COAST TO COAST WITH DAVID KYLES

[Aargh]

At first I don't expect Kyles to start. I think we will see a lot of Hannah, Kyles and Murry on the floor together.

That requires that we see a lot of Hatch's butt in a chair. As much as we (and I bet that "we" includes HCGM) would like to see Hannah, Kyles, and Murry together - it gets hard to pull the trigger to pull Hatch out of a game.

There certainly are worse problems to have.

CH, TM, and DK is a better pressing and transition combo, but that's the only place I see an advantage. It's not on D or for scoring or boards. Hatch is certainly serviceable in all those areas.

[ShockTalk]

Is 30 minutes apiece for Hatch, Kyles, Hannah, and Murry not enough? While I don't expect this even of distribution, it'll be close. Against the better teams, these are the only 4 we'll see at those 3 positions in close games.

:wsu_posters:

[wufan]

At first I don't expect Kyles to start. I think we will see a lot of Hannah, Kyles and Murry on the floor together.

That requires that we see a lot of Hatch's butt in a chair. As much as we (and I bet that "we" includes HCGM) would like to see Hannah, Kyles, and Murry together - it gets hard to pull the trigger to pull Hatch out of a game.

There certainly are worse problems to have.

CH, TM, and DK is a better pressing and transition combo, but that's the only place I see an advantage. It's not on D or for scoring or boards. Hatch is certainly serviceable in all those areas.

I can't speak to defense, but check out the stats that Kyles and Murry have put up compared to Hatch. I do think Hatch starts and plays significant minutes (20-30). I also agree with Shocktalk...there are 120 minutes to divided between the four guards and the two freshman PG's. In close game, look for Hatch, Kyles, Murry, and Hannah to all play over 25 minutes a game and Williams and KM to play the rest. 5-10 minutes a game is plenty for a freshman in a close contest.

[forevershockerfan]

The last half of last Season, I was comfee with both Hatch and Ellis in the game. Even with his injury, AE hustled and caused match-up problems for our opponets. Even when Hatch missed shots we knew he could drain, we knew he would do all the lttle things to help us. Both of them now have improved this year and will get some starts and some finishes.

Actually, who hasn't improved off of last years squad? Kyles seems thus far to have improved leaps and bounds. Thus, it is great to see players that are developing, getting better, stronger, and in better shape.

This last summer, I witnessed several pick-up games. Each time, I felt like Hannah was the most consistant and Kyles was the most improved player but liked what I saw with all of the others. Now with Clevin close to returning, I have to think we will be an improved team and better than advertised The question is, can we make a serious run for the title? It is too early to call, but I think we are on the right path. Several think that next year with be the big Season. If we really come together and click as a team, why not get this party started THIS Season? Right now, as the song says "we're going to Kansas City!!!!!!!" That type of impressive competition will give us a clue where we are and what needs to be done to get where we want to go!!! So far----so good!!!!!!!

[shockerfan]

The last half of last Season, I was comfee with both Hatch and Ellis in the game. Even with his injury, AE hustled and caused match-up problems for our opponets. Even when Hatch missed shots we knew he could drain, we knew he would do all the lttle things to help us. Both of them now have improved this year and will get some starts and some finishes.

Actually, who hasn't improved off of last years squad? Kyles seems thus far to have improved leaps and bounds. Thus, it is great to see players that are developing, getting better, stronger, and in better shape.

This last summer, I witnessed several pick-up games. Each time, I felt like Hannah was the most consistant and Kyles was the most improved player but liked what I saw with all of the others. Now with Clevin close to returning, I have to think we will be an improved team and better than advertised The question is, can we make a serious run for the title? It is too early to call, but I think we are on the right path. Several think that next year with be the big Season. If we really come together and click as a team, why not get this party started THIS Season? Right now, as the song says "we're going to Kansas City!!!!!!!" That type of impressive competition will give us a clue where we are and what needs to be done to get where we want to go!!! So far----so good!!!!!!!

