RN

[Dan]

I'm sure he's very good. I was speaking more to your faith in those four guys being enough. In my opinion, for those four guys to be enough, Willis will have to be awfully good because I don't think Shaq, Nurger and Hamilton are a formidable front court. Shaq is close though.

Don't forget Kelly and possibly a bulkier McDuffie

[Dave Stalwart]

Nurger checked this thread and didn't like my comments.

[forevershockerfan]

Another big that could surprise some folk is Mr. Barney. Yes, he is a walk-on but last summer, he convinced me at the scrimmages I witnessed that he has some skills that could help us. No, not a franchise player at this level but he has a very nice shooting touch and understands the game. Quality depth is one of several positives 3G brings to the Dance.

[WSUwatcher]

Don't forget Kelly and possibly a bulkier McDuffie

+1

Kelly is starting to show some consistency, and he has size and some bulk already (the roster lists him at 225, and he probably has room to grow that amount). And McDuffie will certainly be back bigger and stronger. Rauno is listed at 6-10 and 244, but he definitely needs to get stronger -- tough break that he couldn't complete the redshirt plan this season.

[forevershockerfan]

It is well chronicled that Nurger was going to redshirt. When the going got tough for our beloved Shocks with injuries and a slow Shaq start, he put the team ahead of his original preference and he fell on the sword. This was kewl and just like a true Shocker player, to sacrifice for the team. 3G will keep giving him chances as match ups and circumstance arise.

[mjbaker84]

Another big that could surprise some folk is Mr. Barney. Yes, he is a walk-on but last summer, he convinced me at the scrimmages I witnessed that he has some skills that could help us. No, not a franchise player at this level but he has a very nice shooting touch and understands the game. Quality depth is one of several positives 3G brings to the Dance.

Shaq said on one of his periscope's that barney is a baller and will be good when he plays. He also said JR Simon could start for a lot of teams, but chooses not to because he loves wsu so much.

[Blackmag]

I think what Marshall saw in Nurger was a kid who's 6'10, decent hands and shot who could run the court. Someone you definitely take a chance on. I like Rauno, love to see him develop into a 15min guy who gives us 6-8 points and 5-6 rebounds a game. But will he ever be strong enough to give us that, he has to get stronger with the ball and learn how to play without fouling, and forget the three ball, not his shot. We have enough guys who can shoot the three, we need post players next year and if he wants to stick around that's what he needs to concentrate on. Get in the weight room, run the stairs, work on your post moves, and then work on them some more. Shaq needs a running mate next year.

[ShockTalk]

My concern for Rauno is that he has already been in the program for almost 2 years which also means he has spent that same amount of time in the weight room, running the stairs, so on and so forth. I'm just not sure how strong, big, more athletic his body will let him get given those last two years.

[Stickboy46]

My concern for Rauno is that he has already been in the program for almost 2 years which also means he has spent that same amount of time in the weight room, running the stairs, so on and so forth. I'm just not sure how strong, big, more athletic his body will let him get given those last two years.

While that may be true, didn't he lose like 20 lbs last year due to sickness?

[Blackmag]

Can't disagree, he doesn't seem the type to really hit the gym much, nice kid, maybe too nice.

[ShockTalk]

Can't disagree, he doesn't seem the type to really hit the gym much, nice kid, maybe too nice.

I'm not questioning his work ethic in hitting the gym. I would guess any lack of that and he would already be gone or not seeing any floor time. Being too nice?

[Kel Varnsen]

Rauno's problem is that he is just not a great athlete. He's slow and not very strong. He could spend hours in the weight room and drink tons of protein shakes all summer, but it wouldn't make a huge difference. He is what he is. And he's 22 right now. Probably not gonna change his body, barring a huge departure from the norm.

[Dan]

He's not gonna get faster so he better work on getting stronger. There are plenty of slowish big men that are effective. One of his biggest challenges is being quick enough to recover from the high hedge. If he can at least do that, he could be a decent player. He has a nice touch around the rim and has a knack for passing. He will never be a Shaq Morris, Carl Hall, or Darius Carter, but he could be a Garrett Stutz type player. I'm not expecting a lot next year, but I have hope he can be a decent contributor before he leaves.

[1972Shocker]

but he could be a Garrett Stutz type player.

13.3 PPG and 8.0 RPG and 1st team All-MVC year after next? Okay, I'll take that. Not expecting it, but it would obviously be manna from heaven.

[Dan]

13.3 PPG and 8.0 RPG and 1st team All-MVC year after next? Okay, I'll take that. Not expecting it, but it would obviously be manna from heaven.

Don't get carried away now. I just meant in terms of physical attributes. Stutz wasn't the fastest or most fluid athlete we've had in the post but he did a good job as an upperclassman. I'm hoping Nurger can turn into a poor man's Garrett Stutz.