[LUconn]

I saw him in church yesterday. I almost threatened him to inspire him, but he's got like a 5:1 reach ratio on me and he could punch me in the face probably 8 or 9 times before I could get close enough to retaliate.

[olldflame]

My prediction for most improved goes to Russ as well. I think he was underutilized last year, but the door is wide open for more minutes, both backing up Alex and in a bigger lineup with Alex playing the 4.

[PAmedic]

I saw him in church yesterday. I almost threatened him to inspire him, but he's got like a 5:1 reach ratio on me and he could punch me in the face probably 8 or 9 times before I could get close enough to retaliate.

I find it interesting to note that you computed the "number of punches to the face before retaliation" ratio while sitting in church.

you don't happen to attend services in the Bronx, do you?

[LUconn]

hey, there's a lot of tension with the talls and the shorts. A war is brewing, and I'll be ready when it breaks out.

[PAmedic]

I got your back

or whatever I can reach from 5'5"

[grm]

Go try to defend any one of those guys in the low post low before you consider fisticuffs. These guys are VERY strong.

[paradox]

In a way, the success of our season kind of depends upon the two-gaurd position. A player or two needs to emerge there and provide quality minutes. If Anderson, Stephene, Jenkins, or any combination of the three turns out to be superb, then we'll have a winning season and a real shot at the conference tournament.

We seem to have quality with Bannister at the point, Smith at the three, Baker/Porter/Campbell at the four and Mclean/Monroe in the post. We just need a player or two to really step up and provide teamwork, chemistry and skill at the two. Right now, all three canidates, Stephene, Anderson, and Jenkins appear capable. It will be interesting to see how this one plays out from the very first scrimmage all the way into late February.

[ATrain]

I got your back

or whatever I can reach from 5'5"

Stop being generous to yourself...we all know you're 5'2"

[paradox]

I guess the short guy jokes and the cartwheel jokes will never end around here

[TIMSCAR20]

Don't forget the SCAR IS BALD jokes too. For the record, I am about to shave my head today in case anyone was sitting at home wondering

[Knucklehead]

Don't forget the SCAR IS BALD jokes too. For the record, I am about to shave my head today in case anyone was sitting at home wondering

Scar - Headblade is the only way to go!

[paradox]

In a way, the success of our season kind of depends upon the two-gaurd position. A player or two needs to emerge there and provide quality minutes. If Anderson, Stephene, Jenkins, or any combination of the three turns out to be superb, then we'll have a winning season and a real shot at the conference tournament.

We seem to have quality with Bannister at the point, Smith at the three, Baker/Porter/Campbell at the four and Mclean/Monroe in the post. We just need a player or two to really step up and provide teamwork, chemistry and skill at the two. Right now, all three canidates, Stephene, Anderson, and Jenkins appear capable. It will be interesting to see how this one plays out from the very first scrimmage all the way into late February.

I will go back to this, only to say that this is where my primary focus will be this season and the level of play that is maintained at 2-guard position could very well determine the success of our season. Hopefully, someone emerges and plays at a very high level as a first year starter and we end up competing for another Big South title.

[The Rock]

2 guard? Doesnt it normally boil down to our post play?

[paradox]

I like Alex in the post. In fact, he may be the best that the Big South has to offer this year. So, I think we'll be safe there.

The biggest concern has to be our backcourt, which will be comprised of three newcomers and a back-up sophomore from last season.

Bannister should do fine at the point, but he's going to have to develope some solid chemistry with a player or two in the backcourt in order for us to be successful. We'll have to wait and see what developes with Anderson, Jenkins, and Stephene.

[Realist]

I like Alex in the post. In fact, he may be the best that the Big South has to offer this year. So, I think we'll be safe there.

The biggest concern has to be our backcourt, which will be comprised of three newcomers and a back-up sophomore from last season.

Bannister should do fine at the point, but he's going to have to develope some solid chemistry with a player or two in the backcourt in order for us to be successful. We'll have to wait and see what developes with Anderson, Jenkins, and Stephene.

I think Mclean is pretty darn good when he is matched up with someone his size or smaller. I wasn't too impressed with him against taller guys. I think LU should play him and Monroe together and try to get the tallest opposing post off of him.

