Annual Fan Clinic - Sunday Oct 21st at 1:00pm

[Dave Stalwart]

I wonder if the lack of scholarship allows him to transfer at will and play?

[shockmonster]

Joe was offered the same plan that Baker took (redshirt first yr with walkon and then scholarship for 4 yrs.-for Joe 2yrs.) before Baker and he turned it down. You don't get second chances all of the time.

[Aargh]

I'm looking for Mitchell to end up at Newman. Maybe there was some misunderstanding of his scholarship situation this year.

I imagine the lack of posts he was getting here about getting a lot of minutes was mirrored by the lack of comments from the coaching staff about the number of minutes he would be getting.

Imagine yourself being a JuCo AA and finding yourself behind Armstead, VanVleet, Williams, Cotton, and Baker in your home town. And 3 of those guys are going to be back for your last year of eligibility. It's maybe not bad blood, just Mitchell's seeing he was going to be a non-scholarship role player at WSU. Can't blame him for wanting something other than that in his home town.

[wufan]

If he was unhappy about the scholarship situation, he knew about it August when he wasn't signing the financial aid agreement. He waited until after practice started to quit. While he may not have been thrilled with the arrangement, he quit due to pt issues, otherwise he would have left some time ago.

[im4wsu]

More of my humble opinion

I do not share the pessimism of some regarding Armstead's shooting or scoring ability. based on the practice Sunday, I was pleased with his 3-ball shot. I didn't count the makes/attempts and maybe am guilty of only "remmebering the good," but I would be very willing to bet YOUR HOUSE that Malc ends the season with a higher 3-pt percentage than DWill. I like the trajectory and the solidity of his base when shooting.

I was so impressed with Jake -- who was on fire shooting from three-pt land -- that I cannot believe some of the less-than-delighted comments here about his play. IMHO, it will be extremely difficult to keep Jake out of the starting lineup. He is a rebounding monster. He can shoot very well and from what I saw in the low post drills, he may surprise some people when he is playing down low with his back to the basket. He hasn't shown a proclivity to be a back-to-the-basket player, or a catch-turn-shoot ability, but hopefully our offense will not require him to do that very often.

At last year's fan appreciation practice, I noted that Mr. Cotton, although not really doing anything outstanding or flasy or whatever, was just always around the ball, making a play. I think we saw that from him last season as well. Coach said "the score seems to go in the right direction" when he's in the game. A hard-nosed defender and 34% from 3-pt land and 51% FG%, how will anybody keep Mr. Pickin' Cotton off the court?

My candidate this year for the "not spectacular, just making the play" guy is Mr. Baker. He is definitely not Mr. Shake 'n Baker, but he seems to play good agressive team defense and can really shoot the ball. I noticed his excellent shooting form, great trajectory, squared feet and shoulders and sweet touch from 8 - 25 feet. I was particularly pleased with his catch and quick release and didn't witness any of the "can't shoot under pressure" fears that some have expressed.

I have nothing to comment on Mr. Rising Early and Mr. Wiggly Wiggins, other than there were flashes of them being "there," like Cotton was just there, followed by stretches where they were unnoticed by my eye. The talent and athleticism and upside is obvious, once they acclimate to D-1 and Coach's game plan. I'm not disappointed, but understand the need for a bit of patience. Edit: Wiggins had the ball slapped from his hands and Coach commented that maybe he shouldn;t have skipped some weight room time.

DWill is DWill. If he's slowed by the surgery, I agree with the previous post that I really want to see him fully healed. We all know he can run, and he didn't disappoint. I'm still not excited about his shooting form and therefore believe anything over 35% from three is a bonus and hope that he can get his 47% FG% up to 52%.

Mr. Van Vleet was very patient and played very solid man-up defense on Armstead. His 3-ball has extremely high trajectory -- memories of Goose Doughty and watching the release, getting a concession and back in time to see the net swish. Unfortunately, the net didn't move very often in Sunday's practice for Fred. Most of his attempts seemed to be 3 inches short, but right on target, and he shot from a strong, solid base with excellent form. I really couldn't assess the quickness of his release, so I'll be watching for that Thursday. I do not recall any instance where he received direct comment from 3G, so he is doing things right. Again, not disappointed, just patient and even encouraged by a solid if not notable performance.

Coach at one point reminded the guys that when they get more of the offensive playbook installed, the defenders won't know as well what's coming and the offense will find it easier to "click." Today they installed the "75" zone press defense and it flows into the Fresno half-court zone defense very naturally and seamlessly. The scrimmage evidenced the "understanding" of the principles, but the apeed/quickness was not there yet. I can't remember whether it was Wiggins or Early, but one of the two was in the ideal position to make the deflection/steal, but withdrew his hands like a kid getting caught in the cookie jar. Coach didn't reprimand him, but said "it's all right to go ahead and make that play. That's what we trying to do."

My opinion on EO, he just needs to be patient when he has the ball. He is catching it in position, but flounders in a flustered manner to get the ball to the rim. One would hope that he'd be over that by now, but...

Bottom line, Thursday is only weeks away -- seemingly -- and then 10 months -- err, days -- to the real exhibition.

Goi Shockers.

[CARMAX]

after watching sunday, it appears to me that marshall has a 12 card deck and how he plays his hand is anybody's guess.

MA,DW, FVV,RB, and TC will man the 1 & 2 spots
NW, EW, and TC will man the 3 spot
CH, CE, JW, EO, and CL will shuffled about the 4&5 spots

looks like it is going to be a lot of hot hand that night basketball. would really like for EO to step up so that Lufile could possible add a redshirt and steal an extra year with him. giving us a SR and Jr at the post for 13-14


don't under value Wessel at the 3, his court savy and BBIQ may be the glue that holds it together, especially early.

