upbeat about season

[melbo]

Let me begin by stating that I am no where near as knowledgeable about basketball as most on this board, and gain much insight and information from reading the posts of others. Lately it seems that becauce of circumstances surrounding certain players that the general tone of the board has become a bit dark. It dawned on me that we are 3 and 0 and from what I,ve seen and read ,get the feeling that we should be very upbeat. Watching other early games of top 25 teams I feel that the gophers are playing better than most of the other teams. I base this on such non knowledgeable reasoning as ,the way they look like they are having fun and smiling. That they are fluid in their movement , like they know what they are doing not learning where they are supposed to be on the court. I get a feeling of team confidence and chemistry. Just a feeling ,but I think this is going to be a big year and I am not ruling out a big 10 championship this year. Go Gophers. Let the games begin.

 

[Dr.Don]

melbo...good post with upbeat attitude. I do, however feel that your opening statement (Let me begin by stating that I am no where near as knowledgeable about basketball as most on this board) is not totally accurate. I am of the opinion that a majority (meaning >50%) of the posters on GH do not know a damned thing about the game, they just babble like they do. That is why so many dwell on the negative things, which are easy to see. It takes a real student of the game to watch what is happening away from the ball to see the intrincacies of the great game of basketball. Thanks for posting.

GO GOPHERS!

 

[combes1]

melbo, I feel exactly the same way about Illinois this year. Great shooting, camaraderie, smiles all around, lots of depth, etc. Freshman guards are the best players on the team right now on a team that returns its three leading scorers (who are also playing well) from a second place team last year. McCamey dropped 13 pounds and is playing great. Big men have added strength. And added a top ten class for next year. Things look very bright down this way.

Extremely fired up right now. However....


I guess that is why we are called fans and often get a slightly skewed look at our teams in the preseason and reality usually set in about the Big Ten season.

 

[MRJ]

Melbo,

As you have stated, this is a good team regardless of the negativity surrounding Royce White, Trevor Mbakwe or anyone else. They figure to finish in the top half of the Big Ten, make the NCAA Tournament and perhaps win a couple of games once there. And you are correct, the guys seem to have gotten past the learning stage that was apparent at times last year and now look poised and confident.

Obviously, things won't be rosy all the time, not in a league as good as the Big Ten. But this is a good team that has the chance to be very very good if things come together. Even Patrick Reusse, who is a renowned Gopher hater, acknowledges that fact. There is a long way to go of course, but the team looks pretty darn good so far. And like you, I'm looking forward to seeing how things go the rest of the year!!!!

 

[Friend Of Tubby]

10 Solid Players

F Johnson 25, Carter 20, Williams 15 (minutes).

C Sampson 25, Iverson 15 (minutes).

G Westbrook 25, Nolen 25, Joseph 20, Hoffarber 15, Cobbs 15 (minutes).

 

[akgopher]

Joseph might lead the team in minutes off the bench. I don't see Cobbs getting 15, Williams might get 20.

 

[Section201]

Dont forget...

10 Solid Players

F Johnson 25, Carter 20, Williams 15 (minutes).

C Sampson 25, Iverson 15 (minutes).

G Westbrook 25, Nolen 25, Joseph 20, Hoffarber 15, Cobbs 15 (minutes).

FOT, don't forget...

Coach Smith 40 (minutes)

That is one solid coach!

 

[march madness]

I could see Hoffarber playing some 3. IF nolen is at the point, and you have carter and Johnson at forward, you would only have 1 three pt shooter on the court: Westbrook or Joseph. I see lots of teams playing zone against us.