Practice, Scrimmage, or Pickup Games this Weekend?

[SubGod22]

Sub, do you see Cotton as a PG or SG ? or a little of each depending on who else is in.

I believe he can play both well.

[SubGod22]

Blue Mountain State is a TV show, but I knew he'd catch some people with that...

I don't pay much attention. Saw something about something or another State. Either way, it doesn't bother me if we have reports on him over the summer. He is what he is.

[choida]

I agree that the guys with D1 experience are going to play. Ideally, you have 4 post players to rotate so I think Lufile will get good minutes. Baker sounds like he may be the best shooter on the team, and if he is, he'll play. Green is an ideal redshirt to allow him to bulk up a little. He's a wing so we don't have to worry about him trying to get to 230 or whatever to bang inside. FVV is the wildcard here for me. If he isn't going to redshirt and is going to get minutes, that pretty much means that Cotton will be on the bench. I have a hard time seeing Cotton not playing.

I have a hard time seeing FVV not playing tooo...

[SubGod22]

I have a hard time seeing FVV not playing tooo...

And that's where the dilemma is. Is FVV sitting down a good talent with experience or will he wait a year to take over? Someone with talent isn't going to be playing.

[pinstripers]

Well, Cotton is going to play a lot and the sun is gonna rise in the east.

[forevershockerfan]

Chadrack can make an occasional 3 but does his best work inside. He makes nice passes to the open man and is a keeper. Hall is looking very, very fit and should have a solid Senior Year. He seems to be taking this all very seriously. Wiggins is a slasher with a scorers touch, solid range, and is explosive-plus when he goes to the hoop. He is one of our very best and consistent players imo. Mr. White has been draining 3's like there is no tomorrow. No doubt that Wessel is working on and improving his outside shot and hustles. He also plays the D

Armstead seems to be a leader and one of our best players. FVV is our best passer and can drain the 3 quite nicely. He really understands his surroundings on the court. Green will be okay and I predict a redshirt Season. So far, Early seems to be getting the hang of things at this level and should be good. D-Will is a possible starter but has other players that will be knocking hard at his door for playing time. EO looked sharp 2 of the 4 times this summer that I witenessed his play. He still has to improve receiving the rock but his overall game looks improved. Cotton and Mitchell are active and will be solid reserves. Cotton catches my eye on D and Mitchell can score with a nice shooters touch. Baker(the Maker) might just be a key sharp-shooter, even as a Freshman.

All in all, I am tickled with the slots 1,2, and 3. We are very solid. Now after a few visits, I also am feeling much more confident in our 4-5 positons. We will be solid in every position with quality reinforcements. The question will continue to be, how long will it take for all of this talent to really mesh? The fact that we are all here now playing summer pick-up games should enhance this process. One this is for sure. At the very least, WE WILL BE a Valley Contender. Can you dig it? Groovy!!!!!!!

[im4wsu]

5-in/5-out for offense/defense

Hall
White
Wiggins
Baker
Armstead


Orupke
Early
Cotton
VanVleet
Williams

[choida]

All I know is Mr Van Vleet didnt come this far south to redshirt or ride the pine...he will get his minutes, take that to the bank!!

[choida]

Oh and to those that think White will start over Cleanthony are smoking the good...and that is no knock on White.

[SubGod22]

Oh and to those that think White will start over Cleanthony are smoking the good...and that is no knock on White.

I don't think they're going to spend a lot of time playing the same position. Some seem to think Early is a PF, but he's here to play on the wing and that's where he's going to spend most of his time.

[Aargh]

2-deep depth chart without anyone playing multiple positions

C - Orukpe, Lufile
PF - Hall, White
SF - Early, Wiggins
SG - Williams, Cotton
PG - Armstead, Van Vleet

That leaves Wessel and Baker riding some pine and Green goes red.

Then speculating on which guys play multiple poisitons

Hall - PF and C
Early - SF and PF (later in the season or next season)
Wiggins - SF and SG (later in the season or next season)
Williams - SG and PG (Early in the season - Until VanVleet is ready to take some minutes)

It's hard enough to learn one position well. Give them some time to learn a second - especially when there isn't an apparent or immediate need for that.

