Anybody else REALLY like this team?

[RobDerhak]

I'm not talking crazy talk here.  I don't think this will be a case of last years Texas team, which was arguably better without Durant.  I have a hard time seeing that as a possibility for this squad.

That being said, I really couldn't be more impressed with what I have seen through the first handful of games...

Clemente/Pullen is a really top-notch guard combo (especially when they are hitting 3's).  Both can defend, and both have that ability to be selfish/unselfish depending on if they are in the game at 1 or 2.  Depth there is a bit of a concern however.  Fred Brown still hasn't shown me much.  Maybe if he stopped shooting like a girl it would help.

Sutton looks like he is going to be an absolutely UNREAL defender.  He stuck with that fast little guard from Oakland tonight (granted, it's Oakland) exceptionally well.  I think he can be a shut down defender in the Big XII.  I'd like to see big steps from him @ the offensive end of the court though.

Samuels has impressed thus far.

The big weakness I see is inside.  We have bodies ad nauseum (Colon, Anderson, Herrera, Ojeleye, Kent), but none of them are interior forces offensively (Anderson has shown the most in that category, but it was in spurts late last season, and Kent is like a really really poor mans Teshawn Prince).  All of them can rebound though, and there are fouls to give with so many interchangeable parts.

I think the North is going to be better than it has been given credit for at this point.  ku will be in, Nebraska & Mizzou will both be bubble teams.  I think we are somewhere between the two levels.  I think a 10-6 conference mark again is in no way outside the realm of possibility...

[Cem Blasoflas]

Yes.

And the inside is not a weakness.  It's just not an offensive strength.

[RobDerhak]

Yes.

And the inside is not a weakness.  It's just not an offensive strength.

Well, I started to put 'weakness' in quotations, but opted against it, but I generally agree with you.  However, I do see it as a weekness in some respects because there will be nights when the outside shots aren't falling and if Clemente/Pullen aren't able to penetrate, we could be in for long nights...

[doom]

It will be a weakness come big12 time and some this weekend.  

[threadkiller]

Honestly though, 10-6 should never be out of the relm of possibility in the North for the forseable future. 

[dyshod]

Anderson has shown the most in that category, but it was in spurts late last season

Ron might challenge Abdul for the worst big on the team this year.

[ksu_FAN]

I do like this team.  Due to various circumstances I haven't been able to see the Cats and was finally able to tonight.  Nice group to watch.

Def a group that will go as far as Clemente/Pullen take it.  Clemente seemed to take more of the PG role tonight when both were in the game.  Granted, we can't expect this caliber of shooting every game, but these two can do a lot and can win a lot of games.

Sutton is definitely another key, could sort of take on a slightly different version of a Hoskins role.  Muscle/athlete up a few shots, get some trash, and play great defense.  Not quite there as a shooter, but hopefully can develop a better game off the dribble.  Still doesn't look completely comfortable offensively.

The bigman by committee will be a third key.  Def some potential there to produce, but also to be awful.  Hopefully can keep at least 2 playing well on any given night.

The final factor right now is getting something from Brown.  Not much tonight, but when Clem/Pull aren't on we'll need another threat.  Maybe Awaji down the line as well (hopefully).

I was impressed that we managed a game against a team that tried to muddy it up with a zone.  Handled it fairly well, though we've got to get a bit more ball movement and get the ball in the middle when shots aren't falling.

Rebounding needs to be more consistent, not just relying on "out-athleting" people all the time, and need to avoid periods of sloppy play.  Also let Oakland shooters get space a few too many times.

Overall a solid 5th game for a pretty young team.  Nice to have a guard-led team at the 'Gon again.

[steve dave]

Good summary _fan.   

[AzCat]

They're getting better.  Rapidly.  And that's a lot of fun to watch.  In the end I may enjoy watching this team more than last year's version.   

[westcoast_ksufan]

I really want Sutton to start hitting some outside shots. Because I can already see in the future Big XII teams scouting us and saying to sag of nique and force him to score from the outside. This will take away his slashing ability and potentially make him limited on the offensive end to scoring on putbacks and not scoring by creating or distrubiting to others.

[Skydog]

I really want Sutton to start hitting some outside shots. Because I can already see in the future Big XII teams scouting us and saying to sag of nique and force him to score from the outside. This will take away his slashing ability and potentially make him limited on the offensive end to scoring on putbacks and not scoring by creating or distrubiting to others.

Agreed. I REALLY want Sutton to be a good shooter. If he develops a good shot he will be 

[michigancat]

I just like they play balls-to-the-walls hard all the time.  They just play ridiculously hard IMO.

[KSU4ME]

I love them when they're hitting jumpers.  This is the first time in a long time that I've seen legit guard play, and it's very refreshing.  Also the first time I've seen the team really be able to run and not frack it up.

The bigs are a major weakness though.

[SUPERKSUFAN]

I want JamSam to be a starter.  I just love this guy.  My new crush for this season 

[Olathecatbanker]

I am a fan.  Frank knows what he is doing.  I think the Cleveland State win was a big deal.  It is easy to roll teams at home.  We were a road dog and the game was not close.  There will not be a crowd in Vegas to speak of.  So if he can keep them focused, I think Kentucky is a very winnable game.  I would love to get a shot at Hugs.   

[Winters]

Anderson has shown the most in that category, but it was in spurts late last season

Ron might challenge Abdul for the worst big on the team this year.

Colon 

[RobDerhak]

Anderson has shown the most in that category, but it was in spurts late last season

Ron might challenge Abdul for the worst big on the team this year.

Colon 

You HAVE to give Colon at least some credit though.  The guy must have dropped 30 pounds of blubber since last March.  He's not good, but at least he's trying, so he's off of my sh*t list

[KSU4ME]

Ron's the team's leading rebounder.

Makes me cry.

[Skycat]

That was a ridiculously fun game to watch on TV.  Even if the wins don't come, they're going to be more fun to watch than any non-Beasley enhanced K-State team since, I dunno, Ski and Beane?

[cas]

Ron Anderson through me a loop with his new hair.

[KSU4ME]

Ron Anderson through me a loop with his new hair.

I think that scroll tat is new as well.

[michigancat]

That was a ridiculously fun game to watch on TV.  Even if the wins don't come, they're going to be more fun to watch than any non-Beasley enhanced K-State team since, I dunno, Ski and Beane?

I agree.  It's so much fun to see (athletic) guys play as hard as they do.