IronHorseSooner
10/4/2009, 11:54 AM
Folks, I am going to start this by giving what I think the starters and back ups will be, and then with a player-by-player break down of their individual strengths and weaknesses.
Now for the starting five:
PG- Tommy Mason-Griffin
SG- Willie Warren
SF- Tony Crocker
PF- Keith "Tiny" Gallon
C- Orlando Allen
Whereas last year's starting five had two NBA players and WW, this year's starting five will have 3 MDAAs and a 4-year starter with Crock. I had no problem putting these guys into the line up, simply due to their natural ability, and their impact they have on the team. TMG is a Sherron Collins style PG, powerfully built, good outside shot, and tough. He's quick enough to penetrate a defense, but strong enough to finish. WW is a special talent, and will be a preseason first team AA. He will likely be a top 5 pick in 2010. Crock is a four-year guy, who started to regain his confidence in the NCAAs. He will be the senior statesman, and he is the best on-ball defender on the team. He will be the glue-guy. Tiny might be the most fun to watch of all of them. How can you not get psyched about a 6'9", 300 lb guy who can sky for thunder dunks, and hit the three? He reminds most experts of Tractor Trailer. He will be a different type of big man than Blake or Taylor. The most intriguing of the starting five will be "The Big O." He's has the size and work ethic to be productive. Last year, he was buried behind Blake, Taylor, and Patillo. They are all gone. Coach Capel loves his work ethic and attitude. With the other four starters, he won't be asked to be a 10 and 7 guy, he will just need to play decent defense against the opposing team's best big. If he does develop into a guy who can get 8 and 5, this team can be special.
The next five:
PG- Steve Pledger
SG- Cade Davis
SF- Ray Willis
PF- Andrew Fitzgerald
C- Ryan Wright
Now, this unit doesn't have a true PG, but Pledger is as close as it gets. In reality, WW is the back up PG, but look for Coach Capel to work with Pledger or Davis on running the offense, especially early in the season against weaker opponents to get them time. This unit has some really good shooters with Pledger and Davis. If anything happens to the starting perimeter players, look for these guys to step in and produce. Ray Willis has a world of talent, and looks to be the lanky-long armed successor to Crock. He can get to the basket, and doesn't lack confidence. Fitzgerald is a highly-touted big-man who will likely rotate with Allen in the middle. Look for that line-up to be used against a team like UTerus with their inside girth. The time is now for Wright. He has the physique and ability to help this team, and he needs to come in and provide good defense and rebounding.
The only other player of the remaining five who will likely see any time would be Kyle Hardrick, but he could be a candidate for redshirt. If he did play, he would add another big man to the rotation (6'8", 215) who could likely play all three front court positions.
Now for the starting five:
PG- Tommy Mason-Griffin
SG- Willie Warren
SF- Tony Crocker
PF- Keith "Tiny" Gallon
C- Orlando Allen
Whereas last year's starting five had two NBA players and WW, this year's starting five will have 3 MDAAs and a 4-year starter with Crock. I had no problem putting these guys into the line up, simply due to their natural ability, and their impact they have on the team. TMG is a Sherron Collins style PG, powerfully built, good outside shot, and tough. He's quick enough to penetrate a defense, but strong enough to finish. WW is a special talent, and will be a preseason first team AA. He will likely be a top 5 pick in 2010. Crock is a four-year guy, who started to regain his confidence in the NCAAs. He will be the senior statesman, and he is the best on-ball defender on the team. He will be the glue-guy. Tiny might be the most fun to watch of all of them. How can you not get psyched about a 6'9", 300 lb guy who can sky for thunder dunks, and hit the three? He reminds most experts of Tractor Trailer. He will be a different type of big man than Blake or Taylor. The most intriguing of the starting five will be "The Big O." He's has the size and work ethic to be productive. Last year, he was buried behind Blake, Taylor, and Patillo. They are all gone. Coach Capel loves his work ethic and attitude. With the other four starters, he won't be asked to be a 10 and 7 guy, he will just need to play decent defense against the opposing team's best big. If he does develop into a guy who can get 8 and 5, this team can be special.
The next five:
PG- Steve Pledger
SG- Cade Davis
SF- Ray Willis
PF- Andrew Fitzgerald
C- Ryan Wright
Now, this unit doesn't have a true PG, but Pledger is as close as it gets. In reality, WW is the back up PG, but look for Coach Capel to work with Pledger or Davis on running the offense, especially early in the season against weaker opponents to get them time. This unit has some really good shooters with Pledger and Davis. If anything happens to the starting perimeter players, look for these guys to step in and produce. Ray Willis has a world of talent, and looks to be the lanky-long armed successor to Crock. He can get to the basket, and doesn't lack confidence. Fitzgerald is a highly-touted big-man who will likely rotate with Allen in the middle. Look for that line-up to be used against a team like UTerus with their inside girth. The time is now for Wright. He has the physique and ability to help this team, and he needs to come in and provide good defense and rebounding.
The only other player of the remaining five who will likely see any time would be Kyle Hardrick, but he could be a candidate for redshirt. If he did play, he would add another big man to the rotation (6'8", 215) who could likely play all three front court positions.