I don't believe they will win the AAC tournament. Let me say that first.

What I do believe is that the talent is still there to do so, and that the team will benefit by playing without Nichols for this 3-4 game stretch. Not in winning games either, but in having to step up without the main player they lean on heavily on offense and defense.

Kedren is getting max minutes and should round into game shape to a degree, Shaq is playing really well, Godfrey will get key experience, King is going to log some minutes, Pookie did some okay things last night, etc.

By the time AN returns, the reliance on him shouldn't be as much as it was pre-injury. In his absence, a couple of players should've been able to carve out a little bit bigger roles.

The key is getting Burrell out of his funk for the stretch run. He should be the third best player on the team at worst yet had 0 points in 12 minutes last night.

Again - do I think they will take the AAC tourney? No.

I do think if they stay focused though, they will have a better shot than they did without AN getting injured, mainly because of the experience of guys having to step up and expand their limits just a bit.

The issue will be staying confident and focused while losing games. But maybe they will step up and win some of the games that AN is out.

If Kedren is not in game shape by now, he's not going to get there this season.

I like Shaq's game right now...the question is can he maintain the intensity down the stretch.

Godfrey is my new favorite player on the team. Love his physical play...of course, he has a bit of Tariq Black Syndrome in that he is very foul prone. If he can harness that, he could be a contributor.

I think King and Burrell are the x-factors. If either or both can contribute consistently - along with getting Nichols back - you never know what might happen.

All that said, I agree with you...I just don't think we have what is needed to win the AAC tournament.

These are really valid points. Shaq looked especially good last night. You could argue that the pieces around AN will be stronger when he returns. The question then becomes,if we are a stronger team in the AAC tournament because of this, does this offset the lower seed that we will have in the tournament due to the losses due to his absence?

(02-11-2015 04:28 PM)RCM1029 Wrote:  If Kedren is not in game shape by now, he's not going to get there this season.

Yeah, just meant better shape playing 20+ mpg of late than he would've been riding the pine. Even if he's not in great shape, he'll still somewhat have his legs and lungs to a better point.

(02-11-2015 04:32 PM)HoopDreams Wrote:  

(02-11-2015 04:28 PM)RCM1029 Wrote:  If Kedren is not in game shape by now, he's not going to get there this season.

Yeah, just meant better shape playing 20+ mpg of late than he would've been riding the pine. Even if he's not in great shape, he'll still somewhat have his legs and lungs to a better point.

You don't get in "shape" in games.

(02-11-2015 05:03 PM)macgar32 Wrote:  

(02-11-2015 04:32 PM)HoopDreams Wrote:  

(02-11-2015 04:28 PM)RCM1029 Wrote:  If Kedren is not in game shape by now, he's not going to get there this season.

Yeah, just meant better shape playing 20+ mpg of late than he would've been riding the pine. Even if he's not in great shape, he'll still somewhat have his legs and lungs to a better point.

You don't get in "shape" in games.

You can certainly get your legs under you.

I can not play for 6 months, go out there in a pickup game and nearly collapse, but the second time I go out there, I'm already better physically.

Playing 20+ mpg every couple of nights at the DI level is certainly better than sitting on the bench.

(02-11-2015 04:22 PM)HoopDreams Wrote:  I don't believe they will win the AAC tournament. Let me say that first.

What I do believe is that the talent is still there to do so, and that the team will benefit by playing without Nichols for this 3-4 game stretch. Not in winning games either, but in having to step up without the main player they lean on heavily on offense and defense.

Kedren is getting max minutes and should round into game shape to a degree, Shaq is playing really well, Godfrey will get key experience, King is going to log some minutes, Pookie did some okay things last night, etc.

By the time AN returns, the reliance on him shouldn't be as much as it was pre-injury. In his absence, a couple of players should've been able to carve out a little bit bigger roles.

The key is getting Burrell out of his funk for the stretch run. He should be the third best player on the team at worst yet had 0 points in 12 minutes last night.

