Pick Up Games - July 11, 2013

[forevershockerfan]

Thanks, FSF. Is there any indication that Nick W has visited the weight room and strengthened his grip on the ball and upper body so he can (a) not have the ball stripped on the outside and (b) go to the hole effectively, without getting the ball swatted away and draw a foul?

Although not listed under the 3's, do you see improvement in Cle's ball-handling (drive with left hand) and finishing at the hoop?

Nearly everything you said about Wessel was about last season. Does he still have his shot? No question about his hustle, but has he improved overall compared to last year?

How solid does Green look this year? Is he strictly a perimeter player?

These are some astute questions from iam4wsu that my buddies and myself also have been discussing. Many moons ago, I also liked to 'happen by' and watch summer scrimmages. However, those teams back then were only 5-6 deep solid with 5-6 more guarding them that were just so, so, especially on D-fence. That meant too often that when we turned on the lights and went for real, much better players from our foes would be guarding our 5-6 solid players and all the sudden, we didn't do as good as I thought we would. This happened way too often back then, but not now. Now, even our walk-ons play solid D. and we go 12-15 deep. Scrimmages now, are often times more intense and competitive than real games way back when. Does this make sense?

3G had mentioned recently that he had some specific areas of improvement he wanted for our players to focus on this summer. These areas are confidential. An educated guess would be that this could include your concerns as well and even more. It is not enough to improve your strengths only, but also build on your weaknesses. Coach Marshall has improved our Program every solitary year and that is because players improve and get better while here. With that said, I have heard new players get here and really face a culture change in terms of work ethics. That means some listen and 'jump in with both feet' and others start out 'dull of hearing' but then get an education that illustrates it don't pay to cut corners.

Cle did not catch my eye all that much last summer in scrimmages but he has been tough this summer. In one game, he took the rock to the hoop and dunked over another big with a finish of authority that made it the most impressive dunk i have ever seen him do. His ball handling seems okay but did not notice him driving with his left hand but rather doing the same things he did at the Dance which was mostly good. Cle can guard most any player at any position but has a tendency to make a foul or two in games that are not worth the pine time he then gets with foul trouble. A huge Senior Season for Early would really benefit our squad. He may slide down and play some 3 which may be his true slot some day at the next level.

As many of you, I am a Nick Wiggins fan because I am offensive minded. If he does the time with Kerry, it will benefit him. He looks stronger to me and all of our players are in tip-top shape. That is why these scrimmages are intense unlike years ago. How about this. Let's Dance and get lucky and draw KU. Then big-brother Nick can show Andrew how the 'cow ate the cabbage' and lead us to still another Battle of New Orleans Phase 2 VICTORY. U like?

I think all of our returning players have improved over last summer, including Wessel. It was a breath of fresh air to see Mr. Wessel shooting the rock much better than the Season before in games last Season. Wessel does not force shots either and just plays his role and wants to help the team win. I need to watch Green play more before saying too much yet. Yes folks, he reminds me of a "packed in zone buster." He does seem to be a natural 3 more so than an inside player.

Two more things. I mentioned that we had 6 solid potential sharp-shooters. Forgot to mention FVV. One day I witnessed several games and he was burning up the nets which made me smile as I remembered the lights beaming down strong as he beat the clock with the "ice in his veins 25' swish that was heard around the basketball world."

Last and also least, please understand this. I do my best to share what I see for free, but always remember this. I am far from an expert and I share what I see about our beloved Shockers through my black and yellow Shocker glasses. Read with caution and understand that it 'only is what it is.'

[Speed]

Good report, but I could care less about how the "cow ate the cabbage". I don't care who we play. We played the nat'l champion closer than the final game. We are better. WSU has arrived. I could care less if we play KU, the sisters of the poor, or Duke who is on TV more than Leave It To Beaver reruns. The Shox are in a good place & will be OK.

[another shocker]

Good report, but I could care less about how the "cow ate the cabbage". I don't care who we play. We played the nat'l champion closer than the final game. We are better. WSU has arrived. I could care less if we play KU, the sisters of the poor, or Duke who is on TV more than Leave It To Beaver reruns. The Shox are in a good place & will be OK.

man, i can't get enough of "how the cow ate the cabbage."

[WstateU]

Good report, but I could care less about how the "cow ate the cabbage". I don't care who we play. We played the nat'l champion closer than the final game. We are better. WSU has arrived. I could care less if we play KU, the sisters of the poor, or Duke who is on TV more than Leave It To Beaver reruns. The Shox are in a good place & will be OK.

man, i can't get enough of "how the cow ate the cabbage."

Me too...

[Aargh]

A circus had arrived in a small town, and one morning one of the elephants managed to escape. The fugitive pachyderm made its way to the backyard garden of an elderly (and very near-sighted) woman, where it began hungrily uprooting her cabbages with its trunk and eating them. Alarmed by the apparition in her garden, the woman called the police, saying, “Sheriff, there’s a big cow in my garden pulling up my cabbages with its tail!” “What’s the cow doing with them?” he asked, to which the woman replied, “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you!”

