Question for fans about Orukpe

[lawmaker]

If he does not avg. 10 ppg and 10 rpg his frosh year are you disappointed?


That was a joke...but I think the expectations for this guy are unreal.

My prediction--it was posted in the ORUKPE thread, and I am still sticking with that one.

[fastbow]

Knowing what I know about EO, which isn't much, he's more a defensive force. A double-double is ridiculous to expect out of any freshman, especially a foreign player who sounds like a project.

I won't be disappointed if:
1. He becomes a defensive force in the paint.
2. He doesn't jump early for the NBA.
3. Someday he averages a double-double.

Marshall got these guys to rebound last season. He'll find a way to get EO the boards.

[Aargh]

The info on Orukpe is sketchy at best, but a few things are consistent.

• He's raw
  He can block shots
  He can run the floor
  He seems to have good ups for a 7' player
  NBA scouts like him
  WSU coaching staff likes him

Probably his greatest offensive threat is a put-back off an offensive rebound. First year I wouldn't be surprised if TO's and offensive rebound put-backs are near the same number per game. Everybody on opposing teams is going to be hacking at the ball if he brings it down within their reach and no officials are ever going to call half of the hacks.

If Orukpe should show up and average even 6 or 8 boards - where are they coming from? They're going to come out of Clemente's and Ellis' numbers. Maybe Orukpe can go up and snag some long rebounds, but that's a timing thing that you can't expect from a first-year player, regardless of his height or leaping ability.

Durley and Orukpe seems like a good combination. Durley can handle the offensive end. When Durley loses his player on the other end, Orukpe can alter or block the shot.

[forevershockerfan]

Next Season, we may all want to not expect too much, too soon, period. Yes, I think progress will be made and some improvement in our record in the Valley. Likewise with Orupke, we need to be sensible. Just remember, not that many 7'0" are agile, can run the floor at the pace the game needs, and can make us want to get out our old Elvis records to play "return to sender," as we watch him block more than his fair share of shots. He is considered a raw talent, he will be coming to a new Country, playing the game he loves but different in some ways than back home. The NBA scouts already know who he is and are also vigilant.
Therefore, this young team, with wholesale changes will be extremely exciting this Season and I think we will be pleased. However, the Next Season----watch out--- because we are going to mow some teams down and take the Valley by storm!!!!!!!

Last year, it seemed to amaze Coach Marshall when so many teams that beat us would get so elated and celebrating so dramatically after the games we lost. They maybe remembered it was not so long ago that we took care of the team at the Dance that made the lucky shot (Tennessee), and sent Winthrop home. They remembered that same Shocker team was ranked 8th in the Nation early on the following Season---and then there was Vegas. Yikes!

Let's just get Ehimen here and let our Staff begin to teach him the rudiments of the game. Soon, with his raw but many talents and abilities, he will make us happy that he is a Shocker!!!!!!! Rome was not built in a year. However, I really see a solid foundation forming here at 21st and Hillside, and that is what I dig!!!!!!! Twin Towers would sure make us happy. Then, my next dream is a set of Bookends. :shock: :yes: 8)

[HockeyShock]

:clap: :wsu_posters: :yahoo: :clap:

[Ricky Del Rio]

The info on Orukpe is sketchy at best, but a few things are consistent.

• He's raw
  He can block shots
  He can run the floor
  He seems to have good ups for a 7' player
  NBA scouts like him
  WSU coaching staff likes him

Probably his greatest offensive threat is a put-back off an offensive rebound. First year I wouldn't be surprised if TO's and offensive rebound put-backs are near the same number per game. Everybody on opposing teams is going to be hacking at the ball if he brings it down within their reach and no officials are ever going to call half of the hacks.

If Orukpe should show up and average even 6 or 8 boards - where are they coming from? They're going to come out of Clemente's and Ellis' numbers. Maybe Orukpe can go up and snag some long rebounds, but that's a timing thing that you can't expect from a first-year player, regardless of his height or leaping ability.

Durley and Orukpe seems like a good combination. Durley can handle the offensive end. When Durley loses his player on the other end, Orukpe can alter or block the shot.

I agree.

I care about 3 skills as follows:

1. Defense
2. Shot blocking
3. FT%

If he can perform reasonably well in these three skills, I will be more than happy.

[Snapshot9]

Can everyone think back to Paul O'Bryant's 1st season vs. his 2nd season, and how much his game improved?

