[LUconn]

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.

Says you. Russ is a 4. Nobody wants to admit that because he's 7 feet tall. But that's where his game is and that's why for 3 years he's been oozing with potential and not results. Sure we couldn't run as well but we're not VMI.

[paradox]

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

same thing

[SuperJon]

Even when 99% of the people disagree, Dox is still holding strong to his points that make no sense. Gotta love it.

[olldflame]

You usually live up to your user name Realist, but in your last post you might have been more like a Dreamer. I don't claim to know a great deal about Beuchert, but I do know his JC numbers were decent, but not overwhelming, he has yet to play his first minute of D1 ball, and he has a questionable knee. I think it may be overly optomistic to think that Alex, who averaged almost 16 against the league (including Bradshaw) last year, will struggle to score on him. As far as Cruz Daniels is concerned, he came in with a big rep as a shot-blocker out of HS 2 years ago, redshirted a year and then played 13 minutes a game last year. He is a pretty good shot blocker coming from off the ball, but not a particularly good defender overall, and if he doesn't improve his offense, he is likely to spend a lot of time on the pine again. Kenny George is most definately a defensive force, and Alex struggled against him last year, but let's face it; it will be a surprise to everyone if he plays more than 15 minutes a game due to his stamina and other physical limitations.

I agree with dox that Alex looks to be the class of the league in the post, but I also thing Monroe will get more minutes both as his backup and playing 5-10 minutes a game with him, and doing that against Asheville when George is in the game is a good idea.

[paradox]

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.

Says you. Russ is a 4. Nobody wants to admit that because he's 7 feet tall. But that's where his game is and that's why for 3 years he's been oozing with potentail and not results. Sure we couldn't run as well but we're not VMI.

I think that we are missing it a little here with regard to at least one basic concept: Right now, we seem to have only two real post players. Therefore one plays, while the other sits, otherwise you run the risk of having no post post prescence at all when fouls and injuries begin to acrue. That is a vulnerabliity that would be very easy to coach against.

Unless Armon Jones emerges as a servicable back-up in the post, we should expect to see one or the other most of the time, with regard to Mclean and Monroe. Anything else would be radically unorthodox.

[paradox]

You usually live up to your user name Realist, but in your last post you might have been more like a Dreamer. I don't claim to know a great deal about Beuchert, but I do know his JC numbers were decent, but not overwhelming, he has yet to play his first minute of D1 ball, and he has a questionable knee. I think it may be overly optomistic to think that Alex, who averaged almost 16 against the league (including Bradshaw) last year, will struggle to score on him. As far as Cruz Daniels is concerned, he came in with a big rep as a shot-blocker out of HS 2 years ago, redshirted a year and then played 13 minutes a game last year. He is a pretty good shot blocker coming from off the ball, but not a particularly good defender overall, and if he doesn't improve his offense, he is likely to spend a lot of time on the pine again. Kenny George is most definately a defensive force, and Alex struggled against him last year, but let's face it; it will be a surprise to everyone if he plays more than 15 minutes a game due to his stamina and other physical limitations.

I agree with dox that Alex looks to be the class of the league in the post, but I also thing Monroe will get more minutes both as his backup and playing 5-10 minutes a game with him, and doing that against Asheville when George is in the game is a good idea.

I'll agree with oldflame that they may see 5-10 minutes together in certain situations that are favorable toward that.

[LUconn]

If it's a viable lineup, which I actually think would be one of our more productive ones, it'd be silly not to run it because you're worried about worst case scenarios. If coach is not confident that Jones could handle himself in spot duty if things are going that bad, then why is he even taking up a scholorship?

