A look ahead...
Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 12:19 pm
Yeah, I know we still have the NIT but no one cares about that.
Even though, once again, we are losing 4 important seniors I am not worried about next year's team. I compare next year's team to a version of TN the past two seasons.
PG:
We will still have Chris Warren who will be a year older and wiser. Warren needs to gain some more strength over the offseason and realize he cannot take the ball into the lane like he used to in high school. While he can beat people to the basket, he can't prevent people from being taller than him and easily swatting away his shots.
Another exciting thing is we will have a back up who is not offensively inept. I liked Brian just as much as the next person, but when he came in the offense stalled. He was scared to dribble inside the the three point arc and the hesitant to pull the trigger on a three pointer. Now we have Will Bogan coming in, who granted is a freshman and unproven, but judging by his videos he has more skills than B. Smith already and will be a servicable backup PG for us. Gaskins can also help out at PG, it's what he played in high school, although I expect to see his role greatly reduced.
SG:
This is going to be an interesting position next season. It's hard to just pinpoint one player as our SG because on this team SG and SF are basically interchangeable. The starter next year will more than likely be David Huertas. If last night was an indicator of what he is capable of then I am expecting big things from this team next season. I do not think he will put 30 a game, but if he can produce 10-15 points by taking good shots and maintaining his level of defensive tenacity he should be the starting SG. Zach Graham is a player who I think will break out next season. He is the most athletic player on the team from the wing spot, can shoot outside, penetrate, and play defense. He still has some things to work out but I personally feel that he has the most potential at the 2/3 spot. After ZG we will have two freshmen who can come in and compete immediately in Brandon Wilson and Terrico Whte (both 6'5). I saw White play and he is a baller. He can shoot from outside, dunk over you, blow past you, or just hit a mid range J. Brandon Wilson is a scoring and rebounding machine in high school but he could be an academic casualty from what I have heard. Still, either one of these guys could potentially step in and see significant playing time.
SF:
Polynice will be the starter here, although it'd be nice if it was the Polynice who could shoot a three pointer. I have no idea what happened to his release it's awful now. However, he is the best dribbler and slasher on the team and is by far the best defensive player we have. Any of the candidates for SG will also see time at the 3 at some point.
PF:
This is where things can get interesting. We are going to be very thin on the blocks next season, however, I think we will also be improving. If things play out the way they should and he qualifies I think you could see freshman Murphy Holloway starting at PF. Holloway is a 6'7 PF/SF combo who is a very highly rated recruit out of South Carolina. He is very similar to Tyler Smith at UT and would be a great addition to the AK style of offense. Malcolm White will also be available here, but I expect to see him play more Center.
C:
Malcolm White will probably be the starter come next fall/winter. This kid is a freak athletically and has all the tools necessary to be in the NBA, he just has to put it together upstairs. I see him being a Vanardo/Duke Crews mix player and will be a star at Ole Miss. The other option is a freshman named Terrance Henry who is Wayne Chism part II (sorry for all the UT references). Henry is 6'9, long, lean, and can play on the blocks or stretch the floor and he is already fully qualified. Kevin Cantinol is eligible too but I do not think he is any good.
Once again, I hate to make the comparison but we look an awful like Tennessee and we will finally have the type of athleticism AK needs for his offense. While next year could be special the year to look out for these Rebs is 09-10
Even though, once again, we are losing 4 important seniors I am not worried about next year's team. I compare next year's team to a version of TN the past two seasons.
PG:
We will still have Chris Warren who will be a year older and wiser. Warren needs to gain some more strength over the offseason and realize he cannot take the ball into the lane like he used to in high school. While he can beat people to the basket, he can't prevent people from being taller than him and easily swatting away his shots.
Another exciting thing is we will have a back up who is not offensively inept. I liked Brian just as much as the next person, but when he came in the offense stalled. He was scared to dribble inside the the three point arc and the hesitant to pull the trigger on a three pointer. Now we have Will Bogan coming in, who granted is a freshman and unproven, but judging by his videos he has more skills than B. Smith already and will be a servicable backup PG for us. Gaskins can also help out at PG, it's what he played in high school, although I expect to see his role greatly reduced.
SG:
This is going to be an interesting position next season. It's hard to just pinpoint one player as our SG because on this team SG and SF are basically interchangeable. The starter next year will more than likely be David Huertas. If last night was an indicator of what he is capable of then I am expecting big things from this team next season. I do not think he will put 30 a game, but if he can produce 10-15 points by taking good shots and maintaining his level of defensive tenacity he should be the starting SG. Zach Graham is a player who I think will break out next season. He is the most athletic player on the team from the wing spot, can shoot outside, penetrate, and play defense. He still has some things to work out but I personally feel that he has the most potential at the 2/3 spot. After ZG we will have two freshmen who can come in and compete immediately in Brandon Wilson and Terrico Whte (both 6'5). I saw White play and he is a baller. He can shoot from outside, dunk over you, blow past you, or just hit a mid range J. Brandon Wilson is a scoring and rebounding machine in high school but he could be an academic casualty from what I have heard. Still, either one of these guys could potentially step in and see significant playing time.
SF:
Polynice will be the starter here, although it'd be nice if it was the Polynice who could shoot a three pointer. I have no idea what happened to his release it's awful now. However, he is the best dribbler and slasher on the team and is by far the best defensive player we have. Any of the candidates for SG will also see time at the 3 at some point.
PF:
This is where things can get interesting. We are going to be very thin on the blocks next season, however, I think we will also be improving. If things play out the way they should and he qualifies I think you could see freshman Murphy Holloway starting at PF. Holloway is a 6'7 PF/SF combo who is a very highly rated recruit out of South Carolina. He is very similar to Tyler Smith at UT and would be a great addition to the AK style of offense. Malcolm White will also be available here, but I expect to see him play more Center.
C:
Malcolm White will probably be the starter come next fall/winter. This kid is a freak athletically and has all the tools necessary to be in the NBA, he just has to put it together upstairs. I see him being a Vanardo/Duke Crews mix player and will be a star at Ole Miss. The other option is a freshman named Terrance Henry who is Wayne Chism part II (sorry for all the UT references). Henry is 6'9, long, lean, and can play on the blocks or stretch the floor and he is already fully qualified. Kevin Cantinol is eligible too but I do not think he is any good.
Once again, I hate to make the comparison but we look an awful like Tennessee and we will finally have the type of athleticism AK needs for his offense. While next year could be special the year to look out for these Rebs is 09-10