Braves Done

[wily coyote]

We do have talent returning, as someone has posted. But after watching the Tourney this weekend in St. Louie and this game today , I believe we need alot more then just a "5". The top 4 teams have good size, good shooters, youth that can play, and are well coached. A wise man said at the luncheon a few weeks ago, "if you don't get better you get passed" I see this league getting much better top to bottom. Are we going to join them in getting better or are we going to get passed? I'm not from Missouri but my Braves are going to have show me more then what I've seen. Go Braves

 

[Da Coach]

Yes, but WSU brings back a developing 7-footer who I think will become a future NBA player (Stutz) as well as multiple BIG men. I also think Kenny Manigault will grow into the job of replacing Hannah. His assist to turnover ratio equals Hannah's from his junior year and I think he will develop into an All-MVC PG by the time he's done at WSU.

WSU will be a Top 25 team by the end of next year, IMO, and will easily be the Valley pre-season favorite.

You don't mean this, do you?
Manigault was heralded as their point guard of the future before the season, but he hardly played over the last 2/3 of the season. He has only gotten into 7 games and only played a total of 29 minutes over WSU's final 25 games. There is talk he won't even be at Wichita State next year because Gregg Marshall preferred to use freshman Demetric Williams as the point guard backup to Hannah.
Williams, by the way, played fairly well in that role, but averaged more turnovers than assists, and averaged only 3.4 ppg.

 

[ph]

We do have talent returning, as someone has posted. But after watching the Tourney this weekend in St. Louie and this game today , I believe we need alot more then just a "5". The top 4 teams have good size, good shooters, youth that can play, and are well coached. A wise man said at the luncheon a few weeks ago, "if you don't get better you get passed" I see this league getting much better top to bottom. Are we going to join them in getting better or are we going to get passed? I'm not from Missouri but my Braves are going to have show me more then what I've seen. Go Braves

I'll still stand by our team's 1-4 as being as good, if not better, than any other 1-4 in the league.

We do need more than a 5. We also need to include that 5 with the other 4 in a way to get some easier points when the outside shot is not falling.

 

[BUfan14]

I'll still stand by our team's 1-4 as being as good, if not better, than any other 1-4 in the league.

We do need more than a 5. We also need to include that 5 with the other 4 in a way to get some easier points when the outside shot is not falling.

I think JP and WE can handle the 4, and maybe JW if he comes as well. Either way I think those first 2 can handle the 4 spot coupled with a capable 5.

 

[Braves4Life]

You don't mean this, do you?
Manigault was heralded as their point guard of the future before the season, but he hardly played over the last 2/3 of the season. He has only gotten into 7 games and only played a total of 29 minutes over WSU's final 25 games. There is talk he won't even be at Wichita State next year because Gregg Marshall preferred to use freshman Demetric Williams as the point guard backup to Hannah.
Williams, by the way, played fairly well in that role, but averaged more turnovers than assists, and averaged only 3.4 ppg.

Yes. By the end of next year WSU will be in the Top 25. Mark it and check it in a year (I'll just bring back my "eating crow" avatar ). If Manigault works on his shooting he'll be their man next year (kind of like our McCain). If someone is better than KM (Williams or someone else) and starts that is even better. WSU has all of the pieces in place to be Top 25 next year.

 

[wily coyote]

I'll still stand by our team's 1-4 as being as good, if not better, than any other 1-4 in the league.

We do need more than a 5. We also need to include that 5 with the other 4 in a way to get some easier points when the outside shot is not falling.

I will disagree with your first sentence and your 2nd sentence counterdicts your first and says what I am saying. You need to explain to me what you mean. I'm confused but I 've been told that before. I am not saying our 1-4 is not good just not as good as what I see in our league. We need an outstanding recruiting class that can step in and play NOW for us to have a chance at improving from our normal 5 spot.

 

[ph]

I think, head to head, that each of our 1-4 perform as well as most any other 1-4 in the league.

But without any 5 production, we are basically giving the other team a whole-game power play. We've been remarkably successful playing against that power play (which is why I say our 1-4 is good, we play our 4 against the other 5 and still win half our games. I think we have 3 in the MVC top 10 in scoring, but we have not been a complete team.

We do not just need a 5 on the floor, we need a 5 integrated into our system, as an equal.

 

[BRADLEY FAN 49]

I didn't want to start a new thread for this since it would probably just turn negative but.............

Where was Taylor Brown second half?

