Author Topic: OFFICIAL "WELCOME ROBERT UPSHAW TO KSU CATS" THREAD (Read 25222 times)

Underdog Wildcat · « **Reply #75 on:** December 27, 2011, 09:40:56 PM »

Any good souls out there who also happen to ESPN Insiders? Any mention of Upshaw in the following update?

http://insider.espn.go.com/college-sports/recruiting/basketball/mens/story?id=7383462&_slug_=california-holiday-tournaments-recap&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fcollege-sports%2frecruiting%2fbasketball%2fmens%2fstory%3fid%3d7383462%26_slug_%3dcalifornia-holiday-tournaments-recap

Mixed-Nutz · « **Reply #76 on:** December 27, 2011, 10:37:25 PM »

Quote

Robert Upshaw (Fresno, Calif./San Joaquin Memorial)
2012, C, 6-11, 250 pounds
College: Kansas State
Upshaw, who is headed to the Big 12 next fall, has progressed in many areas of his game, but he is still a major project overall. He shows solid timing on the defensive end and should be a major factor protecting the rim for the Wildcats. Offensively, he is a gifted passer out of the post and he possesses an improved skill set (jump hooks, face-up jump shots, etc). However, he is still quite raw and he plays too straight-up-and-down (gets off balance) while rebounding and operating on the offensive end. In addition, he needs to do a better job of keeping the ball high (brings the ball down before finishing around the rim). Like most bigs, the process takes time and thus it will be intriguing to see his development over the course of his career.

Found this interesting, could it be an Evan's placement?

Quote

Nairn Lourawls (Bel Aire, Kan./Sunrise Christian)
2014, PG, 5-10, 155 pounds
Lourawls, who is originally from the Bahamas, is a lightning quick point guard for the Division I level. He possesses a strong frame with solid length and quick hands. He has a great burst in the open court and he knows when to pull it back to monitor the defense. He gets to the rim due to his elite speed, strength and quickness. In addition, he has the vision to locate teammates for easy buckets. He keeps his handle low and tight and is difficult to keep contained, while penetrating. He needs to polish his jump shot and extend his range on it, but he is a legitimate talent.

Underdog Wildcat · « **Reply #77 on:** December 27, 2011, 10:45:54 PM »

MN delivers

Regarding Lourawls, that would seem to be a logical connection with Evans and the Bahamas, but I'm not certain that's the case. Sunrise has another Bahamian on their roster, Class of '12 6'4" 4* wing Buddy Hield, who signed w/OU, and I don't recall KSU showing much if any interest in him during his recruitment.

It's possible that there's an Evans/Bahamas/Sunrise connection but there's not much evidence that it does exist yet.

sys · « **Reply #78 on:** December 27, 2011, 11:18:30 PM »

sunrise has a bahamian pipeline, it has nothing to do with evans.

MakeItRain · « **Reply #79 on:** December 27, 2011, 11:35:50 PM »

Quote from: Underdog Wildcat on December 27, 2011, 10:45:54 PM

MN delivers

Regarding Lourawls, that would seem to be a logical connection with Evans and the Bahamas, but I'm not certain that's the case. Sunrise has another Bahamian on their roster, Class of '12 6'4" 4* wing Buddy Hield, who signed w/OU, and I don't recall KSU showing much if any interest in him during his recruitment.

It's possible that there's an Evans/Bahamas/Sunrise connection but there's not much evidence that it does exist yet.

Let me know if you're coming down to check Sunrise out.

Underdog Wildcat · « **Reply #80 on:** December 28, 2011, 09:08:39 AM »

Quote from: MakeItRain on December 27, 2011, 11:35:50 PM

Quote from: Underdog Wildcat on December 27, 2011, 10:45:54 PM
MN delivers

Regarding Lourawls, that would seem to be a logical connection with Evans and the Bahamas, but I'm not certain that's the case. Sunrise has another Bahamian on their roster, Class of '12 6'4" 4* wing Buddy Hield, who signed w/OU, and I don't recall KSU showing much if any interest in him during his recruitment.

It's possible that there's an Evans/Bahamas/Sunrise connection but there's not much evidence that it does exist yet.

Let me know if you're coming down to check Sunrise out.

