Ben Smith Class of 2010

[wufan]

Because he's a senior that understands his roll and will likely perform better on the court than a 7-0 transfer.

You could run a three man rotation with Durley, Stutz, and Blair and just leave the mop up to Ellis and EO while Hamilton rides the bench.

You could have Ellis as the fourth big and move Durley to the center position for 15-20 minutes a game. I think it would be better to have Durley learn and execute from only one position (the 4) seeing as we have the depth to do that.

If EO is good enough, then you don't have to worry about it, but my bet is that EO will not be that good for at least the first 20 games of the season and Ellis now has the size, strength, and athleticism to be a center. He's a senior and I think he can handle it.

[wufan]

I would bet that Aaron Ellis is the back-up center in 10-11 and that EO only plays in situational opportunities or late in the year as he progresses (hopefully).

I don't think that there will be very many match-ups where Aaron has the bulk to play center. I think JT will log time at both PF and C.

Here is how I see the depth chart:

PF: Durley (starter), Blair, Ellis, Hamilton (limited playing time)
C: Stutz (starter), Durley, EO

I disagree. At 6-9 and 230+ (could be 240 by next year if coach said you're my #2 center today). he could be a VERY good second string center. How many 6-10 220 lb stiffs are there in the Valley that play second string center? How many second stringers are 6-7, 240? It's not like he would see tons of 6-11 260 pound athletes.

[The Mad Hatter]

I would bet that Aaron Ellis is the back-up center in 10-11 and that EO only plays in situational opportunities or late in the year as he progresses (hopefully).

I don't think that there will be very many match-ups where Aaron has the bulk to play center. I think JT will log time at both PF and C.

Here is how I see the depth chart:

PF: Durley (starter), Blair, Ellis, Hamilton (limited playing time)
C: Stutz (starter), Durley, EO

I disagree. At 6-9 and 230+ (could be 240 by next year if coach said you're my #2 center today). he could be a VERY good second string center. How many 6-10 220 lb stiffs are there in the Valley that play second string center? How many second stringers are 6-7, 240? It's not like he would see tons of 6-11 260 pound athletes.

Aaron struggled all year with strong low post players, even at the PF position. Not only does he not have the bulk, he hasn't shown an ability to avoid fouling when it gets physical underneath. I like Aaron, and there may be some match-ups where he can play against other teams' center, but by-and-large I don't seem him as a 5.

Just out of curiosity, where are you getting this 230lb. number? The roster lists him at 216.

[SHOXAAC]

AE is not a back to the basket player which is needed at the post position. Come to think about it he is not much of a face the basket presence either. Unless AE makes a remarkable transformation over the summer, he will find himself along side the student managers and trainers on the bench for the great majority of the games. The skill set just isn't there for AE given the current talent on this team. He is a nice kid that I will cheer wildly at senior day for. Significant playing time just isn't in the cards for AE anymore. It's the sign of the changing times in Shocker nation...which is a good thing.

[hoopsnut]

AE showed great promise as a freshman and seems to have been losing ground since. I was troubled by AE continually starting this year when his performance did not seem to warrant it, especially compared to Gabe's performance coming off the bench (prior to his injury). I feel that continuing to start allowed AE to become complacent. Coach should have been changing line-ups to reflect current performance. This motivates the starters to continue working harder and when someone below them in the pecking order out performs them, then that person should be rewarded. This was not happening and I think was a big cause of the mid season slump. You might notice that a spark reappeared when the starting line-up was changed late in the season. Just an opinion and observation...

[Ricardo del Rio]

Because he's a senior that understands his roll and will likely perform better on the court than a 7-0 transfer.

You could run a three man rotation with Durley, Stutz, and Blair and just leave the mop up to Ellis and EO while Hamilton rides the bench.

You could have Ellis as the fourth big and move Durley to the center position for 15-20 minutes a game. I think it would be better to have Durley learn and execute from only one position (the 4) seeing as we have the depth to do that.

If EO is good enough, then you don't have to worry about it, but my bet is that EO will not be that good for at least the first 20 games of the season and Ellis now has the size, strength, and athleticism to be a center. He's a senior and I think he can handle it.

role =/= roll

[RampageWSU]

I would bet that Aaron Ellis is the back-up center in 10-11 and that EO only plays in situational opportunities or late in the year as he progresses (hopefully).

I don't think that there will be very many match-ups where Aaron has the bulk to play center. I think JT will log time at both PF and C.

Here is how I see the depth chart:

PF: Durley (starter), Blair, Ellis, Hamilton (limited playing time)
C: Stutz (starter), Durley, EO

I disagree. At 6-9 and 230+ (could be 240 by next year if coach said you're my #2 center today). he could be a VERY good second string center. How many 6-10 220 lb stiffs are there in the Valley that play second string center? How many second stringers are 6-7, 240? It's not like he would see tons of 6-11 260 pound athletes.

Do you have any idea how hard it is for an athlete to put on a quality 10-15 lbs?

[SHOXAAC]

I would bet that Aaron Ellis is the back-up center in 10-11 and that EO only plays in situational opportunities or late in the year as he progresses (hopefully).