Thay said on the post game show that T.B. was playing hurt the last 2 games.

 

[BUfan14]

I think, head to head, that each of our 1-4 perform as well as most any other 1-4 in the league.

But without any 5 production, we are basically giving the other team a whole-game power play. We've been remarkably successful playing against that power play (which is why I say our 1-4 is good, we play our 4 against the other 5 and still win half our games. I think we have 3 in the MVC top 10 in scoring, but we have not been a complete team.

We do not just need a 5 on the floor, we need a 5 integrated into our system, as an equal.

Yes I think it would be surprising how much that position can change everything for our team. A good 5 can get easy points when struggling, get 2nd chances, get shooters open, and most importantly put everyone back in their real position which would help a ton for everyone. If WE didn't have to play guys bigger than him expending all his energy just to hold them off, I think he'd be a lot better!

 

[SFP]

I will disagree with your first sentence and your 2nd sentence counterdicts your first and says what I am saying. You need to explain to me what you mean. I'm confused but I 've been told that before. I am not saying our 1-4 is not good just not as good as what I see in our league. We need an outstanding recruiting class that can step in and play NOW for us to have a chance at improving from our normal 5 spot.

We are only missing a big that can eat the paint to make a huge difference for this team. A big can help us extend our D and make the other teams have double up inside leaving guys open. This year the better teams played WE and TB straight up. So in reality our 1-4 if you consider WE a 4 and TB a 3 we could match up with anyone in the Valley.

 

[wily coyote]

We are only missing a big that can eat the paint to make a huge difference for this team. A big can help us extend our D and make the other teams have double up inside leaving guys open. This year the better teams played WE and TB straight up. So in reality our 1-4 if you consider WE a 4 and TB a 3 we could match up with anyone in the Valley.

SFP, I agree we need a 5 BAD, but thats not going to solve all our problems. SM could play and start for any team in the league. TB as well, but needs to change his attitude 180 degrees to be the effective player we need. WE would not start for any non play in teams in our league at a 4. AW, what can I say. So much potential, so little results this year. Maybe we expected to much after coming back from his injury. AW needs to get stronger,plays way to soft. Doesn't play much defense, always getting beat by his man. Some nights his shot was there but to many nights couldn't throw a ball in the ocean if he was standing on the shore. If he played as hard as DSE he would have been all league first team. DSE and JE are going to be very good players in this league but I question if they will be 35 minute players. If they are I question whether we can finish in the top 3 in our league.Please don't take this as a knock on them. I love them both. Good freshmen but lots of better frosh in our league.I know we made the semis in St Louie but there was a HUGE difference between the top three and us. We have alot of work to do this off season if we are going to contend. Do I think its possible? Yes, but not without a recruiting class that can come in and play right away because I'm not convinced the pieces of the puzzle are in place yet. Hope so Go Braves.

 

[SFP]

Willy I see your point of view but I disagree,though one thing is team chemistry and total commitment is often an overlooked ingredient to a great team. On AW I have to believe he'll have a much more consistent year next year. He went a full year without playing any hoops. If you have ever played and took a month off it takes quite sometime to get the feel of it, imagine a year.

 

[BradleyBrave]

Willy I see your point of view but I disagree,though one thing is team chemistry and total commitment is often an overlooked ingredient to a great team. On AW I have to believe he'll have a much more consistent year next year. He went a full year without playing any hoops. If you have ever played and took a month off it takes quite sometime to get the feel of it, imagine a year.

This is yet another tired excuse. Kwadzo Ahelegbe missed a whole season, and improved in every statistical category after a year off. Enough of the excuses, AW had a disappointing year. End of story.

 

[Braves4Life]

This is yet another tired excuse. Kwadzo Ahelegbe missed a whole season, and improved in every statistical category after a year off. Enough of the excuses, AW had a disappointing year. End of story.

I think with the proper team chemistry and a better defined role AW could have a very productive year next year. This year was OK statistically speaking but AW was really a non-factor in most games; I DO NOT think his coaching staff or teammates utilized his talents properly.

AW does not need to be the featured player on this team (I don't think he has the complete skill set for that). He needs to have a role similar to what Crouch's role was -- as a spot up 3-point threat with the occasional slashing drive to the hoop. He should be a silent assassin where at the end of the game you say -- D@mn, AW had 19 points? It sure didn't seem like it.