I'll be sure to do that, will probably PM you sometime.

williamthewildcat · « **Reply #81 on:** December 29, 2011, 02:00:22 AM »

Fellas,

I owe you all an apology. I haven't been able to get to any other games this month. When I arrived here to take a new job, unfortunately my car didn't make it out here with me.It was supposed to be shipped out but it never got here. So, in order to see Big Rob play, I had to take a cab or ride my bicycle. Which is wha I had to do in order to get to work each day. (28 miles round trip.)

I'm pleased to announce I just got back from KC and drove my car back. Also, I now have a brand new camera. So there will be some good shots of Big Rob and his family as I now can attend every game from this point forward.

KSUTOMMY · « **Reply #82 on:** December 29, 2011, 03:54:57 AM »

Quote from: williamthewildcat on December 29, 2011, 02:00:22 AM

Fellas,

I owe you all an apology. I haven't been able to get to any other games this month. When I arrived here to take a new job, unfortunately my car didn't make it out here with me.It was supposed to be shipped out but it never got here. So, in order to see Big Rob play, I had to take a cab or ride my bicycle. Which is wha I had to do in order to get to work each day. (28 miles round trip.)

I'm pleased to announce I just got back from KC and drove my car back. Also, I now have a brand new camera. So there will be some good shots of Big Rob and his family as I now can attend every game from this point forward.

William, doing God's work...

Stevesie60 · « **Reply #83 on:** December 29, 2011, 09:45:32 AM »

Quote from: williamthewildcat on December 29, 2011, 02:00:22 AM

Fellas,

I owe you all an apology. I haven't been able to get to any other games this month. When I arrived here to take a new job, unfortunately my car didn't make it out here with me.It was supposed to be shipped out but it never got here. So, in order to see Big Rob play, I had to take a cab or ride my bicycle. Which is wha I had to do in order to get to work each day. (28 miles round trip.)

I'm pleased to announce I just got back from KC and drove my car back. Also, I now have a brand new camera. So there will be some good shots of Big Rob and his family as I now can attend every game from this point forward.

Commence slow clap.

Dugout DickStone · « **Reply #84 on:** December 29, 2011, 11:08:04 AM »

Quote from: williamthewildcat on December 29, 2011, 02:00:22 AM

Fellas,

I owe you all an apology. I haven't been able to get to any other games this month. When I arrived here to take a new job, unfortunately my car didn't make it out here with me.It was supposed to be shipped out but it never got here. So, in order to see Big Rob play, I had to take a cab or ride my bicycle. Which is wha I had to do in order to get to work each day. (28 miles round trip.)

I'm pleased to announce I just got back from KC and drove my car back. Also, I now have a brand new camera. So there will be some good shots of Big Rob and his family as I now can attend every game from this point forward.

Godspeed

williamthewildcat · « **Reply #85 on:** January 07, 2012, 05:51:07 PM »

Hello again!

Here are the last two synopses of the games I've seen.

December 29th In the Clovis Elks Invitational 3rd place game our Big Rob scored 24 and had 13 rebounds against Edison High School.

Big Rob really dominated Edison. Big Rob's conditioning still seems a question mark to me. Although I'm not lugging 275 #'s up and down the court. But he again had about 4 thunderous dunks that shook the hell out of the place. Big Rob is a funny guy too. He jokes around with the other guys quite a bit. It was rout from the tip off.

SJMHS 64-44 over Edison.

==================================================================================================

Wednesday night after listening to the KSU game, I went to the Central gym to watch SJMHS play Central. Continuing a trend that I think I may have discussed after the first SJMHS game I saw, the Central guards really pressured the ball and it resulted in very few touches for Big Rob. He tends to get a little frustrated at times like this. He picked a few loose balls and slammed the living crap out of them and that seemed to assuage some of the frustration.

Big Rob had 10 at the half but they were mostly on putbacks. Central had two SR. players around 6'4" that fronted Big Rob to deny the entry pass and they did a great job on block outs to keep him off the boards. Big Rob was visibly frustrated leaving the court.He didn't smile for the camera for the first time.

