JUCO Guys

[ShockerEngineer]

I remember Darius not really impressing me until about this time last year. I'll just throw that out there.

[1972Shocker]

The best thing about freshmen is that by Feb they are no longer playing like freshmen. No need for panic. Give it time. By March, Morris, Kelly and Nurger will be light years ahead of where they are now.

Agreed no need for panic. OTOH, I haven't really noticed that anyone is panicking. My sense is that the reaction to the Utah loss has been quite pragmatic and relatively calm especially by message board standards.

[Jamar Howard 4 President]

I tend to give him a pass this year if we don't end up with a Top 10 team.

A "pass" if we don't make the top 10?!?!?! A pass?!?!?!

The fact that someone actually mentioned the idea that we might give Marshall "a pass" if the Shox are ranked in the teens instead of the top 10 tells you all you need to know about where this program is and how far it has come.

The program is in AMAZING shape. (Fever, yes I said AMAZING... don't taze me bro)

[shocka khan]

While I agree with Dan regarding the quality of JUCO players not being quite as high currently as they have been, I will also say that we have a ton of underclass bigs who have redshirted or benefitted from playing a year of post-HS prep ball.

I think that this will make us better in the long run, as I believe that the players we have recruited will develop into some very fine players (remember that Carr and Levingston as fresmen IIRC, only averaged about 10 points a game and their team was NOT as good as the one we have now).

The problem we have is that we have a current weakness up front that can be exploited. As much as I like Wessel, he is not the answer at the 4/5, which is what we need right now. If we end up matched against a team with a tall, experienced and physical front line we will struggle, as we will be very dependent on guard play to bail us out (and if they have a defensive scheme to clamp down on our guards like Utah did, we'll be in trouble).

If things develop as some several of us believe they will, our non-conference schedule will be used to develop the depth we need up front and like those people, I think we will be fine by March. I think Kelley, Nurger, Shaq and Bush could all be very serviceable players in March if they see significant minutes in the valley.

EDIT: I would rather experience growing pains and have 4 year players like Shaq, Kelly and potentially Zach Brown than to play the two year lottery with JUCOs, even though we're somewhat exposed up front right now.

[Ricardo del Rio]

I know Evan is held in extra high regard by this forum, but the four spot is a problem.

[Dan]

While I agree with Dan regarding the quality of JUCO players not being quite as high currently as they have been, I will also say that we have a ton of underclass bigs who have redshirted or benefitted from playing a year of post-HS prep ball.

I think that this will make us better in the long run, as I believe that the players we have recruited will develop into some very fine players (remember that Carr and Levingston as fresmen IIRC, only averaged about 10 points a game and their team was NOT as good as the one we have now).

The problem we have is that we have a current weakness up front that can be exploited. As much as I like Wessel, he is not the answer at the 4/5, which is what we need right now. If we end up matched against a team with a tall, experienced and physical front line we will struggle, as we will be very dependent on guard play to bail us out (and if they have a defensive scheme to clamp down on our guards like Utah did, we'll be in trouble).

If things develop as some several of us believe they will, our non-conference schedule will be used to develop the depth we need up front and like those people, I think we will be fine by March. I think Kelley, Nurger, Shaq and Bush could all be very serviceable players in March if they see significant minutes in the valley.

EDIT: I would rather experience growing pains and have 4 year players like Shaq, Kelly and potentially Zach Brown than to play the two year lottery with JUCOs, even though we're somewhat exposed up front right now.

Totally agree. I just think we're at the point in the program where we don't need to bring in a JUCO unless he's a real star. The all-american level guys have worked out pretty good for us and I don't think we need to dip down much past that level anymore.

[im4wsu]

I remember Darius not really impressing me until about this time last year. I'll just throw that out there.

Here is a quick recap of DC's performance as last season progressed:

	1st 8	2nd 8	3rd 8	last 12
PTS	4.5	10.4	7.1	12.5
REB-T	3.1	6.6	3.0	6.9
ASST	0.1	0.4	0.3	0.8
PF	2.3	1.8	2.5	2.4
BLK	0.4	0.9	0.6	1.6

[1979Shocker]

While I agree with Dan regarding the quality of JUCO players not being quite as high currently as they have been, I will also say that we have a ton of underclass bigs who have redshirted or benefitted from playing a year of post-HS prep ball.

I don't know about a ton of underclass bigs, but we have over a ton and a half of players on the roster (3,338 pounds if I added all the weights up correctly) and increasing more after Conner is added.

[jocoshock]

I know Evan is held in extra high regard by this forum, but the four spot is a problem.

You are right on both counts... Evan needs to be at the three and be as assertive on offense as he is with his defense.

[jocoshock]

Agreed no need for panic. OTOH, I haven't really noticed that anyone is panicking. My sense is that the reaction to the Utah loss has been quite pragmatic and relatively calm especially by message board standards.

Exactly. Everyone understands the current sutuation, but more importantly, the potential of the guys on the bench. Short term discomfort (not pain) will yield huge dividends later. Not just this season, but the next 3-4.

[newshock1234]

I wish Evan was 3 inches taller

[pie n eye]

I wish Evan was 3 inches taller

I wish all of the new guys would play more like Evan.

[Jamar Howard 4 President]

I wish Evan was 3 inches taller

But he is a baller... and I bet he has a girl who looks good... and I bet her calls her. :yahoo:

[Dave Stalwart]

I wish Evan was 3 inches taller

I wish all of the new guys would play more like Evan.

Exactly. Evan has zero flaws other than his shooting. I suppose I also wish he was taller, but a better idea is to wish that the guys who ARE 3-5 inches taller would just play like him. Then, we can move him to the 3 to back up TKO where he has always belonged.

On the other hand, I'm not sure it's realistic to ever expect anyone to play as hard as Evan or Tekele, so when I look at it that way I, too, wish Evan was 3 inches taller. Evan is a guy I'm very glad to have as a junior. Anyone who thinks he will leave after this season is nuts based on what we've seen so far. He has been a significant part of the team so far, and I really doubt Coach will be okay with him "stepping down" or transferring to another school after he graduates (if he does this year). Why in the world would any coach ever let a guy like that get away?

[WSUwatcher]

I wish Evan was 3 inches taller

Gee, why stop there?

I wish I were 40 years younger, a foot taller, and ten times more athletic. But I'm not, so I'll join pie in wishing that all the new guys can learn to play with his hustle and intensity. As for Evan himself, I'll just hope he continues to regain the shooting touch and confidence he used to have. They seem to to be coming back, but they aren't there yet.