Marshall on 1410 NOW

[shocker22]

That may be the best case for everyone, but I can also see where the 2011-12 team could really miss someone with exactly that type of skill set! I find it unlikely that we grab a 6-9 top 50 PF with our last scholarship. Not that Ellis is, but a top 120 freshman will likely not produce the way Ellis might in 11-12.

I would MUCH rather have four years of a top 120 player than one extra year of Ellis. Minus a signing like that I think a redshirt year for Aaron might help him realize his upside. He has all the tools and just needs to get his mind right as it relates basketball.

As RDR might say, Ellis' problem is between his ears.

Confidence issue. He has the skills just needs confidence. A redshirt year might actually be a good thing.

[WuDrWu]

Kyles is HUGE.

Kyles is huge?! I like that!

The guys look great and they are busting tail getting in shape. Some of the guys had to back off the weights because they were getting too big.

RDR will be happy that there are still some "spindly" legs out there, but we have some CUT young men on the floor.

[SHOXAAC]

That may be the best case for everyone, but I can also see where the 2011-12 team could really miss someone with exactly that type of skill set! I find it unlikely that we grab a 6-9 top 50 PF with our last scholarship. Not that Ellis is, but a top 120 freshman will likely not produce the way Ellis might in 11-12.

I would MUCH rather have four years of a top 120 player than one extra year of Ellis. Minus a signing like that I think a redshirt year for Aaron might help him realize his upside. He has all the tools and just needs to get his mind right as it relates basketball.

As RDR might say, Ellis' problem is between his ears.

Confidence issue. He has the skills just needs confidence. A redshirt year might actually be a good thing.

If we haven't seen a trace of confidence in AE for the first three years, is it likely we will ever see it...not likely. AE is a great young man, but as Jeff Probst says "it's time for you to go." His skills are limited...it's not about confidence. As RoyalShock said "I would MUCH rather have four years of a top 120 player than one extra year of Ellis."

[Kung Wu]

If we haven't seen a trace of confidence in AE for the first three years, is it likely we will ever see it...not likely.

Totally disagree. We have seen time after time when a "written off" (not really, but you know what I mean) athlete that doesn't have confidence for two or three years suddenly just comes into his own and becomes a very strong player.

[Aargh]

If we haven't seen a trace of confidence in AE for the first three years, is it likely we will ever see it...not likely.

Totally disagree. We have seen time after time when a "written off" (not really, but you know what I mean) athlete that doesn't have confidence for two or three years suddenly just comes into his own and becomes a very strong player.

Troy Mack - 3 years as a bust and one year of "where did this guy come from"

[shocker22]

AE showed me a lot in the scrimmage. He got some great boards and played good D. He played really hard. He did miss a couple shots but if he hits a couple his confidence could just continue to grow.

[1972Shocker]

He got some great boards and played good D. He played really hard.

And that is where his value and contributions can be counted on. Any offense we get from AE is icing on the cake, but is not critical to the success of this team.

[shocker22]

He got some great boards and played good D. He played really hard.

And that is where his value and contributions can be counted on. Any offense we get from AE is icing on the cake, but is not critical to the success of this team.

Yes, but wouldn't that contribution be worth a lot on next years team as opposed to this years?

[SHOXAAC]

AE has had reasonable "Shocker Madness" performances in the past...it proved not to mean a whole lot. If my memory serves me correct (and it probably doesn't) Mack's senior year was at the start of the era of Howard, Kampman, Miller, Burns. He was depended on due to default. Mack was a senior. I hope a player with three years experience on first-year players would result in confidence. We are comparing apples to oranges here. AE, as great of a young man as he is, is not going to all of a sudden transition into a Troy Mack. He just does not have the skill set required for where the Shockers are at this point in time. His only offensive benefit is occasionally making a face-up 15-footer...that's it. He has happy feet down low and provides zero low post game. Toure' & Graham had more offensive rebounds than AE. His perimiter defense is very good, due to his quickness, but post him down low and he gets used. This isn't a an indictment against him as a person or his manhood; my only point is it is rediculous to consider him a RS candidate. He is a senior basketball player with limited upside considering where this program is and is going in the future. I will cheer loudly for him all year long during his 16 minutes he is in each game. Let's root for him this year and let him get on with his life after basketball. GO SHOCKS!!!

[SubGod22]

Nothing against Aaron, but I'd rather just go with Hamilton and White and let the youngsters develop with Stutz and Ehimen. If we bring in a JUCO guy so be it, but I'm fine with the above.

[WSUwatcher]

Huh?

SHOXMVC, if Ellis plays 16 minutes a game on a team with Stutz, Orukpe, Durley, and Blair -- not to mention Hamilton -- all available to fill the 80 total minutes that exist at the 4 and 5 spots, either he will have been magically transformed, or more likely a lot of guys will be in foul trouble every night or someone(s) will be missing a lot of time with injuries.

It's almost impossible for it to be good news if he gets much time this season, which is no doubt at the root of much of the redshirt speculation.

[SHOXAAC]

Re: Huh?

SHOXMVC, if Ellis plays 16 minutes a game on a team with Stutz, Orukpe, Durley, and Blair -- not to mention Hamilton -- all available to fill the 80 total minutes that exist at the 4 and 5 spots, either he will have been magically transformed, or more likely a lot of guys will be in foul trouble every night or someone(s) will be missing a lot of time with injuries.

It's almost impossible for it to be good news if he gets much time this season, which is no doubt at the root of much of the redshirt speculation.

I haven't done the math, but was giving him the benefit of the doubt. He averaged about 19 min last year. The bottom line is please let's put the AE redshirt idea to rest. It would be the biggest waste.

[shocker22]

He will play 8 to 10 a game this year...maybe.

[wufan]

I agree with above. His minutes will come from fouling issues, mop ups, and when the match-up dictates it. The problem I have with the match-up thing is that Blair appears just as quick and way more explosive and Stutz and EO are longer.

[jcdshocker]

AE has a role on this team. Besides Blair, who is an overall better defender within all of the inside players? Stutz, no. Durley, no. Orupke, maybe very soon. He rebounds as well as anyone on the team and sets fantastic picks. Does he foul alot, yes. He plays hard all the time and is a good leader by example. Who is going to be the starting 4 man next year? It will have to be a JUCO transfer. I don't think he should redshirt, but it is not a terrible idea.

He is limited on the offensive end no doubt. But to say Hamilton deserves AE's minutes is stretching things IMO. Hamilton will not be a factor at all during his stay at WSU unless he improves dramatically or there is something I am missing. I hope I am wrong, but he is at least 2-3 inches shorter than Aaron and not as quick from what I can see. JH will always be an undersized 4 man. If this team is going to be a the level we all want it to be, having AE instead of freshman next year would help next year's team. Does it hurt the following year, yes it might because that scholarship could be given to an incoming freshmen that would be a sophomore in 2012.

The final decision definitely will be made by Coach Marshall and Aaron. It might just depend on who the last scholarship is given to this fall. If it not someone that will start next year, it might pay off for Aaron to stick around another year.

Feel free to disagree with me, but that is my $.02