For all the arguing about Pollard...you would think
- Thread starter Coach34
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Im not one of those that thought Pollard was ever coming here....but no doubt he could have potentially been our best player this year. But that still sn't saying THAT much.
I agree with DAWG61 that Ray needs to work on Sword's stroke during the summer. Especially on free throws. He has to get his elbow in when shooting those. No reason for him to be as terrible as he is shooting FTs. I don't know if he will ever be a knock down shooter, but I love him as a slasher. If he can develop some sort of shot to where defenders have to at least respect it, he can be dominant.
Hood looked much better last year than Pollard has looked so far. He just looks slow. I remember a play against us at The Hump where he should've had an easy dunk but he was slow enough that Chicken had enough time to absolutely stuff him.
I'm sure he will get better, as will our freshmen. I really like the trio of Ware, Chicken, and The Flat Top. If Ware loses a little weight and the other two tweak their fundamentals a little bit, they could all have breakout seasons next year.
I'm sure he will get better, as will our freshmen. I really like the trio of Ware, Chicken, and The Flat Top. If Ware loses a little weight and the other two tweak their fundamentals a little bit, they could all have breakout seasons next year.
Pollard
Pollard was a raw player rated as high as he was because of his athleticism rather than his skill. Hood was a much more polished player, and his high school stats showed it. It has also taken O'Bryant a while to settle into the college game.
Our freshmen have gotten the chance to play lots of minutes and take their lumps, accellerating their early development. So there are some silver linings in this season.
We have to be careful, however, about assuming that freshmen who play a lot on bad teams and rack up better stats are better players than freshmen on better teams who don't play much. Some of MSU's best players have played sparingly as freshmen, including Timmy Bowers and Charles Rhodes.
Pollard was a raw player rated as high as he was because of his athleticism rather than his skill. Hood was a much more polished player, and his high school stats showed it. It has also taken O'Bryant a while to settle into the college game.
Our freshmen have gotten the chance to play lots of minutes and take their lumps, accellerating their early development. So there are some silver linings in this season.
We have to be careful, however, about assuming that freshmen who play a lot on bad teams and rack up better stats are better players than freshmen on better teams who don't play much. Some of MSU's best players have played sparingly as freshmen, including Timmy Bowers and Charles Rhodes.
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I've heard the argument from diehard Stans supporters that the kids having success on this team are having success from the amount of PT and I think that's horse ****.
They're freshmen. They need to improve but they're solid players. But to tell me they're only decent because they play a lot, and that Pollard is better... Please.
They're freshmen. They need to improve but they're solid players. But to tell me they're only decent because they play a lot, and that Pollard is better... Please.
Pollard is averaging 18 minutes- it's not like he is playing 10 minutes/game...andhe is also fading away- not coming on and earning more playing time. That's not to say Pollard won't be a force before it's all said and done- but right now he has a ways to go. As I said- I just expected more considering the hype from the Apologists about how bad it was Pollard was going to Bama.
Our guys have been thrown to the wolves and are responding. Hell, like Sword dishing out 9 assts Saturday. He's not a PG- and also had 7 turnovers- but he's adapting and doing the best he can- and that will pay off next year. Their shooting will get better- and I think Ware will be a 12 and 7 guy next season- which isnt bad at all. Get Lewis back, get a PG, and some experience and this group can get in the NIT next year
Pollard just seems very timid on the court. I am not sure he has the aggressive attitude needed to be a good player in college.
He may show us more next year, time will tell for sure. He has the talent, but he's not showing it on the floor this year.
I agree we will be much better next year and an NIT bid is an attainable goal.
He may show us more next year, time will tell for sure. He has the talent, but he's not showing it on the floor this year.
I agree we will be much better next year and an NIT bid is an attainable goal.
Hood is 5x the player Pollard is and I've been saying Hood is overrated. Pollard has not impressed. Colin Borchert has been much more impressive to me than Pollard. Why does this happen? Why does an unimpressive player like Pollard get treated like the next Anthony Davis?
Well Borchert is 3 years older than Pollard(he is just 18). I think you will see a different player next year in Pollard, he is just young and timid.
Hood is not overrated. He will play one year at Duke and bolt to the NBA and get paid.
Hood is not overrated. He will play one year at Duke and bolt to the NBA and get paid.