Ben Smith - Official

[ShockerGorilla]

Is this the deepest shocker roster EVER????????????

Don't count your chickens before they are hatched. Last year at this time, KM was talked about on here as being our savior at point guard and giving opposing teams fits on defense. You see how that has worked out.

I am excited about this group coming in, but I won't crown them until I see them play in a real D-I game.

[NCAABound]

Is this the deepest shocker roster EVER????????????

I'll hold off with any predictions until I see how all of these juco transfers adjust to D1...plus how the two redshirts look now that they'll be playing with the big boys. Am I correct on the #'s...we will have 5 newcomers that are "expected" to get a few minutes that have absolutely zero D1 experience? There's alot of unknowns at this point.

[shocker22]

Is this the deepest shocker roster EVER????????????

I'll hold off with any predictions until I see how all of these juco transfers adjust to D1...plus how the two redshirts look now that they'll be playing with the big boys. Am I correct on the #'s...we will have 5 newcomers that are "expected" to get a few minutes that have absolutely zero D1 experience? There's alot of unknowns at this point.

We also have alot things thigns we do know. Durley, GS, and Blair will all be better and we will have a solid post. Hatch will be Hatch and Murry will improve. DW and DK should improve as players as well. There is alot to be excited about and I think optimism is justified!

[WstateU]

Is this the deepest shocker roster EVER????????????

Don't count your chickens before they are hatched. Last year at this time, KM was talked about on here as being our savior at point guard and giving opposing teams fits on defense. You see how that has worked out.

I am excited about this group coming in, but I won't crown them until I see them play in a real D-I game.

I think we all can agree that "deepest shocker roster EVER???????????" doesn't necessarily equate to best team ever... time will tell. On paper, depth is very impressive. "I like it a lot!"

[RoyalShock]

Am I correct on the #'s...we will have 5 newcomers that are "expected" to get a few minutes that have absolutely zero D1 experience? There's alot of unknowns at this point.

I see two possible scenarios.

Scenario 1:

Starters: Ragland/Williams, Murry, Hatch, Durley, Stutz
Subs: Ragland/Willams, Kyles, Smith, Ellis, Blair

EO, TRich, Hamilton get spot minutes as needed.

Scenario 2 ("Line change"):

Line 1: Ragland/Williams, Murry, Hatch, Ellis/Blair, Durley
Line 2: Ragland/Williams, Kyles, Smith, Ellis/Blair, Stutz

EO, TRich, Hamilton get spot minutes as needed.

Either way, and barring injuries or other unforeseen circumstances, I only see our juco guys getting meaningful minutes. The following year is when we'll see EO, TRich and Hamilton playing bigger roles.

[RampageWSU]

Am I correct on the #'s...we will have 5 newcomers that are "expected" to get a few minutes that have absolutely zero D1 experience? There's alot of unknowns at this point.

I see two possible scenarios.

Scenario 1:

Starters: Ragland/Williams, Murry, Hatch, Durley, Stutz
Subs: Ragland/Willams, Kyles, Smith, Ellis, Blair



Scenario 2 ("Line change"):

Line 1: Ragland/Williams, Murry, Hatch, Ellis/Blair, Durley
Line 2: Ragland/Williams, Kyles, Smith, Ellis/Blair, Stutz

^^^ This, except I think EO will play in place of Ellis, with Blair playing the 4.

[Ashockalypse]

Line 1: Ragland /Williams Murry, Hatch, Durley, Stutz
Line 2: Ragland/Williams Kyles, Smith, Blair,Ellis
TRich, EO and Hamilton Spot Minutes.

Ultimately, I am going to guess Ragland will start but that position will be right on 50-50. I believe Ellis will improve and start hitting his midranges. Murry, Hatch, Durley, Stutz, Blair and Kyles will all be improved-many dramatically. And we will do very well next year. Sweet or Elite.

[SHOXAAC]

Ellis will improve his cheerleading from the bench. I don't understand those who believe he will all of a sudden improve from 4-to-7 on a 10 point scale. Way too early to predict NCAA Tourny stuff, but I say the SHOX win 7 or 8 non-con games and go 15-3 or 16-2 and win the Valley going away.

[Speed]

The projections look good. I sure wish Ellis & Kyles won't be wildcards. Either of those guys could be the best player on the court. As far as that goes Manigault at point with the airport test looked to be an all-american.
I'm not too worried either way. This was a good year but there were a lot of should of's and could of's. That's a good thing for a developing program. As a team we will have depth so the individuals with huge upside will either star or sit because as a team I just think the potential will come to fruition.
I couldn't see why WSU as a mid-major isn't on the national scene. I've never read about a D1 basketball team signing a player who was proclaimed a bench warmer. But w/o seeing the redshirts or recruits I think the Shox are comin'!

[Dan]

Personally, I'm excited about DW. It really started clicking for him about 3/4 of the way through the season. He should easily be the most improved player on next years squad. He could be the best guard on the team next year.

[vancedave56]

200 player minutes per game; how will they breakdown?

Williams 20
Ragland 20
Murry 30
Kyles 15
Hatch 20
Smith 20
Durley 25
Blair 10
Ellis 5
Stutz 20
EO 5
Hamilton 5
Richardson 5

??? :wsu_posters:

[Dan]

More for Blair, less for Murry. I'd be surprised to see the freshman and EO avg 5 a game.

[GoShox117]

More for Blair, less for Murry. I'd be surprised to see the freshman and EO avg 5 a game.

? I'm confused, who is this freshman you are referring to? Richardson or Hamilton? They're both redshirt freshmen.

[tropicalshox]

So everybody thinks the roster is set? As each day goes by I'm thinking perhaps it is. I hope so, but wouldn't bank on it yet.

We always think we will be deeper than what actually occurs during the season. But as it stands now it appears we will have at least a 10 man rotation. IMO I think EO might get more than mop up PT. If that happens it's because we are using more full court pressure and use EO to guard the goal and give the front line some rest. That would be an 11 man rotation. Our opponents better be in good shape because we're not letting up on them. I'd love to see that happen.

[vancedave56]

Agree with the statement about EO; he won't be a dominant force yet, but he should be able to spell GS when he needs a rest. Now, if GS gets in foul trouble for a significant amount of time, it might be a different story during the upcoming season.

Are we set now? Who knows?