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Post by Deleted on Oct 18, 2010 13:35:20 GMT -6
I'm expecting this season to be one exciting ride. I'm trying not to get too far ahead of things but I definitely like where things are heading.
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Post by ricestillfumbled on Oct 20, 2010 12:33:06 GMT -6
38-0
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2010 14:28:48 GMT -6
I could be wrong and many will think this theory absurd.... but one thing I really like about this team is that several of our players seem likely to have that hunger and drive to prove themselves and prove people wrong. You can also assume the controversial statements and highly critical articles against the Milwaukee AD and the Panther Basketball program specifically by people like UWM's own SA (that is the worst of all- I cannot believe how they have zero pride and foresight/memory), Dave Begel, and several Journal-Sentinel writers has not been lost on Rob Jeter, Brian Bidlingmeyer, Duffy Conroy, and Chad Bourdreau. Ever notice how well professional athletes seem to play in a "contract" season? Well here are a list of just a few of our very talented players, whom I think might exceed expectations simply because they have been overlooked/underrated and/or have not been showered with praise (which, while a "feel-good" thing... can lead to stagnation or regression- in sports and in business). Kaylon Williams: Clearly wanted Iowa or Iowa State to offer after he left Evansville. This did not happen (though both schools tried to make a last-ditch plea before KW decided on Jeter and Milwaukee), and I think that stung a little bit. I believe Mr. Williams will be on a relentless mission to silence his doubters- with a vengeance. Mitch Carter: Essentially coached out of the South Carolina program by being given minuscule minutes (which also obviously affected his eligibility as he could have and should have been red-shirted). Mitch has some proving to do. I think his former USC coach may have egg on his face before the end of this season. Anthony Hill: While most of the criticism came early last season and the two seasons before that, it is no secret to regulars of this board that Ant (before being hailed as an Elite Horizon League forward) was ridiculed as "too slow", "not a banger", "lacking post precense", "no FT shooting ability", "dumb shot selection", etc. I think Ant has already proven many, many people wrong about his potential and he will likely continue that trend this season. Tone Boyle: A year away from D-I action has many people wondering if he will return to form or will be hobbled by his back. I think Tone answer that question very early in the season. And the answer is most likely "NO". Rob Demovsky's suggestion that Boyle is has poor shot selection and is a "chucker" and a negative for the team in close game situations will only fuel Tone's fire on the court. Tony Meier: Suffered a Sophomore slump last season. Do ya think he isn't dying to return to his Freshman form or better? Ja'Rob McCallum: After being named SI's Horizon League Freshman of the Year in '09-'10, McCallum may not even begin the season as a starter (which says a LOT about our depth). Do you think he is out to prove that he is even BETTER than that freshmen accolade and worthy of a starting spot this season or in the next 2? Lonnie Boga: Also a relatively phenomenal freshman season, and yet he faces seeing his minutes from last year stay about the same. The only way to increase his workload is to prove it on the court. He has shown he is capable of doing just that- and I think we'll see some amazing play out of Lonnie this season because he knows we are loaded at the guard position and he has to fight to get maximum PT. Kyle Kelm: Recruited by High-Majors including Marquette, Minnesota, Purdue, Wisconsin, and Iowa early in his HS career before he broke his foot in his Junior year and they all bailed. Rob and staff stood by his side and remained highly interested. I think Kyle is going to show his gratitude for that faith as well as show the coaches who left him in the dust that they made a big mistake by assuming his foot injury was a career-ender. Thoughts? I think all of these players having a kind of "chip" on their shoulder for various reasons can be a very good thing. Assuming we stay healthy, these Panthers just might raise things to the next level... My expectations for the season? - 14-4 and #2 in Horizon League
- Horizon League Tourney Champs and Autobid to NCAA's
- 27-7 Overall with a 2nd Round Loss in the NCAA Tourney.
Yes, I am the zaniest poster on this board. But I like to aim high- no one ever became a Champion by aiming for 4th place. I hope the players and the coaches share that view. We are deep enough and talented enough to make it happen. Does anyone else ever step back and take stock in the fact that we were literally a couple foul calls and a couple of minutes away from beating the NCAA National Runner Up in the 2010 HL Semis? Impossible is nothing. 2 weeks.... |
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Post by Super King on Oct 22, 2010 16:14:14 GMT -6
Again, I'll be the one to defend Meier. His free throw percentage, shooting percentage, points per shot, and points per minute were all higher last year than they were his Freshman year. Foul troubles, turnovers, and Haggerty's emergence kept him out of the starting lineup, but he was a fairly consistent performer when he was on the court. I think more than anything the perception that he suffered a Sophomore slump will be enough of a driving force -- along with his increase in minutes and likely return to the starting five with Eayrs' departure -- for him to want to prove himself this season. Also, by all accounts, he was a monster in Italy. I agree with you about our tournament aspirations, though. We've got one of the most underrated basketball teams in the country, really. Also, though not particularly relevant to this thread, ESPN has updated our team page. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2010 17:44:34 GMT -6
Wow Super King- you are right. His minutes were 8+ fewer than his Freshman year, (and so his points were down which maybe led to the perception of a Slump) but statistically he averaged better (or the same) in nearly every category.
