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

[wufan]

Lufile will do fine...so will Coleby. HalL is our starting center this year I'm sure and will do quite well.

[Kung Wu]

Coach Marshall also got on to him a couple of times for being too loose with the ball.

So disappointed I couldn't make it today! ARG!!

Anyhow, if this report is accurate then Wiggins will have some work to do to earn PT. Nothing is going to frustrate a coach more than a turnover machine.

[WuDrWu]

Doc, did the session give any indication of a current startng five or who to expect in the rotation? Sounds like we have 11 ready to contribute.

Yeah, I don't know. It's probably 12. Coach used returning groups to teach new sets and Ds but I didn't get that meant those were the "starters".

If healthy, it's hard to see DWill not starting, then again, I can't see Baker not starting. I know Armstead looked good today but he can't shoot it at all. We've seen teams that play 1/2 court 4 on 5 and it doesn't work well.

I don't know how you keep Baker off the court.

You know Carl is going to play, a lot, and bring his lunch pail every day. Please forget about him draining 17 footers.

Fred doesn't make many mistakes, and seemed to play very much within himself. He's going to play, a lot.

Wessell was better than I expected. He's a super athlete and example of the advantage one has with a year under his belt. I still think he's not a good shooter and therefore somewhat of a liability. He plays with confidence and effort though.

Lufile is skilled. He's moves GREAT for a big man. Not good, great, and he looks very comfortable with the ball. I'll be surprised if he doesn't contribute, perhaps a lot.

Cotton quietly does everything well. Darren Brooks 2.0 is probably a stretch, but he will play, a lot, play great D, make few mistakes, and if called upon can make plays. Physically, he's a beast.

That leaves EO, Cle', Nick and Jake.

Jake works his tail off but just doesn't have the physicality of the other bigs. And yes he can shoot it, but he also doesn't know what a bad shot is. That being said, he has a better understanding of what's going on out there and what is expected. In the 'big' rotation, he's behind Carl, but after that?

EO is what EO is....an incredible physical specimen that just isn't going to get the game. He'll be stout on D until he fouls out. I sure wish he would "get it", just about 70%, because it would be nice to go back to the Final Four.

Cle'....let's get this out of the way. You're going to not see a lot of Cle' at the 3. For one, we're deep at the 3...and two, we aren't at the 4. He's good. Really good. My guess is this is first foray into being coached. He'll be really good...the question is when. He's got a lot to learn about the game.

Wiggins. Also really good. Further along in his understanding of the game. Like Cle', can really shoot it, but better from 3. If these 2 young men can pick up the system, we'll be just fine.

One last thing. I like the chemistry of this team. More than any I can remember in decades, these guys encourage each other, talk, play hard and with confidence and really seem to get along. Lots of positive mojo out there to this fan.

[WuDrWu]

Doc, did the session give any indication of a current startng five or who to expect in the rotation? Sounds like we have 11 ready to contribute.

I didn't really answer your question @tropicalshox: , but if I had to guess, today, I would expect:

Armstead, Baker, Cotton, White & Hall.

That being said, if that's the 5 (and wouldn't bet 1 nickel on it) it WON'T be the starting 5 at the end of the year.

We'll play 33+ games. 20+ different starting lineups would be zero surprise to me.

[Ta Town Shocker]

Armstead, Baker, Cotton, White & Hall.
.

Interesting to say the least. I think Williams should start, if he's full speed, over Armstead. I know there has been a lot of talk about Williams playing the 2 spot but IMO his game is better suited for the 1.

[WuDrWu]

Interesting to say the least. I think Williams should start, if he's full speed, over Armstead. I know there has been a lot of talk about Williams playing the 2 spot but IMO his game is better suited for the 1.

Like I said, I didn't learn anything new about narrowing down rotations today. I am right with you about DWill, and frankly I only downgraded him because of the injury. There are a ton of toss up decisions, in my mind.

[SB Shock]

Yeah, I don't know. It's probably 12. Coach used returning groups to teach new sets and Ds but I didn't get that meant those were the "starters".

If healthy, it's hard to see DWill not starting, then again, I can't see Baker not starting. I know Armstead looked good today but he can't shoot it at all. We've seen teams that play 1/2 court 4 on 5 and it doesn't work well.

