I was wondering if anyone else here agrees with me

[Mr.Kevin]

With Armstead's mouth and poor shooting percentage it would be nice to see Fred getting much more playing time or possibly even starting. That being said, you run the risk of a kid like Armstead pouting and hurting the team in a reduced role. It's just sad that a freshman like Fred has to learn from a Senior like Armstead. I trust he's smart enough not to copy his behaviors but for this team to have success, it will take some maturity from the PG position and at this point Fred is probably the more capable player even if he is a freshman. They would just have to deal with a few ups and downs from a young PG.

[SubGod22]

With Armstead's mouth and poor shooting percentage it would be nice to see Fred getting much more playing time or possibly even starting. That being said, you run the risk of a kid like Armstead pouting and hurting the team in a reduced role. It's just sad that a freshman like Fred has to learn from a Senior like Armstead. I trust he's smart enough not to copy his behaviors but for this team to have success, it will take some maturity from the PG position and at this point Fred is probably the more capable player even if he is a freshman. They would just have to deal with a few ups and downs from a young PG.

I'm not a huge fan of how Armstead has been, but Fred isn't ready to start over him. I would like to see Armstead maybe play a few less minutes and Fred get a few more as I think Fred has much higher upside. Fred needs to get to a point where he can be both aggressive and under control. He's showed flashes of why we recruited him, but he does still make some FR mistakes and has gotten away with a number of soft passes that aren't going to get through in Valley play.

Armstead needs to step up and be a SR leader and play smarter. Fred needs to take this time to develop more. I'm not sure if it's a confidence thing with him or not, but he seems hesitant at times to take charge as the PG. It's understandable being a FR, but once he gets there, nobody will keep him from court time. I hope he figures it all out sooner rather than later as I think we'd be better off with what Fred could be than what Armstead is.

[Kung Wu]

With Armstead's mouth and poor shooting percentage it would be nice to see Fred getting much more playing time or possibly even starting. That being said, you run the risk of a kid like Armstead pouting and hurting the team in a reduced role. It's just sad that a freshman like Fred has to learn from a Senior like Armstead. I trust he's smart enough not to copy his behaviors but for this team to have success, it will take some maturity from the PG position and at this point Fred is probably the more capable player even if he is a freshman. They would just have to deal with a few ups and downs from a young PG.

I believe you are severely overstating Malcolm's recent technical issues due to loyalty to your kin (which is understandable actually). Fred will get his time in a VERY BIG way, and few are more excited than this crazy Shockernet crew to see it happen. But he has a lot to learn from Malcolm in the confidence department and decision making department when under the gun (he's getting better with every game, but the turnovers are indicative of confidence and inexperience issues).

Stating that Malcolm will hurt the team by pouting if he gets a reduced roll is actually an unintentional slight against Coach Marshall, indicating that he is being held hostage by a player he doesn't want to play. That's so far from ridiculous that I just chalk it up to you not really realizing the implications of what you were saying and knowing that much about Coach Marshall. He won't be held hostage by anyone, at any time, for any reason.

So, then, is Malcolm the type of guy that would pout if his roll is reduced? Maybe. But I doubt it. He's certainly shown that he's a fierce competitor that would probably just rise to the occasion proving that he's the right guy, right now.

There is no doubt that Fred will be one of the most special point guards at WSU in a long time. But that isn't going to happen just yet.

[WuDrWu]

I actually like Fred's reserved decision making (as I see it right now) as I think Mal takes a few too many chances and tries to put the team on his back a little too often.

That being said, there is still a wide gap defensively and it has nothing to do with effort. It has to do with Fred being an 18 year old young man and Mal being a 23 year old MAN. And, taking into account the few shortcomings, Mal has been a lot more good than bad. It's his team, and he DESERVES for it to be his team. Fred will be a stud, and in many ways is already, but Mal is the guy for now. Mal is fully capable of leading us to the promised land this year, as long as he doesn't think he has to carry us to the promised land.