Again - do I think they will take the AAC tourney? No.

I do think if they stay focused though, they will have a better shot than they did without AN getting injured, mainly because of the experience of guys having to step up and expand their limits just a bit.

The issue will be staying confident and focused while losing games. But maybe they will step up and win some of the games that AN is out.

AN's bad ankle could turn out to be an advantage if it means Pastner will stop him from running wind sprints between the basket, and the 3 point line the entire game.

(02-11-2015 05:03 PM)macgar32 Wrote:  

(02-11-2015 04:32 PM)HoopDreams Wrote:  

(02-11-2015 04:28 PM)RCM1029 Wrote:  If Kedren is not in game shape by now, he's not going to get there this season.

Yeah, just meant better shape playing 20+ mpg of late than he would've been riding the pine. Even if he's not in great shape, he'll still somewhat have his legs and lungs to a better point.

You don't get in "shape" in games.

Basically you’re correct. But you can maintain the shape you are currently in and with enough minutes you can build up your second wind which is very important this time of the season.

(02-11-2015 05:13 PM)Stammers Wrote:  

(02-11-2015 04:22 PM)HoopDreams Wrote:  I don't believe they will win the AAC tournament. Let me say that first.

What I do believe is that the talent is still there to do so, and that the team will benefit by playing without Nichols for this 3-4 game stretch. Not in winning games either, but in having to step up without the main player they lean on heavily on offense and defense.

Kedren is getting max minutes and should round into game shape to a degree, Shaq is playing really well, Godfrey will get key experience, King is going to log some minutes, Pookie did some okay things last night, etc.

By the time AN returns, the reliance on him shouldn't be as much as it was pre-injury. In his absence, a couple of players should've been able to carve out a little bit bigger roles.

The key is getting Burrell out of his funk for the stretch run. He should be the third best player on the team at worst yet had 0 points in 12 minutes last night.

Again - do I think they will take the AAC tourney? No.

I do think if they stay focused though, they will have a better shot than they did without AN getting injured, mainly because of the experience of guys having to step up and expand their limits just a bit.

The issue will be staying confident and focused while losing games. But maybe they will step up and win some of the games that AN is out.

AN's bad ankle could turn out to be an advantage if it means Pastner will stop him from running wind sprints between the basket, and the 3 point line the entire game.

Yep, how many times has that taken him out of position and opened up the middle for the opposition?

The wheels are off this wagon. I expect them to lose the final 7 games and roll into the conference tourney with a 14-17 record.

(02-11-2015 06:24 PM)paulnatlanta Wrote:  The wheels are off this wagon. I expect them to lose the final 7 games and roll into the conference tourney with a 14-17 record.

Nah. But 18-13 or 17-14 are real possibilities......

He's 0-2 so far in the crucial final 9 game stretch.

It appears that Shaqs productivity level rose immensely, about the time AN went out vs Temple. More aggressiveness, more points and way more rebounds.

Will it continue once Austin returns? Who knows.

I know, it's a small sample size

(02-11-2015 06:51 PM)bluebacker Wrote:  

(02-11-2015 06:24 PM)paulnatlanta Wrote:  The wheels are off this wagon. I expect them to lose the final 7 games and roll into the conference tourney with a 14-17 record.

Nah. But 18-13 or 17-14 are real possibilities......

He's 0-2 so far in the crucial final 9 game stretch.

Road games: USF, UCF, Uconn, Cincy
Home: UConn, SMU, Tulsa

Which 3 games do you think we win?

(02-11-2015 06:24 PM)paulnatlanta Wrote:  The wheels are off this wagon. I expect them to lose the final 7 games and roll into the conference tourney with a 14-17 record.

That probably won't happen, but it's actually not entirely out of the question. Whether it's 14-17 or 16-15 (my prediction) we won't even make the NIT.

That's bad enough to warrant a firing, IMO. Maybethat's why AN is in no rush to come back ... hmmm