MBB: USA South Conference

[captj]

The Daily Press had an article with a projected starting line up of Selden, Romeo, Purdham, Blasingame, and Lewis.  Interesting.  I predict that two of the five will change by conference time.

[ballgame]

Which two ya think captj?   I bet at least one will be different next week!

[captj]

I'm not going to say.  You can read my old posts if you like to figure it out.  I just think that we've got some very talented young guys that will work their way into much larger roles as time goes on.  And although he is incredibly skilful, at least one of the projected starters is playing completely out of position (in my very unqualified opinion).

[ballgame]

Well, we'll see what happens.  From what I hear they're about nine deep right now--those that will see considerable playing time....of course that could change.   I'll give you my one....CJ will not start any of the freshman next week, but expect a couple of them to see significant playing time!

[cnufan]

I think for the first game we are going to see something we arent used to, but by game two, I think the line up will be Selden, Romeo, McShepard, Lewis and Blasingame.

By the way, the men's media guide is up.  Get it http://athletics.cnu.edu/Sports/mensbasketball/Men%27s%20Basketball%20Media%20Guide%202005-06.pdf

[ballgame]

Goose, agree.....except Blasingame....I think Mike Witham will start at the "5"....hear he's playing well and is as strong as an ox!   Blasingame will see a lot of action....think he'll be an adequate replacement for the loss of Chebanne.

[captj]

game –

I guess you would have a pretty informed idea about Blasingame vs. Witham because of your perspective.  I wonder why CJ would announce to the media that Blasingame would start if he isn't going to.  The last couple of years have proven that CJ has lost any reluctance that he might have once had to start freshmen.  I think that Hepner was the first ever, then Short started as a freshman the very next year.   Speaking of Hepner, can you believe that we would have him back this year again if he hadn't transferred?

[captj]

How about this as a "could have had" team –

Mark Hepner
David Turner
Jordan Short
Amine Chebane
Catlin Pruitt
Korey Lewis
Jeremy Romeo
Donta Selden
Adam Purdham
Mike Witham
Trent Dickerson
Mark Blasingame
Billy McShepherd
Davon Barton
On or two of the other newcomers since we've now run out of roster space.

Would this be a better team?  Who knows?  But I'd sure like to have those first four or five guys back.

[ballgame]

Captj, lol--thank you for letting my "informed" perspective slide ....but you're right, looking at past stats, if some of those guys would have stayed--whew!  Not sure where that Daily Press thing came from....they listed Lewis at the "5"......he'll primarily be the "4."   I noted CJ's comment on Riley in the media guide, comparing him to Carey....I hear he is VERY athletic and can REALLY rise--let's hope so!!  And, let's hope this group stays together!  I'm sure CJ would like to bring the freshman along slowly, but not sure he'll be able too.....to bad you can't teach experience!

[captj]

I completely forgot about Krizzio Washington and Reggie Halsey, two of the most purely athletic players we've seen for a while.  They don't appear in any of the archive rosters on the CNU website.  What could they have done so terribly wrong to be "virtually" erased from the program?

I'd like to see a starting team like this –

Catlin Pruitt   G, 6-1
Jeremy Romeo   G, 6-1
Jordan Short   G/F, 6-2
Korey Lewis   F/C, 6-7
Mark Hepner    F/C, 6-7

With these guys coming off the bench first –

Davon Barton   G, 6-2
Donta Selden   G, 5-11
Adam Purdham   G/F, 6-3
Mike Witham   C/F, 6-7
Mark Blasingame   F/C, 6-8
Amine Chebane   C, 6-9

[ballgame]

Well, I guess this year the question may be who is the third option after Lewis and Romeo?  Or, do they really need a third option?  Fortunately, it seems they'll have plenty of time to figure out those issues prior to conference play.  Let's keep our fingers crossed that they stay healthy!

Did not hear about Halsey, but heard Washington could REALLY compete....and like you said, was very athletic. 

[captj]

Halsey was a 6-5 basketball and TRACK star in high school.  400 meter champion.  Huge speed and athleticism.

[captj]

game –

Romeo and Lewis should be the go to guys offensively, but we have to get more than that.  Selden can light up the scoreboard from the 2 position, but if he's looking primarily to dish the rock from the point?  I don't see the points there.  Purdham is better defensively than offensively, but can shoot.  I guess the points will have to come from your guy.  Good defensive teams do win championships though, so maybe that will be this team's specialty.

[narch]

captj - i'd take the team the monarchs ACTUALLY have against the fictional cnu team you've put up below...fortunately the monarchs haven't lost many players of substance the last few years, so the fictional monarchs wouldn't get much better...jordan snipes who transferred to guilford (and hit the 80 ft shot against rmc last year) would be a junior, but he'd be coming off the bench as a 2/3 behind thomas, lee and grant (maybe that's part of the reason he left)

[ballgame]

cap, not sure my guy is ready--hopefully as the season moves on he will step up--I think he has the tools, more concerned about the strength (about another 10 lbs. and he'll be there)/experience (can tell he is enjoying himself though--sounds like CJ has a very good group of young men).....but think Riley may be ready--Ed has a little 'tude that comes from his previous experience.   Guess we'll start finding out in a week....it'll be fun watching'em mature.