[pinstripers]

Fred passes up too many shots. MA takes too many shots.

[shocker22]

Fred's worst game I have seen him play was the Souther Miss game. By far his poorest performance. He still has a lot to learn. MA needs to shut up but otherwise he is ok. Really missing Joey Rags!!

[ShockTalk]

Fred passes up too many shots. MA takes too many shots.

This. Plus, Mal actually has a better FG%, FT%, and the same 3 pt%. Mal also has a 1.65 A/T ratio, Fred 1.06.

Fred will only get better and better. He will be an important part of the second half of season.

[Dave Stalwart]

Fred passes up too many shots. MA takes too many shots.

Does that mean Fred is better at listening to coach than mal? I think maybe so. He probably watches mal get in trouble for stupid shots at every session so he does what he believes coach is wanting.

[Mr.Kevin]

I believe you are severely overstating Malcolm's recent technical issues due to loyalty to your kin (which is understandable actually). Fred will get his time in a VERY BIG way, and few are more excited than this crazy Shockernet crew to see it happen. But he has a lot to learn from Malcolm in the confidence department and decision making department when under the gun (he's getting better with every game, but the turnovers are indicative of confidence and inexperience issues).

Stating that Malcolm will hurt the team by pouting if he gets a reduced roll is actually an unintentional slight against Coach Marshall, indicating that he is being held hostage by a player he doesn't want to play. That's so far from ridiculous that I just chalk it up to you not really realizing the implications of what you were saying and knowing that much about Coach Marshall. He won't be held hostage by anyone, at any time, for any reason.

So, then, is Malcolm the type of guy that would pout if his roll is reduced? Maybe. But I doubt it. He's certainly shown that he's a fierce competitor that would probably just rise to the occasion proving that he's the right guy, right now.

There is no doubt that Fred will be one of the most special point guards at WSU in a long time. But that isn't going to happen just yet.

Please don't put words in my mouth or tell me what I was trying to say. I know exactly what I was trying to say and I never once said that Coach Marshall was being held hostage by a player. WHile Fred may be my cousin, I am also as objective as it comes when watching him. During his and his brother's high school careers, I wanted them both to play well but when it came to playing against my alma mater, I wanted them to play well but lose. I am by no means a homer and when WSU plays my Sycamores it will be much of the same. That being said, Armstead is no leader and it's his attitude that shows that with each game I've been able to watch. Yes he may have an edge in experience but his shoot first, pass second game is not what this team needs. Doesn't matter than I'm a relative, Fred needs the minutes to develop and make this HIS team. Indiana State did exactly that with Jake Odum and all he did was lead them to the NCAA tournament in his first year(Freshman ups and downs and all) and now he is arguably the best PG in the Valley. In the end it's Marshall who makes the decision anyway so what any of us says has no bearing on anything. Personally as an IND ST alum, I'm hoping that Armstead remains the starter.

[pinstripers]

Arguably?........how about undoubtedly?

[proshox]

All this about how pouty Mal might be....

Does anybody remember when Fred had his first good run as a Shocker? He was able to play longer, because MA told HCGM to keep Fred in the game. He gave up PT so that his competition at PG couldl gain confidence. Sounds like a senior to me.....

[proshox]

Also, Fred isn't ready to play against men on either end of the court. Odum came in physically mature with some physical traits that allowed him to adjust easier. Also, Indiana State didn't have a senior who was light years ahead....,

Fred will be great soon. MA is great now.... Just needs to manage his intensity.

[SubGod22]

Wasn't Odom also a RS?

[Zardoz]

Another T and Mal may find himself playing backup to Fred.

[Kung Wu]

Please don't put words in my mouth or tell me what I was trying to say. I know exactly what I was trying to say and I never once said that Coach Marshall was being held hostage by a player.

I didn't put a single word in your mouth. You said benching Mal in favor of Fred could hurt the team due to him pouting. That's _indirectly_ slamming Marshall's ability to manage Mal. "Indirectly" is the word I chose, and I even said that you didn't mean it that way.