We are ... (a quick poll)

[Swan88]

I say we are "there" now. Here's why (based in part on what we saw last night):

1. In today's shorter-clock era, we have at least three players who can create their own shot and score at a high percentage: Shavon is Shavon + another year of maturity; Andrew, with length and quickness, can either create a three or drive to the middle with a step back jumper at any time; and Glenn can create a shot from the point whenever needed (that floater from his baseline drive last night was a thing of beauty). And Andrew is an offense step-up from Terran, with a higher percentage-in-a-pinch scoring.

2. As Norm explains elsewhere, we have high level talent in the house right now, and we have more high level talent committed for next year--and the next. Highly rated talent can always bomb, but it's nice to have those guys, instead of hoping that our under-the-radar discoveries are truly under-rated. They are high-character and high-inteligence guys as well.

3. With all the angst over no-quality-bigs and only a few guys over some arbitrary height (e.g., 6'8"), I'd suggest that Ed is the proto-type Tim Miles big: whatever he lacks in without-shoes height, he makes up for in explosiveness, athleticism, bulk and grit.

4. This team will take time to grow. But the elements for being "there" are already "here."

Edit: Oops. Fixed it. Thanks MandR [or you could have just let it pass and no one would have been the wiser and spared me the grief of admitting an error and trying to fix it]. Much appreciated.

[MandRHusker]

1. In today's shorter-clock era, we have at least three players who can create their own shot and score at a high percentage: Shavon is Sharon + another year of maturity;

Hmmmmm. If Shavon is Sharon then I am certain he is better in TRANSition!

[Silverbacked1]

I think we will finish stronger than the way we start.

Yes we will have some blow out games, possibly both ways, in the non-conference.

But the conference schedule is set up nicely for us and as the season goes on these guys are going to get better.

We will need to weather the freshman wall that they seem to hit, but hopefully it will come at different times and not all at once.

[Norm Peterson]

 

 

Anyone want to change their picks after watching the scrimmage tonight?

All you guys who said two years or more have some esplainin' to do.

When I posted the above, there were 47 total votes and 11 of them were for 2 years or more to make the dance.

Now, there are 48 votes and 12 for 2 years or more.

After what I saw tonight, I'm more confident than ever.

And someone who waited until now to cast a vote was obviously unmoved by the newbies' performance at the scrimmage tonight.

Personally, I was blown away.

Norm, you do it every year.

Actually, this isn't true. I looked it up. Last year, when we went into the season ranked but didn't make the dance, I was very optimistic. The year before when we did make the dance, I had been rather pessimistic.  The year before that, I was pessimistic and, turns out, I was right.

 

So, I've been wrong two of the last three years. 

 

Which means I'm due. 

[swoof]

Changing my vote to this year.

 

I think I've solved the height problem provided Morrow can quit cutting his hair and grow a decent afro. He'd be at least 7' according to Fletch, and Fletch has never led me astray.

 

[hskr4life]

I think there is a very real possibility that we have a sneaky good season this year.

[hhcmatt]

I say we are "there" now. Here's why (based in part on what we saw last night):

1. In today's shorter-clock era, we have at least three players who can create their own shot and score at a high percentage: Shavon is Shavon + another year of maturity; Andrew, with length and quickness, can either create a three or drive to the middle with a step back jumper at any time; and Glenn can create a shot from the point whenever needed (that floater from his baseline drive last night was a thing of beauty). And Andrew is an offense step-up from Terran, with a higher percentage-in-a-pinch scoring.

 

 

Do Shavon and Andrew have the mentality to score when the other team schemes to lock them down? I think they'll be our main scoring options but there were times where Shavon was locked down. Does he have the mentality to score because it's necessary for him to score? I sure hope White can live up to his shooting reputation but he is not Terran Petteway, which is good and bad. There will be a careful-what-you-wish-for moments when we lose games and the gripe was that White wasn't jacking up enough shots. I do believe Watson will be a guy who eventually becomes a killer though that would be so tough to do his freshman year.

 

I think all of these guys are all nice offensive players but which of them can truly become the man like Talley or Petteway if we need that?  I'm not sure at this point.

