That's the big question that I have right now. Down the road, it really looks likes UNCW is going to be a train going downhill. Keatts has already turned the program around with all the players that he has coming, but can they turn it around this year? That's the big question. And, it's a good one. The big hurdle will be the lack of shooters with this team-a real question mark. Barring injuries, this team should be able to play Keatts style of ball for the most part-they can put out an athletic team. The Hawks should be picked near the bottom in the CAA to start, but do they exceed expectations?

My gut feeling is yes. If the Hawks stay away from injury, like a Freddie Jackson knee, they've got a real chance to surprise. They will be as fit as any team and they have some seniors and upperclassmen. Initially, they should/may take some lumps against top quality teams, but finishing at or above .500 in this CAA seems possible. This team could also be much better at the end when/if Talley and Pugh are more adjusted to the D1 game as true freshmen PGs. Ponder, Jackson, Spruill, Sherwood,Williams, and Yemi M. are veterans so they should be ready. Ogbodo and Gettys may have something to say about this in the post as well. We shall see, but I wouldn't be surprised if this team was at least competitive in the first year. The following year should be another step forward.

To me, the big question will be whether any of our players can hit shots. I mean, UNCW finished 332nd in the nation in shooting percentage last year. If that changes, this team ought to be a lot better right now. If it doesn't, then.....

I think the biggest stumbling block for the Hawks will be scoring - meaning the scarcity of scoring on our part. We still need the complimentary scorer(s) to Cedric. I watched practice Saturday and believe that the biggest difference for this team will come on defense. Next year may see a big scoring improvement. I have heard some very positive things about the freshman we have got coming in from Florida.
But we shall see what we shall see.

You must be talking about this guy!
https://twitter.com/mmattscore2015/statu...2168054784
https://twitter.com/mmattscore2015/statu...3850140672

The other guys are VERY good as well. And a couple of the transfers are already proven scorers. If this coach stays for a while, UNCW will be back in the hunt without a doubt!!

(10-19-2014 07:48 AM)70shawk Wrote:  To me, the big question will be whether any of our players can hit shots. I mean, UNCW finished 332nd in the nation in shooting percentage last year. If that changes, this team ought to be a lot better right now. If it doesn't, then.....

A lot of it isn't JUST having good jump shooters as that stat would seem to reveal. If Keatts can successfully install a fast-paced style that works, hopefully we'll be scoring in transition and/or taking smarter shots rather than taking a lot of contested jumpers.

They are picked next to last and Keatts says he thought they would be picked last?It does not sound like he thinks they very good at all.
They have better talent than that and if they finish ninth or last I would be very surprised.Sounds like he is setting the bar as low as possible and can give himself some room.I think the days of giving a guy 3.4 years to win is over and he needs to win right now.

(10-21-2014 10:31 AM)jumpinmullet Wrote:  They are picked next to last and Keatts says he thought they would be picked last?It does not sound like he thinks they very good at all.
They have better talent than that and if they finish ninth or last I would be very surprised.Sounds like he is setting the bar as low as possible and can give himself some room.I think the days of giving a guy 3.4 years to win is over and he needs to win right now.

You're overly critical of Keatts already and its entirely transparent. I would love to see immediate results but what will be most important is the progress of our young players.

To an extent, I have to agree with The Mullet. Sure looks to me like Keatts is trying to manage expectations. To a large degree, that's justified...but he probably is sand-bagging a little.

I don't know what he has said elsewhere but he said at the tip-off luncheon was that he wanted to be picked last so he could use it for motivation. In fact he said he'd like us to be picked 15th (I know that isn't possible with 10 teams) for motivational reasons. I would much rather have a coach that is a "sandbagger" than one that is a used car salesman.


Posted from my mobile device using the CSNbbs App

(10-21-2014 04:33 PM)Proff Wrote:  I would much rather have a coach that is a "sandbagger" than one that is a used car salesman.

Why Proff, whatever do you mean?

I have a god felling about this year. IMO, our best play last year was when we pressed and created an up tempo game. We have the players to do this, and that style isn't reliant on great shooting, the ability to run set plays, or individual players who can score on their own.

Seems to me that based on the style of play Keatts desires, our lineup may look like this.

Ponder, Freddie, Spruill, Ced, Yemi to start

Ogbodo, Sherwood, Pugh mostly off the bench.

Gettys may get some PT, but we are really going to have to rely on incredible defense and turnovers to win games, and I don't know if he is there yet physically. I can see us with a slightly better than .500 record realistically.

That's not a bad starting lineup '82. You forgot about #4, Jordan Talley. He's definitely going to play and may start, perhaps not initially. If you haven't seen video of this 3 star Scout recruit, you should. He's the epitome of a hounding PG that's powerfully built and aggressive plus loves uptempo. Look for him to play good minutes possibly 20 to 26 minutes per game.

I also believe that CJ will get minutes because of the lost weight and his ability to score/BB IQ is good. His problem was overall quickness due to him being overweight. Some of his footage in HS, when he was slimmer, was pretty impressive and that should translate hopefully. The big key will be D. Can he defend that high ball screen and get back into position? It's that simple. On offense, he's somebody that can do what is needed whether it's screening, screen and roll or simply posting. He's looking right now as at least an 8 to 10 minute guy because of his threat to score and his overall size causing a Big problem for the opposition.



Keatts may even/will expand Sherwood's role this year and put Dylan in at the 3 some-I can see that occurring. I wondered about this and it may/will come true this year due to the relative lack of depth and perimeter shooting. He's long, can run well and can shoot. That's a problem to deal with albeit a gut that's quite tall and not a true 3 man. Regardless, that will definitely spread the D and allow guys like Ponder, Tally, Pugh, Jackson, Spruill room to drive the ball. He has the size and enough quicks to defend (can sluff off if need be,but recover with length). That has to be on the table right now. This could put Dylan as a 24 minute per game guy at 2 positions. Just rambling thoughts of a BB junkie.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmgKL9W74i4

Bump. Fun to look back at the comments.

(10-21-2014 10:31 AM)jumpinmullet Wrote:  They are picked next to last and Keatts says he thought they would be picked last?It does not sound like he thinks they very good at all.
They have better talent than that and if they finish ninth or last I would be very surprised.Sounds like he is setting the bar as low as possible and can give himself some room.I think the days of giving a guy 3.4 years to win is over and he needs to win right now.

Yep. This was said.

http://www.caazone.com/boards/threads/th...ts.129262/

More fun

Those threads were awesome to go back through. LOL