Compared to last year...

[jackmd]

Re: Compared to last year...

That is going to be a huge feat. Kai and Garrett have been very good players for the past 4 years. We can only hope the incoming freshman can play up to what Kai and Garrett have. Giant shoes to fill for those freshman.

I don't disagree I would only rephrase it a bit. Incoming freshman should be expected to play to the level that Kai and Garrett have. That is how you get better.

[Jacks-02]

Re: Compared to last year...

I think Garrett will be easier to replace than Kai next year. Garrett was a great scorer but Kai brought the defense and rebounding to the board as well. From the sounds of it Dykstra has the body type where he is expected to be able to compete as a freshman. Hopefully with his size and versatility that means he can do it on both ends of the court like Kai does for us now.

Basically we will have 4 guys (White, Carlson, Dykstra, Heemstra) to replace two departing seniors (Callahan, Williams) and to some extent Engen. So while they are big shoes to fill, it won't be on a single player to fill them, Nagy will have his options and even more depth than this year to be able to do it with.

[jack power]

Re: Compared to last year...

I think Garrett will be easier to replace than Kai next year. Garrett was a great scorer but Kai brought the defense and rebounding to the board as well. From the sounds of it Dykstra has the body type where he is expected to be able to compete as a freshman. Hopefully with his size and versatility that means he can do it on both ends of the court like Kai does for us now.

Basically we will have 4 guys (White, Carlson, Dykstra, Heemstra) to replace two departing seniors (Callahan, Williams) and to some extent Engen. So while they are big shoes to fill, it won't be on a single player to fill them, Nagy will have his options and even more depth than this year to be able to do it with.

I have my doubts those four will replace the production of Kai and Garrett. I hope so. What they won't replace is their experience. That to me is a bigger problem.

[HoboJack]

Re: Compared to last year...

It may be quite some time before we have three players on the same team that are 1000 pt career scorers. The best part of their tenure to me, is what they did in their early years. If we had a player joining our team next year with Garrett's Freshman skill set, that player would be a 5-10 minute per game type role player. With Kai's Freshman skill set a 7-12 minute per game role player. They were forced to play 30+ minutes in those early years, and have the great career stats to show for it. The legacy they leave behind for the improvement in the program, is what I will remember them for. I probably respect all three of these seniors more for the way they have handled themselves off of the court, more than I do for what they have done on it (and that is saying quite a bit).

[JACKGUYII]

Re: Compared to last year...

It may be quite some time before we have three players on the same team that are 1000 pt career scorers. The best part of their tenure to me, is what they did in their early years. If we had a player joining our team next year with Garrett's Freshman skill set, that player would be a 5-10 minute per game type role player. With Kai's Freshman skill set a 7-12 minute per game role player. They were forced to play 30+ minutes in those early years, and have the great career stats to show for it. The legacy they leave behind for the improvement in the program, is what I will remember them for. I probably respect all three of these seniors more for the way they have handled themselves off of the court, more than I do for what they have done on it (and that is saying quite a bit).

I could not agree with this post more. Both of these guys really make it look so easy and natural and will not be easily replaced.

[mitchell]

Re: Compared to last year...

The disappointing part for me this season was that we weren't able to take that next step and beat the upper level teams. Against the top five teams in the league we were 2-8.
The difference was that this year we beat the teams we needed to beat, which is a good step.

In my opinion, a successful season would have been beating NDSU both times and winning at least one game against Oakland or IUPUI. That would have put the record at 13-5.

[2002jack]

Re: Compared to last year...

A.C. has taken a step back this year. He just hasn't played well in conference play. If he would have played up to potential we may have finished 13-5. Perhaps he will be a beast at the conference tournament, but I'm not sure it will happen.

[jackmd]

Re: Compared to last year...

The disappointing part for me this season was that we weren't able to take that next step and beat the upper level teams. Against the top five teams in the league we were 2-8.
The difference was that this year we beat the teams we needed to beat, which is a good step.

In my opinion, a successful season would have been beating NDSU both times and winning at least one game against Oakland or IUPUI. That would have put the record at 13-5.

We don't have the inside presence necessary to beat better teams. Teams can afford to let us take open outside looks early because they know if we start hitting from the outside they can close out, pressure the perimeter and pressure the ball. I'd like to see us run more pick and rolls and back door cuts. If we are going to make a run in the tourney we will need to shoot extremely well.

[2002jack]

Re: Compared to last year...

We don't have the inside presence necessary to beat better teams. Teams can afford to let us take open outside looks early because they know if we start hitting from the outside they can close out, pressure the perimeter and pressure the ball. I'd like to see us run more pick and rolls and back door cuts. If we are going to make a run in the tourney we will need to shoot extremely well.

Nice post, I couldn't agree more. I would like to add that it is just not an issue on offense either, the team lacks solid post play on defense as well. The big guys have not been effective, way to many points inside the paint.

Our best offensive scheme of late has been to play five perimeter players, and work for the open shot. We score some points, but we give up a whole heck of a lot of easy scores.

I can't envision this team beating Oakland, ORU, or IUPUI unless our big guys play better on both sides of the ball. Or plan B...shoot 75% from beyond the arc.

[Jacks-02]

Re: Compared to last year...

The disappointing part for me this season was that we weren't able to take that next step and beat the upper level teams. Against the top five teams in the league we were 2-8.
The difference was that this year we beat the teams we needed to beat, which is a good step.

In my opinion, a successful season would have been beating NDSU both times and winning at least one game against Oakland or IUPUI. That would have put the record at 13-5.

No we haven't beaten the upper teams very often, but we have been competitive in every game other than the road IUPUI game, something we couldn't say last season. We took Oakland to the wire in both games and blew a lead on the road at ORU.

We aren't there yet, but man we're getting close!

[rockchalk]

Re: Compared to last year...

I have my doubts those four will replace the production of Kai and Garrett. I hope so. What they won't replace is their experience. That to me is a bigger problem.

I agree. You can't hope depth will replace these two players you can only hope that Dykstra, White, Heemstra, or whoever can standout and slowly fill there shoes after a year or two. I really think next year we will be 3 or 4 games below .500. Its too tough to replace guys who play that many minutes and who contribute as much as they do on the offensive and defensive ends.

[zooropa]

Re: Compared to last year...

I agree. Let's fire Nagy.

[LakeJack]

Re: Compared to last year...

I agree, lets get rid of Men's Basketball

[jackmd]

Re: Compared to last year...

I agree, lets get rid of Men's Basketball

I say fire Nagy and AJ, keep both basketball programs though.

Unless we win the Summit league championship tourney and sign Shaunteva Ashley then they can both stay for one more year.

If we aren't going to do that we ought to add a clause to their contract that says they need to discuss recruits, game plans, and coaching philosophy with alums including those who frequent fan boards. With a priority on those who frequent fan boards.

I don't think that is asking too much.

[zooropa]

Re: Compared to last year...

The contract clause should be:

"Contracts will not be offered for renewal if ANY individual who professes to be a 'fan' of SDSU expresses disappointment with any decision made during the course of the year."

Because, as we all know, saying, "I'm a fan" is a justification for any and all nonsense that follows.