Who will run the point next year?
- Thread starter msstatefan95
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I'm thinking Bryant. He's got alot of hype from alot of differ coaches so I think he's got some ability. All we need is guy who doesn't turn the ball over and plays smart and we won't see a huge drop off.
But i dont understand why. I know during his freshman year he had trouble making layups, and he wasnt an outside shooter but he has great passing ability. Not everyone can come in their freshman year and be solid players like dee. I have confidence that given the extra year to develop and if he comes back healthy i think he can give a large contribution to the team this year.
he had several his freshman year that didn't even hit the rim. If he does start making layups and plays more under control, he might be a decent backup pg.
Per some dumbasses here, Beckham's absence was what kept this past year's team from being great. I fully expect him to dominate since they think so highly of his outside shooting, FT shooting, A/TO ratio, and ability to finish in traffic.
I fully expect the PG spot to be up for grabs thru the season and a fluid spot. Bryant sounds like he can handle the ball, Augustus will help with the press break and then ignore everyone once he gets the ball thus making him the default PG for a handful of posessions each game, Sidney is apparently the greatest big man passer since Kevin Love so why not have him initiate the 'offense'?
Itll be nothing if not entertaining in the end.
I fully expect the PG spot to be up for grabs thru the season and a fluid spot. Bryant sounds like he can handle the ball, Augustus will help with the press break and then ignore everyone once he gets the ball thus making him the default PG for a handful of posessions each game, Sidney is apparently the greatest big man passer since Kevin Love so why not have him initiate the 'offense'?
Itll be nothing if not entertaining in the end.
Should be interesting because Beckham has skills. He was amazing in high school (from here, Louisville, KY) and just choked a bit his freshman year. Having a year to recover, learn, watch, etc...will make him a better player. From reading about Bryant, Twany better practice a LOT this summer.
Will be fun to watch the position evolve with both players. Trying to remain positive because I am still bummed that Bost left. He was going to be THE pg in the SEC this season, no doubt. Now, he is going to be playing for the Turkish laundry league.
Will be fun to watch the position evolve with both players. Trying to remain positive because I am still bummed that Bost left. He was going to be THE pg in the SEC this season, no doubt. Now, he is going to be playing for the Turkish laundry league.
If he was amazing in HS...what the hell happened to him at Prep School? Cuz what came to MSU was anything but amazing. It was actually right along what i expected a 2* IUPUI signed PG to be(George Hill being the clear exception).
I would assume Turner would likely get the nod over Benock and the recent signee Steele from TN. Actually before Bost decided to leave I had really thought Bryant was signed as the heir apparent to Stewart's vacated position. And I suppose he still could be if Twanny gets the start at point. Also, Shaunessy Smith could be a factor at the 2 if he's finally healthy enough to play this year.
As I recall, if Bost goes undrafted like Randolph Morris from UK, he can come back next season as long as he doesn't hire an agent or accept benefits (he may be allowed/forcedto pay back travel expenses for workouts).
If that is the case, then what happens is that Bost is effectively a free agent in the eyes of the NBA. As I recall, the year that Morris returned, they said that he could leave school any time he wanted (i.e. - middle of the season) if an NBA team offered him a contract (which they could do, since he was a free agent).
I think this would be the only chance Dee would have to come back to Starkville. The catch is that if you are drafted at all, even the last pick of the second round, then you can't do it. You must be undrafted. I highly doubt he goes through all this and comes back next year. There may even be a rule in place now that closed this loophole.
If that is the case, then what happens is that Bost is effectively a free agent in the eyes of the NBA. As I recall, the year that Morris returned, they said that he could leave school any time he wanted (i.e. - middle of the season) if an NBA team offered him a contract (which they could do, since he was a free agent).
I think this would be the only chance Dee would have to come back to Starkville. The catch is that if you are drafted at all, even the last pick of the second round, then you can't do it. You must be undrafted. I highly doubt he goes through all this and comes back next year. There may even be a rule in place now that closed this loophole.
Lot of unknowns, but my biggest fear might be starting Benock or Turner at the 2.
