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(04-13-2015 08:47 AM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote:  I don't understand why people are complaining. I seriously don't. We finished about as strong as you can with so many new comers. If we get a better point we will play him. If not we will have Norton for three more years. get over it. Our future is as bright as it has been since Anderson's first year and we are complaining. I am basking in the glow of a Conference Championship and a trip to the third round of the NCAAs. Next year could be even better.

Gotta get better in the back court.

This year was a big improvement over last year in the back court. I don't think anyone would argue we still need to improve there. I think we need to improve in the front court as well. That said there is no need in throwing out the baby with the bath water.

Norton will be a great four-year starter for us. Watts is a serviceable back up, and actually played really well IMO late in the year, especially in the conference tournament. Nick just needs to improve his defense and start being a threat to drive to the basket. Rob Brown also essentially functioned as a third PG. He handled a lot of the ball handling duties later in the year.

Norton had better numbers than AJ or Squeaky in their first years. He will be fine. If we can find someone better, please bring them in. Otherwise, we will be just fine at the guard spots. I don't understand the panic.

There is no panic. Just one person.

I don't understand the one person's panic.

I saw Norton as being the starter for UAB at PG. I saw that something you want in your PG. Norton was a very good player in High school from a state that produce good basketball players. He was honored in high school, he has already been honored in College.
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His high school bio, source UAB

Led Central Catholic High School (Bloomington, Ill.) to the 2A State Championship his senior season scoring 25 points in the Championship game ... averaged 17.5 points and 6.3 assists per game his senior season ... named to the 2014 Pantagraph All-Area Team, made the 2013 State Farm Holiday Classic All-Tournament Team, and honored as First Team All-State ... recognized by CIHoops.com as Player of the Year, Senior of the Year, and First Team All-Area ... before his senior season at Central Catholic, he played at Rock Bridge High School (Columbia, Mo.) where he was named First Team All-State his junior season and Second-Team All-State his sophomore season

Nicks potential is unlimited as so far as developing. As a college freshmen he led his team to the CUSA CHAMPIONSHIP, NCAA ROUND OF 32, earned ALL FRESHMEN CUSA, wow what a first year. Nick is going to improve he is going to get stronger physically as well as mentally.
Was there time when he was exposed as a freshmen PG, THE ANSWER IS YES, early , but so was the whole team, from coach all the way down the bench, however they continued to get better and better, they all grew up together, they became a team.
Nick had matchups problems but at times so did every Blazer on the team with no exceptions. Nick having the ball in his hands was amplified when he turned it over, when double teamed, trapped, etc.. this was the result of good scouting, get the ball out of Nicks hands force someone else to facilitate.
Finally, Nick on Defense, wow yes he had problems with big guards, but how many charges, steals, 5 seconds counts, did Nick make at crucial times changing the complexity of the game.
You take Tarrant or Ingram, give me Nick, Nick is not a one trick pony he does many things to impact the game.

He did have one and a half steals a game and yea he did get beat on some defense but so did everyone else on the team. They are called Freshmen. That is why we struggled early. They will be fine and Drik will be an excellent addition as a 2 guard.

Maybe Norton just needs to work on his tan.

(04-13-2015 11:27 AM)the_blazerman Wrote:  Maybe Norton just needs to work on his tan.

Stop it this is not the forum for that type of nonsense take it to AL.COM

He was looking a bit pale in the CUSA tourney. Maybe he was anemic? Get that man some
Iron!

People tend to not play their best when they are sick. Not everyone is Jordan. If we recruit a better PG it just makes us a better team. That said I think Norton is a four year starter for us.

(04-13-2015 11:27 AM)the_blazerman Wrote:  Maybe Norton just needs to work on his tan.

I nominate for 'stupid post of the year'

Now someone tell me why are we having a Nick Norton over Tarrant discussion. I stand by my statement, I will take Norton over Tarrant and Ingram, he is more accomplished and polished then both and he have room to grow...

Comparing freshmen stats, Norton has done better than any other in years.

(04-13-2015 12:22 PM)rebounder2u Wrote:  Now someone tell me why are we having a Nick Norton over Tarrant discussion. I stand by my statement, I will take Norton over Tarrant and Ingram, he is more accomplished and polished then both and he have room to grow...

Some don't realize that bringing in a 1 year player would more than likely disrupt the good chemistry that has been built over the last year.

I'll take a good player with 3 years left who has been a part of the system over a player with only 1 year left.

I think 5th year guys should only be brought in if they fill an immediate need. PG is not an immediate need. Now I am all for Dazon or Tookie, because you should always bring in talented freshmen when you can get them. Next year's team is still young and deep, so we can recruit talent over need. I'd like another big freshman, but it's not necessary.

What position does Dirk play?

We could use another 4 & 5 with the 2 remaining scholarships.

If Ingram wishes to sign with us then take him, but otherwise go big.

No reason though to overly recruit Ingram at the expense of someone else.

(04-13-2015 12:44 PM)the_blazerman Wrote:  What position does Dirk play?

We could use another 4 & 5 with the 2 remaining scholarships.

If Ingram wishes to sign with us then take him, but otherwise go big.

No reason though to overly recruit Ingram at the expense of someone else.

Dirk is a wing. I'm guessing he and Baxter will split time at SG. I just mentioned Ingram as an example. I don't think we are really even recruiting him since we weren't in his top ten.

We really need a big man. I'd be fine with a one-year, stop gap player like Cooper, or a freshman project who will only play 10 minutes a game. However you slice it, depth down low is a big concern for this team.

(04-13-2015 01:09 PM)The Answer UAB Wrote:  We really need a big man. I'd be fine with a one-year, stop gap player like Cooper, or a freshman project who will only play 10 minutes a game. However you slice it, depth down low is a big concern for this team.

I agree. A big man would be best for us as far as a 1 year player goes.

Dazon has moved on to the blue bloods. He'll end up somewhere big next year. Kudos to Bama for even getting him to consider them.