23 games in

[Shocker1976]

Shockers have performed exactly as I projected this season to unfold - two OOC and a road loss at UNI. I do not anticipate another regular season loss by the Shockers and look forward to successful runs in the MVC tourney and the Big Dance.

IMO HC3G is the man; may he complete his coaching career as HC of the Shockers!

[SHOXAAC]

I will agree that consistency is an issue with our post guys. Although, I would also argue that you have to allow for development. I don't think our guys in the post have any real idea (other than Shaq and DC) whether they are playing and how much. Tough to develop any confidence when you are looking over your shoulder constantly wondering if you are going to get pulled every time you make a mistake. Bush to me is the guy on this team in the post with the highest ceiling. He has attributes you just can't teach, plus I really think he is the best defender of the lot, but last night he plays zero minutes in the first half, starts the second, gets a steal-dunk, and then goes out never to return.

We have had the luxury of a good post rotation since 3Gs early days, but don't have that luxury this year. I just think that at some point 3G needed to pick a guy or two and stick with them.

What do you see I don't that Bush has the highest ceiling. I can't count the times this year he has received a pass or gotten an offensive rebound with a clear path to the basket, but turned and ran or passed the other direction. His defense has been below expectations and being a shot blocker he is not. Another great kid, but no instincts.

[Wild Heiny]

I just believe that right now he is the 3rd best post player on this team. I don't need him to score, but I do think he is the best at defending the pick and roll and am certain he is the best at hedging high ball screens. I will give you that he lacks experience and understanding overall in regards to the game and sometimes his head moves faster than his feet, but he has gotten significantly better. His mere presence inside alters shots and we are more successful in our hard press when Bush is in the game. His offensive game has grown some to the point where he does not kill you. I really think outside of DC he is the 2nd best rebounder we have in the post. I just believe that if he was given a real opportunity to play 10-15 minutes a night we would see a different team defensively.

Ideally I would like to put R. Kelley's motor - skill set in Bush's body, but since this is not an option, I will take Bush's size and try to really develop his skills and understanding.

[asiseeit]

I think RN has a MUCH higher ceiling. First, he is only a freshman. He has the size and wingspan
to become a defensive force and is already quite a bit better than BW offensively. He took a pass
from RB last night and immediately took it up with his LEFT hand. His outside shooting ability can
draw opposing centers away from the basket and open up the paint down low for others. He has
THREE more years to develop. Other than SM we don't have another center for next year and I just
don't see the potential for BW to fill that role this year or next. IMHO, RN is the only logical option.

[pinstripers]

Some of these guys will be gone. Life is hard, and for a few, it's about to get harder. We will try to bring in a juco big and maybe still a wing. Our vaunted freshman class has potential, but has disappointed so far.

[SHOXAAC]

Some of these guys will be gone. Life is hard, and for a few, it's about to get harder. We will try to bring in a juco big and maybe still a wing. Our vaunted freshman class has potential, but has disappointed so far.

I hear you about current guys being gone, which is life. We are already 2 over the limit as is. If we add a big, which we need, and a wing, we would be 4 over. Talk about life being hard.

[ShockerExpress]

I disagree with the idea that the freshman class has disappointed. To be honest, when was the last time we had to rely on a lot of freshman? Murry's first year? Do you remember what FVV was like as a freshman? He was a nice backup for Malcom, but Armstead was HEADS and SHOULDERS better than Fred.

Ron was a bit of an aberration.. that being said, he shot the ball.. that was it. And I think he snuck up on people in the tourney because he was out for so long.

Tekele... Was always athletic, was always a great defender... not even close to the offensive threat he is now. The freshman haven't had to be really thrown to the wolves. I see TONS of potential. I think we forget what freshmen look like

[Stickboy46]

I disagree with the idea that the freshman class has disappointed. To be honest, when was the last time we had to rely on a lot of freshman? Murry's first year? Do you remember what FVV was like as a freshman? He was a nice backup for Malcom, but Armstead was HEADS and SHOULDERS better than Fred.

Ron was a bit of an aberration.. that being said, he shot the ball.. that was it. And I think he snuck up on people in the tourney because he was out for so long.

Tekele... Was always athletic, was always a great defender... not even close to the offensive threat he is now. The freshman haven't had to be really thrown to the wolves. I see TONS of potential. I think we forget what freshmen look like

I agree, I just pulled up Fred's stats from his freshman year up until the end of January. He averaged 3.3 pts on 36% shooting, and 1.4 turnovers per game. He did this in 15 mpg.. So if you look at the freshman now, most of them are doing comparatively well especially considering the only freshman getting 15 min a game is Kelly

[pinstripers]

The difference is that this year, the newcomers MUST contribute, simply because of numbers.

[shocks02]

I disagree with the idea that the freshman class has disappointed. To be honest, when was the last time we had to rely on a lot of freshman? Murry's first year? Do you remember what FVV was like as a freshman? He was a nice backup for Malcom, but Armstead was HEADS and SHOULDERS better than Fred.

Ron was a bit of an aberration.. that being said, he shot the ball.. that was it. And I think he snuck up on people in the tourney because he was out for so long.

Tekele... Was always athletic, was always a great defender... not even close to the offensive threat he is now. The freshman haven't had to be really thrown to the wolves. I see TONS of potential. I think we forget what freshmen look like

I just brought up this same point last night to a few friends. We didn't really have any significal freshman last year, whether you want to count Derail or not. Maybe we've forgotten how freshman are supposed to play...

[jocoshock]

I agree, I just pulled up Fred's stats from his freshman year up until the end of January. He averaged 3.3 pts on 36% shooting, and 1.4 turnovers per game. He did this in 15 mpg.. So if you look at the freshman now, most of them are doing comparatively well especially considering the only freshman getting 15 min a game is Kelly

In other words, Fred's per 40 freshman stats fall within the range of this year's freshman...