Central's guards pressured full court the entire game and they caused 10 first half turnovers which resulted in several run outs for Central as they built a 16 point half time lead. In the 3rd quarter Big Rob had a few touches and made good on them. Late in the 3rd and early in the 4th the SJMHS guards finally started attacking the press properly and when they broke it they tossed a lob to Big Rob who absolutely flushed the living hell out of the ball. During this run, if Central would not come out to cover the perimeter after breaking the press, they launched a three and hit one or two to help cut into the deficit.

In the 4th quarter SJMHS got it going by bringing Big Rob up to half court to help break the press. This allowed the guards to exploit the open floor a little and they cut into the lead. Central adjusted after SJMHS cut the lead from 17 to 12. When Central continued to overplay SJMHS would hit Big Rob at mid court, race down the wing for the return pass. Big Rob would then roll directly to the hoop and in a span of about 2.5 minutes he dunked on everybody. I mean left handed, right handed, behind the head tomahawk monster slams. Brought the whole place to their feet. After a 10-0 run SJMHS was within two with 2:30 to play.

But alas, SJ's guards were abused again. Central ran a very solid weave at the key and eventually freed up Jaquan Williams who cut across the lane and hit a really tough running shot (Southwell-seque) going against his dominant hand. That pushed the lead to 4 and SJ turned it over on consecutive possessions to effectively end the game,

Final was 60-52 Central.

Pics will be forthcoming.

williamthewildcat · « **Reply #86 on:** January 07, 2012, 06:03:30 PM »

A couple of other notes. I think Rob wore out those Purple high tops he was wearing. He had some other standard def shoes at the last two games.

And I missed the game last night due to watching the Cotton Bowl.

sys · « **Reply #87 on:** January 07, 2012, 06:42:57 PM »

did you see martin or any other kstate staffers at any of his games?

williamthewildcat · « **Reply #88 on:** January 07, 2012, 07:00:45 PM »

Sys,

Nobody from KSU yet that I recognized. The folks at Memorial and even opposing fans have come up to me and asked me if I had any affiliation with KSU because I wear a KSU cap. I had to stop wearing it.

sys · « **Reply #89 on:** January 07, 2012, 07:04:31 PM »

thanks.

kstater · « **Reply #90 on:** January 07, 2012, 08:34:39 PM »

Excellent work WTI, though I'm still waiting on the video you promised.

mcmwcat · « **Reply #91 on:** January 07, 2012, 08:53:58 PM »

awesome

Trim · « **Reply #92 on:** January 07, 2012, 09:09:07 PM »

willthecat, when will you, sys and pike's first fresno pak'rs event be?

felix rex · « **Reply #93 on:** January 07, 2012, 09:23:10 PM »

Loved the rundown. You should do these live during the games.

Stevesie60 · « **Reply #94 on:** January 07, 2012, 09:59:22 PM »

Big Rob sounds adorable.

williamthewildcat · « **Reply #95 on:** January 27, 2012, 10:32:46 PM »

Synopses of the last three I've seen:

At Madera High School. The best thing(s) about this game:

1) The Madera gymnasium is one of those really fun places to watch a game. The stands sit up high around the court and you can sit right behind the bench and and be a real pain in the ass for the coach of the player of your favorite team. It's really quiet when it's quiet and it's really loud when it's loud, even though there were only 70 people there. Great gym. It's built like the old Hayden East gym in downtown Topeka.

2) During the pregame intro, as they are introducing Big Rob, the announcer guy says: "And starting at Center for the SJMHS Panthers (... there was a long, dramatic pause and I yelled out from right behind the SJMHS bench) " AND FUTURE KSU WILDCAT"!!!!!! announcer guy was a bit flustered by this as he stared at me and then said ."Um... R.. Robert Upshaw.

SJMHS's coach gave me the stink eye over that one. He eyeballed me pretty good. I laughed. Big Rob laughed and pointed at me.

Oh yea, the game:
Madera isn't very good and Big Rob didn't seem much interested. For the second time since I've gone to the games, he looked like he was out of shape. He was huffing and puffing up and down the floor. Again, Big Rob only saw the ball on rare occasions and when he did get a nice entry pass, he made the mistake of putting the ball on the floor, where all the guards cam down low for help and stole the ball.

