Swings and Misses

[pinstripers]

I think anyone expecting Morris to average 20 min a game, or big Bush to average more than 2 points a game is being very optimistic; not saying that it might not happen, but wishing for it won't make it happen.

[choida]

Morris, Brown, Nurger, McDuffie, Hamilton, will all challenge for the 4-5 and follow Wessell & Bush....Landry, Taylor, Henderson will have to be sponges and learn from Van Vleet, Baker & Frankamp...this is all baring who leaves and comes in...

[jcdshocker]

One thing will need to change if Shaq is going to reach his potential. He has got to learn to stay on the floor and not foul. He averaged almost as many fouls as he did points and rebounds.

[im4wsu]

I think anyone expecting Morris to average 20 min a game, or big Bush to average more than 2 points a game is being very optimistic; not saying that it might not happen, but wishing for it won't make it happen.

From the time of his return following the Drake trip through the MVC tournament, he average 14.26 minutes. Granted he play little in the NCAA, but that stretch of 19 games indicates he can do it. He could get 20 by playing the first and last 5 of each half, giving him 10 minutes of rest in between each period of play. I believe the growth from Fr. to So. will enable him to reduce his fouls by 25%, too.

[shocka khan]

One thing will need to change if Shaq is going to reach his potential. He has got to learn to stay on the floor and not foul. He averaged almost as many fouls as he did points and rebounds.

They said the same thing about Carr & Levingston after their Freshman seasons. Shaq will get his footwork down and foul less next year.

[Rlh04d]

Nurger needs 20 pounds of muscle and 100 pounds of tough. But, imagine Stutz trying to break in (as a Fr) on a top-10 team. I think Rosenboom can do a lot with Nuirger. A summer of playing against Morris (banging inside) and Kelly (quick and athletic) could do wonders for Nurger's game.

The only complaint I have with your post:

Garrett Stutz turned 22 in February of his senior season.

Rauno Nurger turns 22 this year.

Basically by the time the conference schedule starts next season, Nurger will be older than Stutz ever was in his Shocker career.

In terms of development, that's huge. Nurger doesn't have close to the ceiling that Stutz had as a freshman. He's already gone through the stage of his life where rapid physical development typically occurs.

If Nurger was 18 I'd be doing victory laps over his future. At 21/22 he's going to have to put in more work than Stutz had to.

[Kel Varnsen]

The only complaint I have with your post:

Garrett Stutz turned 22 in February of his senior season.

Rauno Nurger turns 22 this year.

In terms of development, that's huge. Nurger doesn't have close to the ceiling that Stutz had as a freshman. He's already gone through the stage of his life where rapid physical development typically occurs.

If Nurger was 18 I'd be doing victory laps over his future. At 21/22 he's going to have to put in more work than Stutz had to.

I totally agree. At some point, you are what you are. Stutz certainly improved over the course of his career, but he never really became "strong" in the post. All the lifting in the world was never going to change what genetics dictated. Unfortunately, I see the same thing happening with Nurger, with the only exception being that Nurger is three years older and has even less developing left than Stutz did as a freshman.

[shock]

While it's true Rauno's developmental window is closing, many athletes' prime is 26-28 years old. That put Rauno's senior year when he is just entering his prime. This is a dream scenario for us. He will truly be a man amongst boys.

[wufan]

While it's true Rauno's developmental window is closing, many athletes' prime is 26-28 years old. That put Rauno's senior year when he is just entering his prime. This is a dream scenario for us. He will truly be a man amongst boys.

I thought about it this way as well. Rauno will be 24 when he graduates. That could give him a physical advantage as a senior. I believe Carl Hall was also 24 during the final four run.

No matter how old Nurger is now, he has 3 years to develop. He's 6-10, 240 and skilled. There's a lot to work with.

[DUShock]

One thing will need to change if Shaq is going to reach his potential. He has got to learn to stay on the floor and not foul. He averaged almost as many fouls as he did points and rebounds.

In all fairness to Shaq, many times he was whistled for simply standing there with his hands up. But you are right, he makes several boneheaded fouls that the refs seem to blow the other aforementioned as anticipation whistles.

[The 'hut]

The only complaint I have with your post:

Garrett Stutz turned 22 in February of his senior season.

Rauno Nurger turns 22 this year.

Basically by the time the conference schedule starts next season, Nurger will be older than Stutz ever was in his Shocker career.

In terms of development, that's huge. Nurger doesn't have close to the ceiling that Stutz had as a freshman. He's already gone through the stage of his life where rapid physical development typically occurs.

If Nurger was 18 I'd be doing victory laps over his future. At 21/22 he's going to have to put in more work than Stutz had to.

I would still proceed with caution on this prediction on his physical future. Look at some of the 4 year college players who go pro and how their body changes. Don't ask me why this pops to mind, but I saw a clip of JJ Redick and he is much thicker than when at Duke. AC was not near the Big Dog he was 3 years into his pro career. Most of us can look in the mirror and realize as we aged, fat and muscle becomes more, well, adherent.