[Norm Peterson]

I think all of these guys are all nice offensive players but which of them can truly become the man like Talley or Petteway if we need that?  I'm not sure at this point.

Anton Gill can.  Did you see him at the scrimmage?  Dude is nails.  I could go on, but he possesses a skill that we haven't had much around here in many years, that I'm glad to see us have again.  He's the guy I've been complaining we didn't have:  The guy who can elevate and get a shot off in traffic. 

 

Everybody probably remembers my constant refrain after games last year, which was that we didn't have guys willing to take shots.  The offense would generate open looks and then no one would take the shot but pass the ball instead.  If there was any defender in within their zip code, they were passing the ball off.

 

Gill doesn't need a lot of space.  He showed that several times during the scrimmage.  He gets terrific elevation on his jump, he has a very nice, smooth, high release, he gets to the spot quickly and can elevate on a dime.  He might have been the best player at the scrimmage due to his ability to shoot off the dribble and also slash to the basket. 

 

Gill.  He's that guy.

[49r]

 

I think all of these guys are all nice offensive players but which of them can truly become the man like Talley or Petteway if we need that?  I'm not sure at this point.

Anton Gill can.  Did you see him at the scrimmage?  Dude is nails.  I could go on, but he possesses a skill that we haven't had much around here in many years, that I'm glad to see us have again.  He's the guy I've been complaining we didn't have:  The guy who can elevate and get a shot off in traffic. 

 

Everybody probably remembers my constant refrain after games last year, which was that we didn't have guys willing to take shots.  The offense would generate open looks and then no one would take the shot but pass the ball instead.  If there was any defender in within their zip code, they were passing the ball off.

 

Gill doesn't need a lot of space.  He showed that several times during the scrimmage.  He gets terrific elevation on his jump, he has a very nice, smooth, high release, he gets to the spot quickly and can elevate on a dime.  He might have been the best player at the scrimmage due to his ability to shoot off the dribble and also slash to the basket. 

 

Gill.  He's that guy.

 

 

Seems to me (at least based on the scrimmage) that Bakari Evelyn might be a dark horse to be that guy as well.

[Fullbacksympathy]

I think we have enough raw talent to be there this year.  If the coaches can scheme it right and instill confidence, we've got a shot.  

 

I think Watson and Morrow, in particular, are huge compliments to Shields and White offensively.  I don't think either one (i.e. Watson or Morrow) can be guarded one on one.  

 

If we get a healthy Jacobson, I think we'll roll out a complete team with serviceable bigs.  

[hhcmatt]

 

I think all of these guys are all nice offensive players but which of them can truly become the man like Talley or Petteway if we need that?  I'm not sure at this point.

Anton Gill can.  Did you see him at the scrimmage?  Dude is nails.  I could go on, but he possesses a skill that we haven't had much around here in many years, that I'm glad to see us have again.  He's the guy I've been complaining we didn't have:  The guy who can elevate and get a shot off in traffic. 

 

Everybody probably remembers my constant refrain after games last year, which was that we didn't have guys willing to take shots.  The offense would generate open looks and then no one would take the shot but pass the ball instead.  If there was any defender in within their zip code, they were passing the ball off.

 

Gill doesn't need a lot of space.  He showed that several times during the scrimmage.  He gets terrific elevation on his jump, he has a very nice, smooth, high release, he gets to the spot quickly and can elevate on a dime.  He might have been the best player at the scrimmage due to his ability to shoot off the dribble and also slash to the basket. 

 

Gill.  He's that guy.

 

 

Gill isn't playing this year though.

[HB]

 

I think all of these guys are all nice offensive players but which of them can truly become the man like Talley or Petteway if we need that?  I'm not sure at this point.

Anton Gill can.  Did you see him at the scrimmage?  Dude is nails.  I could go on, but he possesses a skill that we haven't had much around here in many years, that I'm glad to see us have again.  He's the guy I've been complaining we didn't have:  The guy who can elevate and get a shot off in traffic. 

 

Everybody probably remembers my constant refrain after games last year, which was that we didn't have guys willing to take shots.  The offense would generate open looks and then no one would take the shot but pass the ball instead.  If there was any defender in within their zip code, they were passing the ball off.

