NEXT SEASON

[pinstripers]

We sign Will Clayburn, the 6'6" juco scoring machine that we hosted last night, who can play both the 2 and the 3, who has an offer in hand, and he leads us in scoring next season.

[SFL]

We sign Will Clayburn, the 6'6" juco scoring machine that we hosted last night, who can play both the 2 and the 3, who has an offer in hand, and he leads us in scoring next season.

... and Monkeys are ready to fly out my rear end. :D

[Ricardo del Rio]

My laundry list includes some items mentioned above. Here goes nothing, as they say, as follows:

1. Improve leadership. We have no Ramons and I see none in sight.

2. Improve defense of dribble penetration

3. Improve offensive dribble penetration

4. Play more zone. Not gobs, but more.

5. In games against competitive opponents, we need a 2 guard, who can shoot the 3 well. Toure' ain't it. Toure' makes some very nice plays and defends well, but he just cannot shoot the 3 well. If he moved to the 3 spot, I would not be that unhappy.

6. I have always held the notion that to play championship ball, a team needs at least two impact players. Usually, it is a guard and front liner. I define an impact player as an athletic player, who scores well, defends well and makes plays in almost every game. The Shockers have a bunch of pretty good players, but no wow players. (Nevada had two wow players or 1.5 wow players.)

7. David Kyles has the athletic ability to become an excellent penetrator. He will drive the base line sometimes, but not the paint.

8. D. Williams has a chance to be one of those impact players. Also, he definitely will improve our dribble penetration offense and defense. I love Hannah, but he could not hang with the quick, penetrating guards.

9. Reduce fouls per game. This is a big burr under my saddle blanket.

10. Reduce turnovers per game. Even though I list this item, I should mention that the Shockers seemed to have improved in this area late in the season. If I get blow back, I will check the stats.

Setting experience and recruit potential aside, there is not any reason in my mind, to believe the Shockers will suddenly capapult into championship play next season.

[wu_shizzle]

5. In games against competitive opponents, we need a 2 guard, who can shoot the 3 well. Toure' ain't it. Toure' makes some very nice plays and defends well, but he just cannot shoot the 3 well. If he moved to the 3 spot, I would not be that unhappy.

Coach Gross said as much last night after the game, that Toure' "cannot" shoot that poorly from 3 next year.

We all love Toure's game, but especially after losing Clevin we need a couple guys who are a threat from deep. David Kyles and Tyler Richardson could both be those guys.

We are plenty athletic and long, I wouldn't value those things as highly with the last scholarship to give. Go find a heady player that can fill it up, and I'll be thrilled.

[tgcshock]

It's a shame we're still talking about Durley's potential to dominate a game. I'm starting to wonder if we'll ever really see it or continue just to get flashes of it.

I couldn't agree more... IMO, JT has reached his ceiling. He'll be an up and down player again next year; however he'll never fully reach his potential in a Shocker uniform. I'm sure he's a great kid... he just doesn't have the drive to be a 'SPECIAL' player. I hope he reads Shockernet and proves me wrong.

I'm not sure I understand where these sentiments are coming from. JT has improved every year so I have no reason to believe he won't continue to do so. Yes he had a problem with work ethic as a freshman but Marshall has been clear that he is now one of the hardest workers on the team. I understand these type of comments about a player who regresses but so far that has not be JT. Fan's expectations outstripping a player's performance are not the same as a player failing to get better.

Are you saying you've never thought he had the ability to be a force and first teamer? Or do you really see the improvement and drive in him that he'll finally get there next year? Nobody is saying he hasn't improved or doesn't have value. Just that he has yet to dig down and tap into his real potential. At least not on any kind of consistent basis. At this point I have to question if he really wants that or understands how to get it out of himself. He'll be a valuable part of the team next year and nobody is saying otherwise. But at this point I don't see him being one of the top 5 or even top 10 in the Valley with what he's shown.

We all know he is capable of making special plays because we have seen them happen from his freshman year on. We both agree that we have not seen always seen them happen consistently. My point is that we have seen them happen more consistently each year. I don't know definitively what JT's absolute potential is but my biggest expectation of players is that they improve each year. Do I believe that JT will improve next year in terms of consistency? Yes, I do. Will it be enough to make him first team all-Valley? Quite possibly. I certainly hope so. But whether he is or not, I will never complain about a player who improves each year. Measuring potential is a difficult thing. Who knows for sure what the actual potential of a player is. Asking for improvement year in and year out is, in my mind, a far better measure of a player's effort and heart. All I am saying is that I have no objective reason to be disappointed in JT thus far.

