Saving the Scholarship

[ready2go]

I don't like this one at all. But what else can you do?

Every single player Mick was after went some where else. For a guy who is suppose to be this great recruiter, he sure did get beat up on the trail this year. Kids choosing Utah, USF, Mizzo, and freaking Nevada has pushed me to the edge.

Fans who are looking at killa and JJ to come in and save this season are just holding on to something to keep hope alive. IMO, these are role players on good basketball teams. 7th or 8th off the bench. Not players you talk about being stars. I hope I'm wrong.....but I don't think I am.

This past season was so important for so many reason. He failed, and I belive we are seeing the effects of it now.

I've had Mick's back since day one. Went toe to toe on many message boards defending him like a brother. After last season and the recruiting period this year, sad to say, he has lost me.

This was my exact stance up until midway this past season.

For those who say DV was not a big loss. Think again. His past years made teams respect him. Even though he did not live up to expectation this year, teams still had to game plan against his scoring ability. Without a presense like that on the court, teams can pack the paint and force the outside shot.

I also agree about your comments on killa. Lets be honest here. If he was as good as we think he's going to be, why did he get red-shirted last year? I hope he is going to be good, but for him to be a big factor next year is a reach.

This team needs a SHOOTER. Go get one

 

[westsidecat]

This was my exact stance up until midway this past season.

For those who say DV was not a big loss. Think again. His past years made teams respect him. Even though he did not live up to expectation this year, teams still had to game plan against his scoring ability. Without a presense like that on the court, teams can pack the paint and force the outside shot.

I also agree about your comments on killa. Lets be honest here. If he was as good as we think he's going to be, why did he get red-shirted last year? I hope he is going to be good, but for him to be a big factor next year is a reach.

This team needs a SHOOTER. Go get one

Yeah, fans who are saying Vaughn not being here is better for the the team is wrong. Just flat out wrong.

You guys thought we shot a lot of bricks last year.....just wait till this year. Who on this team has an outside shot to respect?

 

[bearcat jeff]

Won't be too long and we'll all know. I feel pretty good about SK. He's a good ball player and I believe will be one of the top scorers. I and some others think this team will add elements that will make them better. Chemistry and effort elements. You may be right. Maybe those of us that are optimistic are kidding ourselves. One thing is sure, it'll all play out on the court. Paper and opinion won't matter anymore. I'm looking forward to the answer already.

 

[swg]

The team can improve their play, so that is something I'm looking forward to. Also would love to see who steps up and takes a leadership position. Lots more to a team than outside shooting, so I'm optimistic about what next year can bring.

 

[ME80]

Here is what I do not get. The tone of this forum and others has definately turned more pessimistic in the last couple weeks. If this is only because we did not sign anyone in the spring then I do not understand. Expecting a freshman to drastically change the fortunes of the team is unreasonable. This team will have three new faces but everyone seems to discount that.

On the other hand, if everyone is pessimistic because of the returning players and leadership, I understand that and actually share your concerns. Unfortunately, I believe things will not change drastically until this upcoming group of seniors has graduated.

 

[westsidecat]

Won't be too long and we'll all know. I feel pretty good about SK. He's a good ball player and I believe will be one of the top scorers. I and some others think this team will add elements that will make them better. Chemistry and effort elements. You may be right. Maybe those of us that are optimistic are kidding ourselves. One thing is sure, it'll all play out on the court. Paper and opinion won't matter anymore. I'm looking forward to the answer already.

Yep, everybody opinion means squat. It's whats they do on the court. And I have a little talk with the man upstairs everynight to make it better then what I think it will be.

 

[westsidecat]

Here is what I do not get. The tone of this forum and others has definately turned more pessimistic in the last couple weeks. If this is only because we did not sign anyone in the spring then I do not understand. Expecting a freshman to drastically change the fortunes of the team is unreasonable. This team will have three new faces but everyone seems to discount that.

On the other hand, if everyone is pessimistic because of the returning players and leadership, I understand that and actually share your concerns. Unfortunately, I believe things will not change drastically until this upcoming group of seniors has graduated.

For me, it's a little of both. We expected a freshman to come in last year and change our fortunes. A lot of teams do. Then when you lose two good players and add imho, 2 okay players, we could be in trouble.

As far as everything you say about on the court last year, I really don't know whos going to step up and lead. Gates would be my choice, but thats not going to happen. Cash? I don't think he's mature enough yet. Thomas? PLays to reckless to depend on for a full game.

I hope Mick can come up with a master plan because imo, he has his work cut out for him this year.

 

[ready2go]

The entire identity of this team has to change then. You can't run set offenses without shooters or consistent scorers as we saw this past season. We've talked about adapting to your personnel, let's see what Mick does to get this team points. Or recruiting players that fit your system.

It's true defense wins championships, but when you can't score your D better be a lid on the hoop.

As for nothing can be done until this senior class graduates...That option does not exist!

 

[david aka the TYZ]

Maybe? I hope... here is my question. What makes you believe this team should play better all around??

Im going strictly off numbers and our top two scorers are off the board. Yancy being our third is inconsistent at best. This coming from a team that already struggled to score.

Sorry I missed your response, man. Better late than never.

I think we'll be improved based on running an uptempo offense that better suits our players. (Would've suited Lance MUCH better too). My problem with last year is with Vaughn getting as many minutes as he got, especially at the point, we had to play slow and couldn't run much offense. That means we took jump shots, many times contested jump shots. Some of that had to do with Yancy's complete inability to hustle a be an inside presence. This year it should be Cash's show. Thomas, Wilks, Parker, Dixon, Kilpatrick, hopefully Jackson are athletes. If we can run teams ragged we might get easier shots.

I've made this point before, but in 40 minutes of colllege ball a team is going to get a certian number of shots. Last year Vaughn and Stephenson took a lot of those shots and missed a lot. This year we'll still get the same number of shots. Hopefully we don't miss as many if we can get closer, smarter shots.
If Gates ever came around this offense could flourish similar to when Kenyon figured it out, but I don't anticipate that happening. My hope is that Thomas and Jackson by conference play can keep Gates on the bench if/when he still decides to be lazy.