Shocker Madness?

[WuDrWu]

He was going to be a manager at SMU under Larry Brown. He might of heard the hammer was coming down.

I would have bailed too.

[Dave Stalwart]

Was anyone else surprised when Kellen came out with the managers? What happened to SMU? Just trying to save dad a few tuition shekels?

Reinforces my feeling that Gregg will retire a Shocker.

My understanding, and I don't know very much, but I do hear things, is that he went in August and was immediately regretting his decision. Within the first week or two, before classes ever began, he was already back in Wichita. What I heard was that it was very simple and he was just homesick. I can easily insert myself into his shoes and speculate that if I had just arrived on campus, that first week would be a pretty stark realization that you are going to miss an awful lot of WSU basketball and friendships associated with that. Players who are your close friends are all hanging out, lifting and practicing and you are officially out of the loop...and you barely know anyone now. You don't move away during a national title season when you have an inside track to be a part of it all. I think all of that probably hit him and he bailed almost immediately. I would have done the same.

[Cdizzle]

This might be one of the first years where we really get a lot of benefit of the doubt. Maybe I'll be wrong.

The first poll would seem to indicate very little benefit of the doubt.

[Dave Stalwart]

I wouldn't go that far.

Not this year. I think the kinds of games we could lose will be respectable situations, and there will be a lot of decisive wins throughout the year. The eye test on this team will prevent silly seeding. This might be one of the first years where we really get a lot of benefit of the doubt. Maybe I'll be wrong.

[wusphlash]

Was anyone else surprised when Kellen came out with the managers? What happened to SMU? Just trying to save dad a few tuition shekels?

Reinforces my feeling that Gregg will retire a Shocker.

[WuDrWu]

Just heard from someone who was at the practice prior...2.5 hours and super intense. Got a little rough. The head scout from the Bulls was there. Would explain the tired legs.

There have been NBA scouts there for a week. They like what they see...and not just from Fred and Ron who they come to see.

Our practices are becoming mini-combines. Don't think for a nano-second that is a fact lost on any number of related persons.

[Shockthemonkey]

Did anybody see any of the recruits?

Keyser and his family were there sitting in the front row right behind the bench. They were getting lots of attention from coaches and players.

[Jamar Howard 4 President]

Its sad to think that our guys will have to go undefeated to get a 1 seed. Even 1 loss would probably drop them to a 2/3 seed

I wouldn't go that far.

[kcshocker11]

"Octoberfest chicks"? I change my mind; I'm there!

Been there done that! Enjoyed it throughly!

[MTXE31]

If Grady starts ahead of SM and RN we are going to be even better than I expected. Then
we have BW as a defensive specialist, as well. If SM has improved look out. Get past Utah
and it could be another undefeated season and a top four seeding.

Its sad to think that our guys will have to go undefeated to get a 1 seed. Even 1 loss would probably drop them to a 2/3 seed

[asiseeit]

If Grady starts ahead of SM and RN we are going to be even better than I expected. Then
we have BW as a defensive specialist, as well. If SM has improved look out. Get past Utah
and it could be another undefeated season and a top four seeding.

[CBB_Fan]

Short and simple thoughts:

Production was better. Cringey at times, but at least it had energy and felt like an event 7K people would want to attend. Definitely the best one I've been to.

Our guys are freakishly athletic. Usually half the dunks are made and we get one or two head turners. This year? Almost everything was going in, and the difficulty level was higher. And most of these guys are freshmen or sophomores. That is pretty exciting for our future.

3PT shooting contest was also exciting. Frankamp showed he is the real deal in that environment. In the scrimmage, it was fairly obvious that the defense respected him more than any other player on that side. Not only did they put the best defender on him (Baker), the rest of the defense locked in on him as well. I think he'll get a lot of good looks over the course of the season as an off-guard; opposing defenses won't get the luxury of defending him as the only threat and playmaker.

The group that played in the scrimmage could win the MVC by a game or two and make it to the dance as an at-large team with some degree of comfort. That team was also missing at least two starters and maybe our top three centers. I think that about says it all about the potential of this group.

Ron was obviously the best player on the court. He looked comfortable and completely in charge, seems like he's grown a lot over the summer as a player. Kelly was probably the biggest improvement though. He looked like a veteran, and if he isn't a starter he'll be one of the first off the bench. I liked his energy, his attacks at the basket (and his FTs), and of course his athleticism. Kelly and Hamilton both look like NBA bodies.

[shockmonster]

While I liked what I saw, I have to temper that with who all was not out on the floor. I watched Nurger's moves, get a little excited, then remember he's not facing Shaq, Grady, and BushW. Shamet certainly looks smooth with nice handles, but would Baker have been on him had FVV played or maybe Brown would have some of that duty.

Don't get me wrong. I am very excited about the new players! Basically, they look well ahead of the curve and while Hamilton has a lot to learn, what a beast of an athlete. CF is probably projected by the staff as a PG by his amount of play there last night. I'm not convinced that's where he can do the most damage to opponents. Aside from FVV, maybe it's not that important whether Baker, Shamet, or Taylor are at the point if they can do the things needed control the possession of the ball, run the O, and do what's necessary to see that CF gets the ball for an open shot to do what he's best at (at this time anyway).

I agree. With the players we have now, they are all combo guards with point skills. Only she coach draws up a play will it matter who plays the point. They are all unselfish and can all hit the 3.

[KraRam]

Just heard from someone who was at the practice prior...2.5 hours and super intense. Got a little rough. The head scout from the Bulls was there. Would explain the tired legs.

[ShockTalk]

While I liked what I saw, I have to temper that with who all was not out on the floor. I watched Nurger's moves, get a little excited, then remember he's not facing Shaq, Grady, and BushW. Shamet certainly looks smooth with nice handles, but would Baker have been on him had FVV played or maybe Brown would have some of that duty.

Don't get me wrong. I am very excited about the new players! Basically, they look well ahead of the curve and while Hamilton has a lot to learn, what a beast of an athlete. CF is probably projected by the staff as a PG by his amount of play there last night. I'm not convinced that's where he can do the most damage to opponents. Aside from FVV, maybe it's not that important whether Baker, Shamet, or Taylor are at the point if they can do the things needed control the possession of the ball, run the O, and do what's necessary to see that CF gets the ball for an open shot to do what he's best at (at this time anyway).