I don't know how you keep Baker off the court.

You know Carl is going to play, a lot, and bring his lunch pail every day. Please forget about him draining 17 footers.

Fred doesn't make many mistakes, and seemed to play very much within himself. He's going to play, a lot.

Wessell was better than I expected. He's a super athlete and example of the advantage one has with a year under his belt. I still think he's not a good shooter and therefore somewhat of a liability. He plays with confidence and effort though.

Lufile is skilled. He's moves GREAT for a big man. Not good, great, and he looks very comfortable with the ball. I'll be surprised if he doesn't contribute, perhaps a lot.

Cotton quietly does everything well. Darren Brooks 2.0 is probably a stretch, but he will play, a lot, play great D, make few mistakes, and if called upon can make plays. Physically, he's a beast.

That leaves EO, Cle', Nick and Jake.

Jake works his tail off but just doesn't have the physicality of the other bigs. And yes he can shoot it, but he also doesn't know what a bad shot is. That being said, he has a better understanding of what's going on out there and what is expected. In the 'big' rotation, he's behind Carl, but after that?

EO is what EO is....an incredible physical specimen that just isn't going to get the game. He'll be stout on D until he fouls out. I sure wish he would "get it", just about 70%, because it would be nice to go back to the Final Four.

Cle'....let's get this out of the way. You're going to not see a lot of Cle' at the 3. For one, we're deep at the 3...and two, we aren't at the 4. He's good. Really good. My guess is this is first foray into being coached. He'll be really good...the question is when. He's got a lot to learn about the game.

Wiggins. Also really good. Further along in his understanding of the game. Like Cle', can really shoot it, but better from 3. If these 2 young men can pick up the system, we'll be just fine.

One last thing. I like the chemistry of this team. More than any I can remember in decades, these guys encourage each other, talk, play hard and with confidence and really seem to get along. Lots of positive mojo out there to this fan.

thanks for the report. When you say "good" can you put that in a context for me like - NBA Good, NCAA All-American, MVC All-League, etc. Thanks again.

[GoShockers89]

How would you guys compare Baker's game to Graham Hatch? I'll hang up and listen.

[WuDrWu]

Some people will seethe with these comments, but nonetheless:

Both Cle' and Nick have high D1 athletic ability, no doubt. Both have skill sets that easily put them on all Valley teams. Neither, yet, has the understanding to be able to perform to their highest level.

Both are more skilled and more reliable than David Kyles right now. Both could be better than Toure' Murry, and I think everyone knows what I think of Toure'.

[WuDrWu]

How would you guys compare Baker's game to Graham Hatch? I'll hang up and listen.

I wouldn't. Hatch had a work ethic like no other.

Baker is infinitely more skilled in every aspect of the game, especially athletically. Baker is a far superior shooter.

[WuDrWu]

If I end up eating my words, and trust me, it won't be the first time, then so be it, but if there are 5 better freshmen than Ron Baker in conference then recruiting has taken a mega step forward when I wasn't paying attention.

[GoShockers89]

I wouldn't. Hatch had a work ethic like no other.

Baker is infinitely more skilled in every aspect of the game, especially athletically. Baker is a far superior shooter.

Think he's capable of mixing it up down low like Graham could?

Or more likely that he'll assume the role of perimeter assassin and not drive the lane much?

[WuDrWu]

Baker isn't 25 like Hatch was when he graduated. He's a lot quicker than Hatch. He's a ton better leaper. We don't need him (as much) to mix it up on the inside. Baker will make 100 plays that Hatch could only dream of making. I say this while professing family like love for Hatch. I hope Maker has half the heart of Hatch because if he does, he'll be All Conference.

[GoShockers89]

Baker isn't 25 like Hatch was when he graduated. He's a lot quicker than Hatch. He's a ton better leaper. We don't need him (as much) to mix it up on the inside. Baker will make 100 plays that Hatch could only dream of making. I say this while professing family like love for Hatch. I hope Maker has half the heart of Hatch because if he does, he'll be All Conference.

Muchos gracias!

[Dave Stalwart]

Funny how we were the only ones who found him out in the woods. That was a stroke of luck... Or genius