 

[squirrelgotdead]

I think with the proper team chemistry and a better defined role AW could have a very productive year next year. This year was OK statistically speaking but AW was really a non-factor in most games; I DO NOT think his coaching staff or teammates utilized his talents properly.

AW does not need to be the featured player on this team (I don't think he has the complete skill set for that). He needs to have a role similar to what Crouch's role was -- as a spot up 3-point threat with the occasional slashing drive to the hoop. He should be a silent assassin where at the end of the game you say -- D@mn, AW had 19 points? It sure didn't seem like it.

What % of AW's points came after the game had essentially been decided? That's his money time. But during the meat and potatoes of the game, where is he? That said, he did SIGNIFICANTLY better the last few weeks of the year.

 

[BUfan14]

SFP, I agree we need a 5 BAD, but thats not going to solve all our problems. SM could play and start for any team in the league. TB as well, but needs to change his attitude 180 degrees to be the effective player we need. WE would not start for any non play in teams in our league at a 4. AW, what can I say. So much potential, so little results this year. Maybe we expected to much after coming back from his injury. AW needs to get stronger,plays way to soft. Doesn't play much defense, always getting beat by his man. Some nights his shot was there but to many nights couldn't throw a ball in the ocean if he was standing on the shore. If he played as hard as DSE he would have been all league first team. DSE and JE are going to be very good players in this league but I question if they will be 35 minute players. If they are I question whether we can finish in the top 3 in our league.Please don't take this as a knock on them. I love them both. Good freshmen but lots of better frosh in our league.I know we made the semis in St Louie but there was a HUGE difference between the top three and us. We have alot of work to do this off season if we are going to contend. Do I think its possible? Yes, but not without a recruiting class that can come in and play right away because I'm not convinced the pieces of the puzzle are in place yet. Hope so Go Braves.

Well I disagree with the fact that we are a long way away from top 3, we hold on to the ISU game and the SIU game at home we are top 3 one game behind WSU for second. I don't think it will be that hard to turn it around when the difference is 2 late home game collapses which we barely lost. That problem can be fixed.

As far as DSE and JE I also disagree, I think they have the makings of great 35 minute starters in this league. They are a lot more advanced than most freshman that have played and became good players for us recently were. They just didn't get as much time, nor were asked to do as much as some other recent ones. Both can drive AND finish, shoot, and have good height for a 1 and a 2. Plus they are pretty athletic and smart too. I haven't seen too many better freshman potential wise in the Valley this year. You could argue that DSE should have been on the all freshman team.

I firmly we believe we are one post player away from a Valley title type team. Just a defensive post who can get rebounds and second chances. That along with some combination of AT, JP, and WE in the 5 spot really ought to get it done. It would make the whole team better to have that post. If JW comes on top of a post I think this team could even be ranked. I guess we will see though.

 

[Braves4Life]

I firmly we believe we are one post player away from a Valley title type team. Just a defensive post who can get rebounds and second chances. That along with some combination of AT, JP, and WE in the 5 spot really ought to get it done. It would make the whole team better to have that post. If JW comes I think this team could even be ranked. I guess we will see though.

Wilkins is not a post BUfan14. If we only get Wilkins next years team will look a lot like this years team but, hopefully, much more talented and cohesive.

 

[BUfan14]

This is yet another tired excuse. Kwadzo Ahelegbe missed a whole season, and improved in every statistical category after a year off. Enough of the excuses, AW had a disappointing year. End of story.

Michael Jordan missed a year and a half (like AW) then when he came back he didn't win the title the first year, it took until the next year for him to really pick his game back up. Things aren't black and white, and examples can be given on both sides so I don't like to compare.

I have said this about AW before: 1. Chemistry-He hasn't played with these guys in a long time. 2. Most important when he last played he was the 4th option on the team behind JC, Ruff, and TW. AW is not used to being the go to guy, nor did he probably know how to do it or what it would take. Now he has experienced it and knows what he has to do to improve and fill that role. He has had time to gel with his teammates and figure out what they will do as well. Maybe not as good of a year as some hoped, but it wasn't bad, and I really think he will be much better next year as an extra motivated Senior. Consistency is the key for AW.

 

[BUfan14]

Wilkins is not a post BUfan14. If we only get Wilkins next years team will look a lot like this years team but, hopefully, much more talented and cohesive.

I never said he was. I said if we get a post we will be good, if we get JW on top of a post we will be top 25. JW is a perimeter type forward. Just meant him on top of a post player.

 

[Braves4Life]

Gotcha BUFan14.