Wessel at SF

[1979Shocker]

This year he needs to score. Cotton averaged 9.8 ppg last year. Wessel averaged 4.2. There is no stat for how many points Cotton prevented, so the team needs to make up significantly more than the 9.8 ppg that was lost with Cotton.

With the current starting lineup, either Kelly or Wessel needs to average double figures to maintain last year's offensive production and account for at least some of Cotton's D. If Wessel maintains his scoring average, then be prepared to get Evanville'd a couple of times this season.

Yes. It's going to require a group of players to do what Cotton did as a single player.

[shockmonster]

Too much is made of Evan's athleticism. He needs to make some adjustments on screens, or our coaches may need to switch more. Ron isn't the most athletic guard but his brains take him a long way.

[ShockdaWorld]

Ron is athletic enough to close out on a shooter and still stay between that shooter and the basket if he puts it on the floor a large majority of the time.

[shockmonster]

Ron is athletic but he uses his other senses and anticipates as well as anyone and his effort is top shelf. He seems to know what his opponent is doing before his opponent does.fred is the same way.

[RoyalShock]

Ron is athletic but he uses his other senses and anticipates as well as anyone and his effort is top shelf. He seems to know what his opponent is doing before his opponent does.fred is the same way.

You can play defense in such a way that you coax your man to do what you want him to in certain situations. Combine that with an innate ability to anticipate, and the the quickness to execute it, and you have an elite defender.

[shockmonster]

You can play defense in such a way that you coax your man to do what you want him to in certain situations. Combine that with an innate ability to anticipate, and the the quickness to execute it, and you have an elite defender.

You are absolutely correct. My point is that neither Fred or Ron are elite athletes but they are both elite defenders. Wessel has some of their same attributes but he does need to adjust this year from guarding Power Forwards to guarding Guards. We will have to see if he makes these adjustments.

[CBB_Fan]

I do not think that our best possible team at the end of the year is starting or playing Wessel at the 4. I do think we'll occasionally give him minutes there, but we need him more at the 3. And we shouldn't be so quick to romanticize last year; we expressed concerns throughout the year over our situation at the 4 spot. We went in as the smallest team in the entire NCAA tournament, and had several losses where the other team's big man took advantage of our size and lack of depth in the post. In comparison, I'm quite happy with this year's potential in the post and would like to develop it even if Wessel would be better at this exact moment. My ideal line-up by the end of the season would probably have Wessel as the 6th man with more minutes than most of the starters, because I think we need to put more points on the floor, but someone will have to step up and earn it.

[proshox]

I do not think that our best possible team at the end of the year is starting or playing Wessel at the 4. I do think we'll occasionally give him minutes there, but we need him more at the 3. And we shouldn't be so quick to romanticize last year; we expressed concerns throughout the year over our situation at the 4 spot. We went in as the smallest team in the entire NCAA tournament, and had several losses where the other team's big man took advantage of our size and lack of depth in the post. In comparison, I'm quite happy with this year's potential in the post and would like to develop it even if Wessel would be better at this exact moment. My ideal line-up by the end of the season would probably have Wessel as the 6th man with more minutes than most of the starters, because I think we need to put more points on the floor, but someone will have to step up and earn it.

He doesn't have to start at the four, but he has a much better chance of having a net positive impact playing the four.

He isn't going to out defend or out score most small forwards. He may not be our best four, but he can out defend and out score many fours in college basketball.

I would love for him to prove me wrong though. He has a knack for doing that.

[Blackmag]

I think Evan can play the three or four depending on the match up. I see him playing mostly three until Shamet or Brown getting more experience. Brown needs to get his game together, he hasn't looked good so far but it is early. Shamet its just a matter of time, this kid is going to be good as in REAL good. Shag needs to get his act together so he can play the post and let Grady play the four, he's shown his game has range out to the three point line. I also like Grady playing the post along with Kelly. I think Kelly will be fine, he seems to be more agressive and I think in time he will really be a big part in what we will achive this year. Fred needs toooo get back to 100%, hamstring injuries can drag on if not rested, especially when you are required to make sudden movements and changing directions, I think we all agree Fred was about 60% out there. Its early, and I was nervous about playing a team like Tulsa so early, they are very athletic, just like Marshall said in the pre-game that they were probably more atlhletic tah WSU. I think we will have a very good bench in time and I for one can't wait till Conner can take the court, we could have used him in the Tulsa game, would have been nice against the zone they threw at us...we'll be fine in time

[Blackmag]

As far as Rons athletic ability, I for one think he's very athletic, good speed, can get off the floor and can get his shot off pretty much when ever he wants. His ball handling has improved, especially his off hand. Believe me the scouts would be coming to watch him if he wasn't athletic, you don't see to many 6'4 guards getting drafted if there not.

[Overtime]

Bill Self after the ncaa game "Evan Wessel is a stud". Short memories here. Three or four, just like him on the floor.

[Shock Top]

I seem to recall him at the 4 against KU.

Play Shamet at the two. Ron at the three.

Landry will be fine. He just caught a case of Darius Carter, where some games it seemed every time he ran onto the court, he would foul someone (or at least get called for one).

[ShockdaWorld]

I seem to recall him at the 4 against KU.

Play Shamet at the two. Ron at the three.

Landry will be fine. He just caught a case of Darius Carter, where some games it seemed every time he ran onto the court, he would foul someone (or at least get called for one).

Exactly. Evan Wessel IS a stud. He just doesn't have the foot speed to guard athletic 3-men since they took the physical out of the defense. 3 or 4 just like him on the floor would result in the other team never getting any loose balls, but there wouldn't be very many, as either their quick guards would go around him, or their 7 footers would stand at the rim waiting for lob passes. I hope Evan can learn new techniques to allow him to defend the 3 effectively, specially if his shooting touch comes around.

[asiseeit]

Evan is the ultimate team player. He seems content with giving up some of his PT to the
newcomers but I've noticed just as soon as the other team makes a mini run at us GM
gets him in there to reestablish continuity. We have some real athletic studs as freshmen,
no doubt, but right now they are strongly lacking the court sense to make them complete
players. Thanks to EW's unselfishness and GM being aware of it there are a few more minutes
in most games for the frosh to learn and mature.

[shockmonster]

Exactly. Evan Wessel IS a stud. He just doesn't have the foot speed to guard athletic 3-men since they took the physical out of the defense. 3 or 4 just like him on the floor would result in the other team never getting any loose balls, but there wouldn't be very many, as either their quick guards would go around him, or their 7 footers would stand at the rim waiting for lob passes. I hope Evan can learn new techniques to allow him to defend the 3 effectively, specially if his shooting touch comes around.

I'm not sure that he is what you say he is. We will see if Coach agrees with you that he is too slow to play the three tomorrow.

If he does play the three, I seriously think that would be a good question to ask at Coach Marshall's show on Monday. How could it be worded so that it sounds like basketball fans who just want to know more about strategy and not tell him how to coach?

Maybe, Coach, obviously, not all players are as athletic as other players. Do you ever have to find ways to cover for a Shocker player who may be athletic enough to guard another player? LOL