Any news on Orukpe?

[Aargh]

The progress from last year to this year is significant. This is maybe an exaggeration, but last year, it appeared he had to think to figure out whether he was playing offense or defense. Now he's catching the ball, passing the ball, dribbling a bit, knows where to go in the offensive sets, but still appears to striggle a bit with defensive positioning.

If he's figured out enough of the game that parts of it are starting to come to him automatically, then he can start concentrating on specifics, like post moves and working on his shooting range out to 4 or 5 feet. If he ever figures out that he's quick enough to go around defenders and beat them to the basket (and he is), he could be an 8 - 10 point player just off of dunks.

If his progress from last year to this year is repeated, he starts next year without a doubt. There's a possibility his progress could actually be more in the next year. He's had to do a lot to get the basics and fundamentals under control. If he's past that point, then he could have a chance to work on finer skills, which could show up as tremendous progress in the next year.

We have significant experience with the development of post players. Miller and Stutz are the recent examples we've seen. Orukpe has such amzing physical skills compared to those two that his progress could be more than theirs in the Senior years. Unlimited ceiling is an over-statement, but Orukpe's ceiling is off the chart for WSU players.

Can he go 30 minutes? I think so. It's obvious that he's in pretty good shape and conditioning. I think a better question would be, can anyone in the Valley go 20 minutes against him? I can see him wearing opponents down pretty badly.

[1979Shocker]

Are you kidding? Next year he starts for any team in the Valley....including us. Just watch. The other Valley teams better hope Garrett gets better because every minute EO gets in a game is only going to make him more of a dominator.

Seeing him pump his fists in excitement after scoring a bucket in that last game had to be one of the scariest things any opposing player could see. This kid is turning into a monster right before our eyes. This kid doesn't block shots, he makes the basketball oblong.

When EO goes up to block a shot, the basketball shreiks in terror.

[shockmonster]

Sounds like Garrett Stutz for the last 3 years.

Just saying.....

EO will have the edge to start next year if for no other reason than his time in Marshall's system. It's gonna be tough for newcomer bigs to start out of the gate. Now maybe Hall starts at center, but I think he is better served at the 4 and backing up the 5. White will get plenty of playing time, but what position is to be determined. He would be a waste at the 5. I guess if Hall starts at the 5 then we could have White at the 4. I just think the defense and rebounding EO and Hall would have being on the floor at the same time would be pretty insane. White has a nose for the ball and works hard, but still has quite a bit of work to go on defense. White will be a VERY good 6th man next year IMHO.

The good news is there will be lots of options. I think EO will be a big part of the equation. Exciting times!

I'm not thinking about next year. I hope he can do it against Evansville so we can keep winning. Unless we are hot from the outside, the way they play defense, it'll be a tough game. I hope he or White puts it together this year and develop some consistency. I would rather they keep Stutz out and he gets better than play him and his problem last the rest of the year.

[SubGod22]

Ehimen has made HUGE strides this year. And it's not just the last game against SIU. He doesn't get as many minutes as we'd like to see for his development, but that's because we've had Garrett who you want in the game as much as possible. If Garrett can go tomorrow or not, at least we have Ehimen to eat some minutes and swat a few shots.

I'd be surprised if he isn't starting next year. A starting lineup of Ehimen, Hall, Early, Williams, Armstead is a pretty darn good defensive group. Not the greatest outside threat but Williams and Armstead could keep you honest. They can also break you down and create. As can Early. We wouldn't have a pure backup center, but Hall can move there, White and Anacreon are and will be capable at PF. Early could slide over there as well. We have what appear to be two very impressive SF/PF types coming in in Green and Hawkins. Wessel can come in at SF. Baker and Cotton can come in at the SG position. And at PG we'd still have Cotton, Williams and FVV.

Some youth, but great talent. And just think how much more effective our pressure D can be on the perimeter when we have a guy like Ehimen in the middle of the paint for 25 or so minutes a game!!!

The future is bright!

[Ricardo del Rio]

About defense and altering shots:

In the Doggie game, a Doggie player drove from the right side on an acute angle to the basket.

The Doggie saw EO looming.

