Slow Time...What's our team look like next year?

[shox1989]

I'm one that will disagree. I think you are selling his shooting (mediocre) and athleticism (good) short. Add to that his size, strength, and guard skills and you have a valuable team player. I don't see a huge ceiling or someone likely to achieve Valley stardom, but definately a guy I want on my team.

I think he is a slightly bigger and more athletic version of Graham Hatch. What is not to like about that?

[wufan]

@shox1989:, I don't think you meant to quote me..?

[fuball7]

We've got a lot of good basketball left to play this season, but with the little hiatus, I thought it would be fun to look at what we might have next year. We're going to lose 4 starters (one four year starter) and a great sixth man so things are going to be mighty different! Here's what I expect at this time next year:

First of all, we've got 14 scholarship players back (plus a scholarship worthy walk-on) for 13 spots and HCGM and company are still recruiting. It's likely that one or more of the players mentioned below won't be back, but since I know nothing about that, I'll pretend that the roster is set in stone.

PG: Armstead, VanVleet
SG: Cotton, Baker, Mitchell
SF: Williams, Wessel, Green (RS)
PF: Early, Hawkins, White/Anacreon
C: Hall, Orukpe, Henry (RS)

I'm assuming near game-ready play from new-comers Armstead, VanVleet, Baker, Mitchell, and Early with Hawkins seeing a lot of minutes due to pure athleticism. If his game can mature during the non-con, he might be able to step into the starting line-up by January.

I think that the talent level we have next year will dictate a smaller 3 guard line-up to start games, but I do believe that with the right level of development that Early or Hawkins can move to the SF position and that Williams can move to the 1 or 2 guard position, and that Cotton and Mitchell will be able to play the point if needed. Both Hall and White should be able to play either the 4 or 5 as well.

Who knows about Green and Henry. If either is very good defensively, they might get significant minutes as freshman, ala Cotton.

Tons of speculation (obviously) but with the deep bench we will again possess next season, I see us continuing our recent success and being in the hunt for an MVC title and NCAA bid.

In no lineup will williams be the 3 or a small forward. I dont think our lineups our defined that traditionally anyways but if they were playing those 3 cotton would be the 3. Much bigger and stronger than williams.

[WstateU]

I realize most people will disagree with this but I'm not sold on Wessell. I just don't think his combination of athleticism and shooting will render him to be a succesful D1 player

Not trying to be a smart alec, however I offer a quote from Dumb & Dumber:

"You fellas been doing a bit of boozing, have you? Suckin back on grandpa's old cough medicine?"

[Good News]

Not trying to be a smart alec, however I offer a quote from Dumb & Dumber:

"You fellas been doing a bit of boozing, have you? Suckin back on grandpa's old cough medicine?"

"You'll pipe down if you know what's good for ya!"

[BOBB]

While it's fun to speculate, I think most people were less sold on Tekele being ready to contribute than any of our other newcomers. Carl Hall is as advertised and maybe a little quicker and springier than I expected. Henry could be the second coming of Olajuwon and FVV could be the second coming of KC Hunt. As Dan Quayle said, "the future will be better tomorrow."

[benishock]

I agree with the comments on Anacreon, he appears very lost on defense and Marshall won't live with that. Regarding Wessell, I'm only speaking from my observations, and I'm certainly not a basketball coach. While I agree that he is very strong I don't think he is as quick as Hatch nor does he shoot as well. Also, if you look at the roster (and I realize some of our commits may not qualify academically) who else would go? Cotton, Hall, EO, and Williams are highly unlikely to be going anywhere. That leaves White, Wessell and Anacreon and I doubt the coaching staff is ready to give up on White. I will agree that a cold beer looks good.

[Kung Wu]

While it's fun to speculate, I think most people were less sold on Tekele being ready to contribute than any of our other newcomers. Carl Hall is as advertised and maybe a little quicker and springier than I expected. Henry could be the second coming of Olajuwon and FVV could be the second coming of KC Hunt. As Dan Quayle said, "the future will be better tomorrow."

If Marshall strikes gold twice in a row and recruits another Carl Hall next year .. that could be the difference between reload and rebuild.

Edit: Oops I mixed up that metaphor (strikes lightning, strikes gold -whatever).

[WstateU]

I agree with the comments on Anacreon, he appears very lost on defense and Marshall won't live with that. Regarding Wessell, I'm only speaking from my observations, and I'm certainly not a basketball coach. While I agree that he is very strong I don't think he is as quick as Hatch nor does he shoot as well. Also, if you look at the roster (and I realize some of our commits may not qualify academically) who else would go? Cotton, Hall, EO, and Williams are highly unlikely to be going anywhere. That leaves White, Wessell and Anacreon and I doubt the coaching staff is ready to give up on White. I will agree that a cold beer looks good.

"Stay thirsty my friend!"

[benishock]

Thirsty? Around the holidays? Never!

[BOBB]

@benishock: if you've seen the movie, thats not beer :?

[Kung Wu]

"Stay thirsty my friend!"

In case you missed it, there is a beer bottle in this ad.

[benishock]

The one time I tried Dos Equis I thought it was horrible, even worse than PBR or Falstaff.

[Kung Wu]

That confirms it ... benishocks an alien.

[shocker22]

If one was to speculate as to which player(s) won't be back in 2012-13, Anacreon's name might come up. Since I have not seen him in person, how does he look? (From posts here, I get the impression that he is lost on defensive positioning. Right? Wrong?)

I think Anacreon is starting to get D1 ball. He really improves every time on the floor. I think he will get some decent minutes by the end of the year and be a factor on next years team.