[forevershockerfan]

Calling all good Doc's. We may have an unprecedented clean-up situation on aisle 11(post). Yikes!!! SFL is having a possible allergic reaction to pinstripers harbinger recruiting forecast. Me keed--me keed!!!

RDR, that very burr is plaguing me on the Shocks fouling too much. Last night, were also fouling the wrong folk and we paid for it. On the bright side though, the Shocks took a leap forward this Season, on our own made free-throw %. #3 set a Shocker record and others did quite well which allowed us to sustain some needed victories at the end of several games down the stretch as we aced the throws.

[WstateU]

It's a shame we're still talking about Durley's potential to dominate a game. I'm starting to wonder if we'll ever really see it or continue just to get flashes of it.

I couldn't agree more... IMO, JT has reached his ceiling. He'll be an up and down player again next year; however he'll never fully reach his potential in a Shocker uniform. I'm sure he's a great kid... he just doesn't have the drive to be a 'SPECIAL' player. I hope he reads Shockernet and proves me wrong.

I'm not sure I understand where these sentiments are coming from. JT has improved every year so I have no reason to believe he won't continue to do so. Yes he had a problem with work ethic as a freshman but Marshall has been clear that he is now one of the hardest workers on the team. I understand these type of comments about a player who regresses but so far that has not be JT. Fan's expectations outstripping a player's performance are not the same as a player failing to get better.

Are you saying you've never thought he had the ability to be a force and first teamer? Or do you really see the improvement and drive in him that he'll finally get there next year? Nobody is saying he hasn't improved or doesn't have value. Just that he has yet to dig down and tap into his real potential. At least not on any kind of consistent basis. At this point I have to question if he really wants that or understands how to get it out of himself. He'll be a valuable part of the team next year and nobody is saying otherwise. But at this point I don't see him being one of the top 5 or even top 10 in the Valley with what he's shown.

We all know he is capable of making special plays because we have seen them happen from his freshman year on. We both agree that we have not seen always seen them happen consistently. My point is that we have seen them happen more consistently each year. I don't know definitively what JT's absolute potential is but my biggest expectation of players is that they improve each year. Do I believe that JT will improve next year in terms of consistency? Yes, I do. Will it be enough to make him first team all-Valley? Quite possibly. I certainly hope so. But whether he is or not, I will never complain about a player who improves each year. Measuring potential is a difficult thing. Who knows for sure what the actual potential of a player is. Asking for improvement year in and year out is, in my mind, a far better measure of a player's effort and heart. All I am saying is that I have no objective reason to be disappointed in JT thus far.

I think we all might agree that JT still has a huge upside… and I think most of us agree that he’ll likely never reach his potential at WSU. Hey, he won’t be the first or the last to fall short of expectations. I don’t mean this to be a slam on JT… I’m sure he’s a great kid and has his head on straight. Unfortunately his 8 turnovers (yes 8) in the championship game in St. Louis left a bad taste in my mouth. Speaking for those who witnessed it first hand, it was beyond belief to see this many turnovers from a key player during crunch time. I was stunned to say the least. As someone else mentioned previously on this thread, I sincerely hope JT proves me wrong and challenges for Valley POY next year.

Dear JT:

Please prove me wrong… I would love to be served multiple helpings of crow.

[forevershockerfan]

The Shocks should be improved next Season. Right now, we still have some unknowns due to recruiting and upcoming player evaluations. Can we 'shore up' our point guard loss of CH? Mr. Williams did gain confidence and effectiveness at the end of the Season. Prior to that, our team seemed to struggle too much when Clevin was not in the game. This concern should be shored up soon. On our Sweet 16 Season, we had Matty B. and K. Bradley both that could play the point guard which was very helpful.

So why should the Shocks be improved? We only lose Hannah, we will finally have our fair share of upperclassmen, and our overall quality depth will be better. Will we win more than 25 games? Probably not, because we have a tougher schedule. Will we win the Valley? We probably will take 1st or 2nd in the Valley. However, to win it, we HAVE to become an improved road winning type team. With experienced upperclassmen, we very well should improve our road record and not be succumbing to the 'must win games' such as Evansville. If not, then we will be a 'bubble team' again which is not cool for next Season.

