What to expect in next two years

Author

Comment

Wolf41

[-]

Posts: 2469

(March 10, 2008 12:51 PM)

RaiderRoundball.com

Westfield, I don't doubt that Butler will be strong next year. I'm just saying we'll be loaded. We only lose 2 seniors and the one recruit we have so far will be a junior from junior college. Next year we'll only have one senior, so we'll be strong for the next 2 years...if we can learn to shoot FTs.

As for the HL, I agree with the above comment about the league being very strong next year. I mean, UDM was last this year and they gave us two tough games during the regular season. So everyone needs to enjoy the Spring, Summer, and early Fall, because come November we, the HL, are in for a great season.

Question, does anyone think the HL may be transitioning to a league where we'll see teams playing 2 guards and 3 big men along the back line? I think the league seems to be getting taller. I won't be surprised next season to see WSU going with 3 big men, such as Grote/Horne, Lewis/Pressley, Land/Thomas. With that back line we could have Duggins as the 2 guard backed up by Brown/Tabler. The point could be handled by Graham/Gardner/Evans. If you want to run 3 guards, Todd could go in as a small forward.

The permutations we can put on the floor in any game will be tough to handle. As for the 13th man, I think the team could look for either a point guard or a small forward. Take the best player you can get at one of those positions, or save it for next year.

Go Raiders!

WSUTommyGun

Perception

[-]

Posts: 1371

(March 10, 2008 1:35 PM)

RaiderRoundball.com

Obviously, there is nothing wrong with having a positive outlook. I'm sure fans of every team will look for good things coming into any season. If you think a team needs x number of wins by March or an x seed for the conference tournament, can you enjoy a game or rejoice in success before you meet those goals? I know somebody that can sit and watch a game and won't decide if they enjoy a one point game until the last shot bounces in or out in his team's favor ( at least that is how it sounds listening to Scott Leo's postgame call-in show ).

Big Greg1

Mr. Grote

[-]

Posts: 515

(March 10, 2008 1:37 PM)

RaiderRoundball.com

I don't know what Scott Grote was listed at but put him next to Scottie Wilson and he is 220 and as tall. He has had a season to keep lifting. He is tenacious and competitive and can play inside or out. He will be a vocal leader for us next year as well.

wsu hoopster

[-]

Posts: 9

(March 10, 2008 2:35 PM)

Wolf41 wrote:
Westfield, I don't doubt that Butler will be strong next year. I'm just saying we'll be loaded. We only lose 2 seniors and the one recruit we have so far will be a junior from junior college. Next year we'll only have one senior, so we'll be strong for the next 2 years...if we can learn to shoot FTs.

Next year we have 2 seniors: Gavin and Will.

wsu hoopster

[-]

Posts: 10

(March 10, 2008 2:43 PM)

Big Greg1 wrote:
I don't know what Scott Grote was listed at but put him next to Scottie Wilson and he is 220 and as tall. He has had a season to keep lifting. He is tenacious and competitive and can play inside or out. He will be a vocal leader for us next year as well.

Greg, I think Grote is going to be a great player for us, but he isn't a back to the basket post player like some think he is going to be. He would much rather shoot a 3 than post up. That is evident from his 107 of his 216 shot attempts as a freshman being 3 pointers. I think he will play a lot like Drew did towards the end of last season for us. I see him being deadly at setting screens for our guards and being left open for a 3. I think he will be a hard matchup for any power forward in the HL because he can play inside and out, he passes the ball very well and he dribbles very well. He isn't a true post player by any stretch of the imagination though.

Westfield Gutshot

[-]

Posts: 85

(March 10, 2008 3:52 PM)

Wolf41 wrote:
Westfield, I don't doubt that Butler will be strong next year. I'm just saying we'll be loaded. We only lose 2 seniors and the one recruit we have so far will be a junior from junior college. Next year we'll only have one senior, so we'll be strong for the next 2 years...if we can learn to shoot FTs.

As for the HL, I agree with the above comment about the league being very strong next year. I mean, UDM was last this year and they gave us two tough games during the regular season. So everyone needs to enjoy the Spring, Summer, and early Fall, because come November we, the HL, are in for a great season.

Question, does anyone think the HL may be transitioning to a league where we'll see teams playing 2 guards and 3 big men along the back line? I think the league seems to be getting taller. I won't be surprised next season to see WSU going with 3 big men, such as Grote/Horne, Lewis/Pressley, Land/Thomas. With that back line we could have Duggins as the 2 guard backed up by Brown/Tabler. The point could be handled by Graham/Gardner/Evans. If you want to run 3 guards, Todd could go in as a small forward.

