Attention National Media on GM

[shocka khan]

Add Austin Reaves and CJ Keyser

I'd rather add Payton Allen and see if Reaves and Keyser are the players we expect them to be. TT was supposed to be the PG of the future, but he's so far at the end of the bench we're having to funnel daylight to him.

Here's Payton's line from last year:
Games Played: 32 Minutes: 14.1 FGM/FGA: 1.5 - 4.0 FG%: 38.0 3pt M/3pt A: 0.9 - 2.9 FG%: 32.3 FTM/FTA 0.5 - 0.6 FT%: 80.0
Rebs: 0.8 Assists: 0.5 Steals: 0.1 Blocks: 0.3 PPG average: 4.5

I think anyone who played in all 32 games as a freshman, hit 80% of their free throws and averaged 4.5 PPG should be a contributor for us next year.

[shockerfan]

There will definately be a drop off early. I don't think that will be a question. HOWEVER, I expect by conference play the Shox will be rolling along pretty well.

Instead of winning the Valley by 4-6 games. We might only win by 2 games. That kind of a drop off is what I expect.

We could take some lumps early though.

Also, this team will just look different next year. I think we will see it be the McDuffie, Brown and Shaq show (if they feed him the ball.) We will still be good at guard, but i think the strength of this team will be at wing and at times in the post. And if that happens it will take pressure off of Conner and give him open looks outside

[rjl]

I believe that Frankamp, given more playing time, is really going to start performing a lot closer to his hype. The difference between the stud Marshall sees in practice and the guy we see in games is nothing but gitters. Playing time smooths the gitters.

[Rocky Mountain Shock]

Next year's juniors and sophs will be better than they are now when they won't have Fred and Ron to defer to. They will have to take it upon themselves to lead and to step up, and they will. We are going to surprise a lot of people.

[lemuel777]

Success breeds success. Imagine how good next year's guards are going to be after having the best two defensive guards going after them in practice. I don't see much of a slow down not even for Shamet due to injury. And just think, NO seniors next year except walk-ons.

[60Shock]

There will be a definite drop-off next year as the players replacing Fred and Ron will only naturally need more playing time and experience before they can even begin to hope to fill the shoes of our present exceptionally skilled Seniors. We obviously have a lot of young talent playing this year and potentially some very good young players in next year's recruiting class as well. Conner is really coming along as evidenced in the Arizona game with his two blocks, a beautiful bounce pass to MM, and is starting to shoot the 3 with a lot more confidence. But he is the only one who can break open and make his own shot. A lot will depend on MM, Brown and Kelly, and Shaq reducing his fouls.

Still, even dropping off, we should still be able to win the Valley, but we will probably need to win the conference tournament, more that ever, unless we do exceptionally well in our non-conference games, to make it to the NCAA.

[WSUwatcher]

Remember, 60 -- an international trip is expected next year, and those typically lead to early development.

Yes, FVV and Ron are unmatched as a Shocker guard duo. But Marshall has already called Shamet a player of that caliber, and the young guys look VERY promising. We also haven't even seen Peyton Allen. I think WSU is very likely to be at-large caliber against next year, if they stay healthy.

[1972Shocker]

Remember, 60 -- an international trip is expected next year, and those typically lead to early development.

Yes, FVV and Ron are unmatched as a Shocker guard duo. But Marshall has already called Shamet a player of that caliber, and the young guys look VERY promising. We also haven't even seen Peyton Allen. I think WSU is very likely to be at-large caliber against next year, if they stay healthy.

The international trip should be particularly valuable for this group of players. However, from what I have seen on those trips is that value does not usually include playing good competition. Generally, just the opposite is true. However, I think it is still a worthwhile thing to do to build team unity and chemistry and to start developing team leaders and roles.

[OregonShocker]

I believe that Frankamp, given more playing time, is really going to start performing a lot closer to his hype. The difference between the stud Marshall sees in practice and the guy we see in games is nothing but gitters. Playing time smooths the gitters.

I'd like to see him get rid of those jitters...um... TOMORROW!

[WuShock Reaper]

Plus, you all forget about the Baker/Van Vleet and Van Vleet/Baker basketball camps that will be held at the "Roundhouse" this summer. So our current Guard Roster will have plenty of opportunities to learn from the best College Guard duo in America, and I am already hearing several NBA players will be coming to pick up some pointers.

[pinstripers]

The international trip should be particularly valuable for this group of players. However, from what I have seen on those trips is that value does not usually include playing good competition. Generally, just the opposite is true. However, I think it is still a worthwhile thing to do to build team unity and chemistry and to start developing team leaders and roles.

Assuming Austin Reaves actually signs, can he go on this trip and then attend Sunrise instead of enrolling?

[asiseeit]

RB/FVV/EW will be hard to replace in terms of playing angry and MTXE. Really love Evan but
we should be bigger, stronger, and more of an offensive threat at the PF position. Not worried
about the center position. Not worried about small forward as I think PA is gonna be a player
who will spell Brown there AND LS at the two guard. I think CF plays point. He takes care of
the ball and has a very high BBIQ. Oh ya, he shoots it pretty well also. I think we are going to
be a much MUCH better perimeter shooting team next year. RK needs to polish up his
offensive skills. MM will play both 3/4 spots and continue his upward trend. If Willis is a
pleasant surprise we could be a S16 team again. Biggest question mark for me is if we can
come remotely close to the defensive team without the seniors we are losing. If CJ wants to
see the court he needs to be a real defensive stud. All defensive team could be CJ, ZB, MM, RK and
SM. All offensive team CF, LS, PA, MM and SM.

[Dan]

Shaq doesn't get near enough run. His fouls keep him from posting big stats but he's gonna be the best post in the league next year and a major leader on our team. He's like JT Durley 2.0 with better post moves and 2 years left to play.

[WuShock16]

The international trip should be particularly valuable for this group of players. However, from what I have seen on those trips is that value does not usually include playing good competition. Generally, just the opposite is true.

Generally speaking, that's probably correct. However, I remember that when the team went to Brazil in the summer of 2011, they played the Brazilian national team that happened to be a couple days away from their team selections (so those players weren't screwing around). Gregg said that we could have played for the national title but still not play a team to the quality of that Brazilian national team.

[wufan]

Shaq doesn't get near enough run. His fouls keep him from posting big stats but he's gonna be the best post in the league next year and a major leader on our team. He's like JT Durley 2.0 with better post moves and 2 years left to play.

He's so much better than JT. Needs to stop fouling.

Anyone notice how McDuffie towers over Zach, Rashard, and Shaq? He might be 6-10 by next year. Reminds me of Early. Probably better.

A lot of KU colleagues talking up WSU this year. They are impressed with their D and realize the two probably won't meet again this year. Several mentions of the team falling off a cliff next year. I did point out that there is a good possibility that we will start four top 100s (Frankamp went to KU, Shamet was recruited by KSU, Brown was recruited by Texas and TT, and McDuffie) and Shaq Morris (recruited by OU and OSU). Basically, our starting 5 could all be playing in the Big 12. Nurger and Allen were other former P5 commits while Willis and Kelly were offered by similar schools.

Next years team is stacked!