[BOBB]

Can everyone think back to Paul O'Bryant's 1st season vs. his 2nd season, and how much his game improved?

Who's Paul O'Bryant?

[rrshock]

Can everyone think back to Paul O'Bryant's 1st season vs. his 2nd season, and how much his game improved?

You mean Patrick O'Bryant from Bradley don't you?

And yes, Patrick improved quite a bit and was very tough for any team to defend or offend (???). Athletic 7 footers are not common, but when you see one, you know they will be something special.

[rrshock]

Next Season, we may all want to not expect too much, too soon, period. Yes, I think progress will be made and some improvement in our record in the Valley. Likewise with Orupke, we need to be sensible. Just remember, not that many 7'0" are agile, can run the floor at the pace the game needs, and can make us want to get out our old Elvis records to play "return to sender," as we watch him block more than his fair share of shots. He is considered a raw talent, he will be coming to a new Country, playing the game he loves but different in some ways than back home. The NBA scouts already know who he is and are also vigilant.
Therefore, this young team, with wholesale changes will be extremely exciting this Season and I think we will be pleased. However, the Next Season----watch out--- because we are going to mow some teams down and take the Valley by storm!!!!!!!

Last year, it seemed to amaze Coach Marshall when so many teams that beat us would get so elated and celebrating so dramatically after the games we lost. They maybe remembered it was not so long ago that we took care of the team at the Dance that made the lucky shot (Tennessee), and sent Winthrop home. They remembered that same Shocker team was ranked 8th in the Nation early on the following Season---and then there was Vegas. Yikes!

Let's just get Ehimen here and let our Staff begin to teach him the rudiments of the game. Soon, with his raw but many talents and abilities, he will make us happy that he is a Shocker!!!!!!! Rome was not built in a year. However, I really see a solid foundation forming here at 21st and Hillside, and that is what I dig!!!!!!! Twin Towers would sure make us happy. Then, my next dream is a set of Bookends. :shock: :yes: 8)

FSF, I sense you heart rate is starting to rise again. Take a deep breathe and try to relax. :)

I think that if he can get here ASAP after getting the VISA, that he could improve dramatically over the summer learning the American style of the game. He would be able to play against Garrett and possibly another big boy too. I'm sure RC will do wonders for his toughness too. :)

And just plain and simple learning the system as much as possible in the summer would be of great help too. I am just guessing, but would assume that the team is very unhappy with their results from last year. This should make the summer a very interesting battle ground for the players to get better and make each other better as well.

And I wonder how much Matty B will factor into things? If he is a grad assistant, he can't work with the team. But if he isn't, then he can be out there playing with them and helping them learn more things. I think that MB could probably be of the most help to a player trying to learn a whole new system and frankly, a whole new basketball.

[Aargh]

And I wonder how much Matty B will factor into things? If he is a grad assistant, he can't work with the team. But if he isn't, then he can be out there playing with them and helping them learn more things. I think that MB could probably be of the most help to a player trying to learn a whole new system and frankly, a whole new basketball.

That occurred to me too. If Matty isn't hired as a grad assistant until school starts, then he's just another player at pickup games. He could spend any amount of time with any players and give them any amount of instruction or coaching.

[im4wsu]

Re: Question for fans about Orukpe

If he does not avg. 10 ppg and 10 rpg his frosh year are you disappointed?


That was a joke...but I think the expectations for this guy are unreal.

My prediction--it was posted in the ORUKPE thread, and I am still sticking with that one.

My hope and highest dream iss that EO is one for one in obtaing his visa and arriving at WSU. After that, the sky's the limit and I'll let him do it GM's way.

[SubGod22]

And I wonder how much Matty B will factor into things? If he is a grad assistant, he can't work with the team. But if he isn't, then he can be out there playing with them and helping them learn more things. I think that MB could probably be of the most help to a player trying to learn a whole new system and frankly, a whole new basketball.

That occurred to me too. If Matty isn't hired as a grad assistant until school starts, then he's just another player at pickup games. He could spend any amount of time with any players and give them any amount of instruction or coaching.

Bingo

[shocks02]

Durley and Orukpe seems like a good combination. Durley can handle the offensive end. When Durley loses his player on the other end, Orukpe can alter or block the shot.

That does sound like a good combination. A weak defensive player playing with a shot blocker and a good ofensive player playing with a good rebounder. That could be something to watch. :good:

[shockmonster]

I have a feeling that if Durley doesn't improve as a defender, and if more options are available this year to Coach, that he may see the bench more often.