Post by milwsport on Oct 17, 2006 20:30:25 GMT -6
Tonight the Men's team held a "Sneak Peak" for Season ticket holders and prospective and current members of the Full Court Club.
It included a shoot around and a full court scrimmage, plus some nice food and a chance to ask RJ about this season.
The scrimmage was good. I didn't see much different from what was said by others about the Panther Madness scrimmage, except I was impressed by Thorton.
He has a natural shooting touch and if you leave him alone for a second you're screwed because the ball is on the way. I also liked the way Paulsen played. I wasn't really impressed with Maudlin.
I talked to Thorton and asked him if he was redshirting. He said everyone thinks that but that RJ told him, you keep playing like you play and you will play this year. He said he's gained 8 pounds since coming to UWM. During the scrimmage he bowled over Paulson and scored on a layup.
After some drinks and food, Bud talked. He joked that he had a bodyguard since the Cell is so close the MU campus.
Then Rob talked. He had some interesting things to say:
On Redshirts - RJ said that is up to the guys. "If they want to play they will play."
On the Press - We will be using it.
On the offense and whether they'll be some new wrinkles -
RJ said that consistency is what we need but that there are nuances that most people don't pick up that will be employed. He said we have 6'1 and 6'2" guards "that can post up and that will create matchup problems for other 6'1", 6'2" guards."
On selecting starters - RJ said that is up to the team. He said that there are certain things starters have to do, be in the right place, listen during time outs, make the right pass. He said "these things don't take talent but when you can do them, and you have talent as our players do, you create something special."
He said again that the starters will be decided by the players. "It's about earning respect, doing things so well that others recognize that's why you are starting."
On Building Team Chemistry - RJ said that 24 hills followed by 20 guys getting into two vans will do that. He also said that he and the assistants have the team over every now and then and they are bonding well.
On other teams - He singled out Loyola as the team to beat. He said Detroit will also be tough and Wright State might be tough. He said GB has talent, young talent. But he also said that it will be tough to beat some of these teams on the road but "It will be tough to come into our house and beat us."
He went on to say that nothing succeeds like success. He's been with successful programs and he knows that for a fact. The program has been successful and he fully expects it to remain so. Bud said there is no way we are finishing seventh with this group of guys.
RJ said he understand why we were picked to finish seventh because we lost 9 scholarship players but he also said this group will be a contender because of its talent and willingness to learn.
On Scheduling - RJ said that was the hardest part. Lots of teams don't want to play us because they're afraid they'll lose, then you find someone who will play us and you have to match up the dates.
On the team - RJ said he is very pleased with the guys. They study hard and they have shown a willingness to learn, ("and that is important). He said we "have the pieces we want, all we lack is experience and we will get that as soon as the games start."
He also mentioned that we have all state players, and an all city guy, Torre from the Big 12 and Dion from Tulsa for next year, but he seemed VERY upbeat about our chances this year.
On the Locker Room - RJ said the locker room still has two lockers to be sponsored at $1,500 each. He said that families and recruits have been very impressed with it and it's "the best anyone has."
He also said that any money donated to the program goes to help the players get what they need and all donations are appreciated.
After seeing the practice and listening to Rob and Bud, I'm really excited about this season. I think we will be much better than others think
If anyone else was there they can fill in anything I missed.
It included a shoot around and a full court scrimmage, plus some nice food and a chance to ask RJ about this season.
The scrimmage was good. I didn't see much different from what was said by others about the Panther Madness scrimmage, except I was impressed by Thorton.
He has a natural shooting touch and if you leave him alone for a second you're screwed because the ball is on the way. I also liked the way Paulsen played. I wasn't really impressed with Maudlin.
I talked to Thorton and asked him if he was redshirting. He said everyone thinks that but that RJ told him, you keep playing like you play and you will play this year. He said he's gained 8 pounds since coming to UWM. During the scrimmage he bowled over Paulson and scored on a layup.
After some drinks and food, Bud talked. He joked that he had a bodyguard since the Cell is so close the MU campus.
Then Rob talked. He had some interesting things to say:
On Redshirts - RJ said that is up to the guys. "If they want to play they will play."
On the Press - We will be using it.
On the offense and whether they'll be some new wrinkles -
RJ said that consistency is what we need but that there are nuances that most people don't pick up that will be employed. He said we have 6'1 and 6'2" guards "that can post up and that will create matchup problems for other 6'1", 6'2" guards."
On selecting starters - RJ said that is up to the team. He said that there are certain things starters have to do, be in the right place, listen during time outs, make the right pass. He said "these things don't take talent but when you can do them, and you have talent as our players do, you create something special."
He said again that the starters will be decided by the players. "It's about earning respect, doing things so well that others recognize that's why you are starting."
On Building Team Chemistry - RJ said that 24 hills followed by 20 guys getting into two vans will do that. He also said that he and the assistants have the team over every now and then and they are bonding well.
On other teams - He singled out Loyola as the team to beat. He said Detroit will also be tough and Wright State might be tough. He said GB has talent, young talent. But he also said that it will be tough to beat some of these teams on the road but "It will be tough to come into our house and beat us."
He went on to say that nothing succeeds like success. He's been with successful programs and he knows that for a fact. The program has been successful and he fully expects it to remain so. Bud said there is no way we are finishing seventh with this group of guys.
RJ said he understand why we were picked to finish seventh because we lost 9 scholarship players but he also said this group will be a contender because of its talent and willingness to learn.
On Scheduling - RJ said that was the hardest part. Lots of teams don't want to play us because they're afraid they'll lose, then you find someone who will play us and you have to match up the dates.
On the team - RJ said he is very pleased with the guys. They study hard and they have shown a willingness to learn, ("and that is important). He said we "have the pieces we want, all we lack is experience and we will get that as soon as the games start."
He also mentioned that we have all state players, and an all city guy, Torre from the Big 12 and Dion from Tulsa for next year, but he seemed VERY upbeat about our chances this year.
On the Locker Room - RJ said the locker room still has two lockers to be sponsored at $1,500 each. He said that families and recruits have been very impressed with it and it's "the best anyone has."
He also said that any money donated to the program goes to help the players get what they need and all donations are appreciated.
After seeing the practice and listening to Rob and Bud, I'm really excited about this season. I think we will be much better than others think
If anyone else was there they can fill in anything I missed.