Big Rob did have a a great play where he tapped away an inbounds pass, chased it down and gave it the mother bear of all one handed tomahawk slams. I fist pumped. (From the other end of the gym as SJMHS's coach kept getting pissed at me for taking pictures over the railing. One of them was when he looked right at me and I have him sort of the Men In Black neuralizer. The flash burst right in his eyes and I think he wanted to kill me.

F'ing hilarious, I have to admit I'm more a 'tuck aged' fan, but this little trip back in time was hella fun for me.

Oh, yea, SJMHS won 69-42. Game was terrible. The other stuff made the game bearable.

Tobias · « **Reply #96 on:** January 27, 2012, 10:39:01 PM »

i love your reports... it feels like i'm there

thank you.

p.s. - i'm most excited about what looks to be big rob's seamless transition into adorablecat status

Dr Rick Daris · « **Reply #97 on:** January 27, 2012, 10:40:12 PM »

Quote from: williamthewildcat on January 27, 2012, 10:32:46 PM

Synopses of the last three I've seen:

At Madera High School. The best thing(s) about this game:

1) The Madera gymnasium is one of those really fun places to watch a game. The stands sit up high around the court and you can sit right behind the bench and and be a real pain in the ass for the coach of the player of your favorite team. It's really quiet when it's quiet and it's really loud when it's loud, even though there were only 70 people there. Great gym. It's built like the old Hayden East gym in downtown Topeka.

2) During the pregame intro, as they are introducing Big Rob, the announcer guy says: "And starting at Center for the SJMHS Panthers (... there was a long, dramatic pause and I yelled out from right behind the SJMHS bench) " AND FUTURE KSU WILDCAT"!!!!!! announcer guy was a bit flustered by this as he stared at me and then said ."Um... R.. Robert Upshaw.

SJMHS's coach gave me the stink eye over that one. He eyeballed me pretty good. I laughed. Big Rob laughed and pointed at me.

Oh yea, the game:
Madera isn't very good and Big Rob didn't seem much interested. For the second time since I've gone to the games, he looked like he was out of shape. He was huffing and puffing up and down the floor. Again, Big Rob only saw the ball on rare occasions and when he did get a nice entry pass, he made the mistake of putting the ball on the floor, where all the guards cam down low for help and stole the ball.

Big Rob did have a a great play where he tapped away an inbounds pass, chased it down and gave it the mother bear of all one handed tomahawk slams. I fist pumped. (From the other end of the gym as SJMHS's coach kept getting pissed at me for taking pictures over the railing. One of them was when he looked right at me and I have him sort of the Men In Black neuralizer. The flash burst right in his eyes and I think he wanted to kill me.

F'ing hilarious, I have to admit I'm more a 'tuck aged' fan, but this little trip back in time was hella fun for me.

Oh, yea, SJMHS won 69-42. Game was terrible. The other stuff made the game bearable.

of my god. don't stop with these. don't ever stop.

sys · « **Reply #98 on:** January 27, 2012, 10:44:56 PM »

Quote from: williamthewildcat on January 27, 2012, 10:32:46 PM

During the pregame intro, as they are introducing Big Rob, the announcer guy says: "And starting at Center for the SJMHS Panthers (... there was a long, dramatic pause and I yelled out from right behind the SJMHS bench) " AND FUTURE KSU WILDCAT"!!!!!! announcer guy was a bit flustered by this as he stared at me and then said ."Um... R.. Robert Upshaw.

good job, william.

williamthewildcat · « **Reply #99 on:** January 27, 2012, 10:46:30 PM »

Game two:

SJMHS vs Sunnyside High School. First time I felt uncomfortable in this city. It's kind of a wild place. Sunnyside (6_14), like Madera isn't very good. I was sitting behind the bench and the SJ coach saw me and again gave me the stink eye. I moved to the other side of the court so as not disturb the squad. I wanted to neuralize him again, but thought better of it.

Big Rob scored 21 and grabbed 10 bounds, and blocked 7 shots. Highlight was two handed over the head chocolate thunder mash that he threw down. He looked better and more interested in this game. He didn't seem to run out of gas like he did in the Madera game. I dunno, maybe it's just me. Still has the poor habit of bringing the ball down to waist level after an OReb and getting tied up or getting picked.

Big Rob came over and smiled at me and pointed at my K-State hat. (prolly pissed off the coach too).