This year’s basketball team has the desire and skills to go a long way. Because of this, we have set high expectations for the team. However, we probably need to temper these expectations somewhat. This is still a team of young players. Other than walk on, Billy Begley, this team has one senior and one junior and the rest are either freshmen or sophomores. Compare this with other teams in the western division like Arkansas with 7 returning seniors, LSU and Alabama , each with 2 McDonald All Americans. So please don’t get down on them if they lose a game or two that you expect them to win.
-001
1 Corinthians 1:9 God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
-001
1 Corinthians 1:9 God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
10 comments:
The only huge advantage we have over the rivals you mentionis...
Jamont vs Gary Ervin
Jamont vs unhealthy Steele ( supposing)
Other than that we are pushing it to be even in the post against Bama, and probably no big advantage vs Stephen Hill and Charles Thomas of Arkansas.
Another possible advantage we'll have is overall shooting skill. That's supposing that Stewart and Hansrough continue to shoot well. Turner shoots well. Augustus shoots well. Ravern Johnson chips in. Rhodes and Varnado are 55% shooters in the post. Good FT shooting - Delks, etc. If we are superior in shooting the basketball it will go a long way in raising the team to the top 4-5 SEC position level. Cause I don't think we'll be airtight defensively, at least not untill the chemistry builds.
Yes, we like looking at our team but Alabama, Arkansas, and really Auburn are all going to be tough competition in the SECW. That isn't counting the East.
ZD
i have high expectations for this squat indeed. but this year im not looking for a dominant sec season like in 04, im looking for a solid season - leading to a decent seed in the tourney.... leading to us actually getting past the 2nd round this year.. thats my wider view of this team.
I'd rather us not hit our peak until the post season. which has been unlike us in recent years. (not counting NIT)
I agree about the broader scheme...decent seed, nice little NCAA run.
And for the record, Varnado shoots near 65%, not 55%. He's so unbelievably underrated.
Bama has Steele returning who is expected to be totally healthy come November. if this holds true, he may just finally live up to the hype. Jamont will have his hands full, as well as our post men when Steele gets into the lane. Hendrix is in every way expected to be an All SEC player and will be a force to reckon with in the paint. they will, as always, match up very well with us.
Arkansas is another team that will be dead even with us. yeah, Jamont may very well be better than Ervin, but that doesnt mean Ervin wont be able to do some damage to us. his speed is second to none and he showed much improved passing skills last season. seeing as how Hill is one of the best shotblockers in the SEC(seriously, how many did he have against us in the 3 games?!), he will cause difficulty for us in the lane. Charles Thomas has proven to be quite a capable big man in his own right. his footwork is solid and he doesnt seem to try to do more than he is capable of.
yes, we have excellent perimeter shooters, but so do they. Weems and Beverly are two top notch players and will most likely be on pre and post season ballots for All SEC first/second teams. Weems will be looking to be drafted after next season, so im sure he will be putting out everything he has on the court. heck, Thomas, Ervin, and Hill are also all seniors. they will all be looking to prove that they are good enough for pro careers. Arkansas will be talented, experienced, and successful this season.
Ole Miss will apparently play uptempo and has some athletic talent coming in, but i really dont know much about them, nor do i think they will matter a whole lot this year.
LSU has Anthony Randolph coming in. that name will be all over the SEC stats sheets. one of the most talented incoming SF that is a true 6'9. they wont be all that great, but will definately steal a game or two from teams that are better than them.
Auburn is returning some upperclassmen, i believe. they certainly arent the biggest team in the world, but the smaller guys do seem to have talent(remembering last season). i do remember that Dollard was impressive in every game that i saw them. he was usually outsized by his opponent, but always seemed to get great positioning for rebounds and managed to score down low. reminded me of Jai Lewis from the George Mason final four team.
itll be a dogfight between MSU, Bammer, and Arkansas for the top spot in the league.
-mstateglfr
Steele will never recover 100%. Period. His injuries were simply too serious, and he will never be what he once was.
I think Alabama will fall well short, and the real race should be between Arkansas and State.
Knee problems can usually be rehabed but back problems never quite seem to go away.
Bama is going to Canada for a fall trip and when Gottfried gave comments he was pretty cautious about projecting Steele to be healthy.
Besides his back problems he has some severe tendonitis in both knees. He's a great one though, even though I can't stand Bama I don't like to see a guy get so many bad breaks.
ZD
I have always disliked Bama when it comes to basketball, but since Gary transfered and until he graduates, Ark. has taken over the top spot in my book.
Ron Steele is having a second knee surgery now. It is doubtful that he will become the Ron Steele of old but I hope he can because he seems to be a good kid.
This will be bad news for Bama in the west and I can't say I hate it for that dirty, smug cheater Mark Gotfried.
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