Dark Horse in Valley

[Redbird23]

My thoughts exactly. Does he think that I'm a Shocker fan?

A lot of fans are excited to beat us. It's not that surprising this excited newbie is one of them. I mean they went 2-1 in the Bahamas after all.

As to being a Shocker fan, apparently your screen name confused him. You can just tell you're dealing with the top of the bookshelf here.

hahaha

[Bradleyfan1]

I have confirmed that I do not think he is a shocker fan .....Ive never said anything about him being a shocker fan.

JUST THAT WHEN WE BEAT THE SHOCK ...........EVERYONE SHOULD REALISE WE ARE FORREAL!



"top of the bookshelf" ...... um please elaborate ...do the books with the most knowledge go at the top? Or usuly the A's hmmmm der Gee George... which way did he go ???

[Redbird23]

I have confirmed that I do not think he is a shocker fan .....Ive never said anything about him being a shocker fan.

JUST THAT WHEN WE BEAT THE SHOCK ...........EVERYONE SHOULD REALISE WE ARE FORREAL!



"top of the bookshelf" ...... um please elaborate ...do the books with the most knowledge go at the top? Or usuly the A's hmmmm der Gee George... which way did he go ???

I don't think you guys beat the Shox

[Bradleyfan1]

I have confirmed that I do not think he is a shocker fan .....Ive never said anything about him being a shocker fan.

JUST THAT WHEN WE BEAT THE SHOCK ...........EVERYONE SHOULD REALISE WE ARE FORREAL!



"top of the bookshelf" ...... um please elaborate ...do the books with the most knowledge go at the top? Or usuly the A's hmmmm der Gee George... which way did he go ???

I don't think you guys beat the Shox

Not even in Peoria????? They are worse than last yr and we are better and they snuck out w/ a W

[jackwagon]

just stop......

[rlh04d]

Not even in Peoria????? They are worse than last yr and we are better and they snuck out w/ a W

Maybe you'll get lucky and we'll be missing three starters again.

[mvcfan]

I have confirmed that I do not think he is a shocker fan .....Ive never said anything about him being a shocker fan.

JUST THAT WHEN WE BEAT THE SHOCK ...........EVERYONE SHOULD REALISE WE ARE FORREAL!


I don't think you guys beat the Shox

Not even in Peoria????? They are worse than last yr and we are better and they snuck out w/ a W

Worse? Are you sure? We have two of the three starters that were hurt back this year (including at Peoria), and seven of our top 10 (including our most talented player who is an AA candidate), who all played in the NCAA Final Four. We may even be better. Nice Try though.

[BEARZ77]

While I'll be the first to say that I'm still waiting for Coach Lusk and staff to prove to me they can perform with the other top staffs in this league, I also believe that many are letting last year's terrible start in the noncon cloud their vision about the talent on this MSU team.

There are exactly two returning guards in the league who outscored Marcus Marshall and they are both seniors, while he was a true freshman last year. Likewise there only 3 returning 4/5 types who out performed Christian Kirk's 8.7ppg, 4.2 rbs, and 52% fg. ; that being Tuttle[ 11.4 ppg, 6.6 rbs, 56%fg] Pickett [11.0 ppg, 5.5 rbs, 56% fg] and Van Deest[ 9.5 ppg, 4.8 rbs]. And I think people have really overlooked Gulley whose averages of 10.4 ppg, 5.8 rbs, 37% 3pt and 50% fg at a wing in the 11-12 season are only exceeded by returners Early[ 13.9 ppg, 5.4 rbs, 32% 3pt , 45% fg] Arrop [ 12.0 ppg, 5.1 rb, 28% 3pt, 43%] and Jackson [15.1 ppg, 5.4 rbs 32% 3pt, 44%fg] and he actually out rebounded and shot all 3. I did not include Loyola players because frankly never having seen them play I have no real knowledge or opinion about them.

The fact we're the only team with 3 such proven returners I think is significant and it's not like we don't have some other talent around them. We have a 6'8 5th year senior transfer who averaged right at 10ppg and 5 rbs in his one year as a starter at a d-1 program, three reserves who have all started double figure games in the past, a 6'5 juco wing who will probably start and averaged 18 ppg 8rbs on a juco national tourney team, and 3 pretty good frosh who will all play.

