Baker and VanVleet Invited to Team USA Tryouts.

[wsushox1]

If you want to argue Romelo Trimble was helped out making the team because his coach was one of the main assistants, I see that and agree that was a factor. Trimble is a tremendous pg for a team that will be ranked higher than WSU, so it's not like it's complete BS he made it over Fred.

Exactly this.

[another shocker]

man, i hope wichita state gets maryland in the ncaa tournament.

[OregonShocker]

Haven't seen any posts where Turgeon dissed WSU; would like to see it. BUT, whatever we all may feel about his leaving WSU, he deserves a GREAT deal of credit for building the program up from near death. I personally will give him great leeway because of this.

[The Mad Hatter]

Haven't seen any posts where Turgeon dissed WSU; would like to see it.

You aren't going to see it because it only exists in an imaginary world of conspiracy.

[rayc]

If you want to argue Romelo Trimble was helped out making the team because his coach was one of the main assistants, I see that and agree that was a factor. Trimble is a tremendous pg for a team that will be ranked higher than WSU, so it's not like it's complete BS he made it over Fred.

Trimble is a fine pg no doubt. However in rough numbers he averages about 1/2 the assists and 2x the to's of VanVleet. He seemed to be a bit of a turnover machine the couple of times I watched him (on TV alas), not a desirable atribute for a pg. I will note that he does average about 2 ppg more than VanVleet but I think fewer blocks and steals.

I'm not trying to jump on Trimble, he is really a very fine talent, however IMO he is not as good a pg as VanVleet, and it really isn't close at this point. His BIG advantage
is the hype he received in HS and playing at a P5 school. The fact that Maryland may be ranked higher than WSU in the pre-season polls has no bearing in comparing their pg's.

But he is a year older and undoubtably has improved over last year. In any case, it will be good to have VanVleet working with the new guys this summer.

[WSUwatcher]

Haven't seen any posts where Turgeon dissed WSU; would like to see it. BUT, whatever we all may feel about his leaving WSU, he deserves a GREAT deal of credit for building the program up from near death. I personally will give him great leeway because of this.

I can't imagine that he'd ever say anything disparaging about WSU; he's never struck me as that kind of guy. Plus, now that he's no longer "at this level," he can afford to be gracious. And while it's true that we fans and WSU all owe him a considerable debt of gratitude, he owes WSU at least as much for where he is now as WSU owes him for where our program is.

All that having been said, I'm another who would love to see WSU get Maryland at some point deep in next year's tournament. I'm not worried about the Shocks holding their own, still less about their getting outcoached. And I suspect it might highlight that "this level" isn't what it used to be, thanks mostly to WSU's CURRENT coach.

[OregonShocker]

I can't imagine that he'd ever say anything disparaging about WSU; he's never struck me as that kind of guy. Plus, now that he's no longer "at this level," he can afford to be gracious. And while it's true that we fans and WSU all owe him a considerable debt of gratitude, he owes WSU at least as much for where he is now as WSU owes him for where our program is.

All that having been said, I'm another who would love to see WSU get Maryland at some point deep in next year's tournament. I'm not worried about the Shocks holding their own, still less about their getting outcoached. And I suspect it might highlight that "this level" isn't what it used to be, thanks mostly to WSU's CURRENT coach.

No question in my mind that between the two we have the better coach now. I believe, however, we wouldn't HAVE him now if not for the job Turgeon did initially.

[Jhook89]

Trimble is a fine pg no doubt. However in rough numbers he averages about 1/2 the assists and 2x the to's of VanVleet. He seemed to be a bit of a turnover machine the couple of times I watched him (on TV alas), not a desirable atribute for a pg. I will note that he does average about 2 ppg more than VanVleet but I think fewer blocks and steals.

I'm not trying to jump on Trimble, he is really a very fine talent, however IMO he is not as good a pg as VanVleet, and it really isn't close at this point. His BIG advantage
is the hype he received in HS and playing at a P5 school. The fact that Maryland may be ranked higher than WSU in the pre-season polls has no bearing in comparing their pg's.

But he is a year older and undoubtably has improved over last year. In any case, it will be good to have VanVleet working with the new guys this summer.

Trimble is also taller, longer, and more athletic than Fred. He scored more and shot a higher percentage in every single major category (impressive 41% from 3 btw).

I am in no way saying Trimble is better than Fred. I personally think Fred is better than Ron. To me Fred is the best PG in the country. He is one of, if not my favorite shocker ever.

That being said, it's not some injustice he didn't make the team. The coaches made the wrong choice in my opinion, but there is at least sound reasoning as to why they made the choice.

[Art Bunch]

I'm very bummed out Fred wasn't selected. I think the guy is an elite competitor and a winner. No matter what, I would want him on my team.
Having said what I think and feel, I also remember Turgeon saying one of the things he learned from NBA was how coaches focus on match ups. So my guess is that beyond just pure talent, decisions were made as to how the coaches perceived players matching up with certain key opponents. I have no idea who the competition is but you can bet that the US coaches are knowledgeable about specific players on other teams and how they want to attack and defend against them.

[Anthroshock]

More info on PanAm cuts.

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/108023/3-point-shot-pan-am-roster-finalized

Still talking up Trimble...

[ripemupshocks]

Are you guys into conspiracy theories much?

I don't believe in conspiracy theories. Never have. Never will. But I'm here to tell ya; if the various agencies within the federal government can pull off that JFK assassination, and that 911 attack, and don't even get me started on their coverup of those lizard men from Andromeda that have been living here for decades; they can sure as hell rig this basketball deal.



You know Chuck Barris was in the CIA, and they're are still pissed at him!

:friendly_wink:

[MadaboutWu]

Who needs conspiracy theories when you got the NSA?

[ShockRef]

Hard not to be pissed about Fred being excluded. Making Herculean effort not to go off on their decision.

FVV is The best true PG in the country. Those who argue against either haven't watched him much or just biased for their own guy.

Fred will take the high road in this instance and get back to work with his team. He is that kind of player and person.

That is all.

[Signman]

Just made a comparison of Fred and Melo on KenPom's stat site. Fred's overall "offensive rating" is 4 points higher even with Melo's shooting percentage being slightly better in ft,fg &3's. Fred clearly outshines Melo in the following: Assist rate per possession Fred - 35.3 to 21.2% for Melo, Turnover per possession rate of 13.5% for Fred to 18.2% for Melo, steal % of 3.9% for FVV and 2.3% for Melo. Overall it shows the classic shoot first point guard vs get my team involved point guard. Melo would be a good back up point guard for WSU till Fred graduates next May. Last, as we all know FVV is a winner.

[BostonWu]

IMO they simply chose size and versatility, which trumped best pure PG skills.