I'm not giving up on this year's team yet, but I'm kind of wondering about next year. Where is our scoring going to come from? Seems like we're kind of scholarship tight. It's expected that B.J. and Marshawn are gone. Portis and Kingsley are coming in. Kingsley is a defensive stud, while Portis is more offensive minded. But they are just freshmen, and sometimes it takes awhile to step up. Do we have anyone thinking about transferring? Do we have any shooters out there on the horizon? I know coaches always say these things work out, but we need a Todd Day, Pat Bradley, Al Dillard type of shooter-actually a couple of them, in case one has an off night or is shut down by the D. Sorry for the long post-just wondering.

Alandise Harris is a good scorer, along the lines of Marshawn. I've read where the players have stated he is one of the toughest players in practice to guard. I watched him against us the year that he was with Houston and he seems to be solid all around - scorer, rebounder, defender, ball handling.

We've gone through this a number of times and I'm still not 100% sure who's on scholarship (even though Mud helped me through it last time, I've not sure I've retained it all), but I think we presently have 12 players on scholarship (Powell, Young, Scott, Bell, Qualls, Michelson, Clarke, Wagner, Gulley, Madden, Wade and Williams). Next year we add Harris, Portis and Mosely, lose Powell and Young, presumably, so we're to 13, the max we can have.

The staff is still recruiting and offering players, however, and that suggests that one or more players on the current team (in addition to losing Powell and Young) will likely be losing their scholarship for next year to make room for new signees.

Interesting you say B.J. is gone, I've heard both CMA & television announcers make the statement that he needs to stay at least one more year because he's got a lot of game to work on.  Funny how a player can have one picture in his mind but those watching have a totally different picture.  Reminds of many of the folks trying out for American Idol, they think they can sing and are very good, however, the judges and those watching on tv are wondering how they ever thought they had a chance of making it out of the first round as a singer.  Not saying B.J. is a bad by any stretch but I think we would or should agree he often leaves alot to be desired when it comes to being a leader on the court; he's a very good player.

I still feel BJ is coming back. If he leaves, he's gonna end up in basketball purgatory. He has NBA talent to me, just needs to work on some things. One more year of college basketball will make him a 1st Rd pick I feel. Isn't that what he wants???

He is predicted to be a first rounder, by many of the sports guys that do stuff.

I agree with you though.
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--- Dubs42 wrote:

I still feel BJ is coming back. If he leaves, he's gonna end up in basketball purgatory. He has NBA talent to me, just needs to work on some things. One more year of college basketball will make him a 1st Rd pick I feel. Isn't that what he wants???

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His defense is way to weak for the NBA heck it's weak against the SEC. BJ can score and drive even at the NBA level but he is not a true point guard and he is not a good enough defender to play the 2 at this point. Hopefully he gets some sound advice if so he will be back. Marshawn's knee injury scared him but maybe the thought of playing with Kingsley and Portis will change BJ and his mind. If they both come back there is a good chance we go deep in the NCAA tourney don't underestimate that.

It doesn't matter what you guys think about BJ.  He is projected as a 1st rounder by everyone.  I'm almost positive he'll leave.  Why wouldn't he?  1st rounders get guaranteed contracts.

Exactly. This year is a "down" draft class by all accounts. Next year is supposed to be a bumper crop of big men and guards who can score. Even if he's a better player, some have said (and it makes sense) that this year is his best chance to come out in the 1st round.

It seems counter-intuitive to say he could get much better on D and shooting the three ball yet drop in next year's draft, but that's sometimes how the system works. 

Qualls---Am I the only one thinking Qualls might be a big time contributor next year? I can see him getting a little stronger and more polished in the off season and maybe being a guy who averages something 14 pts, 8 boards, 3 assists (passing if help D comes), and 1.5 blocks a game. I see him having the potential to be that stat-stuffer that a CMA team needs (at Mizzou it was that one guy with dreads and a square chin, can't remember his name).

OKCHawg wrote: It doesn't matter what you guys think about BJ.  He is projected as a 1st rounder by everyone.  I'm almost positive he'll leave.  Why wouldn't he?  1st rounders get guaranteed contracts.

I think the same thing about Qualls.  Especially if he gets that 15 footer down.  He takes away 4-6 points a game by getting defensive rebounds at the rim.

FoxMan2099 wrote: Exactly. This year is a "down" draft class by all accounts. Next year is supposed to be a bumper crop of big men and guards who can score. Even if he's a better player, some have said (and it makes sense) that this year is his best chance to come out in the 1st round.

It seems counter-intuitive to say he could get much better on D and shooting the three ball yet drop in next year's draft, but that's sometimes how the system works. 

Qualls---Am I the only one thinking Qualls might be a big time contributor next year? I can see him getting a little stronger and more polished in the off season and maybe being a guy who averages something 14 pts, 8 boards, 3 assists (passing if help D comes), and 1.5 blocks a game. I see him having the potential to be that stat-stuffer that a CMA team needs (at Mizzou it was that one guy with dreads and a square chin, can't remember his name).

OKCHawg wrote: It doesn't matter what you guys think about BJ.  He is projected as a 1st rounder by everyone.  I'm almost positive he'll leave.  Why wouldn't he?  1st rounders get guaranteed contracts.

Qualls needs to work on his handle and shooting this offseason. His shooting isn't bad but can improve. His handle needs a lot if work. If he gets that down, he will be a matchup problem. He would be able to elevate above defenders his size or smaller. If he has a decent handle, he will be to quick for bigger guys to defend.

