MBB: USA South Conference

[cnu85]

So CaptJ has tickets for Saturday's game???

I rec'd a phone call today at 12:30 - someone in Blacksburg calling me to say if I can make it in time, he has aticket to tonight's BC @ VT football game......dang it...I hate last minutes invites...I couldn't make it...that sounded like so much fun (or trouble, if you ask my wife)

[captj]

I have four.  Free to anyone wearing blue and silver.

[obnoxioussufan]

Not sure an old timer like me is ready for this board now. But Props to Pat for makeing it so nice and all!

All is right with the world. Round ball is about to begin. Loving the practices. Liking what I see at SU.  While we have lost two premier points, we come back with lots of bodies and make improvements. We are solid and should be in that 3-4 position most of the year with hopes of catching lightning in a bottle come tourney time!

Onie will be Player of the year though! With the help of those around him. his game is getting better and better. Watch out for Stevie and Jerimiah though! wow I love this game!

[captj]

noxious -

Welcome back, but try to play nicely with the kids this year, OK.  I'm really looking forward to seeing your guys in the Freeman Center this year.  It's a treat to see good players like Onie, regardless of who they are playing for.

[narch]

captj - yeah...sam was a stud BUT, believe it or not, i think he can be replaced and i think the monarchs could be better this year than last - i think radmanovich will step up and play to his ability, and if he decides to bang around inside and pulls some boards, he's more gifted offensively than porter - i think that williams and moore have the body type to be very good post players and both play solid post defense...remember, nobody thought much of seth thomas or robert lee after their respective first year in the program, and both had break-out sophomore seasons...i think williams and/or moore could could take similar steps (although williams is a jr, the anology still works) - i like what i'm hearing about mcevoy - he could be the shot blocker mc didn't have last year and having him back there allows the perimeter defenders to get even MORE aggressive - if he can give 12-14 productive minutes a night that's huge for mc - robert lee is a year older, wiser and better - lastly, i think seth thomas and eugene grant are ready to put this team on their backs and carry them the way sam did at times - thomas WILL BE the poty (no disrespect to onie...he's nice and i sure would like to pair him up with the mc perimeter guys) - thomas does EVERYTHING so well - i actually thought he was more important for mc than porter last year...but i understand why the monarchs aren't getting more love, and i'm ok with that...they'll have a chance to prove themselves with that schedule!

[captj]

narch –

I actually had to look up McEvoy.  I didn't remember him at all, which has to concern you since he's 6-11.  He definitely had a lot of blocks for the limited PT he had, but a lot of fouls as well.  You've got to be concerned with his FG% as well.  But he definitely could have improved since last year.  He's a senior, so if not now, when?

Williams and Moore (especially) were pretty low on your depth chart last year, but both do seem Porter-like physically.  But if you recall, I was a big Porter fan, and I think you're dreaming if you think these guys can replace him.  He had a tenacity that was something that you just can't acquire because you want to.

Your guys should be good on the perimeter, but for them to be REALLY good you'll need to be correct about a couple of these untested post players.  Dragen HAS to play strong down low, but to me it seemed like he spent a lot of time outside trying to get free for jumpers.  Don't get me wrong, I like his game and picked him as All-Conference HM, but I wonder if he's going to throw his body into the boards like you need him to.  I think he will.

[hoopshops]

I totally agree with you Narch. Sam was good but, his void will be filled. The Monarchs have lost good players in the past(Byrd,Brown, & Hatch) but, always seemed to to better the following year. Someone will step up and put the team on their backs. This year they have two very capable players in Thomas & Grant.

There is no question Onunuka is a great player but Seth Thomas will be the POY in the conference as long as he stays healthy.

Didn't the Monarchs beat Catholic @ Catholic and split with Hampden-Sydney? I guess they still have something to prove.  

[hoopshops]

CaptJ,

Your right Porter is a tough void to fill but, these post players collectively can be effective for the Monarchs. Williams step up for MC last year toward the end of the season ask SU. He could be that breakout player Narch is talking about but, only time will tell. Also, keep an eye on freshman Travis McBryde he could be a special player down the road for the Monarchs

[captj]

Wow!  The Bishops have 12 players 6-4 or taller!

[cnufan]

Im tellin you right now, the Bishops will beat plenty of teams in conference this year. They are coming off a great finish from last year, and return a crap load of kids from last year's team. They are definitely in the top 3 at the end of the year, I have to think they will be. As good as those kids are, watch out, they could sneak a split in with Methodist and could very well win 75% of their game in conference. Im scared of them.

[narch]

goose - i'm with you, bro...if thompson can motivate them to play, which isn't a given...i've seen ncwc simply roll over more than any other team in the conference over the last few years - i don't think they will quit on him though...the players just don't seem to be that type of guys, although, there was the conference tournament final last year....

[captj]

hops, narch –

There's no question that your untested post players COULD step up and be equal, or close to equal, of Sam Porter.  But I think you're wearing rose colored glasses if you think replacing a player like that is that easy, or even likely.  The problem is, you can't send them all out on the court "collectively".  There's that silly 5-players-on-the-court rule that should prevent that.

[bspears]

November means basketball season...and the return of Bspears!  How is everybody doing?  Where is my boy "Swoosh Thug" and "Rump Doggy Dogg"?  Check out the new graphics  !  I am back in the area after living in Florida the past two years and I definitely will be in attendance for more then a few SU games this season!  Let's go ahead and start the Obie Trice P.O.Y. campaign.

GO HORNETS!!!

[cnu85]

CaptJ,

I think I'll just pay the $10 at the gate and support the team that way. Bummer I didn't buy season tickets this year (first time) but I didn't think I could make many games, and I've been to all but 1. Just called in my $$$ for hoops season tickets. I hope the halftime food in the President's room is good again this year!!

[cnufan]

cnu85-
   That was about the only thing good about last year!!!