(02-01-2021 02:59 PM)gleadley Wrote:  

(02-01-2021 02:44 PM)edinburger Wrote:  To me NMSU didn't look bad at all, it's just that GCU's starters are scary good, and their 6th and 7th guys weren't bad either. The only weakness is that those seven are only ones they play.

This coming weekend we won't have a good answer for any of their starters. Only hope I see is to wear them out, we've got 13 players averaging over 10 minutes.

Coach Drew has been tightening up the rotation, but the back end of the bench has a lot of young guys that Lopes fans should be excited about for years to come. It was a couple of those younger guys (Chance McMillan & Gabe McGlothan) that coach went to when starters looked like deer in the headlights at the beginning of Game 1. Guys like Rashad Smith, Liam Lloyd, and Jayden Stone who didn't see the floor vs. NMSU for various reasons will be as exciting to watch in the future as any of the seniors are now.

In short order, I think McMillan and Stone will crack the starting line up in the coming years. Blacksher will be the GCU PG the next two years and I see McGlothin manning the PF role. Lope fans will see if Drew can find a few more good grad transfers like Midtgaard and Miller-Moore this season.

As for NMSU, the effort was there but the team is unpolished offensively right now. Shots that normally drop did not find the bottom of the net this past weekend. And as I have said, there is a lot of room for improvement by many of the Aggie players. GCU's starting five is playing at the top of their game right now. But we are still a month out from the WAC tournament. We will see if GCU can maintain the momentum or if they have peaked too early.

(02-01-2021 04:02 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  

(02-01-2021 02:59 PM)gleadley Wrote:  

(02-01-2021 02:44 PM)edinburger Wrote:  To me NMSU didn't look bad at all, it's just that GCU's starters are scary good, and their 6th and 7th guys weren't bad either. The only weakness is that those seven are only ones they play.

This coming weekend we won't have a good answer for any of their starters. Only hope I see is to wear them out, we've got 13 players averaging over 10 minutes.

Coach Drew has been tightening up the rotation, but the back end of the bench has a lot of young guys that Lopes fans should be excited about for years to come. It was a couple of those younger guys (Chance McMillan & Gabe McGlothan) that coach went to when starters looked like deer in the headlights at the beginning of Game 1. Guys like Rashad Smith, Liam Lloyd, and Jayden Stone who didn't see the floor vs. NMSU for various reasons will be as exciting to watch in the future as any of the seniors are now.

In short order, I think McMillan and Stone will crack the starting line up in the coming years. Blacksher with be the GCU PG the next two years and I see McGlothin manning the PF role. Lope fans will see if Drew can find a few more good grad transfers like Midtgaard and Miller-Moore this season.

As for NMSU, the effort was there but the team is unpolished offensively right now. Shots that normally drop did not find the bottom of the net this past weekend. And as I have said, there is a lot of room for improvement by many of the Aggie players. GCU's starting five is playing at the top of their game right now. But we are still a month out from the WAC tournament. We will see if GCU can maintain the momentum or if they have peaked too early.

GCU has definitely peaked. They're pretty much the same team as they were in November. GCU is solid but I could see them losing a few WAC games this month.

(02-01-2021 05:00 PM)FINALFOUR1970SWEETSIXTEEN1992 Wrote:  

(02-01-2021 04:02 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  

(02-01-2021 02:59 PM)gleadley Wrote:  

(02-01-2021 02:44 PM)edinburger Wrote:  To me NMSU didn't look bad at all, it's just that GCU's starters are scary good, and their 6th and 7th guys weren't bad either. The only weakness is that those seven are only ones they play.

This coming weekend we won't have a good answer for any of their starters. Only hope I see is to wear them out, we've got 13 players averaging over 10 minutes.

Coach Drew has been tightening up the rotation, but the back end of the bench has a lot of young guys that Lopes fans should be excited about for years to come. It was a couple of those younger guys (Chance McMillan & Gabe McGlothan) that coach went to when starters looked like deer in the headlights at the beginning of Game 1. Guys like Rashad Smith, Liam Lloyd, and Jayden Stone who didn't see the floor vs. NMSU for various reasons will be as exciting to watch in the future as any of the seniors are now.

