A fresh look at the newcomers

[wufan]

I like Brown and think he has a promising future, but I'm not sold on him yet. Great defense last night does bring him WAY up in my book though.

[im4wsu]

We got a solid look at all of the newcomers last night against Marymount, one that we haven't seen yet this year as they now have a rudimentary understanding of the offense and didn't look too disheveled on the scoring end of the court. Here's my breakdown:

Kelly - he's a strong athlete that will continue to start indefinitely. The offense does not flow as smooth with him on the court as it does with Evan, and he sometimes is a step out of position on both ends of the court. He's an athlete, but he's sped up with the ball in his hands. Once he slows down and reacts instead of pressing the play, he'll be a weapon. Right now he's just good enough to not be a liability. He doesn't put up monster numbers (only two baskets last night) but his points are memorable…two big dunks! Got to shoot FTs better, and his form and style of missing indicate that won't be a problem over his career.

Holland - I love the way he plays defense and shoots the ball! He's a pest that the other team keeps hoping to brush off, but he stays around. Ri'an HAS to get stronger to absorb screens, and it will help with his constantly moving hands. Instead of just disrupting, that will eventually turn into steals as he's able to grab the ball. Ri'an makes very few mistakes and always appears to be in control, in the right place, and playing at the right pace.

Morris - He's like the Hulk! Huge body that flys through the air! When he is in gear he sets good screens and really moves the opponent out of the way with his body. Once he stops using his hands to keep the opponent on his hip, he will stop being called for the foul. When rebounding, he is almost always out of position or failing to block out. Needs to set his hip in someone and go get the ball. Defensively…ugh! He plays okay for 10-15 seconds of the possession, but almost always ends up out of position at some point. Need to see WAY more Hulk and far less Bruce Banner…will be in and out of the doghouse for the next 2 years or as long as he is in Wichita…Almost forgot to mention he's a really good passer.

Nurger - He's really thinking out there…trying to figure out where he is supposed to go/be, and outside of the pick-and-pop screen, he's not really looking for the ball. He's got a big body and moves really well, but his appendages are weak. Doesn't have a strong base to post up or keep others from posting up, and doesn't rebound with two hands (mentioned last night by the announcer). Offensively, as skilled as they come, but needs to learn to play like the big space eater he is.

Henderson - Really smooth handles! Great shooter and can drive to the rim. He's another guy that needs to get stronger, which will help him finish with contact. I don't think he's a great passer yet, but it should come with time, but more importantly, his defense needs to improve. It's not brutal, but there is a noticeable drop off with Henderson versus the first team + Ri'an. The good last night versus Marymount was that he didn't stand at the top of the key and pound the ball. He looked much more fluid in running the offense.

Brown - He's looked VERY good on a few occasions, and totally out of place on others. He's currently buried behind Cotton, Baker, Holland and Wessel, but last night, his defense was FANTASTIC! That, if nothing else, will get him some court time. Another guy that can really shoot the ball when he's in rhythm. He's strong and athletic and can drive the ball. Needs to pass better to help the offense move. Very high upside player for the Shockers as he gets older.

Wamukota - Why isn't he a rim protector? Elevate and block a shot or get a hard foul in to make the opposition think twice. I'm not sure that's his game, but it needs to be. BWam gets lost on defense more than Morris, BUT he does get rebounds, and that's worth something. Decent hands for such a raw player and he finishes around the basket a bit too. Lots of untapped potential in this young man, but time is running out.

Glass - MOTOR. Out of control motor on this guy. He does everything hard, but, again, another newbie that ends up out of position. Nice athleticism and he's strong for such a thin frame. Loved watching him nail the three last night! Tevin is a deep body in the paint and nothing more. That's okay since we have 13 scholarship players and he has shown flashes.

Walker - What an easy kid to root for. Reminds me of Graham Hatch, except that Jared makes Graham look athletic. This kid is a team guy. He runs all over the court playing D and hustling and he can shoot and pass a little too. Decided to come to WSU as an out of state walk-on. Fantastic kid!

Agree with everything you said, with the exception of Kelly and FT form. The way he begins his motion at the knees and is moving all the way through the release, it becomes not only a question of muscle memory, but also with the timing of the movement. He is large enough to not need to shoot from his knees/waist. Get the ball in his hands and then shoot it. Eliminate the timing of the sequence entirely.

