Questions for next year

[catzacker]

So, this year is over (<---this is just a cheapshot, not the point of the post, just let it go).  Looking ahead to next year:

1 – angel / jones / Sprads
2 – Sprads / Tay / jones
3 – McGruds / South
4 - ? / Nino? Watson?
5 – Gip / Diaz / JO / Upshaw / Euro

questions:
Who’s at the 4 spot?  I guess this is where Watson might not get Frank’d?  Nino is just awful, imo.  His really needed some PT this year to help his development.  I suppose Gip or Euro could be at the 4.  I suppose Frank could just go big, although I’m not found of that.

Will our guards be enough?  I dunno.  They aren't this year. 

’13, somehow someway, better include 2 top150-ish guards.  If somehow this staff coud pull a rabbit out of a hat for this class and get a top 150-ish guard then frank watson and omari.  I’m also kinda terrified of ’13 if Gip doesn’t develop into something special.  Angel will be better by then, but I don’t think he’s going to provide the scoring needed.  I don’t know where our scoring will come from then.

[Rage Against the McKee]

We are going to go big.

[michigancat]

The bigs are all interchangeable.

[Rage Against the McKee]

I'm actually hoping Diaz can improve enough to start next to JO. That kind of size could be a huge asset defensively, especially with Upshaw coming off the bench.

[kso_FAN]

The bigs are all interchangeable.

Yep. 

Next year all depends on our guards improving, and under Frank I expect the majority of his players to improve if they stay around. No doubt a 11/12 win Big 12 season and solid NCAA team should be the expectation.

[steve dave]

as awful as our guards looked last night I'm not really worried about them next year

[steve dave]

I don't know that gip is going to develop as much as most would like.  His game is pretty polished for a freshman big.  Will be a nice asset (already is) though. 

[Cire]

I don't know that gip is going to develop as much as most would like.  His game is pretty polished for a freshman big.  Will be a nice asset (already is) though. 

foot speed can be improved with training.  His weight could be an issue if he lets it, but he has the best hands and bbiq of all the bigs by far.

I think he's done a much better job of using his body to keep defenders away and drawing contact.

[sonofdaxjones]

Provided no bigs get Franked, this team is going to look damn impressive getting off the bus.

[Cire]

I don't see diaz or gip getting a boot.  they seem to try very hard and don't seem to be pouters.

[Rage Against the McKee]

Provided no bigs get Franked, this team is going to look damn impressive getting off the bus.

Very true. If Omari gets Franked, it could just be the BDILTGOTBOAT (best damned impressive-looking team getting off the bus of all time)

[catzacker]

The bigs are all interchangeable.

Yep. 

Next year all depends on our guards improving, and under Frank I expect the majority of his players to improve if they stay around. No doubt a 11/12 win Big 12 season and solid NCAA team should be the expectation.

I get the bigs’ interchangeableness (I don’t even know if that’s a word), but then  the question becomes can they be effective.  Will a lineup w/ Gip and Diaz or JO and Diaz be effective, given the additional minute they’ll have to play?  It will be interesting to see.  My hope is that Gip drops 10, gets some verticality, and develops a consistent ft line jumper. 

The guard lineup still scares me.  I have faith that a healthy Rodney will get better next year.  I just don’t believe that sugar and spice are going to be an effective duo.  Sugar is who he is - he’s gotten pushed around this year and I’m not a fan of Spice(at least I’m not a believer that Angel is the answer). 

[Rage Against the McKee]

The bigs are all interchangeable.

Yep. 

Next year all depends on our guards improving, and under Frank I expect the majority of his players to improve if they stay around. No doubt a 11/12 win Big 12 season and solid NCAA team should be the expectation.

I get the bigs’ interchangeableness (I don’t even know if that’s a word), but then  the question becomes can they be effective.  Will a lineup w/ Gip and Diaz or JO and Diaz be effective, given the additional minute they’ll have to play?  It will be interesting to see.  My hope is that Gip drops 10, gets some verticality, and develops a consistent ft line jumper. 

The guard lineup still scares me.  I have faith that a healthy Rodney will get better next year.  I just don’t believe that sugar and spice are going to be an effective duo.  Sugar is who he is - he’s gotten pushed around this year and I’m not a fan of Spice(at least I’m not a believer that Angel is the answer). 

We really need Upshaw to not be a bust, imo. If he can contribute solid minutes off the bench as a freshman, next year's team could be very good.

[CNS]

We really need Jones to be available and good next year.  That with a good off season w/ Angel should make all the diff in the world.

[slimz]

The bigs are all interchangeable.

Yep. 

