Official NMSU vs WSU game thread

[Rlh04d]

I'm down with that WuDrWu. I get it. It was just one game. My point was simply that I had not seen any effort from him at any time. And that included a couple of looks at some practices earlier this year. He looked like he had already mailed it in. That was simply not the same dude last night. KEEP IT UP SHAQ! Your city is behind you.

This is the right point about Shaq.

I don't think anyone here has ever doubted Shaq's ability to be a great player. That seems to be getting mixed up here. The question about him was always effort and motivation. If he can play with the effort and motivation he had in this game long term, we're in great shape, and he'll be a huge part of the team.

The ability to have a game like this has always been there.

[wusphlash]

Shaq showed his potential. Shaq showed defensive holes in his game. Shaq showed that he really likes being on the floor. Next step is to show 100% effort 100% of the time. Please do.

Pretty obvious it will be post by committee again this year. The big difference is our committee is much younger. However, their hands, as a group, are terrific. No one will get a pass on working for playing time.

Last year we played around with teams the first half and buried them in the second. I prefer last nights bury them in the first half methodology.

Coach of the year, POY's, AA's and a freshman class that makes my mouth drool.

What great times we are having.

[pie n eye]

I think this game was a natural extension of what I saw from Shaq in the exhibition game. Against Northwood (?) he showed off solid passing skills, he hustled up and down the court and generally played hard. Against NMSU I saw a lot of the same things but he looked more comfortable and got extended minutes which allowed for increased production. Sure, he wasn't perfect defensively but from my view it looks like the effort is there and with Marshall coaching him I have no doubt the execution will follow.

Our big man rotation seems similar to last year in that we have a handful of guys who will get minutes at the 4 and 5 position. The biggest difference to me is that this that each member of this group can do things offensively that Lufile, Coleby could not. They all seem to be skilled and willing passers, they have good hands, they have a variety of post moves, and they can finish around the rim. It is going to be really fun to watch that group develop throughout the year.

Rashard Kelly.

[pie n eye]

Oh yeah, and I love the way Evan Wessel plays. Someone on here once said that they and their buddy laugh when Evan hits the court. I think Evan will get the last laugh OR The joke is on you guys.

[SHOXAAC]

Oh yeah, and I love the way Evan Wessel plays. Someone on here once said that they and their buddy laugh when Evan hits the court. I think Evan will get the last laugh OR The joke is on you guys.

How do not like and appreciate players like Evan and Graham Hatch. They do not wow you with their look or athletic skill set, but their BBIQ, determination, anticipation, effort and leadership wins the day...every day for me.

[pinstripers]

Wessel is a winner.

[SHOXAAC]

Wessel is a winner.

...and acts like he has been there and done it before. Oh, that's because he has.
#wesselclassywinner!!!

[pinstripers]

Saw JT Durley & Eric Hamilton in the concourse. Hamilton looks like he weighs 120.

[wufan]

Saw JT Durley & Eric Hamilton in the concourse. Hamilton looks like he weighs 120.

Hamilton has reported that he is 6-9, 220. He is routinely reported as 6-8, 200.

[WuDrWu]

They do not wow you with their look or athletic skill set..............

Evan wows me with his athletic skill set. Dude is a freaking manchild barrel-chested rip your arms off straight up stud, however you want to define athleticism.

[Shox1979]

Evan wows me with his athletic skill set. Dude is a freaking manchild barrel-chested rip your arms off straight up stud, however you want to define athleticism.

Couple of football schools in this state that could use his services for sure. Kid is a coaches dream. Does everything you ask of him and doesn't back down from the job of guarding guys he gives up 3-4 inches to. I hope he sticks around next year. He deserves to be a part of what he's helped build all he way to the end.

[wufan]

Couple of football schools in this state that could use his services for sure. Kid is a coaches dream. Does everything you ask of him and doesn't back down from the job of guarding guys he gives up 3-4 inches to. I hope he sticks around next year. He deserves to be a part of what he's helped build all he way to the end.

Plus, he has a hell of a winning %

[im4wsu]

A couple of things I noted that haven't been mentionded.

1. Fred toyed with the Aggies in the first 5 minutes, just dribbling and weaving through for layups. Just wish he knew how to get to the rim!!!

2. On south goal, Kelly grabbed a rebound on the right side of the lane and jumped into the defender and scored. I remarked, "I see some Carl Hall there!"

3. Cotton amazes me on the anticipation steals that he misses on -- he hits the floor and is already jumping back into position. Most every other defender is completely beat when they go for that steal! He jumps for the steal, his downcourt foot hits the floor and is puching him back upcourt. Amazing to me.

4. Wessel is a huge contributor to this team. Whether he starts or just holds down the fort when others need a blow. He doesn't look as mobile as some athletes, but he was 1st team all-state in football as well as basketball.

5. Holland is a pest. Ernie Moore comes to my mind.

6. I can't decide whether I want Brown and/or Glass to redshirt, because I want to see them play, but if they do not redshirt, the minues are going to be very tough to come by for a lot of guys not names Fred, Ron, Darius, Evan or Tekele --

7. Last year WSU averaged 5.11 blocks per game. Against NMSU, we had 4. I would expect that number to improve as our youngsters get more minutes and the game slows down for them. Baker, Carter and Lufile had 23, 28 and 29 blocks last year. Not difficult for me to see Nurger and/or Morris and/or Kelly have numbers in that category.

8. 3G was even upset with Fred once during the game. But it looked like the officials took most of his wrath.

[Shocktoberfest]

A couple of things I noted that haven't been mentionded.

1. Fred toyed with the Aggies in the first 5 minutes, just dribbling and weaving through for layups. Just wish he knew how to get to the rim!!!

2. On south goal, Kelly grabbed a rebound on the right side of the lane and jumped into the defender and scored. I remarked, "I see some Carl Hall there!"

3. Cotton amazes me on the anticipation steals that he misses on -- he hits the floor and is already jumping back into position. Most every other defender is completely beat when they go for that steal! He jumps for the steal, his downcourt foot hits the floor and is puching him back upcourt. Amazing to me.

4. Wessel is a huge contributor to this team. Whether he starts or just holds down the fort when others need a blow. He doesn't look as mobile as some athletes, but he was 1st team all-state in football as well as basketball.

5. Holland is a pest. Ernie Moore comes to my mind.

6. I can't decide whether I want Brown and/or Glass to redshirt, because I want to see them play, but if they do not redshirt, the minues are going to be very tough to come by for a lot of guys not names Fred, Ron, Darius, Evan or Tekele --

7. Last year WSU averaged 5.11 blocks per game. Against NMSU, we had 4. I would expect that number to improve as our youngsters get more minutes and the game slows down for them. Baker, Carter and Lufile had 23, 28 and 29 blocks last year. Not difficult for me to see Nurger and/or Morris and/or Kelly have numbers in that category.

8. 3G was even upset with Fred once during the game. But it looked like the officials took most of his wrath.

8. That almost doesn't seem possible or acceptable. How could that be? We have become somewhat used to our all American stud. It's easy to forget how special he is.

[SHOXAAC]

Evan wows me with his athletic skill set. Dude is a freaking manchild barrel-chested rip your arms off straight up stud, however you want to define athleticism.

My point was his attributes are the intangibles I spoke about, not his "athletic look" and ??-inch vertical that some judge a basketball player by. If a pickup game with 2 unknowing captains played with WSU players, Evan would probably be on the backend of the picks, based on basketball physique...just sayin. Thank goodness he is so much more than meets the eye. I love the kid.