What would you like to see?

[UCBearcats]

Agreed. Shaq will start and play a big part in our success this year. Also that work out stuff he said is garbage. Yes strength and the weight room matter big time in college hoops and yes 20 something pounds on Ellis is huge and to say it's not is just wrong. It also shows dedication and commitment. Yes you need improved skill but improved strength, conditioning, size, and footwork also helps

Nobody is saying time in the gym isn't important overall. These are young kids, their bodies continue to grow and develop throughout college and it's important that they lift and stay in shape. My point is that this team is already tough, they are already strong and they are already well conditioned. If this team wants to improve significantly from last season it won't be achieved in the weight room.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

Nobody is saying time in the gym isn't important overall. These are young kids, their bodies continue to grow and develop throughout college and it's important that they lift and stay in shape. My point is that this team is already tough, they are already strong and they are already well conditioned. If this team wants to improve significantly from last season it won't be achieved in the weight room.

^Not so sure this was true last year.

I agree about Shaq being on a short leash. But I'd have no issue with him as a starter to begin the year. But if Evans or Scott shows he can be the more consistent player, then he needs to get the minutes.

 

[BearcatSpaniard513]

I'd like to see this team be really good and compete to make a deep run in the NCAA's. I don't see how Shaq Thomas or Quadri Moore, based their track records, help us accomplish that. There's nothing wrong with calling a spade a spade. Thomas has had 3 years to change the narrative on his abilities, and he's failed to do that. I don't see a miracle turnaround coming from his so what I'd like to see is someone else step up and take his playing time away. That would be best for this team.

So you are saying 20+ pounds of muscle added to a post player like Ellis isn't going to help...? That gives him a substantial advantage banging down low and fighting for rebounds. Also, this team is not depending on Shaq to step up to make a run. Last year it was Ellis, Caupain and Clark leading us, and it should be the same thing this year plus Cobb. If Shaq comes back with the same stats as last year we will still make a tourney run.

 

[waterhead]

I'd like to see this team be really good and compete to make a deep run in the NCAA's. I don't see how Shaq Thomas or Quadri Moore, based their track records, help us accomplish that. There's nothing wrong with calling a spade a spade. Thomas has had 3 years to change the narrative on his abilities, and he's failed to do that. I don't see a miracle turnaround coming from his so what I'd like to see is someone else step up and take his playing time away. That would be best for this team.

I can agree with all of this other than "calling a spade a spade". Thomas is far from "awful". We might wish we had a more effective player in his position but that's a different story all together. If Evans or Scott can steal playing time great...that means we are better off. I am guessing (because Thomas is a senior and the others are freshmen) that Thomas will start all games and see at least 50% of the minutes at the 3. I don't necessarily think that will hold us back from having an outstanding season.

Thomas has a pretty neat skill set and athletic ability for someone his height (no matter how effective he has been at producing results) and will most likely be focused on having a solid year so he has a chance to get paid to play somewhere in the world. That type of height and athletic ability combined doesn't just grow on trees.

I would also give Moore another year to see if he grows as a player at all. I think he just needs an attitude adjustment IMO. He needs some fire in his belly.

 

[BearcatSpaniard513]

^Not so sure this was true last year.

I agree about Shaq being on a short leash. But I'd have no issue with him as a starter to begin the year. But if Evans or Scott shows he can be the more consistent player, then he needs to get the minutes.

Shaq will start. 100%

 

[waterhead]

Nobody is saying time in the gym isn't important overall. These are young kids, their bodies continue to grow and develop throughout college and it's important that they lift and stay in shape. My point is that this team is already tough, they are already strong and they are already well conditioned. If this team wants to improve significantly from last season it won't be achieved in the weight room.

I don't think guards/wings can benefit as much as the bigs...but adding significant muscle weight for bigs in D1 has to be very beneficial. Or in the case of DeBerry taking off weight and adding muscle. Those guys are fighting for rebounds, trying to keep people out of the lane, establishing offensive position, blocking shots, and trying to shoot through hacking defensive arms.

Although a guy like Jenifer who looked a little like a butterball when he arrived no doubt will benefit from his training. I don't think it will do a lot for Thomas, Johnson, Cobb etc.

Yes most teams do weight training...but I don't recall since I have been a fan hearing so much about how many players are adding SIGNIFICANT healthy muscle weight or reducing fat. Every year we would hear about 1 or 2...but not 6 or 7. That is scary for a team that is already known for playing physical style.

 

[Ryno99]

As to Shaq, sometimes I think there's something to it being a players last year. They seem to get even more driven realizing oh crap I better do well or it's all over. Just seem to have more motivation sometimes. If it doesn't click for him now, it never will. I truly hope he can live up and play to his potential this year, if he could do that, he and this team could have a "special" year.

 

[rogerOH]

Sanders never got rid of that ugly jumper, so it wouldn't surprise me if Shaq's shot is still flat but if he has added bulk/gotten stronger he may be able to rebound/play better defense which could keep him starting.

 

[JasonS]

Sanders never got rid of that ugly jumper, so it wouldn't surprise me if Shaq's shot is still flat but if he has added bulk/gotten stronger he may be able to rebound/play better defense which could keep him starting.

With his athleticism, if he could finish around the rim through contact, that would be a huge improvement to his game.

 

[waterhead]

Sanders never got rid of that ugly jumper, so it wouldn't surprise me if Shaq's shot is still flat but if he has added bulk/gotten stronger he may be able to rebound/play better defense which could keep him starting.

Even if Shaq showed no improvement it is going to take one SPECIAL frosh to come in and take the job of a seasoned 5th year senior veteran who knows the system and what Mick wants to see.

A look back at most of our starting frosh under Mick have either been phenoms or start by necessity. This isn't a necessity scenario but I hope we do have a young phenom on our hands.

 

[UCBearcats]

Shaq will start. 100%

No doubt he'll start. What I'd like to see, assuming he doesn't improve much, is that his playing time becomes less and less throughout the season as someone else steps up or another rotation has more success.

More 3 guard sets could be a possibility. Maybe a 2 guard rotation with Clark, Deberry and Ellis can also prove to be effective in spurts.

Maybe Shaq improves greatly and I wind up eating crow.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

Maybe a 2 guard rotation with Clark, Deberry and Ellis can also prove to be effective in spurts.

Casual fan spotted...

 

[waterhead]

LOL...I agree, I can't see any way of that working very well...unless Clark became a perimeter player in the off season