I don't think that there will be very many match-ups where Aaron has the bulk to play center. I think JT will log time at both PF and C.

Here is how I see the depth chart:

PF: Durley (starter), Blair, Ellis, Hamilton (limited playing time)
C: Stutz (starter), Durley, EO

I disagree. At 6-9 and 230+ (could be 240 by next year if coach said you're my #2 center today). he could be a VERY good second string center. How many 6-10 220 lb stiffs are there in the Valley that play second string center? How many second stringers are 6-7, 240? It's not like he would see tons of 6-11 260 pound athletes.

Do you have any idea how hard it is for an athlete to put on a quality 10-15 lbs?

Do you have any idea how easy it is for a backseat coach/couch potato to put on a quality 10-15 lbs?

[Snapshot9]

I will take that bet. Ellis IS NOT going to play center with 3 other centers already on the team. Won't happen, no way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Besides EO's defense is as good as Ellis's is, only with more height, but he might be a little more foul proned.

Ellis will play this coming season, although it may be less than he played this past year. The coach has said more than once, he will play the players that earn it. I think Rags and Smith want to play in their 'JR.' year, and will be hungry for it. Besides, we need a good 3 point shooter when Hatch is having an 'off' night, and I think that means Smith or Richardson.

Richardson and Hamilton - Depends on how hard they work.

Murry will be a Jr. next year, and he needs to get his shot on track again.

[wufan]

I would bet that Aaron Ellis is the back-up center in 10-11 and that EO only plays in situational opportunities or late in the year as he progresses (hopefully).

I don't think that there will be very many match-ups where Aaron has the bulk to play center. I think JT will log time at both PF and C.

Here is how I see the depth chart:

PF: Durley (starter), Blair, Ellis, Hamilton (limited playing time)
C: Stutz (starter), Durley, EO

I disagree. At 6-9 and 230+ (could be 240 by next year if coach said you're my #2 center today). he could be a VERY good second string center. How many 6-10 220 lb stiffs are there in the Valley that play second string center? How many second stringers are 6-7, 240? It's not like he would see tons of 6-11 260 pound athletes.

Do you have any idea how hard it is for an athlete to put on a quality 10-15 lbs?

I'm taking a real beating on this! Oh well. Icould certainly be wrong. Ellis came in at about 180 (?). I think he put on 40+ lbs in his first three years. Ithink he could put on another 10. Any way, I guess I'm the only one with this opinion.

[Dan]

Eliis did backup the 5 a little last year. I think he could do it in certain situations, but agree that he doesn't have the post moves needed to be an effective center. Still trying to figure out if he has the moves required to be an effective 4 man or is he just another Winston Peterson.

[RampageWSU]

I would bet that Aaron Ellis is the back-up center in 10-11 and that EO only plays in situational opportunities or late in the year as he progresses (hopefully).

I don't think that there will be very many match-ups where Aaron has the bulk to play center. I think JT will log time at both PF and C.

Here is how I see the depth chart:

PF: Durley (starter), Blair, Ellis, Hamilton (limited playing time)
C: Stutz (starter), Durley, EO

I disagree. At 6-9 and 230+ (could be 240 by next year if coach said you're my #2 center today). he could be a VERY good second string center. How many 6-10 220 lb stiffs are there in the Valley that play second string center? How many second stringers are 6-7, 240? It's not like he would see tons of 6-11 260 pound athletes.

Do you have any idea how hard it is for an athlete to put on a quality 10-15 lbs?

Do you have any idea how easy it is for a backseat coach/couch potato to put on a quality 10-15 lbs?

No reason to be an asshole. Some of us are actually in decent shape, and have actually seen the inside of a gym. I suggest you watch your words.

[SHOXAAC]

I would bet that Aaron Ellis is the back-up center in 10-11 and that EO only plays in situational opportunities or late in the year as he progresses (hopefully).

I don't think that there will be very many match-ups where Aaron has the bulk to play center. I think JT will log time at both PF and C.

Here is how I see the depth chart:

PF: Durley (starter), Blair, Ellis, Hamilton (limited playing time)
C: Stutz (starter), Durley, EO

I disagree. At 6-9 and 230+ (could be 240 by next year if coach said you're my #2 center today). he could be a VERY good second string center. How many 6-10 220 lb stiffs are there in the Valley that play second string center? How many second stringers are 6-7, 240? It's not like he would see tons of 6-11 260 pound athletes.

Do you have any idea how hard it is for an athlete to put on a quality 10-15 lbs?

Do you have any idea how easy it is for a backseat coach/couch potato to put on a quality 10-15 lbs?

No reason to be an ####. Some of us are actually in decent shape, and have actually seen the inside of a gym. I suggest you watch your words.

Bragger!!!

[Snapshot9]

Just a friendly bump to put this 'Shocker' back to the top.

[ShockTalk]

Just a friendly bump to put this 'Shocker' back to the top.

I agree. :good: I hope he makes the adjustment to D1 ball quickly. We should be solid at the 3 next year.