In short order, I think McMillan and Stone will crack the starting line up in the coming years. Blacksher with be the GCU PG the next two years and I see McGlothin manning the PF role. Lope fans will see if Drew can find a few more good grad transfers like Midtgaard and Miller-Moore this season.

As for NMSU, the effort was there but the team is unpolished offensively right now. Shots that normally drop did not find the bottom of the net this past weekend. And as I have said, there is a lot of room for improvement by many of the Aggie players. GCU's starting five is playing at the top of their game right now. But we are still a month out from the WAC tournament. We will see if GCU can maintain the momentum or if they have peaked too early.

GCU has definitely peaked. They're pretty much the same team as they were in November. GCU is solid but I could see them losing a few WAC games this month.

The series against UTRGV should be interesting to see how GCU does against a WAC team with a winning record. If they beat UTRGV twice that momentum could carry them to an undefeated conference season.

(02-01-2021 05:00 PM)FINALFOUR1970SWEETSIXTEEN1992 Wrote:  

(02-01-2021 04:02 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  

(02-01-2021 02:59 PM)gleadley Wrote:  

(02-01-2021 02:44 PM)edinburger Wrote:  To me NMSU didn't look bad at all, it's just that GCU's starters are scary good, and their 6th and 7th guys weren't bad either. The only weakness is that those seven are only ones they play.

This coming weekend we won't have a good answer for any of their starters. Only hope I see is to wear them out, we've got 13 players averaging over 10 minutes.

Coach Drew has been tightening up the rotation, but the back end of the bench has a lot of young guys that Lopes fans should be excited about for years to come. It was a couple of those younger guys (Chance McMillan & Gabe McGlothan) that coach went to when starters looked like deer in the headlights at the beginning of Game 1. Guys like Rashad Smith, Liam Lloyd, and Jayden Stone who didn't see the floor vs. NMSU for various reasons will be as exciting to watch in the future as any of the seniors are now.

In short order, I think McMillan and Stone will crack the starting line up in the coming years. Blacksher with be the GCU PG the next two years and I see McGlothin manning the PF role. Lope fans will see if Drew can find a few more good grad transfers like Midtgaard and Miller-Moore this season.

As for NMSU, the effort was there but the team is unpolished offensively right now. Shots that normally drop did not find the bottom of the net this past weekend. And as I have said, there is a lot of room for improvement by many of the Aggie players. GCU's starting five is playing at the top of their game right now. But we are still a month out from the WAC tournament. We will see if GCU can maintain the momentum or if they have peaked too early.

GCU has definitely peaked. They're pretty much the same team as they were in November. GCU is solid but I could see them losing a few WAC games this month.

Lmao. Who do you see us losing to? A CBU team that got beat by Dixie who we played at home? or UVU who also lost at home to Tarleton who we beat on the road? Let's be real here, GCU may lose a game where they just come out flat and don't have it, but not really more than that. ESPN BPI says GCU has more than an 80% chance of winning every game left on the schedule.

Can someone tell me why GCU has "peaked", while a team that has struggled to get on the court and is expecting Watson and Doakes to be the new answer b/c apparently the rest of the NMSU players aren't go to options now even though they have been there and done that before for the Aggies/Jans?

As for GCU at UTRGV it's a place they have in the past haven't played to well. Again though I think most are holding GCU to the standard they have set while Danny was the HC and are now projecting that onto Drew. Drew and his staff are getting more our of Dan's players than Dan did. But lets ignore this and project that it's the same old Lopes....

(02-01-2021 05:09 PM)ThunderDan49_2 Wrote:  

(02-01-2021 05:00 PM)FINALFOUR1970SWEETSIXTEEN1992 Wrote:  

(02-01-2021 04:02 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  

(02-01-2021 02:59 PM)gleadley Wrote:  

(02-01-2021 02:44 PM)edinburger Wrote:  To me NMSU didn't look bad at all, it's just that GCU's starters are scary good, and their 6th and 7th guys weren't bad either. The only weakness is that those seven are only ones they play.