[paradox]

It's true that Bradshaw schooled him last year, but even at 6-8, I can't see anyone in the Big South soing that to him this year.

In fact, I really can't think of a better center in the conference at this stage.

[SuperJon]

I think we'll see a lot of Russ this year at the 5, Alex at the four, and Smitty at the 3.


I have no doubt in my mind that BJ Jenkins is going to be what we're looking for at the 2. Dox seems to always rip on him for one reason or another, but the kid is good.

[Realist]

It's true that Bradshaw schooled him last year, but even at 6-8, I can't see anyone in the Big South soing that to him this year.

In fact, I really can't think of a better center in the conference at this stage.

I don't think anyone is going to kill him offensively, but I don't see him scoring a ton against Cruz of HPU, Buechert at WU, or George of UNCA. And maybe that new 6'10 guy at Coastal. That's why I was saying it may be advantageous to play him alongside Monroe.

[LUconn]

BJ seemed like more of a slasher. I don't recall him as a shooter. But then again I think he was used at the 1 last year so he wouldn't have been shooting much anyway.

[SuperJon]

Right. RD used him mainly at the 1 because LB was at the 2. The only time he played the 2 was when Justin was playing the 1 and LB was out, which was very rarely.

[paradox]

Actually, I'm a big Jenkins fan and I've never ripped the guy, not even one time.

I've made it very clear that Jenkins is very much in the picture at this stage, along with Stephene and Anderson. Whoever emerges will have to play their way into the position. So, that competition has yet to begin. We have to assume that all three players are in the mix at this early stage.

Russ will be used as the primary back-up to Alex. Ideally, you'd want 25-30 minutes from your starting center. Russ should pick up the majority of the other minutes. That would be a big step up for him and I think that he's up to the task. I really can't imagine him starting unless Alex gets hurt. Russ and Alex in together would be interesting, but limited at best. Some of you guys are going to see a lot more of Ty Baker at the 4 than you care to, but you all need to prepare yourselves for that nonetheless. Personally, I think that Baker will do a fine job and will be a nice addition to the starting five.

[SuperJon]

If Baker will play defense then sure, start him.

People discredit Russ but he's got a ton of potential. Not many guys his size can go out and knock down a jumper. He's the perfect center to play with TJ because TJ can drive and just dish it off to him and he has the hands to catch and dunk or catch and shoot a jumper. I think we'll be seeing Russ a lotmore than you want to.

[paradox]

It's true that Bradshaw schooled him last year, but even at 6-8, I can't see anyone in the Big South soing that to him this year.

In fact, I really can't think of a better center in the conference at this stage.

I don't think anyone is going to kill him offensively, but I don't see him scoring a ton against Cruz of HPU, Buechert at WU, or George of UNCA. And maybe that new 6'10 guy at Coastal. That's why I was saying it may be advantageous to play him alongside Monroe.

Keep in mind, Alex was a late-bloomer, who underwent a huge growthspurt between the ages of 18-19. This kid still has a tremendous amount of upside heading into this season. He grew and learned a lot last year and he's making great strides this summer.

As far as our line-up goes, expect to see a quick team that has above average range on the perimeter. Russ will be needed for depth and not used so much as a starter. It would actually be counter-productive to start both players.

[SuperJon]

I never suggested that we start both. I just said we'll see a lineup with both of them in it a lot.

[paradox]

If Baker will play defense then sure, start him.

People discredit Russ but he's got a ton of potential. Not many guys his size can go out and knock down a jumper. He's the perfect center to play with TJ because TJ can drive and just dish it off to him and he has the hands to catch and dunk or catch and shoot a jumper. I think we'll be seeing Russ a lotmore than you want to.

Wow, if it were only that easy. Pass, catch, and dunk. Bring it on

Remember though, this team has only two real post players. So, if you start them both at the same time, and one or both gets into foul trouble, then you're done, game over.

As far as Baker goes, he's no Rell Porter, defensively, but Baker brings so much more to the table in terms of scoring and rebounding. But either way, we'll probally go three deep at that position or maybe just a Baker/Porter combo.