Hype

[Norm Peterson]

I know it's only been one official game, an exhibition and an open scrimmage with short halves, but SO FAR, given that brief glimpse, how do you think the newcomers compare to their hype?

 

I'll hang up (for a little while) and listen.

[tcp]

I was surprised by the readiness of the newcomers, although I suppose I shouldn't have been. Tai's maturity as a player blew me away. You don't see that from freshmen very often. Basically, the smaller players were a delight to see. The bigs are more concerning. Ubel's presence will definitely be missed.

 

I think interior play is going to be our achilles heel this season, but everything else looks as good or better than I thought.

[Huskerpapa]

I thought Walter would be more of an inside presence.  I didn't think he had the outside game.  So Walter tends to confuse me a bit yet.

 

Leslee is better than I thought he would be.  If his pins hold out, he is pretty nimble and has a lot of game.  But health will be a concern.

 

Tai is as good as advertised.  Once he gets used to the American game, we will have ourselves a stud.

 

Petteway looks like he has a terrific motor.  He is a streak shooter, but that doesn't appear to stop him from shooting.  He can take it to the hole and he can defend.  He is a good one.

 

Biggs...he looks good on the bench, and I hope he will look better on the court.

 

Fuller and Hawkins are in the "yet to be determined category.  But they look like they can ball.

[Silverbacked1]

Things look good.  I think everybody is about what I thought they would be. 

 

I wish we had Ubel back this year only to help on the inside. 

 

I feel we may have to out score some teams this year but that is okay.  Our quickness, basketball IQ and depth will carrry us against some teams that want to bang.  We also have a strong coaching staff that comes up with very good game plans.  That is the biggest plus that we have this year.

 

It will also help to have the depth we have.  We can go small, big, fast ect...  That helps a bunch as we can cause as many match up problems as teams can give us.

 

It will be a fun ride.

[KZRider]

Like what I see especially from Petteway and Pitchford. Both of them shot very well from outside and Pitchford as tough inside. The "Dunk City" team got no dunks and Pitchford was a big part of why.

 

Shields was a force to be reckoned with. I thought FGCU would limit him more. Either they weren't as good as expected or Shields is a very special player. I like the latter idea.

 

As well as Tai played, I expected him to be even more explosive than he was. You know the kind of guard that can just kill you off the dribble and take it to the hoop. I still believe he is the key to how well this team will do this year.

[KZRider]

I should also have said that we didn't drop off much when we went to our bench. A lot of times in the past the first five could play with the other teams but the second wave would get abused. Don't think that will happen this year.