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Originally Posted by LitlBuck
I truly love your optimism but I am just trying to be a little more objective  |
I understand and respect that too...There were in house problems in terms of chemistry more with this team than I envision next year...
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I think Dayton was probably of the teams that we could play and have the 4 smalls and one big work really well. If KK does leave and I am starting to think that he might not but if he goes and we do have to play the smaller lineup we are going to have to play zone defense again next year and you know what that does to defensive rebounding.
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This is a position where you can be in and dictate the other team...Like I mentioned the other day, if our four guy is going to be guarded by a 6'8'' guy with no where the athleticism then we will be able to do lots of things and dictate...Yeah we might get hurt on the boards some but should also lead to easier buckets on the offensive end.
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The zone will be fine against some teams but will hurt us just like it has this year. Even if KK does stay we will probably get hurt rebounding. BJ cannot get all of them.
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The zone was fine this year...Look at the numbers...The length we possess is great in guarding the perimeter...We should also have more stregth on guys like Turner, Diebler, Lighty, and we have Buford coming in and that will help out rebounding from the wing, and Lauderdale was our best rebounder on the team and he will be getting more minutes next year and BJ would of been the best rebounder on the team if he was here last year...So all in all we wont be any worse and there is some hope that we will be better, especially if we play a lineup of Dallas and BJ...Also don't forget that while Hunter and KK got some blocks, they don't posses the shot blocking ability that Mullens does...
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One of the other things that is really going to hurt us, especially at the beginning of next year and possibly all, is the loss of Butler. Why Butler might that be a true leader in the sense of the word he is one of the few guys who is willing to step up and take the big shot. I just don't see Hill as an outside threat and I don't think Crater is known for his outside shooting.
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I agree that the lose of Butler is going to hurt, and hurt real bad early, but I don't think in terms of taking a big shot...I thought it was really turner who stepped up this year down the stretch in terms of making big plays when it counted...I think with Lighty, Buford, and a pg that is more willing to create for teammates and not looking for his own shot is going to help the guys off the ball as well...On Craters shooting ability I think many will be semi surprised with him...I am not going to say he can light it up like Jamar, but if left open he will knock it down, but he is a pass first PG and not a scorer, even his coach said he would like to see him shoot the ball more...Hill is not an outside threat, but will be a solid 15/20 minute contributor next year...
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I think perhaps we will be ranked in the top 25 no matter what but it probably will be between 20-25. I also see the team making the dance with or without KK but I am extremely concerned about the PG position. There are not many freshmen who can step in and really play that position. I know you, and probably OBJ for the most part, disagree but that is just my opinion.
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I agree about ranking and making the tourney...I also think a top 3 finish in the big ten is likely...
As for the pg position...The thing with Crater is there is not a lot of info out there on him...But what I can gather is this year at prep school is really going to benefit him...He played more games than regular high schools do, he was in a structured program like a college program, he was playing against kids that are going to be playing on the college level and with kids that are very good...He was the QB, never heard anything about him struggling, just that he should shoot the ball more and had high number assist games, which is exactly what we are going to need from the point next year as we will have scorers on the wing, and have Mullens in the paint next year...I am not saying he is going to be like Conley, he doesn't have the ability to slice down the lane and hit the crazy shots that Conley hit, but what he can do is control the offense, create shots for people and take care of the ball, while posting high assist totals and hit the open shot if teams back off of him...
Also to add...Most in Michigan had Crater as equal to or a better player than Kelvin Grady (Michigan frosh) 6pts 3assts and that was when Crater was only a junior, so with an extra year at prep school, i would be fine if Crater could come in and get 6pts, and put up something like 5 or 6 assts...
03-28-2008, 10:25 AM
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