This coming weekend we won't have a good answer for any of their starters. Only hope I see is to wear them out, we've got 13 players averaging over 10 minutes.

Coach Drew has been tightening up the rotation, but the back end of the bench has a lot of young guys that Lopes fans should be excited about for years to come. It was a couple of those younger guys (Chance McMillan & Gabe McGlothan) that coach went to when starters looked like deer in the headlights at the beginning of Game 1. Guys like Rashad Smith, Liam Lloyd, and Jayden Stone who didn't see the floor vs. NMSU for various reasons will be as exciting to watch in the future as any of the seniors are now.

In short order, I think McMillan and Stone will crack the starting line up in the coming years. Blacksher with be the GCU PG the next two years and I see McGlothin manning the PF role. Lope fans will see if Drew can find a few more good grad transfers like Midtgaard and Miller-Moore this season.

As for NMSU, the effort was there but the team is unpolished offensively right now. Shots that normally drop did not find the bottom of the net this past weekend. And as I have said, there is a lot of room for improvement by many of the Aggie players. GCU's starting five is playing at the top of their game right now. But we are still a month out from the WAC tournament. We will see if GCU can maintain the momentum or if they have peaked too early.

GCU has definitely peaked. They're pretty much the same team as they were in November. GCU is solid but I could see them losing a few WAC games this month.

Lmao. Who do you see us losing to? A CBU team that got beat by Dixie who we played at home? or UVU who also lost at home to Tarleton who we beat on the road? Let's be real here, GCU may lose a game where they just come out flat and don't have it, but not really more than that. ESPN BPI says GCU has more than an 80% chance of winning every game left on the schedule.

The UVU/Tarleton game is a game of match ups. Tarleton presses the opposing guards like rabid dogs. UVU doesn't have the quality PG like GCU with Blacksher. Blacksher was able to handle Tarleton's press defense. However, GCU doesn't press like Tarleton. So, the UVU PG should be able to function against GCU's defense. If that happens, GCU will have their hands full with Aimaq, Cole, and Overton; which I feel is equal to GCU's front court.

Aimaq, Cole, and Overton concern me when NMSU matches up against them. As well as, Tarleton's scrappiness. Hopefully, our Aggie team will makes positive strides in the coming weeks.

(02-01-2021 05:13 PM)Lopes87 Wrote:  Can someone tell me why GCU has "peaked", while a team that has struggled to get on the court and is expecting Watson and Doakes to be the new answer b/c apparently the rest of the NMSU players aren't go to options now even though they have been there and done that before for the Aggies/Jans?

As for GCU at UTRGV it's a place they have in the past haven't played to well. Again though I think most are holding GCU to the standard they have set while Danny was the HC and are now projecting that onto Drew. Drew and his staff are getting more our of Dan's players than Dan did. But lets ignore this and project that it's the same old Lopes....

The GCU starters are playing as a tight unit. Blacksher, Dixon, Frayer, Lever, and Midtgaard are playing efficiently within their strengths. No one has been able to push them out of their comfort zone... yet. You tell where the five starters can make significant improvement over their current stats? ...aka they have peaked.

As for Doakes and Watson, we are not expecting them to supersede our starters. We expect our starters to play better. What Doakes and Watson will hopefully add is depth... like when Trev Queen came off bench two years ago in the WAC Championship game. In order to win the WAC Tournament, Jan is going to need to go 10 deep to have fresh legs for the championship game. NMSU needs our defense to have no drop off over 40 minutes for three straight night. In most cases a freshman shouldn't be able to contribute right away. But Doakes and Watson are P5 caliber prospects; who have shown exceptional athleticism and talent. They just needed time to develop and gain Jans trust in order to find a spot in the rotation.

I mean Dixon and Frayer aren't even playing to their career averages and Jovan between ASU and NMSU has been in a slump. So I'm sure they can improve on their current situation as it goes for the starters. GCU bench is very young but Chance/Jayden/Gabe have looked good to this point.