[Realist]

You usually live up to your user name Realist, but in your last post you might have been more like a Dreamer. I don't claim to know a great deal about Beuchert, but I do know his JC numbers were decent, but not overwhelming, he has yet to play his first minute of D1 ball, and he has a questionable knee. I think it may be overly optomistic to think that Alex, who averaged almost 16 against the league (including Bradshaw) last year, will struggle to score on him. As far as Cruz Daniels is concerned, he came in with a big rep as a shot-blocker out of HS 2 years ago, redshirted a year and then played 13 minutes a game last year. He is a pretty good shot blocker coming from off the ball, but not a particularly good defender overall, and if he doesn't improve his offense, he is likely to spend a lot of time on the pine again. Kenny George is most definately a defensive force, and Alex struggled against him last year, but let's face it; it will be a surprise to everyone if he plays more than 15 minutes a game due to his stamina and other physical limitations.

I agree with dox that Alex looks to be the class of the league in the post, but I also thing Monroe will get more minutes both as his backup and playing 5-10 minutes a game with him, and doing that against Asheville when George is in the game is a good idea.

I don't know what you guys expect out of Mclean, he can score 15-20 on smaller teams, but from what I saw he's never going to score much against taller guys. Cruz can block shots against anyone, he just doesn't do much on the offensive end. George, point taken, although he was getting more and more minutes toward the end of last year. Beuchert is a question mark offensively, but not defensively. He was brought in for the fact he can play defense and rebound against major conference opponents, much less the Big South.

I don't think there is a standout in the post in the conference unless you count AZ Reid, and he's more like a 3 in that he's only 6'5.

[thesportscritic]

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

i'll be the first to rub your bald head haha

[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

i'll be the first to rub your bald head haha

If I thought it would bring you good luck Critic, I would let you . I think Alex getting a full season under his belt was huge. There was a lot of learning that he needed to do but even still he had monster rebound numbers. I would say that we will see Alex and Russell in there together and I expect Russ to get over 20 minutes per game. RMK likes to run and shoot 3's from what I understand but he also likes to win 1st and foremost (his words). So whatever strengths this team exibits, he will try to play to those strengths. I am not sure how well this group will shoot from 3 though. I think BJ is an exceptional Stand still shooter and Baker was starting to find his groove late. Shooting is tough when you have leg and foot injuries like he has had but a healthy TB should be knocking down shots. Smith should really thrive in the offense with a total green light though. I am really looking forward to seeing him play this season. I was watching some tape from his Freshman year today and he had moments where he would disappear and moments where he looked like the best player on the court. I think we will see much more of the latter this season.

[paradox]

Even when 99% of the people disagree, Dox is still holding strong to his points that make no sense. Gotta love it.

Actually, my statements make perfect sense to those who understand the game

[SuperJon]

Except they've been the exact opposite of everything that everyone else that understands basketball thinks.

[paradox]

Not really, just people such as yourself

[paradox]

You usually live up to your user name Realist, but in your last post you might have been more like a Dreamer. I don't claim to know a great deal about Beuchert, but I do know his JC numbers were decent, but not overwhelming, he has yet to play his first minute of D1 ball, and he has a questionable knee. I think it may be overly optomistic to think that Alex, who averaged almost 16 against the league (including Bradshaw) last year, will struggle to score on him. As far as Cruz Daniels is concerned, he came in with a big rep as a shot-blocker out of HS 2 years ago, redshirted a year and then played 13 minutes a game last year. He is a pretty good shot blocker coming from off the ball, but not a particularly good defender overall, and if he doesn't improve his offense, he is likely to spend a lot of time on the pine again. Kenny George is most definately a defensive force, and Alex struggled against him last year, but let's face it; it will be a surprise to everyone if he plays more than 15 minutes a game due to his stamina and other physical limitations.

I agree with dox that Alex looks to be the class of the league in the post, but I also thing Monroe will get more minutes both as his backup and playing 5-10 minutes a game with him, and doing that against Asheville when George is in the game is a good idea.

I don't know what you guys expect out of Mclean, he can score 15-20 on smaller teams, but from what I saw he's never going to score much against taller guys. Cruz can block shots against anyone, he just doesn't do much on the offensive end. George, point taken, although he was getting more and more minutes toward the end of last year. Beuchert is a question mark offensively, but not defensively. He was brought in for the fact he can play defense and rebound against major conference opponents, much less the Big South.