[wufan]

Agree with everything you said, with the exception of Kelly and FT form. The way he begins his motion at the knees and is moving all the way through the release, it becomes not only a question of muscle memory, but also with the timing of the movement. He is large enough to not need to shoot from his knees/waist. Get the ball in his hands and then shoot it. Eliminate the timing of the sequence entirely.

Someone is a better coach than me.

[im4wsu]

Someone is a better coach than me.

I know nothing, just my layman's observation. One moving part is better than two.

[pinstripers]

I know nothing, just my layman's observation. One moving part is better than two.

that doesn't apply with the girls I go with...........

[wusphlash]

Shaq = disappointment (so far). Skills yes, motor no. I hope he is receptive to constructive criticism because he's going to get a boat load.

Rian is doing okay. Thought he would contribute a little more offensively. He showed, in his RS year scrimmage, a nice little pull up jumper. I would like to see him use that shot occasionally.

Rashard has obviously gotten on track. Don't expect anything but solid play going forward.

Cory seems to be more of a scorer than a PG. Would like to see him work on his distribution game.

Zach has been slow to come on. Has shown some flashes. Needs to continue.

Rauno just needs strength. He has the skills. He has the motor.

Bush shows these flashes of athleticism, albeit short flashes. Evidently the coaches have faith. I will have faith as well.

Glass = Anacreon

Walker. Even if his biggest contribution is on the practice floor, I like this kid's game.

[jocoshock]

Shaq = disappointment (so far). Skills yes, motor no. I hope he is receptive to constructive criticism because he's going to get a boat load.

Rian is doing okay. Thought he would contribute a little more offensively. He showed, in his RS year scrimmage, a nice little pull up jumper. I would like to see him use that shot occasionally.

Rashard has obviously gotten on track. Don't expect anything but solid play going forward.

Cory seems to be more of a scorer than a PG. Would like to see him work on his distribution game.

Zach has been slow to come on. Has shown some flashes. Needs to continue.

Rauno just needs strength. He has the skills. He has the motor.

Bush shows these flashes of athleticism, albeit short flashes. Evidently the coaches have faith. I will have faith as well.

Glass = Anacreon

Walker. Even if his biggest contribution is on the practice floor, I like this kid's game.

Good observations. I think they point out why there use to be freshman/JV teams. You need as much PT as possible to figure this out when you are freshman. Of course, if Warren Armstrong could have played on the 65 team as a freshman.... oh..the humanity..

Not sure I am ready to crown Glass as another Anacreon just yet, but can't argue against it either.

[pinstripers]

Wonder how many of the 6 freshmen will be here as Seniors? Or as Sophomores, for that matter.......

[wusphlash]

Wonder how many of the 6 freshmen will be here as Seniors? Or as Sophomores, for that matter.......

Throw Conner in the mix and you have the potential of 7 seniors.

[wusphlash]

Good observations. I think they point out why there use to be freshman/JV teams. You need as much PT as possible to figure this out when you are freshman. Of course, if Warren Armstrong could have played on the 65 team as a freshman.... oh..the humanity..

Not sure I am ready to crown Glass as another Anacreon just yet, but can't argue against it either.

There was a time we wouldn't be breaking down every aspect of their games. We'd be wondering how they'd do when they made varsity.

[wusphlash]

Good observations. I think they point out why there use to be freshman/JV teams. You need as much PT as possible to figure this out when you are freshman. Of course, if Warren Armstrong could have played on the 65 team as a freshman.... oh..the humanity..

Not sure I am ready to crown Glass as another Anacreon just yet, but can't argue against it either.

By the way, please don't think I'm putting the big dis on James Anacreon. It's just that he was never going to get playing time. Same with Glass.

[wufan]

By the way, please don't think I'm putting the big dis on James Anacreon. It's just that he was never going to get playing time. Same with Glass.

Anacreon and Glass are/were both fine players. Not everyone can make the rotation. I'm in total agreement with this.

[pie n eye]

Wonder how many of the 6 freshmen will be here as Seniors? Or as Sophomores, for that matter.......

Is the whole scholarship situation/players leaving the program the main reason you follow shocker athletics? I mean, I'm kidding, sort of...

[shocka khan]

Nah, I think he's just the shockers biggest pessimist and curmudgeon.

[jocoshock]

Wonder how many of the 6 freshmen will be here as Seniors? Or as Sophomores, for that matter.......

I don't expect Rauno to be here 4 years.