(02-01-2021 06:25 PM)Lopes87 Wrote:  I mean Dixon and Frayer aren't even playing to their career averages and Jovan between ASU and NMSU has been in a slump. So I'm sure they can improve on their current situation as it goes for the starters. GCU bench is very young but Chance/Jayden/Gabe have looked good to this point.

The bench is were I think GCU can make the most improvement. If they can go 8-10 deep with little drop off, they it will help to preserve the starters legs come Tournament time. As for Dixon and Frayer, they are playing about as well as they can. It just a matter of consistency nightly. Keep in mind, with more talent across the board, Frayer and Dixon will be hard pressed to get enough touches to meet their career averages. Midtgaard and an improving Blacksher are sucking up more of the offense touches along with the improved bench.

(02-01-2021 05:09 PM)ThunderDan49_2 Wrote:  

(02-01-2021 05:00 PM)FINALFOUR1970SWEETSIXTEEN1992 Wrote:  

(02-01-2021 04:02 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  

(02-01-2021 02:59 PM)gleadley Wrote:  

(02-01-2021 02:44 PM)edinburger Wrote:  To me NMSU didn't look bad at all, it's just that GCU's starters are scary good, and their 6th and 7th guys weren't bad either. The only weakness is that those seven are only ones they play.

This coming weekend we won't have a good answer for any of their starters. Only hope I see is to wear them out, we've got 13 players averaging over 10 minutes.

Coach Drew has been tightening up the rotation, but the back end of the bench has a lot of young guys that Lopes fans should be excited about for years to come. It was a couple of those younger guys (Chance McMillan & Gabe McGlothan) that coach went to when starters looked like deer in the headlights at the beginning of Game 1. Guys like Rashad Smith, Liam Lloyd, and Jayden Stone who didn't see the floor vs. NMSU for various reasons will be as exciting to watch in the future as any of the seniors are now.

In short order, I think McMillan and Stone will crack the starting line up in the coming years. Blacksher with be the GCU PG the next two years and I see McGlothin manning the PF role. Lope fans will see if Drew can find a few more good grad transfers like Midtgaard and Miller-Moore this season.

As for NMSU, the effort was there but the team is unpolished offensively right now. Shots that normally drop did not find the bottom of the net this past weekend. And as I have said, there is a lot of room for improvement by many of the Aggie players. GCU's starting five is playing at the top of their game right now. But we are still a month out from the WAC tournament. We will see if GCU can maintain the momentum or if they have peaked too early.

GCU has definitely peaked. They're pretty much the same team as they were in November. GCU is solid but I could see them losing a few WAC games this month.

Lmao. Who do you see us losing to? A CBU team that got beat by Dixie who we played at home? or UVU who also lost at home to Tarleton who we beat on the road? Let's be real here, GCU may lose a game where they just come out flat and don't have it, but not really more than that. ESPN BPI says GCU has more than an 80% chance of winning every game left on the schedule.

I could see GCU losing to UTRGV since we have never played well there. The trip alone to get there is exhausting. If we can get through this coming weekend then we may run the table.

(02-01-2021 11:00 PM)DZ1 Wrote:  

(02-01-2021 05:09 PM)ThunderDan49_2 Wrote:  

(02-01-2021 05:00 PM)FINALFOUR1970SWEETSIXTEEN1992 Wrote:  

(02-01-2021 04:02 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  

(02-01-2021 02:59 PM)gleadley Wrote:  Coach Drew has been tightening up the rotation, but the back end of the bench has a lot of young guys that Lopes fans should be excited about for years to come. It was a couple of those younger guys (Chance McMillan & Gabe McGlothan) that coach went to when starters looked like deer in the headlights at the beginning of Game 1. Guys like Rashad Smith, Liam Lloyd, and Jayden Stone who didn't see the floor vs. NMSU for various reasons will be as exciting to watch in the future as any of the seniors are now.