[Speed]

Shoot the cow, have a nice thick steak, save the cabbage for yourself. Dump a bottle of Italian dressing in the cabbage & put it in the grill 30-45 minutes before the steak, mmmmmm!

[forevershockerfan]

Here's the deal. Many moons ago, we watched a flick called "Field of Dreams." The theme of that movie was "build it and they will come." Here at 21st and Hillside, Coach Marshall and his Staff are building a solid Program that has risen in leaps and bounds and the fans will not only come but we have the attention and publicity now at an increasing National Scale. Doing such feats as WSU making the Final 4 reminds me of watching the golf swings of the best of pro golfers. It might look easy, but the blood, sweat, endless efforts and tears of the best of the best teaches different. You also have to have the talent to do so and surround yourself with others that can help you rise to the top.

It has been said that great basketball teams must enshrine their squad with solid guards. 3G does just that. Hannah, Rags, Armstead helped us to build winning teams and now they hand the baton to FVV and Baker, etc. After our last game we watched Baker and Fred walking together embraced as we all envisioned a bright Shocker future still to come that we will remember .

A skillfull point guard to basketball is of essence as like a solid quarteback in football. Enter Fred "I can make a huge 25' shot a split second b4 the dance shot clock buzzer tolls" Van Vleet. Last summer, he looked solid as well at the scrimmages. Then he had some nagging injuries to contend with early on to overcome. This summer, it is 'clear as mud' that this is his team to lead. Don't be surprised to see him play 25-30 minutes in the big games at least. 3G displayed much confidence in Fred at the DANCE against some great opponents and he responded as if he has ice water in his veins with big plays, big shots, and crucial free-throws. At times, he would enter the games and Armstead would slide over to the 2-slot.

Remember me? I was the silly fan watching summer scrimmages that was claiming I would pick Ron "I got this one Baker the maker" over KU bound C.F. in our System before he ever played a game here. And I wonder if Ron could make the K-State squad as a walk-on? Muuuuhahahaha. We knew we missed him as he missed 20 plus games, but we were thankful when he returned and jump-started us so swiftly as a team on both sides of the court. This summer is no different during scrimmages. On two occasions when I arrived, he launched a swish from 3-point land like it was just another common day at the office. Can you imagine the "shot in our arms" we will enjoy with a healthy Ron Baker all Season long? In the famous words of WstateU--yipes, stripes, beechnut gum."

Who will back up FVV when he takes a rest? Mr. Cotton and Mr. Baker together can handle the 1 and 2 finer than a frog -hair. In the meanwhile, DJ and Rian will begin to learn our System as well. Don't challenge Rian to a game of horse for 2 reasons. First of all, he might make a shot from the corner of 21st and Hillside because he has NBA 3-point range. Next, he will start at the free-throw line, bounce the rock up against the glass, catch it, dunk-it like a dipped dougnut, and do it with ease. I have been hearing solid reports from others on DJ and do believe my own self that both freshmen guards are keepers. Soon, I hope to make time to witness more scrimmages and offer some cheery reports of how the cow eats the cabbage because this squad is very,very, very, very good. Sleep well tonight because our beloved Shockers and our Coaching Staff are doing their part to prevail.

[60Shock]

Great post, FSF!

[GarH]

Amen! Great post!

[another shocker]

rian holland > conner frankamp?

all replies welcome except for from bob lutz, ku homer #1

[Aargh]

Here's what I see next year. No one is going to leave Baker an inch whether he's got the ball or not. Opponents are going to try to play FVV "half-way" - close enough to defend a 3, but far enough back to protect against a drive. Good luck with that.

So, who drops off to double Coleby, Carter, or Early? I think Baker, Cotton, and FVV are all capable (and willing) to make an entry pass. I think Wessel could function nicely in either the group that has to be covered or in the group that demands a double.

I see two possible problems next year:

1) If the players get caught up in the press clippings, they could get overconfident.
2) With all the talent, it's easy to expect "someone else" will pick it up and everybody has a bad game because they're all waiting on "someone else" to win the game.

I don't think that pressure from a target on their backs will be as much of a problem as the two I've listed.

If I go with my honest opinion of the outcome of each game, the Shox can be undefeated going into the NCAA's. That's highly unlikely, but I could see where 2 or 3 losses going into the NCAA's might be within the logical range of probabilities. I don't think it's unreasonable to think that the Shox may have a higher ranking in the polls than KU going into the NCAA's.

[pinstripers]

rian holland > conner frankamp?

all replies welcome except for from bob lutz, ku homer #1

exhale sooner

[another shocker]

exhale sooner

rian will be a pleasant surprise.. before he's done.

[shockmonster]

exhale sooner

rian will be a pleasant surprise.. before he's done.

I haven't seen either player (Frankamp or Rian) in action (except on video) but will agree that once Bob gets a "bee in his bonnet", he's not rationale. He's been so stuck on both Ellis and Frankamp that he probably wouldn't listen to anyone. Both Ellis and Frankamp are obviously very good but have shown certain flaws in their game that would indicate that they aren't shoe ins for AA. You wouldn't know that from Bob's reactions.

[WstateU]

rian holland > conner frankamp?

all replies welcome except for from bob lutz, ku homer #1