Predictions not showing much respect this season...

[Maggie]

Kung Wu nailed it. Gregg's system is not an easy system to learn, and that is what Hall is doing right now....learning something completely new and difficult. Juco ball is zone or man, and probably mostly just man (guard #55). It's not that way here. It's a thinking mans game, and it will take time to learn when and how to adjust. In the mean time make no mistake, Carl Hall is a man unlike all but about 3 post players in the Valley and he's got a motor like Ramon Clemente and he's more than ready to contribute on day 1.

Will Hall score the ball like JT? Probably not and he certainly doesn't have JT's range. But then, he may surpass JT's career rebounding total before the end of this semester and Carl knows how to set a pick.

Spot on, in my judgment.

The thought about the matchup with the big E is a good one. That's going to be 2 big men going at it and you better hide the women and the children.

Spot on, in my judgment. I have nothing else to add - aside from the fact that I agree Ellis will be hard to replace.

[rjl]

At this point, these predictions mean zilch. We know our fate lies in our own hands, just the same as every other team.

Do these guys have any vote in the AP poll?

[ShockRef]

Obviously, I haven't seen this edition of HCGM & staff crew. It will be a work in progress.

The chief concerns are:
1) Replacing Durley's scoring will be a challenge. He drove a bunch of us nuts with his less than stellar defensive effort, but he could put it in the hoop. Relying on a 1st year Juco to fill the void is not proven technology.
2) Hall will be a terrific rebounder and he needs to be from day #1. Blair was a beast on the boards and no one else on last years team went about business like him. Players like him are an absolute and not easily replaced.
3) Ok here will come BOBB and the predictable response, but Hatch did so much for last years team and the biggest loss will be what happens in practice. Who replaces all of the intangibles he brought to work every day?

Remember - The will to win is not nearly as important as the will to prepare to win.
Ok, so I stole that quip from a certain coach who used to reside in central Indiana, but the truth speaks loudly.

The big question is who steps up among all of the Sr's and leads the way?

Even though it's a season starting tournament, I do agree Puerto Rico will provide answers in terms of the direction this team will take.

[SubGod22]

Hall isn't going to replace Durley's scoring. That will be done by Stutz (more minutes) and the guards. We're most likely going to have a lot more production from the perimeter group this year as we won't be relying on the inside as much. Unless, Stutz steps up and picks up where he left off in the NIT. I have a feeling Hall and Ehimen will be all over the glass as well.

You bring up an excellent point in Hatch though. I'm not sure we have that type of leader right now. We've heard that Baker and Wessel play like he does as far as effort goes, but I don't think they're going to provide the leadership that he did just yet. However, I expect the leadership provided by Rags and Stutz will go a long way. Both are fiery competitors that won't hesitate to be vocal.

I'm excited.

[Maggie]

The point that has been made several times about Stutz dragging his man (at the five) outside to leave room for Hall (and the guards to drive) that seems solid to me, anyway. Hall is not Durley (and Stutz is not your normal 5) offensively (as Sub wrote) – but he is better, much better, at other aspects of the game. He is new to the system but at his position I have to assume it is much simpler to master – than if you were Rags (a point guard).

[WuDrWu]

3) Ok here will come BOBB and the predictable response, but Hatch did so much for last years team and the biggest loss will be what happens in practice. Who replaces all of the intangibles he brought to work every day?

Remember - The will to win is not nearly as important as the will to prepare to win.

Even though it's a season starting tournament, I do agree Puerto Rico will provide answers in terms of the direction this team will take.

I tried to rehash the various threads and I was (mostly) unable to find even a casual reference to the loss of Hatch. How easily we forget and how little we understand the preparation part of the game, choosing to focus only on the games. Speaking of preparation ShockRef, check PM.

[DoubleJayAlum]

If you want an outsiders view, I think you'll miss Blair the most. The guy was a physical beast a load for everyone else to handle. I also think a large part of the production of Durley/Stutz was due to Blair's presence.

[im4wsu]

Hall isn't going to replace Durley's scoring. That will be done by Stutz (more minutes) and the guards. We're most likely going to have a lot more production from the perimeter group this year as we won't be relying on the inside as much. Unless, Stutz steps up and picks up where he left off in the NIT. I have a feeling Hall and Ehimen will be all over the glass as well.

You bring up an excellent point in Hatch though. I'm not sure we have that type of leader right now. We've heard that Baker and Wessel play like he does as far as effort goes, but I don't think they're going to provide the leadership that he did just yet. However, I expect the leadership provided by Rags and Stutz will go a long way. Both are fiery competitors that won't hesitate to be vocal.

I'm excited.

From what I saw Saturday, Wessell will bring the intangibles that Hatch brought. I'm not saying he's going to contribute the scoring or defense that Hatch brought as an upper classman in Wessel's first year or even two, but the intangibles, you betch ya.

And Takele is another. Don't know about his skills, but he is a presence on the court.

[Kung Wu]

3) Ok here will come BOBB and the predictable response, but Hatch did so much for last years team and the biggest loss will be what happens in practice. Who replaces all of the intangibles he brought to work every day?

Remember - The will to win is not nearly as important as the will to prepare to win.
Ok, so I stole that quip from a certain coach who used to reside in central Indiana, but the truth speaks loudly.

The big question is who steps up among all of the Sr's and leads the way?

Even though it's a season starting tournament, I do agree Puerto Rico will provide answers in terms of the direction this team will take.

Ooooh, this reminds me of one more thing. First they lifted weights, then had a long warm-up and then a 2.5 hour practice. After that coach spoke to us for maybe 30 minutes(?). Then we walked up to the practice gym and out comes Murry ... thinking he put in another 30 minutes shootin' the ball after practice. Maybe ol' Hatch wore off on Murry a bit?

[BOBB]

3) Ok here will come BOBB and the predictable response, but Hatch did so much for last years team and the biggest loss will be what happens in practice. Who replaces all of the intangibles he brought to work every day?

Remember - The will to win is not nearly as important as the will to prepare to win.
Ok, so I stole that quip from a certain coach who used to reside in central Indiana, but the truth speaks loudly.

The big question is who steps up among all of the Sr's and leads the way?

Even though it's a season starting tournament, I do agree Puerto Rico will provide answers in terms of the direction this team will take.

Don't want to dissapoint. We will absolutely miss Hatch in the practice gym and locker room. We will be better on the floor with Smith getting Hatch's minutes. The group of Stutz, DK and Murry are getting a second chance to go to the dance with better prepared parts in place than Randy, Jamar and Kampman got. If they need a Graham Hatch around to remind them to demand the most out of themselves and their teammates day in and day out, then they're in trouble already.

[wufan]

BOBB, love your Sig!!!

[Capitol Shock II]

Whoever started this thread is a genius.