Naters Gonna Nate

[witness]

Re: Naters Gonna Nate

I expect Wolters to somehow(not sure how its possible) to improve his game from last year including getting his jumpshot back. Dykstra is going to have another breakout season and I see him as being a 1st team All-Summit next giving the Jacks two first teamers. Fiegen will provide the needed energy, defense, and tenacity down low. Carlson will continue to defend on the perimeter at a high level and it he can improve his midrange game as well as he did the 3pt game this year and become more of a threat that will only benefit the team. White will play a big role next in that he will not only be the 3pt specialist but will need to also defend and rebound at a high level with some toughness. Prince will be important as he is on the better slashers on the team and is athletic and not afraid it to take the basket. Horstman, I believe will have a semi-breakout season as it will be another year in Nagy's system defensively and offensively. He has some major hops and is very athletic so we could use him on the floor. I feel Devine will be ready about half through the season as he adjusts to D1 basketball from Alaska, but hopefully he gets bigger this summer and he won't need to redshirt. I truly am excited for next years team and honestly if they get the right draw with the right matchups I think a Sweet 16 is possible. Last year, everybody was hesitant to say how well they would do, but this is the year where we demand excellence.

[Prairiehaas]

Re: Naters Gonna Nate

What is very nice is that there is debate about potential starters on what should be a very good team. Looks like our Jackrabbits have some depth on the roster!

[RabbitObsessed]

Re: Naters Gonna Nate

Taevaunn Prince was an important contributor as a freshman,but I think he will make a big step forward in his sophomore year.

I agree, and I think his improvement was even apparent as the season went on. I was extremely impressed with his offensive decision making down the stretch. He didn't even have a full off-season last year either. I think most improved player will come down to either him or Chad White.

[goon]

Re: Naters Gonna Nate

I agree, and I think his improvement was even apparent as the season went on. I was extremely impressed with his offensive decision making down the stretch. He didn't even have a full off-season last year either. I think most improved player will come down to either him or Chad White.

I am thinking Dykstra will be most improved. Well, they will all be improved IMO but Dystkra will need to step up more I think with his skill set.

[NorCalJack]

Re: Naters Gonna Nate

I am thinking Dykstra will be most improved. Well, they will all be improved IMO but Dystkra will need to step up more I think with his skill set.

I also think Dykstra and Heemstra will make the biggest jump. To me the biggest improvement comes between your 2nd and 3rd year. Carlson made a big jump last year and it was his 3rd year. I also thought Feigen made a good jump last year in his 3rd year.

I think Prince will also make a nice jump this year. He is a year older than a normal sophomore would be.

[goon]

Re: Naters Gonna Nate

I also think Dykstra and Heemstra will make the biggest jump. To me the biggest improvement comes between your 2nd and 3rd year. Carlson made a big jump last year and it was his 3rd year. I also thought Feigen made a good jump last year in his 3rd year.

I think Prince will also make a nice jump this year. He is a year older than a normal sophomore would be.

Good Point, heemstra really made a jump half way of last year, if he does that again, imagine his passing with a running team and 3 point shooters a long with a team with great ball control. His skills and passing could be huge. As long as he keeps working on the D side and helps with those rebounds, I expect to see a lot more of him on the floor this year too.

[SDSUAlum08]

Re: Naters Gonna Nate

Nate will be playing in Kevin Durant's skills academy next week.

[NoVaJack]

Re: Naters Gonna Nate

The freshmen recruits need to be factored into this, right?

[scubasteve]

Re: Naters Gonna Nate

I think for the first time ever since our move to d1 NorVaJack we can finally not expect freshman to be forced into a contributing role right away. Bittle and Donlan can be brought along and learn from the experience of the upperclassmen and not be expected to play big minutes and contribute like Nate, Dykstra, etc were expected to do. We finally have a luxury of not throwing our youngsters on the fire when they might not be ready. All and all, the turn around of the program has been stunning even to us diehards. Devine might need to contribute with his length early on though so my guess is that is why he has garnered more speculation then the other 2. Devine might need to show up as a paint presence against a big team which, granted we punch our ticket to the big dance again, will more likely than not happen until we lose.