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--- FoxMan2099 wrote:

Exactly. This year is a "down" draft class by all accounts. Next year is supposed to be a bumper crop of big men and guards who can score. Even if he's a better player, some have said (and it makes sense) that this year is his best chance to come out in the 1st round.

It seems counter-intuitive to say he could get much better on D and shooting the three ball yet drop in next year's draft, but that's sometimes how the system works. 

Qualls---Am I the only one thinking Qualls might be a big time contributor next year? I can see him getting a little stronger and more polished in the off season and maybe being a guy who averages something 14 pts, 8 boards, 3 assists (passing if help D comes), and 1.5 blocks a game. I see him having the potential to be that stat-stuffer that a CMA team needs (at Mizzou it was that one guy with dreads and a square chin, can't remember his name).

OKCHawg wrote: It doesn't matter what you guys think about BJ.  He is projected as a 1st rounder by everyone.  I'm almost positive he'll leave.  Why wouldn't he?  1st rounders get guaranteed contracts.

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A little off topic (or at least change in direction), but who handles strength and conditioning for the BBall team?  Seems if we are going to contend in the SEC, something needs to be done there.

Qualls is getting better I also think that Williams and Bell are improving just at a slower pace. The other players will get better as the year goes along. With the addition of Portis and Kingsley I think things will not be as bad as some think if BJ and Marshawn leave. A couple to watch are DeQuavious Wagner and Anthlon Bell. JMO

He's got freakish athletic ability, I agree that some ball skills would go a long way. If he spent some time in advanced dribbling drills this summer, he'd be a monster hoops player. Matchup nightmare. 

bocephus5 wrote: Qualls needs to work on his handle and shooting this offseason. His shooting isn't bad but can improve. His handle needs a lot if work. If he gets that down, he will be a matchup problem. He would be able to elevate above defenders his size or smaller. If he has a decent handle, he will be to quick for bigger guys to defend.

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--- FoxMan2099 wrote:

Exactly. This year is a "down" draft class by all accounts. Next year is supposed to be a bumper crop of big men and guards who can score. Even if he's a better player, some have said (and it makes sense) that this year is his best chance to come out in the 1st round.

It seems counter-intuitive to say he could get much better on D and shooting the three ball yet drop in next year's draft, but that's sometimes how the system works. 

Qualls---Am I the only one thinking Qualls might be a big time contributor next year? I can see him getting a little stronger and more polished in the off season and maybe being a guy who averages something 14 pts, 8 boards, 3 assists (passing if help D comes), and 1.5 blocks a game. I see him having the potential to be that stat-stuffer that a CMA team needs (at Mizzou it was that one guy with dreads and a square chin, can't remember his name).

OKCHawg wrote: It doesn't matter what you guys think about BJ.  He is projected as a 1st rounder by everyone.  I'm almost positive he'll leave.  Why wouldn't he?  1st rounders get guaranteed contracts.

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over50hog wrote: Qualls is getting better I also think that Williams and Bell are improving just at a slower pace. The other players will get better as the year goes along. With the addition of Portis and Kingsley I think things will not be as bad as some think if BJ and Marshawn leave. A couple to watch are DeQuavious Wagner and Anthlon Bell. JMO

Agreed. I thin Gulley has the potential to be more than just a defender, too. Not a major scoring threat, but if he could just drive and dish he'd be that much more vital.

MA brought him from Mizzou, don't know his name though.
His name is David Deets.
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--- MultipleScoreGasms wrote:

A little off topic (or at least change in direction), but who handles strength and conditioning for the BBall team?  Seems if we are going to contend in the SEC, something needs to be done there.

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If the projected leave we will need players to step up. Bottom line. We will probably be about the same team next year with the additions and subtractions. If we can learn to win on the road will be the big time factor. New player or old players doesn't matter if we cant win a road game.

As for BJ and MP it wont matter where they are drafted if they don't take care of their money. Everybody wants to think they will have a long NBA carrier but most dont. I personally dont think either from what I have seen will make it in the NBA long term. I have been wrong and could be. But I wouldnt draft either of them at this point.

I don't see either having a long NBA career, either, but overseas leagues serve as a "halfway house" for players these days. Decent money and a chance to do what the players want to do - play basketball without worrying about classes and homework. In a lot of ways, mainly socio-economic, college ball is about forcing square pegs in round holes. More so in basketball than any other sport I think.

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--- jrodcollins wrote:

If the projected leave we will need players to step up. Bottom line. We will probably be about the same team next year with the additions and subtractions. If we can learn to win on the road will be the big time factor. New player or old players doesn't matter if we cant win a road game.

As for BJ and MP it wont matter where they are drafted if they don't take care of their money. Everybody wants to think they will have a long NBA carrier but most dont. I personally dont think either from what I have seen will make it in the NBA long term. I have been wrong and could be. But I wouldnt draft either of them at this point.

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We'll see that first round projection was based on last year and the thought he would get better at defense this year.

That projection is from this year.

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--- hawgjaws wrote:

We'll see that first round projection was based on last year and the thought he would get better at defense this year.

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by who? link please. I can show you link where he is not even ranked in the top 10 guards. Not that I agree with it but it's there. Rankings and web sites are cheap. I am a maverick fan and they suck now and I can tell you BJ would not crack there line up.