No scrimmage?

[im4wsu]

Some "basketball bullets" from Suellentrop today on his blog. Here is one regarding the scrimmage:

•Marshall seemed pleased with the scrimmage. Denver runs a Princeton-style offense with lots of backcuts. Its desire to play slow frustrated WSU. Marshall told the crowd at the Tip-Off Luncheon that WSU won all five 20-minute segments. “Some were double digits, some were not,” he said. “We’re still a work in progress. It was good to see another jersey color.”

Read more: http://blogs.kansas.com/shockwaves/#ixzz14kyC8KGC

From the blog--

Marshall said Toure Murry is a likely starter, although his lineup has not been decided. “He’s being pushed,” Marshall said. “There’s a lot of good players we have, and guys that bring different things to the table.”

Potential MVC POYmaybe not getting the start?

[wu_shizzle]

Marshall said Toure Murry is a likely starter, although his lineup has not been decided. “He’s being pushed,” Marshall said. “There’s a lot of good players we have, and guys that bring different things to the table.”

Potential MVC POYmaybe not getting the start?

If David Kyles is pushing Toure to the 1 or 3, they are earning every bit of that Top 25 ranking.

[SubGod22]

I hate the new system we have at work as I can't read Shockwaves. I'm trying to think who'd be pushing him. If Kyles finally "got it" I could see him but I don't think he's there. Are the contemplating Smith there? 3G said last night that Hatch was pretty much a guaranteed starter and Richardson wasn't ready to play a lot. DWill would be the only other option there. I think maybe Coach is just playing with us...

[Cdizzle]

Marshall said Toure Murry is a likely starter, although his lineup has not been decided. “He’s being pushed,” Marshall said. “There’s a lot of good players we have, and guys that bring different things to the table.”

Potential MVC POYmaybe not getting the start?

If David Kyles is pushing Toure to the 1 or 3, they are earning every bit of that Top 25 ranking.

Or we are not as good as we think.

[The Mad Hatter]

Marshall said Toure Murry is a likely starter, although his lineup has not been decided. “He’s being pushed,” Marshall said. “There’s a lot of good players we have, and guys that bring different things to the table.”

Potential MVC POYmaybe not getting the start?

If David Kyles is pushing Toure to the 1 or 3, they are earning every bit of that Top 25 ranking.

I believe that Marshall also said something similar about Graham and his starting job, and I don't think either statement had anything to do with coach being unhappy with either Toure or Graham. I would expect both of them to start, but the fact that it is even a question tells you how difficult our second line could be for other teams to handle.

[WSUwatcher]

Nope

"Or we are not as good as we think."

Probably don't need to worry too much about that, dizzle. The only ways Murry can be pushed are for him to get worse or the guys behind him to get better. I'm pretty sure he isn't getting worse.

[SubGod22]

Re: Nope

"Or we are not as good as we think."

Probably don't need to worry too much about that, dizzle. The only ways Murry can be pushed are for him to get worse or the guys behind him to get better. I'm pretty sure he isn't getting worse.

I hope he's getting better as well.

[shockar25]

I also wouldn't doubt it if him saying the comment about Toure is to just keep him working hard because if he or any of them think they are a 'lock' in the starting line up, then they might be tempted to coast a bit ("I got this thing...") Making that statement publically reinforces to Toure and the others that he expects them to fully earn their spots.

That said, I think when it all shakes out, we'll still see a line up that we're not too surprised by (I think Ragland/Williams, Toure, Graham, JT, Garrett).

It would be awesome to think DK has stepped up that much, or that ben Smith is that solid. Depth is a great luxury!

[SoulStar]

From the blog--

Marshall said Toure Murry is a likely starter, although his lineup has not been decided. “He’s being pushed,” Marshall said. “There’s a lot of good players we have, and guys that bring different things to the table.”

Potential MVC POYmaybe not getting the start?

This has to be a case of 3G "Coaching Through the Media." TM has been his guy from day one and this may be an attempt to combat complacency or eradicate entitlement (Not that I question TMs motivation or work ethic at all).

I do realize that such an indirect strategy does not fit 3G's typical "not pulling any punches" style but this can be an effective way to get someone's attention.

Also, think about the message that this sends to the rest of the team...If a Potential MVC POY may not start, then I better bust my tail to even have a chance of seeing minutes.

Honestly though, I don't think anyone is seriously doubting TMs place in the starting lineup.

[The Mad Hatter]

It would be awesome to think DK has stepped up that much, or that ben Smith is that solid. Depth is a great luxury!

On the Ben Smith note, it sounds like the coaches are really happy with him. They apparently had no intention of signing two JUCO players, but were so impressed with him that they felt they couldn't pass up on him.

[SubGod22]

I wasn't a huge fan of signing two JUCO guys either. That's a LARGE JR class now. But if he's as good as some have said and can help push us farther than it's a good call by the staff.

[SHOXAAC]

I think signing Smith fell into the category of "a superior talented guy." From the way it sounds if his learning curve is reasonable, Smith will lead by example...on the court.

[another shocker]

How will Smith handle not being a starter, as a junior? There could be some games, as a reserve, where he only plays, like, nine minutes.

[Snapshot9]

My personal opinion is that the 3 position is going to be a workhorse of a position this year, with Hatch and Smith playing it full bore, on shooting and rebounding, and scrapping for balls. We already know what Hatch can do, but I think that there will not be a letdown for that when Smith comes in, he
is a pretty tough player too from what I have seen (and not just from Shocker Madness, but from pickup games last summer).

So, where does this leave Richardson? Just getting mop-up and/or foul minutes?

[SHOXAAC]

My guess is that Smith understands he will not replace Graham Hatch in the starting lineup. However, his abilities will find quality and quantity of minutes imo.