The Doggie put the ball so high on the glass to avoid the block that the ball kissed the glass and rebounded to the opposite site and there was not even a prayer of a chance for the ball to touch the rim.

About stamina:

In the Doggie game, EO came out of the game for rest, when the clock was about 1-2 minutes before the commercial time-out. As an example, when time remaining, before the half, was 9 minutes, EO came out for a rest. The commercial time-out occurred, when 8 minutes were remaining. When play resumed, then EO remained on the bench for another 1-2 minutes. The arrangement gave EO some nice, long minutes for rest.

If a game is tight and competitive, then I do not know what Coach Marshall's plan might be.

About one of Argh's points:

Before this season, how many on this fine forum thought EO had the ability and savvy to make the backdoor pass to David Kyles?

Before the Doggie game, how many on the fine forum thought EO had the ability and savvy to make the backdoor pass to David Kyles?

About my hopes:

On Wednesday, I hope he plays 20+ minutes. He needs the experience.

[RoyalShock]

I don't think Ehimen will start next year.


We are losing every single one of our proven perimeter shooters. As it stands right now our best returning shooter is Jake White (37.5% 3FG). Williams is 27.8%, Cotton 33.3% and Wessel is 23.1%. Early isn't taking a lot of 3s so far this year, and he isn't making many either. Armstead doesn't have a reputation as a "maker". So I think we'll see a starting lineup of:


Armstead
Williams
Early/Wessel
White/Early
Hall


If you start EO, you're looking at having one less of an already small pool of decent shooters. I could EO coming in for Hall/White/Early along with Baker, who is unproven as well, but at least brings a reputation as a maker.

[shock]

I see our identity shifting from a three shooting team that can light it up like a bat signal to a more ground and pound team reminiscent of the days before the three pt line. On defense the team will be stifling, averaging 50 papg. In that setting, EO will be invaluable and will start. I don't see Marshall trying to turn them into something they are not, unless he brings in a three pt specialist.

[RoyalShock]

I see our identity shifting from a three shooting team that can light it up like a bat signal to a more ground and pound team reminiscent of the days before the three pt line. On defense the team will be stifling, averaging 50 papg. In that setting, EO will be invaluable and will start. I don't see Marshall trying to turn them into something they are not, unless he brings in a three pt specialist.

No doubt the focus will need to be on scoring closer to the basket. But we'll need enough firepower to keep defenses honest. Otherwise, good luck even getting the ball inside, let alone scoring from there.

[im4wsu]

How many championships did that non-scorer Bill Russell obtain? When you have a defensive giant in the middle, it takes half the game away from the opponent's offense and allows your defense to apply real pressure without fear of losing a gamble.With EO able to average 8 pts a game, you absolutely build the team aroung him.

btw, that quick length of the court outlet was a thing of beauty. That is something both Garrett and EO seem to have "picked up" in the last five games or so.

[wufan]

btw, that quick length of the court outlet was a thing of beauty. That is something both Garrett and EO seem to have "picked up" in the last five games or so.

How about the fact that EO was not only beating his man down the court but many SIU guards as well. He is much too fast from basket to basket for physics to explain!

[Ricardo del Rio]

How about the fact that EO was not only beating his man down the court but many SIU guards as well. He is much too fast from basket to basket for physics to explain!

Wrong discipline.

Physiology will explain.

[Kung Wu]

Before this season, how many on this fine forum thought EO had the ability and savvy to make the backdoor pass to David Kyles?

Before the Doggie game, how many on the fine forum thought EO had the ability and savvy to make the backdoor pass to David Kyles?

I can't speak for everybody, so I will answer for the one poster I can definitively answer for: "Not me!", said @SHOXMVC:.

[wufan]

Wrong discipline.

Physiology will explain.

Touché.

[shox1989]

my prediction: EO will not live up to expectations, just like GS! Not because they are not good players, we just overhype them on here! It is fun though!!

I found this quote from this thread (page 71 I think) interesting. Stutz is doing as well or better than I expected and EO is just beginning to shine.

[shox1989]

[QUOTE=SubGod22;141044]It's only a matter of time before we reach 100. Remember, the signing period begins here in a couple weeks or so...[/QUOTE

This one from page 72 is also interesting since we have long passed page 100.