Can't wait to see the progression of Dykstra this year he almost reminds me of Luke Harangody from Notre Dame a couple years back. Thick torso but is deceptively quick and can shoot the ball lights out when he is "on."

I also think White/Carlson/Prince will not cause a drop off from Callahan...in fact this roster for as small stature as it is very flexible in terms of who starts and the situations each can play in. Not a bad issue to have.

[discoDancinJackrabbit]

Re: Naters Gonna Nate

i agree with pretty much everything people are saying except I do not see divine being or needing to be a contributor right away. We'll have 3 legit big men next year assuming they stay healthy, which would be the only reason I would personally use devine. Fiegen and Dykstra of course and then Heemstra should be solid this coming year. He came on strong last season and I would think he would only get bigger and better.
From watching videos on youtube of Devine I don't see him immediately being an impact player anyways. He's far too thin and gets pushed around too easily. That negtively affects his offensive and devensive game. Just something he could work on

[NoVaJack]

Re: Naters Gonna Nate

[QUOTE=discoDancinJackrabbit;204980]i agree with pretty much everything people are saying except I do not see divine being or needing to be a contributor right away. We'll have 3 legit big men next year assuming they stay healthy, which would be the only reason I would personally use devine. Fiegen and Dykstra of course and then Heemstra should be solid this coming year. He came on strong last season and I would think he would only get bigger and better.
From watching videos on youtube of Devine I don't see him immediately being an impact player anyways. He's far too thin and gets pushed around too easily. That negtively affects his offensive and devensive game. Just something he could work on [/QUOTE

I honestly thought the opposite in the few videos of Devine that I saw, but I haven't seen that many and will defer to you if you've seen more. Semed like he played bigger than his bulk and really knew how to work inside, though you never know until these kids move from HS to college competition.

[discoDancinJackrabbit]

Re: Naters Gonna Nate

Carver I think won the Alabama state tourneyment and #32 is planning on playing for Mississippi state. Their bigs are legitimate bigs and a good gauge on evaluating Devine. Besides one play in the beginning, connor doesnt appear until 3:15 or so..

Don't get me wrong I like the kid's game but I also like highlighting weaknesses because it helps with improvement I guess.. To come in as a raw freshman and do anything worthwhile on the court I just do not foresee. Now if he hits the weights like dykstra/fiegen and improves his skillset then he'll be very good in a few years, but he's got too much tenacity to make up for to help out his 1st year. and granted this is just my minds pov.

[witness]

Re: Naters Gonna Nate

Nate Wolters was again mentioned in ESPN for 1 of 10 potential breakout players for 2012-2013.

Nate Wolters, South Dakota State: Every year college hoops seems to give us at least one player who plies his trade in an overlooked league, but who plays so well he becomes impossible to ignore. Despite his averages of 21.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game (fun fact: Wolters was the only player in Division I hoops to average 20, 5 and 5), despite a 34-point shredding of Washington in Seattle, and despite a near-upset of Baylor in the first round of the tournament, Wolters' profile never quite expanded beyond the die-hard college hoops nerd circle. The 2012-13 season is his last chance to become something resembling a household name.

Here is the full article:http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/60346/10-potential-breakout-players-for-2012-13

[SF_Rabbit_Fan]

Re: Naters Gonna Nate

Nate Wolters was again mentioned in ESPN for 1 of 10 potential breakout players for 2012-2013.
Here is the full article:http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/60346/10-potential-breakout-players-for-2012-13

Worth noting 7 players on that ESPN list play for Majors. 1 for Gonzaga, 1 for Xavier, and one for little old SDSU.

Maybe I'm crazy for saying this, but I won't be surprised if ESPN airs the USD game from Brookings this year, especially if we start out hot.

[SDSUAlum08]

Re: Naters Gonna Nate

Worth noting 7 players on that ESPN list play for Majors. 1 for Gonzaga, 1 for Xavier, and one for little old SDSU.Maybe I'm crazy for saying this, but I won't be surprised if ESPN airs the USD game from Brookings this year, especially if we start out hot.

I love the enthusiasm but there isn't a chance that happens.