Any news on Orukpe?

[Aargh]

Both EO and Stutz are going to get beat playing D more than a few times next year. I think we're going to see some blocks that prevent close-range baskets when a defender is already beat.

There's a video in the Negedu thread in the Recruiting Forum that confirms how I thought basketball was played in Nigeria.

Nigerian kids grow up playing soccer. I remember it reported that Olajuwan was a soccer player until he got too tall. Then they made him a goalie. Then he got too tall to play goalie.

A block in soccer is different. You don't kick the ball 30 yards down the field - you block it and steal it. Check the Negedu videos. He doesn't block it into the 15th row - it's more of a "block and steal" like you'd see in soccer - not that I've ever watched soccer. Nope. Could never admit to that. Wouldn't be prudent.

[Snapshot9]

I beg to differ a little, shots on goal in soccer are blocked similiar to basketball, and I played indoor soccer for quite a few years as an adult.

I would say that Stutz already knows the importance of blocking shots, EO probably not as much. It depends on the emphasis of the coaching staff.
Just as our team changes when having more height, so does the emphasis the coaching staff will stress. I think blocking will stressed more this coming year than in the past because we will be able to more.

I did notice Ellis's blocks he layed down last year, and it helps to hinder the opponent's mindset and offense. I expect AJ and Mantas to help out with blocking also. JT needs to learn to move his body more on defense for the right position defensively.

[SubGod22]

That's the cool thing here. We have two seven footers that teams will have to worry about when they take the ball inside. But there are also plenty of off ball helpers that are very capable of....annoying the shooter.

[Ricky Del Rio]

I'm so excited, I just can't hide it.

Next season will be the best 1-13 WSU team I have ever seen.

Well, maybe not the best, but it is up there.

[Aargh]

Oops. my lack of soccer terminology bit me. I wasn't thinking of blocking a shot on goal in soccer. You get those as far away from the goal as possible. I was thinking more of a steal or a pick around mid-field.

That'll teach me to use a soccer analogy.

[imyopusha]

for what its worth, my observation of marshall's teams at winthrop was the emphasis on perimeter defense. defense in general was emphasized, but the perimeter defense was what stood out. no matter how out of position the defender may have been, he never seemed so far away from the shooter that he could not get a hand in his face.

[The Mad Hatter]

for what its worth, my observation of marshall's teams at winthrop was the emphasis on perimeter defense. defense in general was emphasized, but the perimeter defense was what stood out. no matter how out of position the defender may have been, he never seemed so far away from the shooter that he could not get a hand in his face.

From what I have observed the reason that Marshall wants shot blockers is precisely for this reason. He wants to put a lot of pressure on the perimeter, which means that teams will try to drive to the basket to counter that pressure. With a couple of 7 footers, it makes it easier for the guards to get right up on their guy and know that some one can defend the rim if the guy drives past them.

[SubGod22]

We went the entire weekend without a post here so I'll post what we've learned so far. He has in fact now dunked inside Charles Koch Arena and showed off some ability. He has a better frame than many of us were expecting and something that KR should definitely be able to work with.

:D

:poster_eo:

[Txlen]

Sub, by you saying, "He has a better frame than many of us were expecting...," what were your expectations compared to what you saw? What do you mean by, "a better frame?"

[SubGod22]

I haven't seen him yet but have heard from a few that have that lead me to believe he's not as skinny as I think many of us feared and already has a decent build with the ability to put on more.

[Txlen]

You mean he can't sleep on a clothesline?

What was it that Marshall used last year to describe the build of Ellis and/or Butler?

[Yellow Snow]

I'm so excited, I just can't hide it.

Next season will be the best 1-13 WSU team I have ever seen.

Well, maybe not the best, but it is up there.

No, I think we'll be 2 and 10, we play Evansvill twice, not once.

[SubGod22]

I'm so excited, I just can't hide it.

Next season will be the best 1-13 WSU team I have ever seen.

Well, maybe not the best, but it is up there.

No, I think we'll be 2 and 10, we play Evansvill twice, not once.

I believe he was referring to scholarship players. As in depth.

[rrshock]

WSU actually play 18 conference games, so 2 and 10 isn't possible.

I gotta get out and see a pick up game. I am ready for the season to start already.

[Denny Crane]

Denny is back in the country and on the case!