Nevada had a couple of "go to" players that we will also need at crunch time knowing our schedule is tougher and Valley road wins seem to always be a big challenge. Sometimes this can be done by committee. However, can a Durley, Stutz, Hatch, Blair, or Toure' consistently be Shocker "go-to" players? Our 2006 Sweet 16 Team had 7 very solid players. Miller was MVP in the Valley. SO lit Seton Hall up as did PJ Tennessee. Both Matty B. and Bradley hit some big big shots at crunch time that year. Martin spelled Miller when needed and Kyle Wilson was a player that could match up to any teams we played. Now next years team should go deeper than 7 solid players. On the other hand, who can step up and give us the consistency next Season that these main 7 players who won the Valley and made the Sweet 16? Stay tuned!!!!!!!

[RoyalShock]

When I look at next year's OOC schedule, there is only one definite game where we probably won't be favored, and that is at SDSU.

Tulsa will be down from this year. LSU would have to get a lot better. Certainly we're likely to lose a game or two in Maui.

Let's say 2-3 OOC losses. Assuming we're favored to win the Valley and we deliver on it, cut 2-3 losses from this year's record.

So, I expect roughly the same record next year, but against a tougher OOC schedule. Who knows how strong the rest of the MVC will be. I don't expect it to be much better.

[WuDrWu]

Who knows how strong the rest of the MVC will be. I don't expect it to be much better.

UNI - Down medium
Illinois State - Down a little
Creighton - Up medium
Bradley - Up a little
Missouri State - Up a little
Indiana State -Up a little
Evansville - Up a little (but does it matter?)
Drake - Down a little (perhaps a lot of potential)
Southern Illinois - who in the hell knows?

Overall I think the league will be a shade better...but that's just my opinion.

[shocks02]

Who knows how strong the rest of the MVC will be. I don't expect it to be much better.

UNI - Down medium
Illinois State - Down a little
Creighton - Up medium
Bradley - Up a little
Missouri State - Up a little
Indiana State -Up a little
Evansville - Up a little (but does it matter?)
Drake - Down a little (perhaps a lot of potential)
Southern Illinois - who in the hell knows?

Overall I think the league will be a shade better...but that's just my opinion.

It's just my opinion but I would switch UNI and ISU. ISU loses Eldridge, Odiakosa, and Phillips. There top 3 scorers with no else even close. UNI loses 3 great players in Farohkmanesh, Koch, and Eglseder but they also have great depth.

[Aargh]

I want to see how Stutz develops in another year. He's likely to weigh in around 265 if his current weight gain pattern continues.

He gets to practice against a guy his own size who's quite a bit quicker than he is. My understanding is that not many fouls are called in practice. Orukpe seems to be a REALLY good fouling practice player and Stutz needs to learn to get to the hole while getting fouled.

I want to see how Stutz moves to the basket after a couple of months of having to do it against Orukpe. If he gets that figured out, the post players he sees in the Valley will seem to have their feet stuck in mud.

I think Stutz has the moves and knows enough moves to show and teach Orukpe a bit of offense.

I want an easy guarantee game or two. I want to see a transition game with Orukpe at the 5 and Hamilton at the 4. That combination is only likely next year in one-sided games.

I think we're going to have a front court that will be entertaining and interesting to watch. I expect there will be times during the year that we scratch our heads and may even want to curse them, but that's basketball.

[wufan]

I like a starting line-up of:

Williams
Murry
Hatch
Durley
Stutz

Second String:

???
Kyles
Richardson
Blair
Ellis

I doubt many will be able to handle our experienced depth, but we will HAVE to shoot better from the perimeter and drive to the basket. Murry needs to step up. While he didn't make a lot of his shots down the stretch, I felt that he was more willing to drive and even attempt go OVER people at times. That kind of confidence will go a long ways for him. Hopefully Ellis will attempt to play with his back to the basket just a little.

[ShoxCO94]

I too feel like HCGM seems to be hinting at more than one Scholarship available. I don't think its fair to guess on a question like this but I've got a couple in mind that could be candidates. Its pretty clear that when he feels the need HCGM doesn't mind using this option to free up space.

[SB Shock]

I too feel like HCGM seems to be hinting at more than one Scholarship available. I don't think its fair to guess on a question like this but I've got a couple in mind that could be candidates. Its pretty clear that when he feels the need HCGM doesn't mind using this option to free up space.

taken from Shockwaves:

[Comment From JaminJamin: ]
What are the odds that no one transfers out after this year? 50-50? 75-25 that someone will?
Friday March 19, 2010 1:10 Jamin
1:11

I'd say 50-50 is reasonable. I think Marshall will have team meetings soon and come to conclusions about who wants to be here and who he wants to be here.