Future

[Tman87]

Do we think there is a chance Kelly leaves? That guy was more detriment than benefit in the Dance. I would hope Hamilton could figure it out and take Kelly's minutes.

Not trying to rip your opinion, but I think this is kind of crazy. First, Rashard Kelly is a true sophomore. I admit he was frustrating this year because he showed a ton of promise his freshman year, but did not make the sophomore jump we hoped he would have. The reasons for that I don't know. Sometimes it just takes certain players a little more time. But man, Rashard Kelly is a great athlete, physically impressive, and by all accounts a hard worker and good teammate. He just needs more time in the gym and to become more comfortable on the court. If he puts it all together, he could be a GREAT player. WSU is not able to find Kelly's size and athleticism very often, so to think we should dump him because we can easily replace his talent I think would be a huge gamble and big mistake. I'd be willing to bet his final two years will be very very solid and we will all look back and laugh at our frustrations with him this year.

[Ricardo del Rio]

Kelly has problems finishing for sure. He either takes it up soft and gets blocked or he goes up and throws a line drive pass at the backboard from 3 feet out. The guy is a good athlete but he needs to put in some serious work.

Tight end.

[ShockerFever]

Can I get a whiff of whatever you two are smoking?

Sweet Lord..

I'm not sure he's that far out of line honestly.

[pie n eye]

Defense is preventing your opponent from scoring. CF's blocks are the "swat" variety. From behind as his man is by him.

Uhhh, no. Most of Frankamps blocks were with his man in front of him trying to shoot over. Like the block he had on Washpun at the Valley tourney.

[Cdizzle]

I think he's ass hurt for having to hear the truth... He stole the ball and tried taking it up soft... He rebounded it and took it soft, another time he tried to thunder dunk it in instead of just making the shot

This post:

"Why didn't he try to thunder dunk it!?!
Why didn't he try to thunder dunk it!?!
Why did he try to thunder dunk it?!?"

[ShockerExpress]

Not trying to rip your opinion, but I think this is kind of crazy. First, Rashard Kelly is a true sophomore. I admit he was frustrating this year because he showed a ton of promise his freshman year, but did not make the sophomore jump we hoped he would have. The reasons for that I don't know. Sometimes it just takes certain players a little more time. But man, Rashard Kelly is a great athlete, physically impressive, and by all accounts a hard worker and good teammate. He just needs more time in the gym and to become more comfortable on the court. If he puts it all together, he could be a GREAT player. WSU is not able to find Kelly's size and athleticism very often, so to think we should dump him because we can easily replace his talent I think would be a huge gamble and big mistake. I'd be willing to bet his final two years will be very very solid and we will all look back and laugh at our frustrations with him this year.

I was trying to rip his opinion. Kelly is not leaving. That is silliness.

He isn't PJ or Ramon, but he is just fine for a sophomore off the bench. The fact that we have fans even preaching this crap is beyond me. Ty Taylor? Yes he is probably leaving. RK is not.

[IndianaShocker]

Kelly was one of the few mid-major things about our team in 2016. The bump in competition reduces his effectiveness on offense. To the point where basically each time he tried to finish at the rim over the final 3 games it was a block party. This points to a reliance on pure athleticism. Unless he learns how to play he's not a tournament option.

[pinstripers]

Next year McDuffie, Shamet, and Allen will get major minutes. Kelly, Frankamp and Morris should be right behind them.

[pie n eye]

Kelly was one of the few mid-major things about our team in 2016. The bump in competition reduces his effectiveness on offense. To the point where basically each time he tried to finish at the rim over the final 3 games it was a block party. This points to a reliance on pure athleticism. Unless he learns how to play he's not a tournament option.

I think Kelly is going to be fine. What ails him is completely curable.

Next year is going to be a blast. Not because I expect them to make a huge run or anything but it will be interesting to see how a team with so many unknowns comes together.

Fred, Ron, and Evan are three of the most beloved shockers ever for good reason. Sadly, their time is up. But with every end is a new beginning. This is truly the beginning of the next era of Shocker basketball. Gone are almost everyone from the Final 4 and undefeated seasons. Few remain from the Battle of Omaha. I think we have some talent on the roster and more coming in so I'm just excited to see what they do with their opportunity.

