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AT Starting Next Year?

CABUFan

New member
I thought I saw somewhere that Les said Anthony Thompson will be our starting center next year. Is that true? If so, when did JL say it? It seems a little early to make that decision, but if AT is ready to start as a redshirt freshman that would be great.

I'd assume that would mean the starting lineup would be something like SM, AW, TW, RA, AT, which would give us a few more inches in the paint than we've had the last couple of seasons.
 
It would be great if he is far enough along to start. I sure hope so because having him and RA in the post would be fantastic. Singh and Egolf would be able to spell them (and Collins if he somehow figures out how to play at this level).
 
I do not believe JL ever said he will start. However, I do believe he will be given the opportunity to be a starter.
 
I do not believe JL ever said he will start. However, I do believe he will be given the opportunity to be a starter.

There was a quote pertaining to it in the paper a month or so ago. I'm racking my brain trying to remember exactly what he said...the best I can come up with was that Les said what you're thinking; that AT will be in the running to start at the 5 next year.
 
Please let's not start making AT our miracle player, I'd rather be pleasantly suprised than disapointed like this year.
 
Me, too.
I think it would be best for us to have absolutely no expectations for Egolf, Cole-Scott, Collins, Thompson, McCain, and Roberts before play starts next year...There's no reason to think any of them will be good enough to start game 1 next year...and without expectations, whatever we get from them will be a pleasant surprise.
 
I think it would be best for us to have absolutely no expectations for Egolf, Cole-Scott, Collins, Thompson, McCain, and Roberts before play starts next year...There's no reason to think any of them will be good enough to start game 1 next year...and without expectations, whatever we get from them will be a pleasant surprise.

There's a difference between expectations and thinking someone is a "miracle player."
 
I have high expectations, but.....

I cannot believe you will find a quote anywhere in which the coach
actually names who is starting 8 months before the season begins.
 
I have high expectations, but.....

I cannot believe you will find a quote anywhere in which the coach
actually names who is starting 8 months before the season begins.

I don't think JL said anything about AT starting but, what he said was " AT is the best big man hes coach other than POB." IN my opioion that wouldn't take much. I like our chances next year if we get any help from our newcomers. If not we are going to be thinner in numbers then this year.CU and ILL ST. look be be very good next year and I wouldn't count out DU. Until we change our thinking guard play will get us to where we want to be ,we will be looking at the 4-5 spot most years. WE need bigs that can play like Lawson,Sampay,Odiakosa,and Cox. I love MS to death but in all honesty he wouldn't start at CU,DU and ISU. So until we get guys in equal to or better we are looking at the same results.
 
Has he put on more weight and muscle since the start of the season? I think he was up to around 205 or 210 lbs around October.

I've only seen AT play in the exhibition games, so I'm in the dark on how much of an impact he can make next year. There's no question that there are plenty of minutes available.
 
I have high expectations, but.....

I cannot believe you will find a quote anywhere in which the coach
actually names who is starting 8 months before the season begins.

He said it on 'Jim Les Live' recently, and several people heard it and commented about it on this board.
 
I was listening to that JL show in question. A caller asked about what type of player AT will be. Coach Les said something to the effect that he will start out as a 4 and might develop into a 5. That is how I remember it. I apologize if I'm wrong. I can't recall minutes or starting rotations being discussed. You can probably go back and find that thread on here.
 
I didn't hear it, but would have to think that's what he was saying.
I have never heard any coach state who his starters are months in advance, as
it would be a self-defeating move unless you have a proven superstar like LeBron or Tim Duncan.
 
I was listening to that JL show in question. A caller asked about what type of player AT will be. Coach Les said something to the effect that he will start out as a 4 and might develop into a 5. That is how I remember it. I apologize if I'm wrong. I can't recall minutes or starting rotations being discussed. You can probably go back and find that thread on here.

I heard this on the JL show as well which is completely different from Les stating that AT would start next year. The minutes are there if AT can step it up though.
 
The way I heard the comments on Jim Les Live:
"Offensively AT is the 2nd best big man he's ever coached" "He has equally good moves right, left, hookshots."
Jim never mentioned AT's Defense being at that level, it will probably be a big focus of this summer
Jim has also mentioned that right now his skill set is currently best developed as a 5, but could see AT moving out to a 4 after his outside game is developed They are working inside out. (Coaching staff has been having AT work exclusively on his inside game this redshirt year)

in my personal opinion, unsubstainiated by anything said, Jim is saying AT could move to the 4 as to not hamper recruiting another 5. I think BU is trying to not get into another POB situation due to injury, or whatever else may happen in the future and AT showed enough of an outside game in HS to merit those comments.

Personally, I hope AT starts. AT has the highest ceiling of any of our existing post players. WE has a similiar ceiling, but is not a 5. For all purposes RA=MS (similiar #'s since HS). With DC's juco #'s, hopefully he'll develop into a quality bench guy (~10 min /game) SS has all of the heart and desire in the world, but is limited athletically. To be a better team we need more than RA SS or DC can give us exclusively.
 
I'm not ready to crown Anthony Thompson as the second coming of Patrick O'Bryant, but based on what little I have seen of him, I think he could turn into a devastating player in the Valley. Even the small minutes he played in the Red/White game this year you could tell he was on another level athletically. He plays above the rim and had a pretty good stroke from the line.

That being said, if he starts and turns in quality minutes next year it's a bonus. I'm still looking at SS and RA to bridge the gap next season before AT and WE are ready to assert themselves in two seasons.
 
And by the way RA certainly DOES NOT equal Matt Salley. Rashad Austin is so much stronger and plays with so much more tanacity it's unreal. He finishes through contact and going towards the basket, something you never saw MS do.
 
I thought I saw somewhere that Les said Anthony Thompson will be our starting center next year. Is that true? If so, when did JL say it? It seems a little early to make that decision, but if AT is ready to start as a redshirt freshman that would be great.

I'd assume that would mean the starting lineup would be something like SM, AW, TW, RA, AT, which would give us a few more inches in the paint than we've had the last couple of seasons.

Lets get serious!!! If JL said anything like this, he is out there somewhere!!!
As a coach you never start a season with a set line up, let along a year out!
I sure wouldn't want to play for a coach that I wouldn't have a chance to show what I could do or complete for a starting spot! If LS has done this, it would be worse than what we had to endure this year with his small lineups and getting our ************ kicked on the boards, game after game and not adjusting the line up.
:confused:
 
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