +/1 per 40 minutes.

For conference games only, he is fourth in +/- and 3rd in +/- per 40 minutes.

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