Thanks to Fred, Ron, and Evan.

[ShockTalk]

Not going to comment or guess about who will or won't be here next year.

I will say that Kelly and Brown, both of whom I like very much, have put themselves in a position to be looking over their shoulder for playing time next year. I do not question their heart or work ethic, but both need to be better offensively as this team will need a more balanced attack. Some of their numbers offensively are a disaster when compared to their freshman numbers.

As a freshman, Brown made excellent improvement as the season went on. He finished at 10.5 mpg (284 minutes), 3.3 ppg, 51.8 FG%, 42.3 3pt% (46.4% of his shots were 3 pt), and 72.4 FT%. This year, he played 19.2 mpg (671 minutes), 6.7 ppg, but shot 45.6 FG%, 30.6 3pt% (53.8% of his shots were 3 pt), and 70.7 FT%. So while his points doubled, how he got them was not nearly as efficient and he relied more on 3pt shots.

Kelly has similar problems. Freshman, 13.8 mpg (482 minutes), 2.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 49.4 FG%, 44.4 3pt% (11.7 were 3s), and 52.4 FT%. Sophomore, 16.1 mpg (564 minutes), 4.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 42.9 FG%, 31.6 3pt% (15% were 3s), and 61.2 FT%. Growth from freshman to sophomore was minimal and sometimes negative.

Brown is going to get pushed by Allen who had around a 5.5 ppg average as a freshman for a&m and has now had a year to learn Marshall's system. McDuffie will get a lot of minutes next year, it's just a matter of how much he gets from the 3 and/or 4. How much will Willis end up at the 5 or the 4? Hamilton is still a beast, scores and draws fouls and if he starts "getting it" more, he will demand minutes.

[Ricardo del Rio]

Not going to comment or guess about who will or won't be here next year.

I will say that Kelly and Brown, both of whom I like very much, have put themselves in a position to be looking over their shoulder for playing time next year. I do not question their heart or work ethic, but both need to be better offensively as this team will need a more balanced attack. Some of their numbers offensively are a disaster when compared to their freshman numbers.

As a freshman, Brown made excellent improvement as the season went on. He finished at 10.5 mpg (284 minutes), 3.3 ppg, 51.8 FG%, 42.3 3pt% (46.4% of his shots were 3 pt), and 72.4 FT%. This year, he played 19.2 mpg (671 minutes), 6.7 ppg, but shot 45.6 FG%, 30.6 3pt% (53.8% of his shots were 3 pt), and 70.7 FT%. So while his points doubled, how he got them was not nearly as efficient and he relied more on 3pt shots.

Kelly has similar problems. Freshman, 13.8 mpg (482 minutes), 2.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 49.4 FG%, 44.4 3pt% (11.7 were 3s), and 52.4 FT%. Sophomore, 16.1 mpg (564 minutes), 4.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 42.9 FG%, 31.6 3pt% (15% were 3s), and 61.2 FT%. Growth from freshman to sophomore was minimal and sometimes negative.

Brown is going to get pushed by Allen who had around a 5.5 ppg average as a freshman for a&m and has now had a year to learn Marshall's system. McDuffie will get a lot of minutes next year, it's just a matter of how much he gets from the 3 and/or 4. How much will Willis end up at the 5 or the 4? Hamilton is still a beast, scores and draws fouls and if he starts "getting it" more, he will demand minutes.

Last year, I was Zach's number one fan. I thought he would be a real force this year. It did not work out.

[Tman87]

Kelly was one of the few mid-major things about our team in 2016. The bump in competition reduces his effectiveness on offense. To the point where basically each time he tried to finish at the rim over the final 3 games it was a block party. This points to a reliance on pure athleticism. Unless he learns how to play he's not a tournament option.

I think that is my point. You can't make someone athletic or make them taller. Kelly has the physical attributes, which is the most important thing. He can learn how to finish at the rim - that is not some inherent skill that can't be taught. Apparently he is a greatly improved shooter in practice, but we have not seen it on the court. Shooting can be improved on as well. He's never going to be a 15-20 ppg/game player, but we have always known that and that's not what need from him. He needs to be more consistent in rebounding and defense, while being efficient around the rim. Something I am confident he will do next year. If he develops a mid-range shot, then he could crack the starting lineup. If Gregg Marshall is truly a great coach, I have no doubt he'll get Rashard Kelly to his potential.

