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Post by oakland94 on Nov 2, 2010 6:41:04 GMT -5
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Post by blackandgold on Dec 31, 2010 12:22:30 GMT -5
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Post by Garry Gilbert on Mar 19, 2011 9:58:47 GMT -5
Is it too early to start talking about what the starting lineup will look like come November?
G - Reggie Hamilton G - Travis Bader G - Blake Cushingberry F - Drew Valentine F - Who?
What can Cory Petros and Kyle Sikora contribute as redshirt freshmen? Can they rebound and run and play defense? Will Ryan Bass take over at the point?
This team should be able to run and shoot the ball. Without Kito Benson and WIll Hudson, though, this is a dramatically different style of basketball.
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Post by blackandgold on Mar 19, 2011 10:19:01 GMT -5
Paul Kampe of the Oakland Press has a piece in the Oakland Press today on next season offering some general thoughts and info: www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2011/03/19/sports/grizzlies/doc4d8454d0ade56623450476.txtI feel like the starting three from this year - Reggie, Bader, and Valentine - will stay the same. Ilija will probably get a much deserved chance to prove he can be the starting center. There are probably a few more changes that will happen over the next few months that will let us know a lot more about where the roster is heading. For instance, if PLP commits to Oakland, hard to see the entirety of the bench staying with the team. Just too many guys, and unless some really talented players are content playing 6 minutes a game, then I do believe we will have at least one transfer over the summer by a Ledrick Eackles or a Ryan Bass (or maybe all of that depth is reason enough for PLP to go elsewhere). Where does the recruitment of Mott's Doug Anderson stand? And there is also some speculation that the team is after another big man from the JuCo level who could beef up the frontcourt. Whatever happens, it'll be fascinating to see how it all plays out. It'll be different, but with some quality pieces to get excited about.
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Post by Leobrn12 on Mar 19, 2011 10:20:38 GMT -5
I believe the Serbian assian will get the first chance to start at C, if that doesn't work out then I see Petros getting the starting nod. I have high hopes for Petros, and honestly I don't expect much from Kyle. Anyone notice Kyle on the bench during the Summit league tourney, he showed NO EMOTION. When the whole bench was up screaming, he was sitting and giving a lazy clap. I honestly hope I am wrong about Kyle, but first impressions of him are not good.
We are definitively going to be an guard orientated team next year:
Cush LLP Hamilton Bass Bader Eackles
I expect Pooches to redshirt and Williams to get some PT.
Here is my super early starting lineup Prediction
Guard - Hamiltion Guard - Bader Guard - Cush Center - Ilija Forward - Valentine
With LLP, Eackles, Bass, & Petros getting significant minutes off the bench. Actually it looks like we will have more of a bench next year than we did this year.
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Post by blackandgold on Mar 19, 2011 10:26:43 GMT -5
honestly I don't expect much from Kyle. Anyone notice Kyle on the bench during the Summit league tourney, he showed NO EMOTION. When the whole bench was up screaming, he was sitting and giving a lazy clap. I honestly hope I am wrong about Kyle, but first impressions of him are not good. I feel you, man. But you can pretty much replace "Kyle" with "Kito" in that paragraph from four years ago and it would still be spot-on. Not saying Kyle will be Kito-esque, but that I'm not bumming on a dude because he doesn't have any emotion.
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Post by Leobrn12 on Mar 19, 2011 10:40:09 GMT -5
honestly I don't expect much from Kyle. Anyone notice Kyle on the bench during the Summit league tourney, he showed NO EMOTION. When the whole bench was up screaming, he was sitting and giving a lazy clap. I honestly hope I am wrong about Kyle, but first impressions of him are not good. I feel you, man. But you can pretty much replace "Kyle" with "Kito" in that paragraph from four years ago and it would still be spot-on. Not saying Kyle will be Kito-esque, but that I'm not bumming on a dude because he doesn't have any emotion. Ya know when I first saw Kito at Oakland I thought too he wouldn't do anything at Oakland, and look what he ended up doing. I really hope I am wrong again. However, if kyle can be the half of what Benson was ill be thrilled.
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Post by ouguy on Mar 19, 2011 10:49:06 GMT -5
I'd love to eat my words next year, but I think we've seen the best Ilija could be, and it's nothing special. He has the size and the shooting skills, but he's soft, even softer on defense, and seems 3 steps behind our blistering fast guard-friendly offense we'll see next year. Seeing that we have two redshirt big men, I think Kampe is going to work those guys hard over the off-season to get them ready for real game play. Ilija as a senior next year, just doesnt have the service potential with 1 year of eligibility that two possibly just as useful big men have with 4 years of eligibility. Sure Ilija may be the starter for game 1, but I don't see him playing over 25 minutes a game, with a strong emphasis on using our freshman big men to get some real experience. If we don't get the big guy from JuCo or another solid big man recruit, we'll have to work our asses off to develop one of these two freshman.
My game 1 lineup:
- Reggie (lots and lots of Reggie) - Bader - Cush - Valentine - Ilija
but my mid-season starting lineup
- Reggie (this guys is playing 39+ minutes if he can) - Bader - Cush - Valentine - Petros, or maybe Sikora, whoever develops quicker
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Post by Garry Gilbert on Mar 19, 2011 11:07:34 GMT -5
I agree with Black & Gold's point that signing Patrick Lucas Perry would be a great move, but it would really complicate the backcourt situation. I hope Ledrick Eackles stays because he's one of the most talented guards in the Summit League. Ryan Bass brings speed and a passing game. I guess it wouldn't be a surprise if Matt Poches gets red-shirted and works on his shooting.
Doug Anderson is intriguing. Flint Mott plays tonight for the juco national championship in Danville, Ill. The Bears have a ton of talent. The beat writer from Mlive says Anderson is capable of dominating games at the junior college level.
If Lucas Perry goes elsewhere, maybe Anderson would be a good fit here. But what do I know about recruiting? I only know what I read.
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Post by blackandgold on Mar 19, 2011 11:14:10 GMT -5
If Lucas Perry goes elsewhere, maybe Anderson would be a good fit here. But what do I know about recruiting? I only know what I read. Haha great point, and same here. Coach Kampe knows his team and what he wants for his system. My only hope is that if they do go the JuCo route, that it doesn't mess with the chemistry the team has formed these last few years (and especially this year). On another note, aside from all the guards and everything and how the frontcourt will shape out, I am curious to see how Valentine and Cushingberry will coexist next season. To me, they seem like identical players. Even their bodies and size are similar. Drew seems like the more athletic player with a higher ceiling, but Cush was very useful in 09-10 at different points. Do they work being on the court at the same time? Or is it better to have them play the same role in different times on the court? These are the questions that intrigue me and give me excitement for the offeseason lol.
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