Shox Vs UNCC Game Thread

[shockerfan]

I believe that was Kadeem Coleby.

The guy in the grey sweats was indeed Coleby.

[shockerfan]

Back to reality. Many (even coach) has said it may take time for this team to really come together. We will probably get plastered against VCU, but it is the way it goes for a team working in so many new guys. And the road usually isn't the best place to make huge strides to get better. Let alone against a team like VCU. The important thing is this team learns and grows with each game. I think they will and honestly I think they will learn fairly quickly. This seems like a very smart bunch who are very coachable. If that is the case I really think we will be a much better team and more consistent in as little as 2-3 weeks. By the time Valley play comes around I think we will be firing on all cylinders.

[WuDrWu]

Back to reality. Many (even coach) has said it may take time for this team to really come together. We will probably get plastered against VCU, but it is the way it goes for a team working in so many new guys. And the road usually isn't the best place to make huge strides to get better. Let alone against a team like VCU. The important thing is this team learns and grows with each game. I think they will and honestly I think they will learn fairly quickly. This seems like a very smart bunch who are very coachable. If that is the case I really think we will be a much better team and more consistent in as little as 2-3 weeks. By the time Valley play comes around I think we will be firing on all cylinders.

This. And I echo the comments on these guys being coach-able. A great example is the way Cle' is handling getting chewed out when he makes a mistake. 3G and Jans were lighting into to him and he listened and acknowledged and did his best to reassure them he understood what they were getting across.

If any of you have been the target of, or first hand witnessed one of these teaching moments, then you know they are not for the timid. Some guys, especially kids, don't often take it well. He takes it GREAT and it's going to pay off for him big time down the road. These guys want to learn and get better, and more so than any 3G team I've seen, I have the utmost confidence they will get better. These guys will be great in February and March.

[WuDrWu]

I'm guessing it was a comely lass.

That's a start.

[WuDrWu]

Barely a start.

[ShauXTyme]

Thanks for identifying Coleby. I like that he stays involved even when he has no opportunity to play. Also, here's hoping FVV just needs more time to get it. He looked lost most of the time. He didn't handle the ball overly well, and basically passed the ball where it was supposed to be passed. He had one nice drive for a layup, hopefully signs of the future.

[WstateU]

Mark my words, FVV will be fine... better than fine.

[shockerfan]

Mark my words, FVV will be fine... better than fine.

I agree. Outside of his shooting he actually didn't have a bad line for being a freshman that missed alot of important practice time due to injury.

2pts, 4rebs, 3assists, 1to in just 13 mins.

The rebounds impresses me and only 1 turnover in his debut Div 1 game. I will take that any day. His move where he broke down the defense and sliced in for a layup was just like what we got used to seeing him do in high school. On top of that he got on the floor a time or two for loose balls. He's a player. He will be a VERY fine player IMHO.

[WuDrWu]

Assuming good health, Coleby will be one of the top post players in the league next season. He'll be more of an impact in the league than Mal will be this year...and Mal will be an impact this year.

[wsushockerdude]

Anyone else not as impressed with Early? He looked dominant in Shocker Madness, but IMO he fell flat against Pitt State and UNCC. Thoughts?

[Aargh]

Mal, Ron, Evan, Carl, Ehimen, Cotton, Early & DWill. Anyone else sees the floor for more than quick rest for one of these 8 and something has gone tragically wrong.

This.

There were some obvious drop-offs in execution when the bench went deeper than that group. I'm starting to wonder if White looked awesome at the end of last season because he still had fresh legs and was playing against guys with an entire season of wear and tear on them.

Wiggins will get some minutes so he gets accustomed to D1 ball in WSU's system. FVV will get some minutes to get on-court experience. Other than those two, I expect the rest of the squad will be 4 - 6 minute players just giving someone a blow.

Most years White would look like a great backup at the 4, but with EO's emergence as a legitimate player in running the O, and Hall and Early demanding minutes, PT for White may have to wait a year.

[choida]

yea I dont think we have anything to worry bout FVV...he's a freshmen, and playing behind a grown man in Malcom doesnt help his cause. Next season FVV will be the starting point guard, if not by the end of this season.

[forevershockerfan]

Mark my words, FVV will be fine... better than fine.

Better than fine could mean finer than a frog hair? Yes, FVV will be fine but we must give him ample time with his injury and the learning curve of the Marshall Plan along with D-1 basketball.

Thus in the scheme of things, Shocker fans I know in person are wondering this: "How will Malcom and FVV do this Season long-term with the huge loss of Rags"? Will we be as capable in the Valley Race as our "First Team All Valley" Rags was who was instrumental in us living riches in the Valley and uprooting Creighton as Valley Champs?

Time will tell. Rags was a "lights out shooter and scorer" and came up HUGE in big games as witnessed in Omaha as their fans dashed for the exits in disbelief and shocking reality as if facing a blue blue Christmas.

Last night, MA and FVV combined for 8 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds, and 1 steal but only 2 turnovers. The 9 assists to 2 turnover ratio was su-weet. However, how will that stat look versus a VCU? On D., Armstead will be very solid and will lead our team in steals probably.

The conclusion to this early "what if" scenerio at the PG position will have it's impact on just how well our beloved Shockers faire this Season. It will be "Kewl" to see what others here think long term.

[CBB_Fan]

Did you pay attention to Cotton getting yanked last night. I'm not sure why, but 3G doesn't care that I don't know. Trust me 3G won't just throw EO to the fire and let him make mistakes vs. VCU. I don't know where you get this notion. 3G wants to win, not feed SN's love affair for EO. Mistakes vs. VCU can't be recovered from. EO can make mistakes vs. NCC and WSU recover. With VCU's helter skelter style, quick, desisive and good decisions are required to be effective against them, which is not in EO's wheel house. I like your idea about throwing EO in the fire...let that happen against Howard.

And who do you propose we play instead of him? Should we put Early in, who is still adjusting to D1 ball? Should Lufile, who's been playing basketball for less time than Orukpe, take his spot? Frankly, we don't have another option, unless you want to play Armstead, Baker, Williams, Cotton, Hall, and White the entire game. Everyone else is likely to make mistakes. I'd prefer those players to play and learn what it is like to play against a defense like VCU.

[The Mad Hatter]

Anyone else not as impressed with Early? He looked dominant in Shocker Madness, but IMO he fell flat against Pitt State and UNCC. Thoughts?

Just like any JUCO player, he is still adjusting to the DI game and will get better and better as the season goes on. He clearly was pressing during the Pitt State game with his first appearance in front of a packed house. That said, I'm not sure there was much to be upset with his UNCC performance. I will always take a line that goes like this:

10 points
5 boards
56% FG shooting
1 assist
1 turnover
1 foul
2 blocks
1 steal

I think that he can do much better than that stat line, but there is certainly nothing wrong with that performance.