SI tabs WSU as a team that could win NC

[wufan]

Is it possible to still do a gray shirt if Isaac doesn't enroll until December?

Hypothetically he could enroll at semester.

[WSUwatcher]

With the steep learning curve imposed by Marshall's system and his demands in terms of defense and rebounding at a level most high schoolers have never imagined, much less experienced, it's hard to picture how any player enrolling at the semester could have a significant on court impact the rest of his first year.

[KraRam]

My preseason Top 25 ballot (plus 25 more) _ Jeff *******

http://espn.go.com/blog/jeff-*******/insider/post?id=5033

1. Maryland Terrapins
2. North Carolina Tar Heels
3. Kansas Jayhawks
4. Iowa State Cyclones
5. Duke Blue Devils
6. Kentucky Wildcats
7. Virginia Cavaliers
8. Cal Golden Bears
9. Wichita State Shockers

Projected starting lineup: SG Ron Baker, PG Fred VanVleet, SG Evan Wessel, F Rashard Kelly, PF Anton Grady

The Shockers boast one of the top backcourts in the country, and Wessel is a fixture who brings intangibles. The key will be up front -- where Gregg Marshall added Cleveland State grad transfer Grady -- and he will hope that either Kelly or Shaquille Morris emerges. Remember, Kansas transfer Conner Frankamp becomes eligible at the break, and wing Zach Brown is also a candidate to start.

10. Oklahoma Sooners
11. Indiana Hoosiers
12. Gonzaga Bulldogs
13. Villanova Wildcats
14. Michigan State Spartans
15. Michigan Wolverines
16. Arizona Wildcats
17. Vanderbilt Commodores
18. Wisconsin Badgers
19. SMU Mustangs
20. UConn Huskies
21. Texas A&M Aggies
22. Purdue Boilermakers
23. Butler Bulldogs
24. Utah Utes
25. Dayton Flyers
26. Boise State Broncos

[Cdizzle]

I see the narrative is still "one of" the best backcourts in the nation.

I suppose they do have to hit word quotas and whatnot.

[BostonWu]

1. Maryland Terrapins - I'd like our chances against MT squad
2. North Carolina Tar Heels - They'll be too distracted dealing with FIFA-like scandal
3. Kansas Jayhawks - Anyone scared???
4. Iowa State Cyclones - Just another top-rated B12 team...And will the mayor remain in office???

Timing couldn't be better for NC run. There's no UK juggernaut stepping in the way this season.

[jocoshock]

At least prior to his freshman year at WSU, Shamet projects as a 1, 2, or 3. I imagine it will sort itself out. Conner and Tyrone are combo guards...I know Taylor sees himself as a point, but not yet a given IMO.

If you read Tyrone's and Landry's recruiting threads from the beginning, it is clear that Tyrone was/is a PG at least back to his junior year in HS, and Landry listed as a SG. Landry definitely played PG last year, at least in the game I saw, and looks a lot like RB at the point.

Only time and HCGM will reveal who plays where. I am sure either could play both PG and SG.

[WSUwatcher]

Time to enjoy the final year of the Fred and Ron show, because it's unlikely that without those proven quantities anyone is going to be talking next season about WSU as a championship contender.

But that will be a great test for Marshall and Co. Can WSU still build a contending team once Barker and Van Fleet are gone? They're an extraordinary duo, and they belong in the rafters -- but I'm betting that as long as Marshall is here, this is not the last time WSU will be tabbed as a contender; and the Shocks may even sneak up and prove to be one sometime without the expectations, just as it turned out in 2012-13.

Meanwhile, though, buckle up, pray for people to stay healthy; and assuming they do, settle in for a great ride. This season looks like it should be a lot of fun.

[ShockdaWorld]

I believe FVV and RB will be impossible to replace in many ways. That being said, I would be surprised if we didn't have a damn good team for the forseeable (sp) future based on the current youngsters, incoming class, and the abilities of 3G and his staff to evaluate, recruit, and develop talent. I believe we've already got at least one next level guy on our roster that isn't part of the senior class, if not two, not to mention some of the guys that we're recruiting for the next couple years. That gives me of a lot of hope that the current rate of success will not fall off as dramatically as some seem to think.