Starting Center

[SubGod22]

Just curious how this one will play out...

[vbird53]

Give me the shot blocker.

[RoyalShock]

There are good reasons each of the three would not be starters:

Stutz - Freshman, needs strength, probably needs to work on quickness and defense.
Orukpe - Freshman, raw (needs coaching), limited offensive skills.
Durley - Defense, defense, defense (or lack thereof).

To me, it's a virtual toss-up between the freshmen. But I give the edge to Stutz, provided he has at least servicable post defense. He still has shot-blocking ability and I expect him to pick up the offense pretty quick. Ehimen will need more time, IMO.

[RoyalShock]

Oh, and I'm going to move this to the b-ball forum.

[newshock1234]

im a big believer in starting defense, so i went with ehimen. Then garrett and JT can be our offensive sparks off the bench

[SubGod22]

I pretty much agree with Royal in that we start the guy with an offensive game assuming he isn't just completely abused on D. I think he'll still block and redirect a few shots but I'd personally like to start the game with an offensive theat inside to help keep things open for the guards.

[rjl]

I've a feeling the "starting" center might be ceremonial only, because I really see a lot of time splitting at this position.

That said, I'll go with Durley.

A whole summer of renewed vigor to work on defense puts him at the top, even though I actually see him spelling Ramon at the 4 quite a bit.

[SubGod22]

That very well could be if he at least attempts to play some D. He would be better off playing the 4 and he will more as a JR and SR.

[1972Shocker]

I voted for EO at this point based on defensive potential.

However, this is really just a WAG since the only one of the three I have ever seen on a basketball court is JT.

It would be interesting to re-do this poll after Shocker Madness to see how much opinions might change once we actually see the players on a basketball court.

[capnkirk]

I vote Orukpe. Lets win the jump ball for once.....

[Awesome Sauce Malone]

we won it quite a bit last year.

I say we score alot and often early. Then down the home stretch is defense time.

[WuShockFan]

Could be none of the above, no? Maybe Clemente and Griskenas start at the 4 and 5 to start the season. Further into the season, the freshman might enter the starting lineup. Who knows.

[tropicalshox]

It a real "who knows?'" but I liked Royal's answer and went with Stutz.

[HockeyShock]

Stutz, easily.

First, JT isn't a center, he's a forward who's played some center, and until proven otherwise (which I hope he does) he's a defensive liability at a position where defensive lapses give up the easiest buckets. He knows the system, yes, and he's the most offensively talented, yes, but for his size and skills he's much better suited as a forward.

On the other end is Ehimen, who has significant defensive skills but not so much offensively. Also, he's not only new to the system, he's new to the COUNTRY. He's got a lot of adjusting to make in general, and giving him the starting job right off the bat seems antithetical to Marshall's M.O. He may be starting by the end of the season, but not at the beginning.

Stutz has both offensive and defensive skills. He's not the athlete that Ehimen is (so we've been told), but he's no Paul Wight either. He can move, post, pass, score with either hand, and at 7'0" he doesn't have to jump too high to alter shots. He's only three hours from home, he's smart, and takes coaching well. Plus, he's had some experience putting a team on his back, so the pressure of starting won't affect him as much as others.

Seriously, by the end of the year (assuming Ehimen doesn't redshirt), I think we'll see a lot of packages where Garrett and Ehimen are both on the floor as the 4 and 5. Imagine running the offense through Garrett like they did with Paul Miller: He gets it on the block, draws the double, head fakes, then bounces it across the lane to a wide-open Ehimen, who DESTROYS the rim with gorilla dunk! :D

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

[shockall]

Stutz, easily.

First, JT isn't a center, he's a forward who's played some center, and until proven otherwise (which I hope he does) he's a defensive liability at a position where defensive lapses give up the easiest buckets. He knows the system, yes, and he's the most offensively talented, yes, but for his size and skills he's much better suited as a forward.

On the other end is Ehimen, who has significant defensive skills but not so much offensively. Also, he's not only new to the system, he's new to the COUNTRY. He's got a lot of adjusting to make in general, and giving him the starting job right off the bat seems antithetical to Marshall's M.O. He may be starting by the end of the season, but not at the beginning.

Stutz has both offensive and defensive skills. He's not the athlete that Ehimen is (so we've been told), but he's no Paul Wight either. He can move, post, pass, score with either hand, and at 7'0" he doesn't have to jump too high to alter shots. He's only three hours from home, he's smart, and takes coaching well. Plus, he's had some experience putting a team on his back, so the pressure of starting won't affect him as much as others.

Seriously, by the end of the year (assuming Ehimen doesn't redshirt), I think we'll see a lot of packages where Garrett and Ehimen are both on the floor as the 4 and 5. Imagine running the offense through Garrett like they did with Paul Miller: He gets it on the block, draws the double, head fakes, then bounces it across the lane to a wide-open Ehimen, who DESTROYS the rim with gorilla dunk! :D

I think that the "adjustment" ratio will be the same between EO & GS. GS has not yet played against 5 D-1 players and only time will tell if he will really be a contributor....same w/ EO. Both have to grow into their position, both physically & mentally. I wouldn't be surprised if neither will play the minutes that you assume might happen.