After much contemplation

[PorkerPoke]

After much contemplation about the potential for success in the basketball program this year and having watched or listened to 12 games thus far, I have concluded that this team is unlikely to exceed .500 this year. I expect that there will be some big wins and some horrible home court losses along with the typical road losses.

6-10 in conference play along with an 8-6 record in non-conference games will end the regular season at 14-16 with the team struggling to stay ahead of TCU and AFA for 7th place while watching CSU slip past to 6th with Utah in 5th is what I am afraid might happen.

I am hoping that we overcome Utah and CSU to take no less than 5th, but it is challenging to see that happening.

Watch for us to do things like whip Utah severely in Laramie and then go on the road 3 days later and hand Air Force its only conference victory shooting 2-30 from the arc over a zone defense while letting a guy who averages 2.3 points a game go off for 25. I don't want to see that happen, but it is hard not to feel that way after seeing us play 24 minutes from average to good and the other 16 minutes like the 3 Stooges on too much valium.

Perhaps a convincing victory over Akron will help make the outlook optimistic, but this next game will be a big challenge for the team.

 

[TheRealUW]

This has easily began as one of the most disappointing seasons in recent memory. I honestly don't know what the hell is going on. I obviously underestimated how poor of a shooting team we are. I knew it wouldn't be a strong point, but it is absolutely horrible. That totally negates the athleticism that we have because the opponent can just collapse into a zone. I hate to say it, but we aren't going to be any better next season either. If this season and next go as we expect them to, I think it's time to begin the look for a different coach.

 

[cheypoke]

I'm afraid I have to agree RealUW. I still hope to see improvement, but I am really worried. As you said, the terrible shooting totally negates the athleticism we have. Unfortunately, I dont see how the shooting can really improve a whole lot. I hope I am wrong

 

[The Road]

Well when the shooting is this bad - the only place to go is UP! Hopefuly the Pokes can learn to be more patient and take better shots over the next two months.

We have a young roster that should improve over the next couple years. Could be a painful process to watch but they will get better.

 

[Adv8RU12]

You know, it just struck me (without much contemplation) -- was the Poke basketball team really run last year by Ewing, with Schroyer having a secondary role as to court tactics and strategy?

 

[sluggerchamp02]

I believe we are really missing Eric Platt. Down at Northern Arizona he is averaging 15 pts/gm and shooting above 50% from behind the arc. He is even getting 6 rebs a game.

 

[McPeachy]

I believe we are really missing Eric Platt. Down at Northern Arizona he is averaging 15 pts/gm and shooting above 50% from behind the arc. He is even getting 6 rebs a game.

:rofl:

Platt couldn't handle the pressure of being a Cowboy. He was gawd awful in the brown & gold...and surely he knew he could never overcome it and excel here.

 

[bladerunnr]

Wyo. end up in the pigtail game. If this happens, then Heath has to go. Ending up in the pig tail game in 2 of his first 3 years is unacceptable, imo.

Regarding all the athleticism I keep reading about: other than Muojeke and Thiam, who's so athletic? Luster is small and not that quick. He sure can't penetrate worth crap. He's no Brad Jones in that regard. Sylla is the slowest big man I can recall in many years here. I take that back. Linskens was equally slow. A.J. Davis is pretty athletic, I guess. So what? He can't shoot midrange or the 3 on a consistent basis.

Looking at last year, we got nearly everything from the "big 3", with Muojeke and Thiam chipping in. Now, it's up to those 2 to carry the load except it doesn't seem like they are up to it. Thiam doesn't have great post moves and Muojeke is prone to turnovers and very inconsistent shooting. There was a lot of hype about Manzano coming in. He was going to be the scorer and now he's not even here.

We are going to find out a lot when csewe comes in a week from tomorrow.

 

[NowherePoke]

Regarding all the athleticism I keep reading about: other than Muojeke and Thiam, who's so athletic?

Desmar Jackson. A true basketball athlete, not just a "combine" athlete. IOW, in addition to raw athleticism (vertical leap, lateral movement, etc.) he has the ability to play at a high speed with the ball in his hands and very coordinated with the basketball. With the proper coaching, he is an All-MWC type of player IMO down the road.

As mentioned A.J. is quite an athlete as well and all accounts point to Amath Mbaye being a very athletic, mobile 4 man as well (I haven't honestly seen Amath play in game action).

This team is poorly coached, period. We have enough talent to be a mid-pack (5th or 6th) type of team in the MWC. We have played like a 9th place team so far this year.

Heath isn't going anywhere (it's not like he was the most qualified candidate to start with, as long as the personal relationship which got him the job and the undeserved extension remains, then so will he), so we might as well get used to it.