Reasons to be optimistic

[wufan]

We knew at the end of last season that the following would be of concern:

1. Post players need to realize their potential: I feel very good about this.

2. We need to hit outside shots: Murry, Kyles, Hatch, and Williams can all improve here. Stutz and Durley can help, but it's better to keep them underneith. We added a SF and PG that have a track record of hitting a high percentage.

3. Hannah is difficult to replace. Williams has added strength and maturity. Ragland is a similar player to Hannah, but with a much higher ceiling athletically. See above for 3 point shooting.

All we need is for the new guys to figure it out and we are ready!!! We won't know for sure until the season gets underway, but the coaching staff and players made all the right moves between April and November!!!

[Kung Wu]

3. Hannah is difficult to replace. Williams has added strength and maturity. Ragland is a similar player to Hannah, but with a much higher ceiling athletically. See above for 3 point shooting.

DWill was consistently playing at a caliber matching, and even exceeding Hannah's output at the end of the season -- this included the tourney when the heat is really on. I wouldn't be surprised if he is our primary PG.

[SubGod22]

3. Hannah is difficult to replace. Williams has added strength and maturity. Ragland is a similar player to Hannah, but with a much higher ceiling athletically. See above for 3 point shooting.

DWill was consistently playing at a caliber matching, and even exceeding Hannah's output at the end of the season -- this included the tourney when the heat is really on. I wouldn't be surprised if he is our primary PG.

:yes:

[wufan]

3. Hannah is difficult to replace. Williams has added strength and maturity. Ragland is a similar player to Hannah, but with a much higher ceiling athletically. See above for 3 point shooting.

DWill was consistently playing at a caliber matching, and even exceeding Hannah's output at the end of the season -- this included the tourney when the heat is really on. I wouldn't be surprised if he is our primary PG.

Agreed. Just one more reason to be optimistic.

[Ashockalypse]

This isn't that relevant but did you see the dunks D will was throwing down at madness. He was jumpin out of the gym and then rattling the rim. Powerdunks.

[Aargh]

I remember DWill being one that caught my eye for air time, elevation, and body control in the air.

The SM warmup drill was kind of jaw-dropping for the crazy ups the entire team possesses.

I could be wrong, but I believe every member of the entire squad got a stuff. that includes DWill (6'2"), Rags (6'0") and Trey Jones (6'1" walkon). I could have assumed everybody stuffed because the layup drill was just a non-stop stream of dunks.

This team has crazy ups.

[wu_shizzle]

I could be wrong, but I believe every member of the entire squad got a stuff.

You're not wrong...

[SFL]

I remember DWill being one that caught my eye for air time, elevation, and body control in the air.

The SM warmup drill was kind of jaw-dropping for the crazy ups the entire team possesses.

I could be wrong, but I believe every member of the entire squad got a stuff. that includes DWill (6'2"), Rags (6'0") and Trey Jones (6'1" walkon). I could have assumed everybody stuffed because the layup drill was just a non-stop stream of dunks.

This team has crazy ups.

I missed SM :( I'm impressed! :good:

This might be the marketing angle SM has sorely been searching for... to heck with a boring 3 person dunk competition and on with a plethora of rim rattlin’ tomahawks.

[wufan]

Quote from Graham Hatch in todays Eagle..."We have a great chemistry, and we trust each other a lot."

Read more: http://www.kansas.com/2010/11/10/158...#ixzz14swQT38G

Team Chemistry - Check!

[Aargh]

Quote from Graham Hatch in todays Eagle..."We have a great chemistry, and we trust each other a lot."

Read more: http://www.kansas.com/2010/11/10/158...#ixzz14swQT38G

Team Chemistry - Check!

According to that article, the PG spot is still up for grabs. That's got to be a good thing. I know what we saw of DWill and what we were expecting from Rags, so it seems that both are performing the way we thought they would.

I bet we see WSU's PG paying attention to little details, playing aggressive D, and doing things the way the coaches tell them to do it. Competition that heavy at this time in practices usually produces disciplined players.

[Zardoz]

This has got to be a good thing if DWill is anything like the last 10 or so games of last season and Rags is right there with only a coin toss separating them. Now we just need to get Blair and Hamilton healthy, with Blair being the key.

[tropicalshox]

Rags must be coming on. The last time we heard from Marshall, he was playing well but DWill was out playing him.

[Maggie]

Rags must be coming on. The last time we heard from Marshall, he was playing well but DWill was out playing him.

I think you are probably correct but remember Williams did start out with an inherent advantage on Ragland – he has one year under his belt in the system and at the D-1 level. That counts for something. Plus, being one of the new kids on the block Ragland may have been a bit reluctant to take charge – like a PG needs to – right away.

I can only hope that the competition serves to accelerate Ragland’s adjustment to D-1 basketball.