The permutations we can put on the floor in any game will be tough to handle. As for the 13th man, I think the team could look for either a point guard or a small forward. Take the best player you can get at one of those positions, or save it for next year.

Go Raiders!

I don't know if we will be "strong" or not, I was just pointing out that our frontcourt should be.

A lot will depend on how DI ready our incoming recruits will be.

I do like your young guards.

Wolf41

[-]

Posts: 2470

(March 10, 2008 4:23 PM)

RaiderRoundball.com

Hoopster, You are correct. I thought about Horne after I posted, but never bothered to edit the post. I was counting on someone to correct me.

One good reason for filling the 13th 'ship next year is the reality of injuries. There is a question mark behind several names on our roster. Thomas, Horne, Gardner, and Evans all missed significant time this year, or even in the prior year. So I suspect the staff will fill it if at all possible.

BasketBallJones

[-]

Posts: 656

(March 10, 2008 4:37 PM)

RaiderRoundball.com

Next year will be Scott Grote's 4th year of post-high school basketball. He went one year to prep school, spent one year at Duquesne, and one year as a red-shirt here. He may be the oldest player on the team, and he is only a sophomore as far as eligilbility goes. He should bring a lot of maturity to the court when he's out there.

keithfromxenia

next year

[-]

Posts: 2586

(March 10, 2008 5:09 PM)

obviously, the huge question we will need answered for next year is who is going to play the post for us and replace both scottie and jordan. we have no one at this point that you can say conclusively can fill those minutes with the same productivity. ronnie and gavin are the only thing close to a post player on the team, and neither demonstrated they have what it takes to be a solid starter for us. our jc recruit is an unknown, kyle is a freshman and i agree that scott is not a back to the basket post player. while our guard positions are solid (though a quality true point guard is a nice thought) our inside play is in total flux. this may turn out to be as difficult a transition as dw's departure. if i had to pick a final recruit it would be a good post player. GO RAIDERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Roadtrip

[-]

Posts: 3286

(March 10, 2008 6:37 PM)

RaiderRoundball.com

Everything I have read or heard indicates that Kyle Pressley is a true athletic post player. The one practice I saw earlier in the year I saw Kyle shooting half hooks around the basket. I agree that Kyle is a freshman but he is a red shirt freshman which means that he has practiced with the team all summer. I think we will all be surprised with his play next year.

JerryG

[-]

Posts: 941

(March 10, 2008 9:14 PM)

RaiderRoundball.com

One of the things I worry about next year a little bit is rebounding. We were a decent rebounding team this year, but when we play Cleveland State next year who down low is going to be physical and athletic to not let a team like CSU dominate us on the boards?

I'm not saying we don't have the rebounding presence, but I'm just curious as to who is going to step up and get those rebounds. The new guy, Jeron Lewis, may be a big factor down low on the boards. I can't imagine he outjumps too many people with all that weight! But with that size I like the idea of having a guy who will just knock people out of the way to get rebounds.

Cooper Land has showed some toughness down low I think also even with his slender frame. I think we'll be allright on the boards, but it's just a little bit of a question mark now especially with the loss of a very athletic post player in Scottie Wilson who just out jumped and fought people for rebounds at times.

On Scott Grote. It seems like he is going to be a big key to Wright State's success next year. That's kinda crazy he took over 200 3s in his freshman year at Duquesne...isn't that like over 6 attempts a game? I think did play a run and gun style so maybe that was a bit inflated.

Scottie Wilson was really effective behind the arc, but I don't think he looked for his shot too much. Or we didn't run plays for him much behind the arc. I could see Grote being a guy who is looking for his shot behind the arc a little more

A lineup that would probably be really tough to guard for other teams would be Graham, Duggins, Brown, Grote, and Land...man 4 guys who can really shoot from outside, and Graham who occasionaly hits the 3. That would be quite intimidating.

But the Raiders will have so much depth that I think it'll be fun to see all the different lineups during games.

wsu hoopster

[-]

Posts: 12

(March 10, 2008 9:21 PM)

Grote had 216 shot attempts as a freshman. 107 were from 3 point range.

JerryG

[-]

Posts: 943

(March 10, 2008 9:23 PM)

RaiderRoundball.com

Ah that makes more sense! haha sorry I misread that. I was thinking 200 attempts from behind the arc would be pretty amazing.

