Five Questions | The Final Roster
by Seth C on Jun 16, 2011 7:00 AM CDT
in Texas Tech Basketball 2011-2012
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Last week I speculated as to the final roster and late last week, we received confirmation that the two players who would not make the roster was PF/C Paul Cooper and PF Hershey Robinson, who will play at Tyler J.C. next year.
That means that the roster is set at 13 players and as part of some posts that I hope would generate some discussion as I'm gone for a week and a half. First things first, I want to point you to a handful of links that will help you familiarize yourself with the new players. Make sure and check out all of the new players DTN profiles as well as the positional reviews:
Prior Position Reviews
Point Guards | Shooting Guards | Small Forwards | Power Forwards | Centers
| POSITION | PLAYER | HEIGHT/WEIGHT | YEAR |
|---|---|---|---|
| PG | Mike Davis | 6-2/200 | Junior |
| PG | Javarez Willis | 5-11/171 | Sophomore |
| PG | Ty Nurse | 6-1/180 | Junior |
| PG | Kevin Wagner | 5-8/145 | Freshman |
| SG | Toddrick Gotcher | 6-3/185 | Freshman |
| SF | Jaye Crockett | 6-7/200 | Sophomore |
| SF | Theron Jenkins | 6-6/215 | Senior |
| SF | Jaron Nash | 6-7/180 | Sophomore |
| SF | Terran Petteway | 6-5/200 | Freshman |
| PF | Jordan Tolbert | 6-7/225 | Freshman |
| PF/C | Daouda Soumaoro | 6-10/220 | Freshman |
| C | Robert Lewandowski | 6-10/260 | Senior |
| C | Kader Tapsoba | 6-10/200 | Junior |
1. WHERE ARE ALL OF THE SHOOTING GUARDS? During the Pat Knight era I never really worried about having enough guards and/or wing players. With an almost entirely new team, that looks like it's about to change. The only true shooting guard is Gotcher, who played shooting guard while in high school as I believe his high school point guard was Chris Jones a pretty darned good player going to North Texas. In any event, Gillispie is going to have to swing some players between point guard and small forward to cover the shooting guard position. Who else do you think gets time as a shooting guard. I think that Jenkins could be an option, but I'm not sure that Nash is an option as he wasn't the best outside shooter while at Tyler J.C. Could Gillispie go with a two point guard lineup, with Nurse and Davis? The problem with that is that Davis doesn't have much of an offensive game, while Nurse is more of a distributor than a scorer.
2. ARE THERE FINALLY ENOUGH BIG MEN? One of my criticisms of Pat Knight was that I never really thought there were enough quality big men on the roster. Granted, there's a ton of questions as to whether or not Soumaoro, Tolbert or Tapsoba will be able to play at the Big 12 level, but at the very least there are options. Of the three that I mentioned, who do you think will have the biggest impact along the front line?
3. WHO STEPS UP AT POINT GUARD? There are a bevy of options available at point guard. Each has their own specific ability. Last year, Davis was viewed as more of a glue-guy, but couldn't hit an outside jumper. Willis was okay as a true freshman, was supposed to be a pretty good shooter but never really showed that last year. Nurse is supposed to be an excellent leader on the floor who doesn't turn the ball over. Wagner is a jumping-jack point guard who lack the size you'd like to see at the point, but can make up for some of that with his leaping ability. Who do you think make the most impact next year.
4. DOES BIG LEW FINALLY HAVE HIS CHANCE? I've always thought that Lewandowski had a really nice offensive game and I thought that he improved from his sophomore to his junior year. Gillispie is a coach that likes to run a lot of his sets inside-out, which means that Lewandowski should get an opportunity to be the center-piece to the offense. Last year there were times that Lewandowski asked to be taken out of games because he was gassed. I'd have to imagine that we'll see a more slimmed down Lewandowski and a guy that has the ability to play 30 minutes a game. Is that a realistic expectation?
| POSITION | PLAYER | HEIGHT/WEIGHT | YEAR |
|---|---|---|---|
| PG | Luke Adams | 5-9/--- | Freshman |
| PG | Pierre Hayden | 5-8/145 | Freshman |
| PF | Clark Lammert | 6-8/--- | Freshman |
| PF | Zach Jones | 6-8/198 | Sophomore |
5. WILL ANY OF THE WALK-ONS MAKE AN IMPACT? It's probably unfair to even make this suggestion and it may be unfair to even dedicate one of the five questions to the walk-ons, but why not, we're just shooting from the hip at this point. When the three freshmen walk-ons were somewhat announced I rounded up a bit of information on each of these players:
San Antonio Churchill SF Clark Lammert (Rivals profile and video)
Big Spring PG Luke Adams (Rivals profile and video)
Skyline PG Pierre Hayden (Rivals profile and video)
We saw a little bit of Jones last year, but I didn't really see enough to make an informed opinion other than he was just a guy, but I like giving walk-ons an opportunity. With what we know, do you think that any of the walk-ons will make an impact and if yes, who do you think that will be?
Questions are after the jump for easy copying to answer in the comments.
1. WHERE ARE ALL OF THE SHOOTING GUARDS?
2. ARE THERE FINALLY ENOUGH BIG MEN?
3. WHO STEPS UP AT POINT GUARD?
4. DOES BIG LEW FINALLY HAVE HIS CHANCE?
5. WILL ANY OF THE WALK-ONS MAKE AN IMPACT?
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6th Question and 7th Question
6. And one more question for you all. Why didn’t Cooper make it back and is he done or just sitting out making his grades?
7. Is it possible for Coach BCG to recruit any more SG to fill his scholarship limit, or are those tied up with players who are not playing?