Maybe it's because his 3pt shots taken and 3pt % was down... (36-106 (.340) in '08-'09 to just 21-70 (.300) in '09-'10). Many of us fans tend to remember the 3's (and dunks! lol) a lot more than the other field goals.. That's nuts. The Tony Meier Sophomore slump is a myth.
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Post by Super King on Oct 22, 2010 18:00:27 GMT -6
This is also the first year for Meier since high school where his body is a consistent size from one year to the next. He, like Gordon Hayward, had that massive growth spurt in his latter high school years, and was a shooting guard when UWM started recruiting him. He was still playing like a shooting guard his Freshman season despite being 6'8", and in the offseason put on a ton of muscle to fill out his frame, which fundamentally changed his game. So between last year and this season, it's the first time in a long time that he's been the same height and weight one year to the next, which should go miles toward making him a better, consistent single-position basketball player. I expect Meier to shock a lot of people.
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dutchpthr
Junior
ain't much if it ain't dutch
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Post by dutchpthr on Oct 23, 2010 13:03:54 GMT -6
According to Jeter when he was on the D-List in the last couple weeks Tony actually grew a few inches this off-season. Not sure how that will change his game but maybe that will give us another option for leadership off the bench in offense.
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Post by Super King on Oct 23, 2010 13:24:06 GMT -6
That's nuts. If "a few inches" means even a single inch, we've now got four players 6'9" or taller, two of them experienced, major contributors.
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Post by eddiec on Oct 23, 2010 18:31:27 GMT -6
Mitch Carter: Essentially coached out of the South Carolina program by being given minuscule minutes (which also obviously affected his eligibility as he could have and should have been red-shirted). Mitch has some proving to do. I think his former USC coach may have egg on his face before the end of this season. Great point here. It might be easy for outsiders to say that Mitchell just wasn't good enough to earn playing time, but let's get real. How is it possible for a 6'11" , 270 lb. guy to only score 27 points in three seasons? The coaches (yes, more than one was involved) clearly had some other reason for not getting him more time. I don't know what Odom had against Mitch, but you don't have to be a brain surgeon to deduce that Darrin Horn (with ties to Marquette and Tom Crean) was still bitter that Mitchell chose USC over Marquette and wanted to make sure he used a year of eligibility before running him out of town. It was clear that Mitchell was constantly improving ... 0 points as a freshman, 5 as a sophomore and 22 as a junior. Why he stayed as long as he did is the real mystery. Rest assured that Jeter won't make the some mistake as Odom and Horn ... he know how dominated a 6'11" athlete can be in the Horizon and will do everything possible to get him on the floor. |
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Post by zvillehaze on Nov 14, 2010 9:29:16 GMT -6
Mitch Carter: Essentially coached out of the South Carolina program by being given minuscule minutes (which also obviously affected his eligibility as he could have and should have been red-shirted). Mitch has some proving to do. I think his former USC coach may have egg on his face before the end of this season. Is it too early to conclude that Jeter is doing the same thing? |
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Post by PantherU on Nov 14, 2010 12:26:38 GMT -6
Mitch Carter: Essentially coached out of the South Carolina program by being given minuscule minutes (which also obviously affected his eligibility as he could have and should have been red-shirted). Mitch has some proving to do. I think his former USC coach may have egg on his face before the end of this season. Is it too early to conclude that Jeter is doing the same thing? Very early. Marcus Skinner was all-league worthy by the end of a season in which he got nothing at the beginning. |
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Post by zvillehaze on Nov 14, 2010 14:22:38 GMT -6
Is it too early to conclude that Jeter is doing the same thing? Very early. Marcus Skinner was all-league worthy by the end of a season in which he got nothing at the beginning. So you're predicting the same for Carter? |
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Post by Super King on Nov 14, 2010 14:45:36 GMT -6
Skinner also was thrust into a starting spot by injury. They had to play him. Barring injury, Carter's got Hill, Kelm, and Meier ahead of him. Maybe even Haggerty. There's a difference between the situations.
That said, Carter is only limited because of his hand. Once he's at full strength, he should be fine. From what I saw in the Carroll game, he was incredibly cautious in the lane -- save one play, where he put two hands on the ball, swung himself violently toward the rim, and drew an easy foul. That play, however, resulted in Mitch shaking his injured hand. He's got a mean physical streak in him, but it's incumbent on his health. Once he's healed, he should contribute.
Also remember that he's got a very winnable argument for an extra year of eligibility. If Carter's back next year, he'll immediately be our go-to post guy and could dominate the league if healthy.
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Post by BBFran on Nov 14, 2010 14:56:57 GMT -6
Mitch is a ten minute a game player this year once he's healthy. If he plays next year, he might expand that.
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Post by JG Panthers on Nov 14, 2010 15:23:39 GMT -6
If Carter's back next year, he'll immediately be our go-to post guy and could dominate the league if healthy. What?! |
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