Loyola 2/14-SENIOR NIGHT!!!

[pantherdon]

Torre will start, but unproven freshman usually don't.
If we started 2 or 3 freshman, we would be in for a repeat of this year.
No experience = no wins.

Paige will pick it up next year.
He still averages 11 points and 6 rebounds, not too bad.

[nighthawk]

Paige will pick it up next year.
He still averages 11 points and 6 rebounds, not too bad.

11.2 PPG / 31.8 MPG = .35 PPM
5.9 RPG / 31.8 MPG = .18 RPM

FG%= .390

Yeah, not too bad indeed.

[dylanrocks]

Joe's case is currently under appeal. Don't bet against him starting from the beginning next season. He would form a formidable front line with Torre and team with a talented backcourt trio of Charlie (if healthy), Roman and Deonte to give the Panthers a much-needed dose of athleticism and energy. Off the bench, we will likely see Ricky, Tim, K.J., Deion, Ryan, Avery, Deutschman and Paige. That's the latest from people who know far more than me.

[reggiewheelerfor3]

I'm by no means a believer that Paige Paulsen is the answer, but what he generally did do was stick his nose in there and rebound this season, which is something we otherwise lacked terribly. That may be the best part of his game from what I've seen, and is probably one of the team's greatest weaknesses overall. He did a nice job in that regard.

[jhart05]

The kid I really hope to see on the court next year is Thornton. In the interviews I've seen, he sounds like a good kid, and knows what he needs to do to get on the court more. He has said that he's going to continue to bulk up over the summer, and that he doesn't think he has even stopped growing yet. I'd like to see him come back next year as a 6'8" 215 to 220 pound, small forward, and still retain that sweet 3 point shot.

As far as the Simeon kids go...

I think Flowers (I hope we are calling him "Little-Barkley" by the end of next year) will be ready to contribute right away and we will probably need him to, since Joe Allen won't be able to play 'till second semester.

With KJ, although it looks like he has the tools and basketball smarts already, I think he's going to need some time in the weight room so he doesn't get pushed around out there. What is he listed at right now? 6'6" 185 pounds? That's about the size Thornton was at the beginning of the year. And he looked really skinny out there. For comparison take a look at Blake Schilb, 6'7" 220, or Paige Paulsen, also 6'7" 220. I am sure Jeter and staff have told him this. Besides KJ is an intelligent kid, and I'm sure he realizes this already.

[brewtownbrian]

As was posted by dylan...

"Joe's case is currently under appeal. Don't bet against him starting from the beginning next season."

So to say for certain that he won't be able to play until 2nd semester is a little premature.

Also, per KJ's post in this thread...

uwmfreak.proboards5.com/index.cgi?board=New&action=display&n=1&thread=348&page=5

"The last time I was measured I was 6'6, 217 lbs. I'm sure I've gained weight because I've spent alot of time in the weight room, so probably closer to 225 now."

[dylanrocks]

K.J. told this board a month ago that he has added eight pounds since the start of last season and now lists at a healthy 6-foot-6, 225 pounds. It seems that some people here are looking for reasons for K.J. not to play. By the end of the year, whenever that arrives, he will perhaps have played at the United Center, Madison Square Garden, the UIC Pavilion, Welch-Ryan Arena and Carver Arena (Bradley). He'll have played against several high-profile Illinois teams, some with multiple Division 1 recruits. I keep hearing that he's physically fit and unbelievably determined to contribute his first year. Why is it so hard for some on this board to believe that he'll be in the 10-man rotation next year. Because of the presence of Sam Mauldin? Paige Paulsen? Marcus Skinner?

[brewtownbrian]

dylanrocks, I think it may have to do with all the hype surrounding the freshman and newcomers for the 06-07 season and the fact they didn't really live up to the hype.

I for one, think that the incoming freshman for 07-08 will have a much better chance to contribute and hopefully turn into "impact players."

[jhart05]

I stand corrected then and will make the change on my personal roster sheet I whipped up on excel.

Some upper classmen might just find themselves riding the pine next year watching KJ take their job.

I'm not looking for reasons why he won't play, it just seems too many people here are expecting too much from the kid right away. I'm hoping they won't get down on him if he's not tearing it up from the start.

I fully expect KJ and Tim to be two of the better players in the Horizon League by the time their careers are done here at Milwaukee.

[pantherdon]

This debate seems to be going in circles.
If the Freshman show up with the skills, we'll see them play or maybe even start.
If not, we won't. No one really knows.
All we can do is wait and see.

[brewtownbrian]

pantherdon said:

This debate seems be going in circles.
If the Freshman show up with the skills, we'll see them play or maybe even start.
If not, we won't. No one really knows.
All we can do is wait and see.

Well said.

[teddyp00]

brewtownbrian said:

pantherdon said:

This debate seems be going in circles.
If the Freshman show up with the skills, we'll see them play or maybe even start.
If not, we won't. No one really knows.
All we can do is wait and see.

Well said.

What else am I gonna do then for the 7 months after college basketball is over until it starts again?

[milwsport]

It's disturbing to read some of these posts. It does seem that after the GB game something happened and the heart went out of this team.

Paulsen went from HL player of the week to an average (at best) player. The others seem to have forgotten what they worked hard to learn. It was the first home game I missed in three years (Valentine's Day) but from what I'm reading it seems like I didn't miss much.

Let's hope the team realizes that we're still behind them and they shouldn't give up no matter what their record is right now.

[dylanrocks]

I understand all of the above posts to some degree. As for a perceived lack of heart, I agree with those who have arrived at the conclusion that this particular group has maxed out on its ability, hit a wall, is a little bit fragile psychologically at the moment, etc. Unfortunately, the Panthers drew an extremely difficult Bracket Buster opponent and that will do nothing for the team's psyche. Just remember: There are far, far brighter days ahead.

[brewtownbrian]

mcdadenets50 said:

I think some fans of sports confuse effort with talent sometimes. I thought the Panthers' effort last night was fine. They are just not very talented. Period. If a couple of those early 3s go in the game has a whole different look. They didn't go in because of lack of effort. They didn't go in because, quite frankly, UWM is not a good shooting team. In fact, the Panthers are not a very skilled team in many areas and their record supports that.

I'm happy with the effort. I'll be even happier when that effort is being put forth by better players and translates into more wins.

GO PANTHERS

I agree that they have maxed out their talent. And I also agree that effort and talent can be easily confused. This team hasn't had the talent in most games this year, but they have stayed in certain games and won certain games b/c of their effort.

I have been happy with this team's effort all season until Wed. night. It appeared to me that the effort was not there. Like I said, it looked as though some of the guys were waiting for the final buzzer to sound so they could get the hell out of there.

Just my opinion...