Some Guesses
1. I guess that Willis and Petteway take on that role. Petteway can easily convert, and 6-5 is not that tall for a SG anymore. This is all a guessing game, it is like starting over. We just have to have faith that the man has a plan. I bet he does.
2. Never too many, but might be enough. Too bad Cooper is not here also.
3. Nurse is the guy. That frees up Willis to SG.
4. Big Lew has a chance to improve greatly, as do all of the players under the BCG method. I know he will improve and get in better shape. Good things will happen.
5. Yes, Adams and Lammert will make the team. Lammert will contribute in two years because he will have to step up his game against some talented athletes. But he is a leader and has heart, and that makes a difference. Adams has alot of competition.
6. I bet Coop is a grade loss. I don’t know if that means his scholarship is available or if he can come back. Probably history.
7. I guess he is full for this year but the future looks bright if he can fill key voids. I like our chances and look forward to the season. No one expects anything out of us, but BCG knows how to make some good things happen, and the players and fans are hungry for wins, and that is when we are most dangerous. Go Tech!
My guess
…is that Billy G said he wanted to play more of an NBA game, which to me means a good point guard, spot up shooter(s), and a lot of big bodies. I would be happy if we went big on the court more than the small ball of PK. One of our biggest problems last year was rebounding. After that I would have to say free throws. Bringing in some big guys is gonna help on the rebounding and free throws is just mental. (i think Billy G will take care of the free throw thing in a hurry).
"A job well done is better than a job well said."
by I bleed Red and Black on Jun 16, 2011 8:09 AM CDT reply actions
Starting Five Prediction
PG—-Javarez Willis or Kevin Wagner
SG—-Toddrick Gotcher
SF—-Jaye Crockett
PF—-Theron Jenkins
C—-Robert Lewandowski
5 Questions
1) With Henderson gone, my guess is that Gotcher and Petteway will see more action. Willis can shoot also, but still likes the PG position. We’ll probably see a lot of combinations at first. Don’t count out Wagner. He’s too game savvy. Davis is a spark-plug and plays as hard as anyone.
2) Nuff for me. Lew will be the primary big man, because he’s a much better all around player, especially on offence.
3)Willis should start, but BCG must like Nurse as well. Wagner has to be no. 3 here.
4)Yes. He’s going to be counted on for much. Hope he’s lost some weight and gained stamina.
5)Probably not for a couple of years; however, remember a guy named Ronald Ross.
Starting Five:
PG: Willis or Nurse
SG: Gotcher or Willis
C: Lewendowski
PF: Crockett
SF: Jenkins
6th Man: Petteway, or Nash (depending on position)
1. WHERE ARE ALL OF THE SHOOTING GUARDS?
I have a friend who played JUCO against Nurse and he said that Nurse is a floor general, not fancy, and has a tight handle on the ball. My friend also said that Nurse is very capable of getting any shot off which means he could be a viable option at SG when one of our other PG are in. If anything Nurse could be the best compliment to Willis who is more of a scoring PG. I have a feeling Gotcher will be solid and avg 10 a game as a FR, Petteway can also play some SG (despite the unorthodox shot), and Nash may play some D on opposing SG.
2. ARE THERE FINALLY ENOUGH BIG MEN?
Having 3 guys at 6’10’ has been unheard of on our team in recent years. If they are still developing, at least we finally have bodies to get boards and contest the plefora of big men in the Big 12.
3. WHO STEPS UP AT POINT GUARD?
Nurse is our guy. All who remember Charlie Burges, I see Nurse playing the same role and being productive with big games here and there. I expect Willis to have several games where he drops 4 or more 3’s. Wagner is to explosive to not use. I expect Wagner to be a fan favorite and used to contain smaller fast PG like Pressey, Paige etc.
4. DOES BIG LEW FINALLY HAVE HIS CHANCE?
Lew has always had his chance. We played big minutes as an unheralded FR. If he is in shape and with an inside out style of play, he has the tools to be our leading scorer (16-18 pts/game) and shoot over 50% from the floor easily.
5. WILL ANY OF THE WALK-ONS MAKE AN IMPACT?
From what I’ve heard, Jones won’t be back and the other 3 are on the team. Maybe Adams gets a shot here and there, but I honestly don’t expect any to make even a minute impact. Lammert may be a glue guy in 2-3 years.
Starting 5:
PG: Nurse
SG: Gotcher
SF: Nash (Crockett once Sam is ready)
PF: Crockett (Sam once he is ready)
C: Lew
Rotation:
PG: Willis
SG/SF: Petteway
SF/PF: Tolbert
C: Tapsoba
"Long live the matador!"
1. WHERE ARE ALL OF THE SHOOTING GUARDS?
As I’ve stated before, basketball players are expected to know how to play 2 or even 3 different positions. I think BCG makes all the guards & ball handling 3 position players learn to play as a 2 man if their number is called upon.
2. ARE THERE FINALLY ENOUGH BIG MEN?
Being huge size wise doesn’t mean squat if you can’t box out or create shots down low. I’ll be skeptical until I see how we play in the paint.
3. WHO STEPS UP AT POINT GUARD?
My guess is Nurse, I always give the most experienced guy the nod to lead the team unless somebody else steps it up.
4. DOES BIG LEW FINALLY HAVE HIS CHANCE?
He does have his chance, and yes I think he grabs it.
5. WILL ANY OF THE WALK-ONS MAKE AN IMPACT?
They will be working hard and trying to show why they should be on scholarship, which can only motivate the roster guys not to let up. So hell yes they will make an impact whether you ever see them step onto the court or not.
by DanSwany on Jun 16, 2011 12:00 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
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