Bringing on the pressure D and POUNDING the glass with be this years strength. no question

[_kai_]

I'm looking for Mitchell to end up at Newman. Maybe there was some misunderstanding of his scholarship situation this year.

I imagine the lack of posts he was getting here about getting a lot of minutes was mirrored by the lack of comments from the coaching staff about the number of minutes he would be getting.

Imagine yourself being a JuCo AA and finding yourself behind Armstead, VanVleet, Williams, Cotton, and Baker in your home town. And 3 of those guys are going to be back for your last year of eligibility. It's maybe not bad blood, just Mitchell's seeing he was going to be a non-scholarship role player at WSU. Can't blame him for wanting something other than that in his home town.

I think the whole "scholarship issues" thing is just a way for Joe to back out without saying what everyone is thinking "There was no playing time for Joe."

All those guys in front of him, and a few of them with more eligibility than him. Just not a good situation for him. I always wondered why he left Ohio for WSU, I just didn't see where he was going to fit in to the roster.

[1972Shocker]

I had every intention of attending the public practice but last minute family commitments foiled that.

I thank all of you who have posted your observations from the practice. Very helpful and very well done.

:good:

[wufan]

after watching sunday, it appears to me that marshall has a 12 card deck and how he plays his hand is anybody's guess.

MA,DW, FVV,RB, and TC will man the 1 & 2 spots
NW, EW, and TC will man the 3 spot
CH, CE, JW, EO, and CL will shuffled about the 4&5 spots

looks like it is going to be a lot of hot hand that night basketball. would really like for EO to step up so that Lufile could possible add a redshirt and steal an extra year with him. giving us a SR and Jr at the post for 13-14

don't under value Wessel at the 3, his court savy and BBIQ may be the glue that holds it together, especially early.

Bringing on the pressure D and POUNDING the glass with be this years strength. no question

Lufile spent three years in JUCO, but only played one. He is not eligible for a redshirt.

[C0|dB|00ded]

How come EO gets a longer leash than what Stutz had? Is it because God rested on the 7th day after creating his body?

Well for one reason, because there has never been a Shocker recruit more hyped than EO. If he turns out to be a bust, he will be the most overhyped player in the history of the program. There are all-time records at stake here.. he deserves a little longer leash.

Who needs to put down the crack pipe again?

I never said I don't smoke crack, just that I am smoking less than some who have said he will "never get it". EO is going to have some very good games this year, mark my crack.. err words.

Coach said he was taking over practices last year, but couldn't be trusted enough in live games to take on a bigger role. And let's be honest, we were winning the conference race without him. And being the kind of person he is, I'm sure he wasn't whining for playing time. This year is different. There are a lot of new faces and we really need him to perform. He is going to get a bigger chance to get comfortable in games. And if he gets comfortable, fasten your seat belt. If he doesn't, the term "EO" will live on in Shockernet lore as a multi-dimensional face palm.

May EO's thread live forever...


T


...:cool:

[WuDrWu]

I'm looking for Mitchell to end up at Newman. Maybe there was some misunderstanding of his scholarship situation this year.

I imagine the lack of posts he was getting here about getting a lot of minutes was mirrored by the lack of comments from the coaching staff about the number of minutes he would be getting.

Imagine yourself being a JuCo AA and finding yourself behind Armstead, VanVleet, Williams, Cotton, and Baker in your home town. And 3 of those guys are going to be back for your last year of eligibility. It's maybe not bad blood, just Mitchell's seeing he was going to be a non-scholarship role player at WSU. Can't blame him for wanting something other than that in his home town.

This guy knows what he's talking about.

No more questions.

[110%]

I agree.Things probably arent going the way Joe thought they would but there is nothing wrong with Newman. Coach Potter is a good guy and their style of play would be a blast to be a part of.

[tropicalshox]

The Marshall has spoken. Early a major factor from day one!

[tropicalshox]

If the season started today Armstead would be starting at the point.

http://www.kfdi.com/news/local/175694331.html?lc=Smart

[forevershockerfan]

When Chadrack visited, just the day before, another Juco big was here too. Eye witnesses I approached told me that Chadrack was the better of the 2 in the scrimmages before we even signed him. When Chadrack visited, I knew he was a missing link to shore up our bigs after he signed. EO was struggling that very day and fighting injuries. Baker and D-Will tore it up that day. I asked a gentleman that watched lots of such scrimmages "who was our best shooter" because that day, it was Baker-and D-Will. You'all ready for his answer? He said Mr. Armstead did not shoot the rock all that much, but thought He was our best shooter early on last simmer. I myself like Baker, Wiggins, and FVV in this area.

Here's the deal. My opinions and findings are limited. John Cooper never once mesmerized me in a scrimmage but played well in a structured offense. Skip Nickerson was awesome in pick-up games and I told him 'face to face" that he had NBA potential. Actually, he had some 10 day stints with the Atlanta Hawks if I recall. However, under Cohen and on to K-State, he did not have a very good fit and neither did Hutton at Auburn.

What does it all mean? Lots of unknowns this Season for our beloved Shocks. Will our return players take on a major role to lead us? Will our best recruiting class under Marshall be able to play decisive roles this very Season? When will we mesh and peak as a team? If "all of the above" answers are positive, watch out Valley and get ready for March. If not, we will still not be a stinkin 6th or 7th place Valley team. That is my final answer!!!!!!!