Those options would seem to take minutes away from Cotton and Lufile. I'm going with Wiggins > Cotton, which is speculative.

My prediction for the low end of PT is:
Green (RS) < Wessel < Baker < Cotton and I give Baker a chance to pass Cotton. Good things happen when Cotton is on the floor. If better things happen when Baker is on the floor - well, better always beats out good.

[C0|dB|00ded]

One thing I forgot to mention about Baker.. I recently watched a practice where HCGM was pushing the players hard on defense. In those intense workouts, Baker started shooting air-balls. Armstead, Cotton, DWill, and to a lesser extent, FVV were still looking very good. Baker might be one of those guys that looks like Larry Bird in relaxed pickup games, but turns into a pumpkin when the opponent starts to get physical. I could be completely wrong about Baker, but he needs to be able to perform under duress if he is going to get any minutes this year.

Oh, and stop talking about Wessel getting any minutes.. just stop. His signing was a good faith attempt to snag Perry. It failed. Wessel is over-matched out there..


T


...:cool:

[wufan]

2-deep depth chart without anyone playing multiple positions

C - Orukpe, Lufile
PF - Hall, White
SF - Early, Wiggins
SG - Williams, Cotton
PG - Armstead, Van Vleet

That leaves Wessel and Baker riding some pine and Green goes red.

Then speculating on which guys play multiple poisitons

Hall - PF and C
Early - SF and PF (later in the season or next season)
Wiggins - SF and SG (later in the season or next season)
Williams - SG and PG (Early in the season - Until VanVleet is ready to take some minutes)

It's hard enough to learn one position well. Give them some time to learn a second - especially when there isn't an apparent or immediate need for that.

Those options would seem to take minutes away from Cotton and Lufile. I'm going with Wiggins > Cotton, which is speculative.

My prediction for the low end of PT is:
Green (RS) < Wessel < Baker < Cotton and I give Baker a chance to pass Cotton. Good things happen when Cotton is on the floor. If better things happen when Baker is on the floor - well, better always beats out good.

I agree with this post. And that is assuming that Mitchell is nothing more than an insurance policy.

[forevershockerfan]

FVV will be a special player and will not be redshirting. Actually, the point guard position is in solid hands with Armstead and FVV. Armstead is emerging as a leader and seems very tough-minded and a fierce competitor. FVV may be one of the best Shocker passers I have seen. He understands the game and his surroundings on the court to the max. Armstead plays tough D. and may lead our team in steals.

Wiggins is very consistent on Offense and will be a shot in our arm after losing 5 key Seniors. Ben Smith may not have received enough credit at times because he had some big games last year and along with Rags helped persuade a win in the "went to the Valley Championship (LA) by and through Omaha. Now that was fun. Likewise, Wiggins will be a "go to" type player when we need some points.

Many times I watched John Cooper play in scrimmages and not one time did he impress me. However, in a structured team setting, John played well. Skip Nickerson tore up scrimmages and later played a small amount in the NBA. However, he did not have a good fit with Coach Cohen. In the case Of Baker (the Maker), not only will he fit in, it will not matter if it is "bright lights on" or a scrimmage, he will do what the team needs. No, as a Freshman, he will not be a franchise player. However, he may just be our best shooter and will do other things that is needed to help our team win. Trust me on this one. More later, company just arrived.

[shoxlax]

One thing I forgot to mention about Baker.. I recently watched a practice where HCGM was pushing the players hard on defense. In those intense workouts, Baker started shooting air-balls. Armstead, Cotton, DWill, and to a lesser extent, FVV were still looking very good. Baker might be one of those guys that looks like Larry Bird in relaxed pickup games, but turns into a pumpkin when the opponent starts to get physical. I could be completely wrong about Baker, but he needs to be able to perform under duress if he is going to get any minutes this year.

Oh, and stop talking about Wessel getting any minutes.. just stop. His signing was a good faith attempt to snag Perry. It failed. Wessel is over-matched out there..


T


...:cool:

Speaking of Cold, I offer this stock tip of his from three years ago.........