In regards to chasing the title THIS season I like what coach said on either the post game or coach's show (I can't remember which).

"I asked Clevin...do YOU want to wait until next year?" He was asking in regards to going for the title. And of course Hannah replied...."No"

[forevershockerfan]

That was some wise motivation and I got a kick out of that myself!!!

[ShockerPrez]

I think the big thing about Kyles and Murry is that they will have size advantages, especially if we put Murry at the point.

Hell, Murry would match up with most guys his size in the Valley. Give him a size advantage....

This team is a thing of beauty, it may not translate into wins or a championship this year, but we are starting to see GM's vision. A lot of guys that can run and are athletic. Fast pace action, keep the other team on their heels and wear them down. Depth at guard, fresh legs, run teams into the floor in the 2nd half. Against Ark-monticello, I think that's exactly what happened.

Who knows how this season will unfold, but next week is going to be interesting to watch against soome true talent on a national stage.

Go Shox!

[Aargh]

Top 3 in the league and I'm not say 3rd. That's this season.

I've seen nothing to change that attitude. There are a lot of scoring threats. WSU is a tough matchup for most Valley teams. The depth is there. the talent is there.

If the players believe they can do it and want it badly enough, I think they can do it. I think Marshall is the right guy to give the players that kind of confidence and motivation.

I hope there's still a bit of Ramon's attitude left on this team. His "why wait till next year" attitude is all this team needs.

[Shocker Rocker]

It looks like it is going to be an exciting year, although I wonder if we are getting a bit carried away in thinking that there is a vast difference between this year's team and last year's. There is a bit of depth that may not have been there last year. But other than spot minutes added by DW and KM (and the substitution of Blair for Clemente), any improvement will have to come from the growth of the same players that were on the squad last year. Of course, you would expect some improvement as players mature and become more familiar with the coach's system, but we don't really know how much of this has happened or will happen yet. We'll just have to wait until the tough stretches of this year come to find out exactly how much growth has happened (especially on the offensive end).

[Aargh]

I think the improvement is there.

Durley looks substantially better in games and appears to have overcome his aversion to contact. He's a lot stronger both physically and as a player this year.

Ellis has gone from a guy who killed some minutes to a solid defender and rebounder who will get his share of points.

Murry seems to have learned a lot about the game and seems capable of better decision-making. His knowledge of the game and the system seems greatly improved. That could be enough to start getting him all-Valley votes this year.

Kyles, like Ellis, was merely a minute-killer last year. This year he's a defensive and offensive threat and his play demands that he gets minutes on the court.

Stutz is stronger. His minutes on the court may not be uber-productive, but those minutes will be less of a liability this year than last year. With Durley's apparent advancement, the drop-off may be similar to last year, but that's still an improvement over last year.

Blair has a bit more range with his shooting than Clemente had. As the rust gets knocked off, I think he will be nearly as effective on the boards as Clemente.

Hatch is hitting 3-pointers this year.

That's a chunk of improvement. Forget the 0-6 start in league play. That was before the current players figured it out. All these improvements are improvements from the group that finished up 8-4 in league play.

I'm conveniently ignoring that "unable to win on the road" 800 pound monkey in the corner of the room.

[Maggie]

I'm conveniently ignoring that "unable to win on the road" 800 pound monkey in the corner of the room.

:yes: But I am cautiously optimistic.

[Dan]

We are better now than we were at the end of last season. At the end of last season we were playing MVC championship contention basketball.

[SpanglerFan316]

I'm conveniently ignoring that "unable to win on the road" 800 pound monkey in the corner of the room.

I hope the team does too and thinks away games are just games in Koch in which the fans are being silly. :D

[wufan]

I like this team. I like its potential and there is nothing to be upset about at this point in the season. We have yet prove anything, however. We need to face some serious competition and play on the road. That will give us a much better indication of our current status in the MVC.

[Ricardo del Rio]

We are better now than we were at the end of last season. At the end of last season we were playing MVC championship contention basketball.

Excellent point!