I am loving all that our baseball and our track and field guys are doing, as well as our football recruiting, but at the same time I'm kinda excited about what Chris Beard's lads are looking like going in to next season.
At the center/post position we return Temple and Odiase. They are a year older and a year wiser, especially for Temple who legitimately deserved to start and will only get better, having only one semester under his belt. As for Odiase? He had the injury problem, but prior to that showed improved technique with regard to his jumper and free throw shot. It will be interesting to see who starts and how minutes are shared
At the PF, we return Zach Smith and Aaron Ross. These guys are seriously, seriously good. Ross has finally recovered from injury problems and is a legit threat from outside. If he can continue to be healthy and develop, he may well be one of the more significant seniors in the conference. Clearly Zach Smith is one of the most amazing athletes to ever wear the red and black. On defense, he is a difference maker. He is a crazy good shot blocker and an excellent rebounder. On offense, he continues to develop. Who really knows what his upside is?
What is even more relevant is how Livingston fits in. Everything I hear is that he is a difference maker. He is said to be a rebounding machine and is no liability on offense. How does he fit in and where do the minutes get split?
This is a fantastic upgrade over last season, IMO. Lose no one and gain a serious veteran.
At the wing, a healthy and experienced Justin Gray is obviously a big deal. Maybe Stevenson plays some wing minutes to rest him a little? Maybe Zach continues to develop his jumper and adds the ability to play the wing also?
At the point guard we have a third year Keenan Evans and a second year senior, Justin Thomas along with combo guard, Shadell Millinghaus. Hard not to feel good about this position, IMO.
With Stevenson and Millinghaus, it looks like we have adequately replaced Gotcher and DWill. Time will tell, but these guys are All American and earned that status. C.J. Williamson has earned his chance with Coach Beard and needs to accelerate his development if he wants to further his career.
As a fan, I just hope that Coach Beard can add one or two transfers or freshmen to where we can begin the "next chapter" scenario. The left hander from Canada would be a great start.
Hopefully this weekend we have a positive visit to begin that process....
At the center/post position we return Temple and Odiase. They are a year older and a year wiser, especially for Temple who legitimately deserved to start and will only get better, having only one semester under his belt. As for Odiase? He had the injury problem, but prior to that showed improved technique with regard to his jumper and free throw shot. It will be interesting to see who starts and how minutes are shared
At the PF, we return Zach Smith and Aaron Ross. These guys are seriously, seriously good. Ross has finally recovered from injury problems and is a legit threat from outside. If he can continue to be healthy and develop, he may well be one of the more significant seniors in the conference. Clearly Zach Smith is one of the most amazing athletes to ever wear the red and black. On defense, he is a difference maker. He is a crazy good shot blocker and an excellent rebounder. On offense, he continues to develop. Who really knows what his upside is?
What is even more relevant is how Livingston fits in. Everything I hear is that he is a difference maker. He is said to be a rebounding machine and is no liability on offense. How does he fit in and where do the minutes get split?
This is a fantastic upgrade over last season, IMO. Lose no one and gain a serious veteran.
At the wing, a healthy and experienced Justin Gray is obviously a big deal. Maybe Stevenson plays some wing minutes to rest him a little? Maybe Zach continues to develop his jumper and adds the ability to play the wing also?
At the point guard we have a third year Keenan Evans and a second year senior, Justin Thomas along with combo guard, Shadell Millinghaus. Hard not to feel good about this position, IMO.
With Stevenson and Millinghaus, it looks like we have adequately replaced Gotcher and DWill. Time will tell, but these guys are All American and earned that status. C.J. Williamson has earned his chance with Coach Beard and needs to accelerate his development if he wants to further his career.
As a fan, I just hope that Coach Beard can add one or two transfers or freshmen to where we can begin the "next chapter" scenario. The left hander from Canada would be a great start.
Hopefully this weekend we have a positive visit to begin that process....
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