Next year all depends on our guards improving, and under Frank I expect the majority of his players to improve if they stay around. No doubt a 11/12 win Big 12 season and solid NCAA team should be the expectation.

Given the number of upperclassmen on next year's team, my expectation is making the NCAA second weekend, or a good excuse why we didn't. (I.E., would accept an NCAA loss to a team that comes close to or makes the FF. Would not be very happy with another Wisconsin-ish loss. Not criticizing the past Wisconsin losses, just saying I expect more than that sort of 2nd-round loss next year.)

Perhaps some will say that's not reasonable given the personnel we have. Well, we should have better upperclass personnel in our coach's 6th year, then. It's not unreasonable to expect a team with so many juniors and seniors on it to be a strong contender to make the 2nd weekend.

[kso_FAN]

Given the number of upperclassmen on next year's team, my expectation is making the NCAA second weekend, or a good excuse why we didn't. (I.E., would accept an NCAA loss to a team that comes close to or makes the FF. Would not be very happy with another Wisconsin-ish loss. Not criticizing the past Wisconsin losses, just saying I expect more than that sort of 2nd-round loss next year.)

Perhaps some will say that's not reasonable given the personnel we have. Well, we should have better upperclass personnel in our coach's 6th year, then. It's not unreasonable to expect a team with so many juniors and seniors on it to be a strong contender to make the 2nd weekend.

I agree with all of that.

[Jackie Moon]

The bigs are all interchangeable.

Yep. 

Next year all depends on our guards improving, and under Frank I expect the majority of his players to improve if they stay around. No doubt a 11/12 win Big 12 season and solid NCAA team should be the expectation.

I get the bigs’ interchangeableness (I don’t even know if that’s a word), but then  the question becomes can they be effective.  Will a lineup w/ Gip and Diaz or JO and Diaz be effective, given the additional minute they’ll have to play?  It will be interesting to see.  My hope is that Gip drops 10, gets some verticality, and develops a consistent ft line jumper. 
The guard lineup still scares me.  I have faith that a healthy Rodney will get better next year.  I just don’t believe that sugar and spice are going to be an effective duo.  Sugar is who he is - he’s gotten pushed around this year and I’m not a fan of Spice(at least I’m not a believer that Angel is the answer). 

Would love for gip to develop a fifteen foot jumper consistently. Maybe he should train with Zach Randolph over the summer. Same body type, position, etc.

[kougar24]

as awful as our guards looked last night I'm not really worried about them next year

Why?

[sys]

i'm glad last night helped separate the wheat from the chaff amongst teamar-ters.  the wagon was a little crowded following a&m.

[kso_FAN]

i'm glad last night helped separate the wheat from the chaff amongst teamar-ters.  the wagon was a little crowded following a&m.

I was art-ting like crazy today. Of anything last night did more to confirm my spot on #teamart-t than any other game, which many will think strange.

[sys]

I was art-ting like crazy today. Of anything last night did more to confirm my spot on #teamart-t than any other game, which many will think strange.

no one every thought you were chaff, _fan.

[purplenutz]

as awful as our guards looked last night I'm not really worried about them next year

Why?

Why ask why? Why? Are you High? come on guy.

[Powercat Posse]

It will probably depend how quickly Upshaw is able to step in and show he can give quality minutes.    We could do what we are doing right now and give almost every single minute (4 and 5 spots) to a big.   

Shane was seeing minutes at the 4 earlier in the year, but when he started to struggle, that basicly stopped.   Diaz improving also played a factor.   

Not sure what to expect from Jones next year.     Gruds/Angel/Sprads are almost a lock to get lots of minutes at the 1-3 spots.   

Tay, Shane and Jones all trying to find minutes backing up those 3 spots......... unless Shane gets some minutes at the 4

Thats 10 guys.   Early in this season, we had 8 guys playing 15+ minutes with the 9th and 10th still seeing action in most games

IMO, Nino is a ways from being in that 10 man discussion.   Would not be shocked if Watson is a goner.   Not sure about Omari

 

[sys]

It will probably depend how quickly Upshaw is able to step in and show he can give quality minutes.    

 

any quality minute from either of the freshmen bigs would be a surprise and a bonus.


i can see jones getting a lot of minutes, if he can improve his body and learn to play average defense (no reason why he couldn´t do both with a full year).

[catzacker]

Is angel going to have the impact/production that pullen or clemente had by the time he us a junior or senior?  I don't believe he will.  He might sneak into all big12 2nd team when he us a senior.  Regardless, it's imperative that frank lands multiple combos in the '13 class or we'll just rinse and repeat this avoidable bullshit.