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

[ShockerFever]

I absolutely can't wait to see Baker in action. I thought he could have gotten minutes last year.

So is he an Ogirri-like assassin? Deep range?


Also can't wait to see the plethora of newcomers.


I envy those who got to go to the clinic today. I cannot wait til Thursday!

[WuDrWu]

So is he an Ogirri-like assassin? Deep range?

Ogirri was probably a better shooter, but Baker ain't bad and is better in every other aspect of the game, including athleticism.

[ShockTalk]

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'.

Frankly, I'm not sure what part of these comments anyone could "seethe" about. We've talked at length about the D-I learning curve for Juco players. Some pick it up more quickly than others, but all take some time. Others may only pick up bits and pieces. I think that most here would agree that Cle and Nick are two of the most gifted athletes with excellent basketball skills that have graced our floor for a long time. The question is that damn learning curve.

[Capitol Shock II]

Geez....let's get to playing. I can't wait or take these reports any longer!

[pogo]

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

THE kansas state wanted him to walk on and see how things went from there. There were ALOT of The kansas state fans that were really hot about Frank snubbing someone from The kansas state areas that they traditionally recruit (rural Kansas) I believe the deal maker was the pay one and receive 4 from WSU that brought him here. Of course it could have been Franks warm and caring nature that scared him off.

[WSUwatcher]

The rural Kansas aspect may have been a problem for the Kittens, because Scott City isn't exactly DC, which is where Martin and his big money talent scout Dalonte Hill tended to look instead.

We'll see, but it sure sounds like Marshall may have caught a big fish from the western Kansas stock tank -- and if he has, KSU fans will be all over Bruce Weber (however long he stays) to make sure he doesn't make the same oversight that Frankenstein did.

[Dave Stalwart]

Haha yeah I'm pretty happy about it. The only thing better than standout players are standout underdog players from your own state. Sure wish Joe Mitchell would have panned out... And here's to hoping weasel does along with Baker

[Dave Stalwart]

Okay sorry about the auto correct on my phone :) weasel was supposed to be Wessel. Nickname?

[SB Shock]

I think that most here would agree that Cle and Nick are two of the most gifted athletes with excellent basketball skills that have graced our floor for a long time.

I hope you are right. But I think it safe to say that most of us have not seen these guys in action to have an informed opinion.

But if they are really that good then there will be an immediate impact. But we have had plenty of anecdotal data say that Jc players are going to struggle their first year and then their full impact will be seen by their senior year. That why I think 4 years quality player are best for long term stability of te program - but I understand why u have to goto JC.

[MoValley John]

Okay sorry about the auto correct on my phone :) weasel was supposed to be Wessel. Nickname?

I'm sorry to interrupt your discussion here, but even if Weasel was a cool nickname, you couldn't have it. There is only one MJ, there is only one Catfish and there is only one Weasel.

http://www.wearysloth.com/Gallery/ActorsH/74512.gif

[WuDrWu]

I hope you are right. But I think it safe to say that most of us have not seen these guys in action to have an informed opinion.

But if they are really that good then there will be an immediate impact. But we have had plenty of anecdotal data say that Jc players are going to struggle their first year and then their full impact will be seen by their senior year. That why I think 4 years quality player are best for long term stability of te program - but I understand why u have to goto JC.

You are correct SB, but Carl didn't exactly struggle early. He got into a funk later in the season, but it wasn't because he didn't "get it". Carl also isn't your typical average Juco player......he was one of the 10 best Jucos in the country. Personally, I put both Cle' and Nick into that category.

[Ricardo del Rio]

I'm sorry to interrupt your discussion here, but even if Weasel was a cool nickname, you couldn't have it. There is only one MJ, there is only one Catfish and there is only one Weasel.

http://www.wearysloth.com/Gallery/ActorsH/74512.gif

Thanks so much. Your interruption is very timely.

I think we need to pause for a short break or some may have a heart flutter from hyper exhilaration.

[ShockerFever]

Ogirri was probably a better shooter, but Baker ain't bad and is better in every other aspect of the game, including athleticism.

Very nice to know. Thanks

[Dave Stalwart]

Thanks so much. Your interruption is very timely.

I think we need to pause for a short break or some may have a heart flutter from hyper exhilaration.

Oh come on. It wasn't me, it was my iPhone. I guess Steve jobs wants Evan Wessel to be a good future shocker :)

[Shox21]

I was there and, I'm sorry to say, the event was very poorly attended (although I tend to blame a lack of promotion on that). I stayed until about 10 till 4:00 so did not hear any of the Q&A that was supposed to happen after practice. Did this, indeed, happen and if so, what questions were asked?

I wondered why I didn't see Joe Mitchell and I now have my answer. I had also wondered why I didn't notice Lufile more and that question has been answered.

About every four years I pick one player to follow closely. When Hatch joined the team, he was my guy (even though he got a good deal of grief during his first two years I still stuck with him). This was not out of any great basketball knowledge on my part, but just because. Last year I didn't choose an active player; I chose a redshirt. Yep, Ron Baker. I hope he plays as well as he represented yesterday.

As to Ogirri being a better shooter than Baker (I would never dispute anything Doc had to say), I think time will tell. I liked Sean (even through his troubles) but he seemed streaky to me at times (not as bad as Kyles but he did seem to disappear in quite a few games) and I hope that this not the case with Baker.

Hall and Cotton were --- well, Hall and Cotton. You can't say more than that about those two (and we have Cotton for three years yet -- yeah!).

EO is not going to be the "be all, end all" we had hoped for. Superior athletic talent notwithstanding, I think we should be able to agree that basketball sense needs to be there too. I know EO did not grow up playing basketball the way American kids do and that may be part of the problem.

I think FVV is going to be a great addition to this team. Evan --- well, I still have hope for him. I would love to see a local kid do really good things here.

Wiggins seemed to get his share+ of "instruction" yesterday, but Marshall's system is not easy. Coach's instructions sounded greek to me (but that's not surprising given my indepth understanding :) of the game) and I take my hat off to those young men who actually understand what he wants and then manages to give it to him.

I, unlike some, was actually impressed with Armstead -- hope he keeps it up.

Now, would someone please enlighten me as to Kadeem Coleby. Don't know anything about him, except that he is listed as a Senior. Is he a walk on? Someone mentioned him redshirting this year. Is that feasible for a Senior?

Early seems to be as advertised. Didn't see much difference from last year in White and Williams. I think both will contribute, Williams probably more than White. Since White is a Soph that means we have him for three years yet and that is good news. Zach and Derail are both freshmen and if as reported they will both redshirt, I'm already excited about next year.