That may just be the joy of optimism, you can always be excited about players until you actually see them on the court and realize they suck (Twanny)
That may just be the joy of optimism, you can always be excited about players until you actually see them on the court and realize they suck (Twanny)
then PLEASE give me Turner. Only drawback to having Turner at the 2 would be that his dreaded 3 point shot taken 8 to 10 feet behind the line would become a primary part of the offense. Would certainly love to see Smith or Steele ready to contribute in a significant way.
Turner won't and shouldn't play the 2 b/c it doesn't actually make sense, his skill set doesn't really fit the position. That's why it would scare me to see him there, but I don't expect that anyway. He can't handle the ball and isn't fluid enough on the offensive end.
Smith might could be a starter if he's healthy though, although he's probably a more natural fit at the 3. His high school vids show that he's really talented, more so than Ravern or Barry, so let's hope that he's 100% (or in Coach's case, that he's out for his career)
Smith might could be a starter if he's healthy though, although he's probably a more natural fit at the 3. His high school vids show that he's really talented, more so than Ravern or Barry, so let's hope that he's 100% (or in Coach's case, that he's out for his career)
Beckham, Bryant, Johnson, Augustus and Sidney. The key to this year will be if Beckham can develop into a decent point and what our bench will be able to do. If Smith and Bailey are healthy then we may okay with a bench rotation of Benock, Bailey, Smith and Steele. Bryant will likely backup the point. In Bailey and Sidney we would have some size at the post and with Steele and Smith we would have better size at the guard position.
I was wondering the same thing about Turner... is it official he will play this season? Bailey will play a big part in our success or lack of it this season depending on his health. Is there any news/updates/projections on his recovery? Can he ever be back to 100% with our injured athletes past track record of recovery? Even without Bailey I'm supprised there is no talk of "The Lion Tamer" aka Riek!
Depth chart will likely be:
1. Bryant, Beckham
2. Steele, Benock
3. Johnson, Smith
4. Augustus, Turner(if he stays)
5. Sidney, Bailey, Lewis, Riek
Wendell Lewis could move to backing up the 4spot if Turner leaves (or even some time there anyway). I expect more abysmal minutes from Riek. Biggest improvements from last year will be offense from Sidney in the middle, and having a backup 5 with skill. I expect both to get gassed easily, so it wouldn't surprise me a ton to see constant subbing between the 3 to 4 guys that play center. Bryant and Steel are the obvious wildcards that could make or break the team.
My biggest concern? Continued lack of leadership. Last year we had quiet leaders, which does little to reel in the likes of Bost, Johnson, and Turner. Of the 5 starters, I cant' see a single one that is in a good position to be a leader. 3 players who've yet to play a minute for MSU (albeit one will be a Sophomore and one a Junior) and 2 seniors that have had continued discipline issues, both as recent as this past year. Riek can't speak English, Benock is too smart and white, Turner is emotionally unstable, Smith has 0 minutes logged, and Beckham is terrible.
Elgin Bailey absolutely has to be the leader of next year's team.
1. Bryant, Beckham
2. Steele, Benock
3. Johnson, Smith
4. Augustus, Turner(if he stays)
5. Sidney, Bailey, Lewis, Riek
Wendell Lewis could move to backing up the 4spot if Turner leaves (or even some time there anyway). I expect more abysmal minutes from Riek. Biggest improvements from last year will be offense from Sidney in the middle, and having a backup 5 with skill. I expect both to get gassed easily, so it wouldn't surprise me a ton to see constant subbing between the 3 to 4 guys that play center. Bryant and Steel are the obvious wildcards that could make or break the team.
My biggest concern? Continued lack of leadership. Last year we had quiet leaders, which does little to reel in the likes of Bost, Johnson, and Turner. Of the 5 starters, I cant' see a single one that is in a good position to be a leader. 3 players who've yet to play a minute for MSU (albeit one will be a Sophomore and one a Junior) and 2 seniors that have had continued discipline issues, both as recent as this past year. Riek can't speak English, Benock is too smart and white, Turner is emotionally unstable, Smith has 0 minutes logged, and Beckham is terrible.
Elgin Bailey absolutely has to be the leader of next year's team.
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