Next Year

[1972Shocker]

The key to next year is pretty straight-forward at this point:

1. Find a Cle-Clone or reasonable facsimile.
2. Hope Darius, Tom and Shaq make can approximately what we got from this season's three-headed post presence.

[Steeleshocker]

The key to next year is pretty straight-forward at this point:

1. Find a Cle-Clone or reasonable facsimile.
2. Hope Darius, Tom and Shaq make can approximate what we got from this season's three-headed post presence.

And get a true backup for Fred so Ron can focus on lighting teams up.

[kcshocker11]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2013967-10-college-basketball-teams-set-up-for-future-tournament-success/page/10

[Zardoz]

I think we maybe undervaluelng Carter given some of HCGM''s comments about him. We'll just have to wait and see. I wouldn't bet against HCGM.

[wufan]

I think we maybe undervaluelng Carter given some of HCGM''s comments about him. We'll just have to wait and see. I wouldn't bet against HCGM.

I value Carter! Dude is an athletic stud with stupid long arms. Runs the court exceptionally well and catches the ball in stride. He will be one of the 4 horseman next year, no doubt! That said, there are reasons he won't dominate: he shows no range on his shot. He's not overly physical (but I expect that to change). He's 6-7, so his ability to neutralize 6-10 centers is questionable.

[Ricardo del Rio]

Senora Rio and I love Carter. No under valuing here.

He can hit shots in the 10'-12' range.

He has a knack for scoring against taller players.

[CBB_Fan]

One thing to think about: no team in the country is in as good of shape as we are going forward. If KU, UK, Kentucky, or Duke win a national title (or even get to a title game), they'll be worse for years because of it because everyone will flee while their stock is high. After winning it all in 2012, UK missed the tournament the next year. Duke hasn't made another Final Four since winning it all in 2010, and lost in first round twice. UNC missed the tournament after winning it all in 2009, and has also failed to return to the Final Four. KU has been upset multiple times after their successful trips to the title game.

What happens if we go the Final Four or even win it all? We return and try to win it all again. That is rare in this era of college basketball, and I think we are perfectly positioned for an extended run at the top of the sport as long as Marshall is at the helm, while the blue-bloods are dependent on their incoming freshmen to stay competitive every year.

[asiseeit]

I think we maybe undervaluelng Carter given some of HCGM''s comments about him. We'll just have to wait and see. I wouldn't bet against HCGM.

Really needs to develop his left hand. Anyone see him use it all this past season?

[Cdizzle]

Really needs to develop his left hand. Anyone see him use it all this past season?

Very true. He would make post moves over his right shoulder and use his right hand. It's an awkward, low-percentage shot, with a high chance of rejection.

I'm not worried, as he shot over 52% for the year. But it is a good observation, and would be a great area for improvement.

[1979Shocker]

Really needs to develop his left hand. Anyone see him use it all this past season?

I saw him using it a bunch with his right hand when he was dunking it.

[WSUwatcher]

I saw him using it a bunch with his right hand when he was dunking it.

Maybe developing a little more independent use of the left would answer the other posters' concern. But that's what summers are for.

[FlyingWheat]

People look at our recent history and say we had been getting better every year under Marshall. The trend that gets overlooked is number of postseason wins. We went 0,5,0,4,1 with the first two in the NIT. Year three and five were the result of bad draws, but year two and four saw our team play on a whole 'nother level and exceed expectation. Over any kind of rational analysis, THIS is what gets me excited for next year.

[ShockBand]

What excites me is HCGM, the staff, and the players have elevated the program to the point where this is a TRUE statement:

"After a disappointing loss to Kentucky in the round of 32 in the NCAA tournament..."

Oh, how this program has risen from the abyss, when we couldn't sniff ANY postseason tournament other than our rapid exit in St. Louis.

[SHOXAAC]

I have anticipation of a great and deep run next season. Yes, we have some work to do at tightening up the 4 and 5 spots. Let's remember college basketball is a guard-oriented game. An argument could be made our 3-guards were the best backcourt in CB. All three (FVV, Baker, Cotton) will be better, more polished and more confident next year. That alone could go a long way in healing our loss of Cle. Also, my expectation is that Darius will play out like all of our other Juco AA's over the past few years have, which is make a big jump from JR-SR year. That 5 spot will be by committee once again. Shaq, Bush, some spot time by Darius, and maybe a player to named soon will keep the 5 an asset once again. No worries Shocker fans, the bus is just getting warmed up.

[shockerofandover0943]

Not exactly sure who this is, but I saw it on twitter and thought it was interesting.

A look at Top 25 projections for next year: http://basketball.realgm.com/article...25-Projections