I don't think there is a standout in the post in the conference unless you count AZ Reid, and he's more like a 3 in that he's only 6'5.

I really think that Alex, if healthy, is going to be the man in the post this season in the Big South.

Realist, I wouldn't get too caught up in the 6-8 stuff. If you've got game, then 6-8 is plenty tall enough.

Two of our best big men ever, Peter Aluma and Jason Dixon, who both stood around 6-10, both got totally schooled by Malik Rose in a tournament game agiainst Drexel. Rose was significantly shorter at 6-6 or 6-7 at the most. Many LUers thought that we'd dominate in the post, but Rose was too much for both of our big guys to handle and far more aggressive as well. Some individuals are just more athletic and tougher and play much bigger than their frame would suggest. In my opinion, Alex, with his athleticism, has the opportunity to be that kind of player.

[Realist]

I wasn't really basing any statements on the fact he's 6'8 (even though I kind of doubt that--but he makes up for height with bulk), it's just that he seemed ineffective against taller players in general, that's why I was saying if you could feasibly play Monroe with him, it would be tough on the majority of schools in the BS to guard both of them. While Monroe isn't going to set the world on fire, most schools in the league would be putting a 6'6 guy on Monroe if they play their big man on Mclean, which is a good match-up for Monroe.

I know shorter posts can be more effective, WU won a title with 6'6 Marcus Stewart playing 7'0 Andrey Savtchenko of RU.

[flameshaw]

Pair-a-sox,

What insight and predictions do you have for the volleyball team?

[paradox]

Good point, tough guy

[paradox]

I wasn't really basing any statements on the fact he's 6'8 (even though I kind of doubt that--but he makes up for height with bulk), it's just that he seemed ineffective against taller players in general, that's why I was saying if you could feasibly play Monroe with him, it would be tough on the majority of schools in the BS to guard both of them. While Monroe isn't going to set the world on fire, most schools in the league would be putting a 6'6 guy on Monroe if they play their big man on Mclean, which is a good match-up for Monroe.

I know shorter posts can be more effective, WU won a title with 6'6 Marcus Stewart playing 7'0 Andrey Savtchenko of RU.

Based on your point regarding Marcus Stewart, I think that we agree about the size factor.

Your understanding of Mclean may be largely based on what you saw in last year's mismatches with Bradshaw. Clearly, Ace struggled last year against the more experienced and wiley centers that he went up against. Mclean's inexperience was never more evident than when he went up against Craig Bradshaw. However, many believe that Alex learned from those experiences and he needed to have his game exposed in order for him to get better and become a more complete player. From what I understand, he's been working hard during the off season and bigger things are expected from him in '07-08. I'm going to be surprised if he's not the top big man in the Big South before season's end.

[ALAFlamesFan]

Permit me to go back to the last play of last year. We all knew that Larry would be watched (and I believe he was fouled on the last play, but that's ok.) and so he was basically a decoy. Brew seemed to be open, and said he was, and could have driven to the hoop. That's what Coach drew up, but it didn't happen. By the time Larry received in the in-bounds, as I recall, he was already going away from the basket and was nearly in the back-court. So now...Larry's in a bind, Brew's left out, Coach is questioned, and the game, season, and a few coaching careers at LU are history. Of course, Coach's was already doomed as of October 16th, 2006, since Jeff Barber's decision (and whoever else as well) had already been made. Some people feel that Coach spent his last year just decorating his own casket. For RMK's sake, I hope he never ends up in that position. Randy went 2-1-2 in his first three years, and everyone was ready to "Lynch" him for the cause of "Liberty." I hope better for RMK.
[/list]

Since we are still off topic and talking about coaches who we may or may not think were done wrong, it is great to see Jeff Meyer is an assistant at Indiana now.

[Sly Fox]

Here we go again.