We'll be better

[Dan]

Let's just say our newbies are living up to or exceding expectations.

[newshock1234]

any of you that got the info want to pass it down to me via PM lol

[forevershockerfan]

I can probably answer that. We're in the Men's Basketball forum discussing a thread about men's basketball, so yes.

We will be better but will we do better? Last Season, Our big 3 was Armstead, Hall, and Early, expecially at the Dance. This Season, we are even deeper. From what I have seen this summer thus-far, the Big 3 for us is Season could be EARLY, who is never late, Ron "I got this" Baker, and FreshVV.

Of our new recruits, Carter has impressed me first and foremost. He is a playa. It is great to have Wessel back and healthy. Who will back up our quarterback FVV who has been shooting the lights out from downtown and making sweet assists? If our Freshmen are not quite ready, look for Baker and Cotton to fill this void. Our inside game will be solid and we will shoot the ball better as a team this Season.

We indeed will be better. Will we do better or finish higher? Last Season I predicted us to take 2nd in the Valley and not 4th as many magazines. We will all be expecting a Valley Championship this Season. Last Season, I thought we would win a game or two at the Dance. Considering we lost 5 of our 6 top scorers and had multiple injuries, to make the Final 4 and finishing so strong, I will always believe Coach Marshall was deserving of the National Coach of the Year, even though he was not even one of the finalist for that award.

[Rlh04d]

Is the season starting yet?

[Steeleshocker]

Please send me the info!

[forevershockerfan]

Look for Carter to contribute numbers similar to Carl Hall his Junior year followed by a Senior Season similar to Hall's. Carter is a keeper with an exclamation point!!!

[Dan]

Go back and watch Carter's highhlights. He may be about the same size as Hall, but he has much more range and explosiveness. Hall wa money inside 2 feet but his junior year, he didn't take a shot outside 3 feet. I don't see Crater being that limited.

[Aargh]

I think it's been published that Carter is the "most D1-ready" JuCo in WSU memory. That would seem to indicate Carter may have better numbers in his first year than Hall, and may be demonstrating an attitude of "OK, which one of you is gonna sit down because I'm gonna be on the floor".

That would indicate that Early's statement when he signed with WSU, "I'm going to be playing the 3 at WSU", could be true. You might want to consider the possibility of Coleby, Carter, and Early on the court at the same time. That would leave some pretty fresh legs for a lot of killer combinations at the guard spots.

If there are any concerns about the PG backup, let me just say that if SubGod were here, his response would be, "I'm, not worried". If Alfred Neuman were here, his reaction would be, "What, me worry"?

With the super-trifecta depth at the guard spots, don't be surprised to see Holland take a RS year to bulk up a bit. We'll have to wait until next year to see if his HS coach giving him a green light to shoot the moment he crossed the half-court line was legitimate or hyperbole. This could fuel discussion for a second year about whether the best 3-point shooter on the team is a RS.

Of course, this is all just my opinion.

[Rlh04d]

I think it's been published that Carter is the "most D1-ready" JuCo in WSU memory. That would seem to indicate Carter may have better numbers in his first year than Hall, and may be demonstrating an attitude of "OK, which one of you is gonna sit down because I'm gonna be on the floor".

That would indicate that Early's statement when he signed with WSU, "I'm going to be playing the 3 at WSU", could be true. You might want to consider the possibility of Coleby, Carter, and Early on the court at the same time. That would leave some pretty fresh legs for a lot of killer combinations at the guard spots.

If there are any concerns about the PG backup, let me just say that if SubGod were here, his response would be, "I'm, not worried". If Alfred Neuman were here, his reaction would be, "What, me worry"?

With the super-trifecta depth at the guard spots, don't be surprised to see Holland take a RS year to bulk up a bit. We'll have to wait until next year to see if his HS coach giving him a green light to shoot the moment he crossed the half-court line was legitimate or hyperbole. This could fuel discussion for a second year about whether the best 3-point shooter on the team is a RS.

Of course, this is all just my opinion.

Man, the different combinations of size and speed we're going to be playing with this year ...

I really can't wait for this season. There's a rare combination going into this conference season from the looks of things: very experienced and talented roster, very gifted newcomers, and a very down year for the conference. I don't think anyone's gone undefeated in the Valley since Larry Bird ... I want that.

[wufan]

Carter might be the most D-I ready JUCO HCGM has ever sen, but if I recall, Early was the worst player on the court when practice began last year.

[WuDrWu]

We will be better but will we do better?

That's the $64 question. We rarely discuss chemistry. Will the chemistry be there this fall? What injuries will occur? Who will miss class.....who will have girlfriend troubles etc etc. Who will be upset that the ball isn't in their hands enough?

I believe this team has more upside than last year's team. Does that mean I think they'll get to the final game or win a National Championship? Of course not, but I'm not saying they can't. Are they going 12-6 in conference? That's funny.

But I'd be pleasantly surprised if they go 16-2 in the non-conference.

This team will have new and different strengths. For all his shortcomings, there is no EO walking through the door. Remember when we talked about how he'd foul out in 15 minutes? 73 fouls in 36 games. Never fouled out. A defensive nightmare for the opposition who RARELY gave up FTs. Carter is going to be good, but will he bring Carl's toughness and leadership? Fred is special, but is he going to be the defensive terror Mal was at times? What about breaking defenses down late in the shot clock and getting to the rim time after time after time etc....

Bottom line: Lots of potential. Mix in some experience in big games, a will to prepare and a dash of playing angry and it should be another fun season for ShockerNation. Enjoy the ride.

[SpanglerFan316]

I'm expecting some good results when Derail Green is on the court.

[wufan]

Last year at this time we were having similar conversations. I was adamant that Ron Baker and Evan Wessel weren't going to be taking any minutes from Demetric Williams and Tekele Cotton, and I was quite confident that Nick Wiggins was going to start or be the first guard off the bench.

I just wanted to get that out of the way when I say; I too expect good things from Derail, but I do not expect to see much of him this year.

[ShockerPrez]

Seems like there is a lot of talent vying for 200 minutes/game. I have to believe Early will get 35 a game, (IF..... He can stop fouling). Especially if he is the post season player we saw, and he is interchangeable at the 4 and 3....



Sorry, I was thinking of him abusing a regular Valley 3 man.


Where was I?

[WuShock16]

I don't think Cle will get that many minutes per game over the season, only because there should be a few blowouts that he will get time to rest and watch the younger guys get PT. That, and Gregg is not the type of coach to have a main guy gobble up so many minutes. He likes some balance. That said, I fully expect Cle to average close to 35 minutes during the postseason.