 

Gill doesn't need a lot of space.  He showed that several times during the scrimmage.  He gets terrific elevation on his jump, he has a very nice, smooth, high release, he gets to the spot quickly and can elevate on a dime.  He might have been the best player at the scrimmage due to his ability to shoot off the dribble and also slash to the basket. 

 

Gill.  He's that guy.

 

Norm, I haven't seen him yet.  Is he a bigger Nate Johnson with regard to elevating and getting the shot off?

[Norm Peterson]

No.  Don't remember seeing Nate shoot off the dribble.  Nate was good driving the ball or catching and shooting in rhythm.  Don't remember Nate so much shooting the ball in traffic. 

 

I would liken what I saw from Anton Gill more to that kid from KSU a few years ago, Denis Clemente.  Dribble behind a screen and elevate for a (made) shot.

 

I remember complaining a lot last year about guys on the team not wanting to take the shot.  Passing up open looks.  Maybe relying too much on Petteway, but certainly not being willing to attempt a shot if there's a defender within 10 feet.  There were looks where our guys received the ball in rhythm and should have been able to catch the ball and shoot.  But too many times they passed up those open looks.

 

With a 30 second clock, that'll be even more of a problem because you might not get another look that's as good.

 

And I don't think that'll be a problem with Gill.  He seems to have a lot of confidence in his stroke and he gets up high enough and has quick enough of a release that he can get his shot off even with people around him.  That's a skill that it's nice to have someone on your team possess.

[Norm Peterson]

I would love to imagine what the votes would have been like if we'd had Paschal Chukwu along with Anton Gill sitting out as a redshirt transfers.

[49r]

Thought this might be a decent time to bump this thread.  After watching the game last night, I'm considering changing my vote.

[hhcmatt]

Thought this might be a decent time to bump this thread.  After watching the game last night, I'm considering changing my vote.

 

I'm still sticking with a year away with a post player. 

[49r]

 

Thought this might be a decent time to bump this thread.  After watching the game last night, I'm considering changing my vote.

 

I'm still sticking with a year away with a post player. 

 

 

I voted two years away originally, this ^^^ is what I am leaning towards now.

[Norm Peterson]

 

Thought this might be a decent time to bump this thread.  After watching the game last night, I'm considering changing my vote.

 

I'm still sticking with a year away with a post player. 

 

That was my pick as well, and I'm sticking with it.

[PimpMario]

This year. I think we win a lot of noncon tossup games this year we normally don't, avoid let downs and get 8 B1G wins.

[Norm Peterson]

Next year's killer starting lineup:

 

PG  G. Watson

SG  A. Gill

SF  A.  White

PF  E. Morrow

C  A. Post

 

 

(Bench scorers:  Evelyn, McVeigh, Jacobson, Roby, Horne)

[swoof]

Next year's killer starting lineup:

 

PG  G. Watson

SG  A. Gill

SF  A.  White

PF  E. Morrow

C  A. Post

 

 

(Bench scorers:  Evelyn, McVeigh, Jacobson, Roby, Horne)

 

A. Post's film has me extremely excited. When is he signing?

[Red Don]

 

Thought this might be a decent time to bump this thread.  After watching the game last night, I'm considering changing my vote.

 

I'm still sticking with a year away with a post player. 

 

 

Me too!

[Norm Peterson]

 

Next year's killer starting lineup:

 

PG  G. Watson

SG  A. Gill

SF  A.  White

PF  E. Morrow

C  A. Post

 

 

(Bench scorers:  Evelyn, McVeigh, Jacobson, Roby, Horne)

 

A. Post's film has me extremely excited. When is he signing?

 

Has to wait until spring now.  Look for him to blow up between now and then.  If the big boys get involved, though ...

[49r]

A. Post has an interesting nickname, Norm.  They call him "A. 'JUCO' Post"

[Handy Johnson]

 

Thought this might be a decent time to bump this thread.  After watching the game last night, I'm considering changing my vote.

 

I'm still sticking with a year away with a post player. 

 

Yes, I'd feel a WHOLE lot better if we had a Derrick Chandler or a Kimani Ffriend in the hopper...