[IndianaShocker]

Not going to comment or guess about who will or won't be here next year.

I will say that Kelly and Brown, both of whom I like very much, have put themselves in a position to be looking over their shoulder for playing time next year. I do not question their heart or work ethic, but both need to be better offensively as this team will need a more balanced attack. Some of their numbers offensively are a disaster when compared to their freshman numbers.

As a freshman, Brown made excellent improvement as the season went on. He finished at 10.5 mpg (284 minutes), 3.3 ppg, 51.8 FG%, 42.3 3pt% (46.4% of his shots were 3 pt), and 72.4 FT%. This year, he played 19.2 mpg (671 minutes), 6.7 ppg, but shot 45.6 FG%, 30.6 3pt% (53.8% of his shots were 3 pt), and 70.7 FT%. So while his points doubled, how he got them was not nearly as efficient and he relied more on 3pt shots.

Kelly has similar problems. Freshman, 13.8 mpg (482 minutes), 2.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 49.4 FG%, 44.4 3pt% (11.7 were 3s), and 52.4 FT%. Sophomore, 16.1 mpg (564 minutes), 4.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 42.9 FG%, 31.6 3pt% (15% were 3s), and 61.2 FT%. Growth from freshman to sophomore was minimal and sometimes negative.

Brown is going to get pushed by Allen who had around a 5.5 ppg average as a freshman for a&m and has now had a year to learn Marshall's system. McDuffie will get a lot of minutes next year, it's just a matter of how much he gets from the 3 and/or 4. How much will Willis end up at the 5 or the 4? Hamilton is still a beast, scores and draws fouls and if he starts "getting it" more, he will demand minutes.

Seems nearly everyone who played much last year saw a shooting percentage drop across the board. The grind it out style we were forced to play this season took its toll. I also think, as many here have mentioned, our team offense regressed from a flow and ball movement standpoint. I like the Warriors/Spurs style much better than the Carmelo style. Here's to ball reversal, throwing it inside, dribble kick in 2016-2017

[ShockTalk]

Seems nearly everyone who played much last year saw a shooting percentage drop across the board. The grind it out style we were forced to play this season took its toll. I also think, as many here have mentioned, our team offense regressed from a flow and ball movement standpoint. I like the Warriors/Spurs style much better than the Carmelo style. Here's to ball reversal, throwing it inside, dribble kick in 2016-2017

Agree. I'm kind of a "don't dribble in the half court unless you drive or to get out of trouble" type. Particularly with a deep bench, I think a lot of meaningful, continuous player movement is a good thing. Was it Tatum that use to drive us crazy as Shocker fans? I actually enjoyed (well, maybe appreciate is a better word) him running all around the half court with multiple picks being set, him and the ball arrive at a certain spot at the same time for an open 2 pointer.

We had a game here this year where we ran a fast pace ball movement that worked like a charm. Interestingly, Fred was on the bench at the time and it was Baker and Frankamp running the show. Does someone remember what game it was? I'd like to find a replay of it to see if I have the same impression of it on video as I did in person.

[GreatWhiteBuffalo]

I was trying to rip his opinion. Kelly is not leaving. That is silliness.

He isn't PJ or Ramon, but he is just fine for a sophomore off the bench. The fact that we have fans even preaching this crap is beyond me. Ty Taylor? Yes he is probably leaving. RK is not.

Rip what opinion? That Kelly was a detriment for most of the season offensively? Kelly (and Brown for that matter) seems to have regressed and doesn't show any confidence with the ball in the paint. With him and Wessel on the court, defenses could blatantly disrespect WSU's offense and overload on the other three guys in the game.

Or were you trying to rip the opinion that I'd like to see Hamilton figure it out and take his spot? I don't get it. I asked if he was a guy who might leave and cited reasons I could see him leaving. Other posters have cited that he has played himself into a position where he must now WIN a spot when he should have likely secured one for next season. I never once said, "I hate that guy, he should leave." I don't get what you wanted to "rip", I just think I mentioned your favorite player and you got offended that I could conceive a future without Rashard Kelly at WSU.

In the immortal words of Aaron Rodgers, "R-E-L-A-X. Relax."