(11-15-2014 04:23 AM)NC Tribe Wrote:  Success rate with finding good bigs will always be lower than for finding wing players. There are fewer talented big men, so you have to be willing to take chances at this level. Davidson, whose games I attend, has had some real home runs with big men, 3 straight SoCon POY awards, but has swung and missed many more times than they have succeeded. This year's 5th year senior center will only play in garbage time, and no one else has stepped up to fill the void. Welcome to mid-major basketball. I love the motion offense, but the ideal center in this offense is someone like Rusthoven who could handle the ball, pass and shoot. We have to accept that these type of players aren't typically "bangers." Kitts was the best defensive center W&M has had in ages, but he was a liability on offense if he wasn't dunking or getting a rebound. Even the big schools have trouble finding a well rounded true center, or power forward for that matter.

Teams have won playing lots of big wings, running zone defense, or doubling in the post. The key on offense is that you have to take advantage of the mismatch you have with their big man guarding a wing. Your "hybrid 5-man" has to be able to pull their big away from the basket by hitting threes and then drive past them or just open the middle up so your big 1 or two can post up their smaller defender. Look at what JMU did a couple of seasons ago with a roster full of guys 6'5" to 6'7". Yes I know Goines (spelling?) was a wide load, but everyone else was long and athletic.

So, I don't mind when coaches bring in a project player at the 5, sometimes it works. Davidson brought in a 7 footer from the Czech Republic who couldn't even jog down the court as a freshmen he was so uncoordinated. His senior year he was 7'2" and had a solid frame and still couldn't really run, but he killed Ohio State in the NCAA tournament fouling out 2 of their bigs and Davidson was just a couple of minutes short of energy from a first round upset. I loved watching that kid develop. Sometimes you just can't beat size, even when size can't jump or run. McKillop would not even take Ides out of games late in his senior year. Standing on the court was his cardio workout I think. I guessed it worked, he barely came out against Ohio State and had career highs in both points and rebounds and Ohio State's center was all Big Ten.

I am glad it is hoops season. Looking Froward to the game at High Point.

Agree with all of this.

Put me in the disappointed, but not panicked camp. Had this team hit 40% of its 3's, as it is capable of, then it is close. Offensive rebounding will improve when Tarpey returns.

Both Florida and W&M lost lots of starters from last year. W&M brought in Freshmen and Florida brought in high D-1 transfers. The difference showed, but I believe we have more improvement ahead of us than FL does.

Florida is a legitimate Top 10 team. W&M will be the class of the Colonial by the end of the year. Can't wait to get the injured kids back. They will bolster this lineup. Prewitt looked very good. Whitman showed more than I expected. Marcus had an off night, but that will change.

I'm set up to see the UNC game and expect it to be closer than this one with 6+ weeks to heal and gel. This could be the year & these could be the guys.

I could not watch the Florida game, but I see that Tom Schalk actually got a few points and a few rebounds in the game. Does anybody who was able to watch the game wish to comment on his performance?

I think he was in there out of necessity. He just doesn't seem confident with the ball or being on the court.

I think he looked as good as we could have hoped against Florida. Anything we get out of him this year is a bonus, but we could see a couple of hot games from him with the right opponents.

Thanks, guys. It is hard to remember that Tom actually started a few games as a Freshman and appeared to play fairly well.

[quote='62Indian' pid='11387651' dateline='1416156232']
Thanks, guys. It is hard to remember that Tom actually started a few games as a Freshman and appeared to play fairly well.
[/quote


Could be a result of the increasing talent level of the guys wearing
Tribe uniforms over the past few years. I think this team will need
contributions from Tom, and believe he will deliver.

One thing that stood out to me was that we only lost the ball once (that I saw) when pressed full-court. I agree with others, Whitman looks confident to drive to the basket, will be really nice to have a sub for Sean.

I may be harsh but I really thought Shalk had a terrible game. His passes were telegraphed and lacked zip. He just doesn't look confident at all with the ball or moving without it.

He is not a Division I caliber basketball player. It's as simple as that.

(11-17-2014 09:59 AM)Tribester Wrote:  He is not a Division I caliber basketball player. It's as simple as that.

He is division 1 caliber. Some guys pan out and some don't. Some guys peak early and don't progress. Some guys priorities shift in college and don't progress as hoped. It happens in every program every year. It's just more glaring here because we are thin inside. I don't blame the coaches or Tom. Tom had the prerequisite stats to merit a d1 scholarship out of hs. Sometimes it just happens. I do know Tom has been a positive for the basketball family and the Williamsburg community.

(11-17-2014 10:40 AM)mrjoolius Wrote:  

(11-17-2014 09:59 AM)Tribester Wrote:  He is not a Division I caliber basketball player. It's as simple as that.

He is division 1 caliber. Some guys pan out and some don't. Some guys peak early and don't progress. Some guys priorities shift in college and don't progress as hoped. It happens in every program every year. It's just more glaring here because we are thin inside. I don't blame the coaches or Tom. Tom had the prerequisite stats to merit a d1 scholarship out of hs. Sometimes it just happens. I do know Tom has been a positive for the basketball family and the Williamsburg community.

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Tom has also been slowed down by injuries and illnesses during his first three years at W&M. Coach Shaver made a point of this at the Open House for Season Ticket holders.

Well this loss no longer looks as good after Florida's loss tonight to a Larranaga coached Miami team

(11-17-2014 11:22 PM)zablenoise Wrote:  Well this loss no longer looks as good after Florida's loss tonight to a Larranaga coached Miami team

W&M wore them down. Plus Larranaga is really good at his job.

Florida was without injured Finney-Smith, and walk-on Kurtz played the whole game in his place. Despite that, FL winning the whole game until prayer 3 pointer by Miami at the end....

It's not like an at-large was ever really in the cards. If it were, one loss to an ACC school isn't a big deal. Florida will do very well in the SEC and come tournament time anyone who has a win over them can say they have a very high quality win.

Leaving Vegas tomorrow...I put $10 on Florida to win it all.

(11-14-2014 06:38 PM)mainejeff Wrote:  Pretty rough outing so far for the Tribe.

LOL.

Maine is ranked 341 out if 351 D1 teams. No wonder you troll during basketball season.

Thanks for following us though.