Wolf41

[-]

Posts: 2475

(March 11, 2008 11:51 AM)

RaiderRoundball.com

Kof X, I know I'm an optimist every year, but I have to agree with Roadtrip's comments regarding Pressley. I think he and Lewis will definitely be our two-men tag team playing the post position. The forward slots will be filled ably by our other 4 big men. Our 6 guards, which includes Brown, can handle the positions out front, with Brown being at small forward when the Coach wants 3 guards.

This team needs some improvements over the Spring and Summer, like more weight, muscle, and improved FT shooting. But WSU will be back with a lot of fire power next year, and if we can improve our FT%, look out. I think we can have our most successful season in our brief basketball history.

Go Raiders!

Big Greg1

[-]

Posts: 517

(March 11, 2008 1:32 PM)

RaiderRoundball.com

Roadtrip, if Kyle has half hook/jump hook in his arsenal that is great! Too many big men, including JAP, never develop that shot --- which is so hard to defend. I hope Cooper develops it as well.
WSU hoopster, thanks for your thoughts on Scott Grote. I agree with you ... however I don't think I said Scott was a "true post player". I said he is capable of playing inside/outside. He can bang underneath and also step out and drain a 3. I suspect he has a good midrange game, as well. In short, he will pose matchup problems. I agree, I picture him as a Drew Burleson type player.

arnie019

[-]

Posts: 105

(March 11, 2008 6:35 PM)

RaiderRoundball.com

Wright State needs to get a 1st round ncaa tourney victory in the next 2 years.

Roadtrip

[-]

Posts: 3291

(March 11, 2008 10:08 PM)

RaiderRoundball.com

I can tell you that we all want to get a NCAA tourney victory.

DR J

[-]

Posts: 834

(March 12, 2008 2:10 PM)

RaiderRoundball.com

I predict that a lot of people will be surprised by Scott and Kyle next year. Kyle is stronger than he appears and Scott will take a player inside if it is to his advantage. He is strong enough to handle the other teams SF and most PF. He is also valuable against Zone defense because he can screen then either go inside or to the outlet position for a 3 point shot. Lewis will be the enforcer and rebounder and get his points off offensive rebounds.
I agree with the posts about depth and more running the court and fast break points. The rebounder needs to have his head up and looking for the quick outlet pass to start the break. I am hoping Brown will improve next year with better percentage. Although i think he had to take too many shots under duress because of shot clock. That should not be an issue next year.
Will be an interesting 2 years and more. Would like to see Auburn or Alabama on the schedule next year. Also a Big 10 or Big 12 team. If we do they need to see about interest in a bus trip to that school to have more fans in attendance. We have to have better home attendance and better fan attendance at away games. Maybe they could offer tickets for sale to people living near a school we are playing and have fans together.

Roadtrip

[-]

Posts: 3293

(March 12, 2008 2:52 PM)

RaiderRoundball.com

Dr. J, it is really not that hard to attend away games. About 10 or 11 of us either flew or drove to about every away game. It can be done.

keithfromxenia

expectations

[-]

Posts: 2590

(March 12, 2008 7:02 PM)

wolf and roadtrip, your comments are not disagreeing with me, but proving my point. you think kyle, or you think jeron will give us good post play. what i said was we currently have no proven post player. this year we had jordan and scottie back. next year we have nothing significant returning at the 4/5 slots. i too hope kyle and the rest will get it done. it is just right now an uncertainty and will be until we see them on the court. i think the raiders need to do three things to not just improve the team, but improve the perception of our team locally. first, i think we need a real tv contract. not the tw 25 thing, but ch 2,22 or 45 showing 6-8 raider games live. get us out there to the community of potential fans. second, i think we need to recruit one of the quality local players. we appear to have ceded the local recruits to the other local team in town. that is not good. we need to win some of those battles for good local recruits, although right now i am not even sure we are in the battle at all. we need to be. third, the raiders need to successfully recruit a big time recruit. a top 100 player. a number of those guys sign with non bcs programs. our profile has improved the last two years. a post season spot this year would also be helpful. typically you improve recruiting incrementally, and i think we have reached apoint where a big time recruit needs to hop on board. GO RAIDERS!!!

Yuku free message boards

until the 2008-09 season

Quick Reply

All rights Reserved. Copyright © 2001-2008 RaiderRoundball.com

Yuku free message boards

var countdown0 = new Countdown('countdown-0', "10/12/2008", false, false, false); window.setInterval('countdown0.tick()', 86400000); until the 2008-09 season