I'm not saying we're ready to challenge for a title, but this team has similar talent and better depth than the team that won the league 3 years ago. It's just young and the coaching staff has yet to prove itself. If this team is a play in contender, then Lusk and staff will really be under the gun heading into year 4. But I don't think that's likely and I look for the Bears to be solidly in the top half of the league or better. If that fits the "DARK HORSE " criteria, then yeah, we're at least one of them.

[Wufan]

While I'll be the first to say that I'm still waiting for Coach Lusk and staff to prove to me they can perform with the other top staffs in this league, I also believe that many are letting last year's terrible start in the noncon cloud their vision about the talent on this MSU team.

There are exactly two returning guards in the league who outscored Marcus Marshall and they are both seniors, while he was a true freshman last year. Likewise there only 3 returning 4/5 types who out performed Christian Kirk's 8.7ppg, 4.2 rbs, and 52% fg. ; that being Tuttle[ 11.4 ppg, 6.6 rbs, 56%fg] Pickett [11.0 ppg, 5.5 rbs, 56% fg] and Van Deest[ 9.5 ppg, 4.8 rbs]. And I think people have really overlooked Gulley whose averages of 10.4 ppg, 5.8 rbs, 37% 3pt and 50% fg at a wing in the 11-12 season are only exceeded by returners Early[ 13.9 ppg, 5.4 rbs, 32% 3pt , 45% fg] Arrop [ 12.0 ppg, 5.1 rb, 28% 3pt, 43%] and Jackson [15.1 ppg, 5.4 rbs 32% 3pt, 44%fg] and he actually out rebounded and shot all 3. I did not include Loyola players because frankly never having seen them play I have no real knowledge or opinion about them.

The fact we're the only team with 3 such proven returners I think is significant and it's not like we don't have some other talent around them. We have a 6'8 5th year senior transfer who averaged right at 10ppg and 5 rbs in his one year as a starter at a d-1 program, three reserves who have all started double figure games in the past, a 6'5 juco wing who will probably start and averaged 18 ppg 8rbs on a juco national tourney team, and 3 pretty good frosh who will all play.

I'm not saying we're ready to challenge for a title, but this team has similar talent and better depth than the team that won the league 3 years ago. It's just young and the coaching staff has yet to prove itself. If this team is a play in contender, then Lusk and staff will really be under the gun heading into year 4. But I don't think that's likely and I look for the Bears to be solidly in the top half of the league or better. If that fits the "DARK HORSE " criteria, then yeah, we're at least one of them.

Gulley was good when healthy. He's been collecting rust for a year. Downing is gone. The inside game is still lackluster…please remember that Addo kinda sucked last year. No one goes and points at Scheer's freshman year and says look how good he is, so why don't you look at Addo's most recent year? Inside game is still meh, and relying on a freshman PG is tough. Bears might squeak into the top half since the Valley is down. That will be a monumental success!

[glm38]

Addo did kinda suck last year. But lots of players do when their PT goes down and that can be due to injuries or just bad chemistry with the coaching staff or teammates. Sometimes that is the players fault but sometimes not. Didn't Armstead have a pretty sucky junior year at Oregon? Could be wrong about that I'm just thinking I remembered hearing he ended up in the doghouse and didn't play well his last year there. And IMO Stutz greatly underachieved until his breakout senior year. You can't always look to a bad year and say a player is going to underachieve again the next.

I'm expecting a good year from the Bears. But there are a lot of "ifs" for that to happen in addition to Addo's play. Can Lusk coach at a high level? Can Gulley bounce back to his prior level of play. Can Kirk continue to improve? Can the freshmen (especially Tyler contribute immediately)? Etc. If some things break right I say the Bears will be right there. We'll see in a few weeks.

One thing that is a given is Marcus Marshall. That kid can flat out play. And he's got the right attitude and demeanor to continue to improve. I think he'll be one of the best in the MVC this coming year.