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This year's team appears to have the ability to be a defense powerhouse if they all can gel (and stay out of foul trouble).
My bold prediction is that the Shocks once again have multiple players on the MVC All-Defensive Team ... I could see 3 being on there from 6 candidates: EO, Hall, Early, Cotton, DWill, and Armstead. I would go bold and say we could lock down all 5 spots but you know Echenique and Carmichael will be on there again, plus I am sure the MVC wouldnt allow it.
Also, we will improve on the #54 NCAA ranking for points allowed per game. Although I doubt we reach #15 in the nation for points scored per game and #3 in scoring margin this year again in 2012-13.
Not to bag on a guy that finished 2nd in MVC POY votes (and it does bug me when fans trash players once the are out of the program), but Stutz was brutal at times on the defensive end (although improved some as a senior). More minutes for guys that can defend the rim and truly be the last line of defense (lookin at you EO and Hall) is one reason I could see this this unit being much improved. Another reason is that the depth the Shocks roll out there this year, which means they can rotate in fresh legs and have minimal drop-off in talent.
If Early and Wiggins can score at the D1 level, if FunkyFresh men Baker and FVV are legit scorers, and if Hall and DWill step up their O, combined with the defensive potential ... this team looks like one that could once again cut down the nets ... hopefully this time in STL too. I realize that those are a lot of "ifs" ... and "IFS AND BUTS ... CANDY AND NUTS", but I dont think any are a real stretch.
One last prediction ... while many of the media outlets are discounting this team due to the loss of so much talent last year (which in a way I understand and really dont mind), they will all be jumping on the bandwagon come late Jan early Feb, mark it!
My bold prediction is that the Shocks once again have multiple players on the MVC All-Defensive Team ... I could see 3 being on there from 6 candidates: EO, Hall, Early, Cotton, DWill, and Armstead. I would go bold and say we could lock down all 5 spots but you know Echenique and Carmichael will be on there again, plus I am sure the MVC wouldnt allow it.
Also, we will improve on the #54 NCAA ranking for points allowed per game. Although I doubt we reach #15 in the nation for points scored per game and #3 in scoring margin this year again in 2012-13.
Not to bag on a guy that finished 2nd in MVC POY votes (and it does bug me when fans trash players once the are out of the program), but Stutz was brutal at times on the defensive end (although improved some as a senior). More minutes for guys that can defend the rim and truly be the last line of defense (lookin at you EO and Hall) is one reason I could see this this unit being much improved. Another reason is that the depth the Shocks roll out there this year, which means they can rotate in fresh legs and have minimal drop-off in talent.
If Early and Wiggins can score at the D1 level, if FunkyFresh men Baker and FVV are legit scorers, and if Hall and DWill step up their O, combined with the defensive potential ... this team looks like one that could once again cut down the nets ... hopefully this time in STL too. I realize that those are a lot of "ifs" ... and "IFS AND BUTS ... CANDY AND NUTS", but I dont think any are a real stretch.
One last prediction ... while many of the media outlets are discounting this team due to the loss of so much talent last year (which in a way I understand and really dont mind), they will all be jumping on the bandwagon come late Jan early Feb, mark it!
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