(10-25-2013 09:52 AM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  

(10-25-2013 09:43 AM)SylvaniaRocket Wrote:  

(10-25-2013 08:28 AM)Rockketdork Wrote:  JD Weatherspoon can rise up so effortlessly, amazing. This whole team is very athletic. No stationary trees. Rian hit many more then two so some exaggeration there. Booth, Garber and Donald Beatty all pumped in alot a 3's. Purely a fun event. The womens team for the most part looks very lean and ready. New ladies need to step up this year which is the mark of a strong program. Not missing a beat. A lot of weapons for the men.

Who is Donald Beatty?

6'3" Senior guard walk-on out of Dayton, I believe.

Thanks, H2O. I hadn't heard that name before.

Certainly no more easy excuses for the men's team--but let's all keep in mind that there are a few good MAC men's teams again. While there wasn't alot to judge from at the "Hysteria", I agree that we absolutely look taller, more athletic and deeper than anytime in quite awhile. Really like this class of freshmen. This team should challenge for the MAC championship all the way to the end.

As for the Lady Rockets, I still believe that they will struggle early as the newbies find their roles and become comfortable playing at this level, but I would not be surprised at all if they have a very good second-half of the MAC season and could even make the MAC Tournament interesting. I think a couple of the freshmen will make some important contributions. Overall, the team seems like they have very good chemistry already, and that should help with the transition during the season.

(10-25-2013 12:05 PM)bcunn3128 Wrote:  Certainly no more easy excuses for the men's team--but let's all keep in mind that there are a few good MAC men's teams again. While there wasn't alot to judge from at the "Hysteria", I agree that we absolutely look taller, more athletic and deeper than anytime in quite awhile. Really like this class of freshmen. This team should challenge for the MAC championship all the way to the end.

As for the Lady Rockets, I still believe that they will struggle early as the newbies find their roles and become comfortable playing at this level, but I would not be surprised at all if they have a very good second-half of the MAC season and could even make the MAC Tournament interesting. I think a couple of the freshmen will make some important contributions. Overall, the team seems like they have very good chemistry already, and that should help with the transition during the season.

I totally agree with you on your comment about the Women's team...after watching their practice...I can say they are more athletic, much quicker, more physical, and greater depth...some of the freshmen will contribute immediately and all bring some positives to the team....one or two of them may start very earlier in season.

(10-25-2013 02:33 PM)hwut1 Wrote:  

(10-25-2013 12:05 PM)bcunn3128 Wrote:  Certainly no more easy excuses for the men's team--but let's all keep in mind that there are a few good MAC men's teams again. While there wasn't alot to judge from at the "Hysteria", I agree that we absolutely look taller, more athletic and deeper than anytime in quite awhile. Really like this class of freshmen. This team should challenge for the MAC championship all the way to the end.

As for the Lady Rockets, I still believe that they will struggle early as the newbies find their roles and become comfortable playing at this level, but I would not be surprised at all if they have a very good second-half of the MAC season and could even make the MAC Tournament interesting. I think a couple of the freshmen will make some important contributions. Overall, the team seems like they have very good chemistry already, and that should help with the transition during the season.

I totally agree with you on your comment about the Women's team...after watching their practice...I can say they are more athletic, much quicker, more physical, and greater depth...some of the freshmen will contribute immediately and all bring some positives to the team....one or two of them may start very earlier in season.

Three of the ladies have competed on international teams at a high level. I think we're in for an exciting season.

(10-25-2013 12:05 PM)bcunn3128 Wrote:  As for the Lady Rockets, I still believe that they will struggle early as the newbies find their roles and become comfortable playing at this level, but I would not be surprised at all if they have a very good second-half of the MAC season and could even make the MAC Tournament interesting. I think a couple of the freshmen will make some important contributions. Overall, the team seems like they have very good chemistry already, and that should help with the transition during the season.

Look for freshman center Sophie Reecher to crack the starting lineup when the season begins. With Mariah Carson opting out of basketball because of chronic back problems and Brianna Jones spending a lot of time on the shelf nursing a foot injury, Reecher will be under the gun right from the very first center jump.

Freshmen Elena De Alfredo (right elbow) and Janice Monakana (knee) have both missed extended practice time, although Monakana has recently returned to the floor to participate in drills. Once De Alfredo is healthy, I see her working her way into the back-court rotation, either at the point or the off-guard position, where her European experience should serve the Rockets well.

A healthy Monakana will get minutes at the power forward position and help fill the void left with the graduation of Lecretia Smith. I was totally impressed with Monakana's three-point shooting prowess that she put on display at Hoops Hysteria.

As stated above, the team will struggle early in the season to find its identity, but, then again, with Dortch and Zanoguera leading the way success may come sooner then we think.

Some photos at the Rocket Report.