In short order, I think McMillan and Stone will crack the starting line up in the coming years. Blacksher with be the GCU PG the next two years and I see McGlothin manning the PF role. Lope fans will see if Drew can find a few more good grad transfers like Midtgaard and Miller-Moore this season.

As for NMSU, the effort was there but the team is unpolished offensively right now. Shots that normally drop did not find the bottom of the net this past weekend. And as I have said, there is a lot of room for improvement by many of the Aggie players. GCU's starting five is playing at the top of their game right now. But we are still a month out from the WAC tournament. We will see if GCU can maintain the momentum or if they have peaked too early.

GCU has definitely peaked. They're pretty much the same team as they were in November. GCU is solid but I could see them losing a few WAC games this month.

Lmao. Who do you see us losing to? A CBU team that got beat by Dixie who we played at home? or UVU who also lost at home to Tarleton who we beat on the road? Let's be real here, GCU may lose a game where they just come out flat and don't have it, but not really more than that. ESPN BPI says GCU has more than an 80% chance of winning every game left on the schedule.

I could see GCU losing to UTRGV since we have never played well there. The trip alone to get there is exhausting. If we can get through this coming weekend then we may run the table.

In 14 games Lopes are 10-4 with a +5.8 differential. Games are usually close

The 4 L's were

2020 @ GCU 88-80
2019 @ GCU 72-69
2018 @ UTRGV 83-81
2015 @ UTRGV 73-72

(02-01-2021 05:39 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  

(02-01-2021 05:13 PM)Lopes87 Wrote:  Can someone tell me why GCU has "peaked", while a team that has struggled to get on the court and is expecting Watson and Doakes to be the new answer b/c apparently the rest of the NMSU players aren't go to options now even though they have been there and done that before for the Aggies/Jans?

As for GCU at UTRGV it's a place they have in the past haven't played to well. Again though I think most are holding GCU to the standard they have set while Danny was the HC and are now projecting that onto Drew. Drew and his staff are getting more our of Dan's players than Dan did. But lets ignore this and project that it's the same old Lopes....

The GCU starters are playing as a tight unit. Blacksher, Dixon, Frayer, Lever, and Midtgaard are playing efficiently within their strengths. No one has been able to push them out of their comfort zone... yet. You tell where the five starters can make significant improvement over their current stats? ...aka they have peaked.

I'd say there is a lot of room for improvement across the GCU roster.
STARTERS
Midtgaard has been consistent all season. Just keep it up big man.
Lever sometimes still whines about fouls and can get flustered (see Tarlton series)
Frayer commits too many unnecessary fouls and is still shaking off the rust from sitting all of last year.
Blacksher and Dixon have both been in prolonged shooting slumps at various times

BENCH
Miller-Moore needs to be more consistent; at times brilliant but seems lost sometimes
McGlothan is just coming into his own. Give him more minutes coach
McMillian (freshman) is doing very well as Jovan's backup. He'll only get better.
Stone (freshman) love watching this kid play. Apparently he was injured this weekend. Hopefully he will be back soon.
Lloyd, Smith and Zdor are all quality bench players and can contribute if needed.
Okpoh started last year but now is relegated to cheering on the sidelines

Personally, I see a lot of upside for this team. This is not a Dan Majerle coached team that peaks early.

(02-01-2021 11:19 PM)Lopes87 Wrote:  

(02-01-2021 11:00 PM)DZ1 Wrote:  

(02-01-2021 05:09 PM)ThunderDan49_2 Wrote:  

(02-01-2021 05:00 PM)FINALFOUR1970SWEETSIXTEEN1992 Wrote:  

(02-01-2021 04:02 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  In short order, I think McMillan and Stone will crack the starting line up in the coming years. Blacksher with be the GCU PG the next two years and I see McGlothin manning the PF role. Lope fans will see if Drew can find a few more good grad transfers like Midtgaard and Miller-Moore this season.

As for NMSU, the effort was there but the team is unpolished offensively right now. Shots that normally drop did not find the bottom of the net this past weekend. And as I have said, there is a lot of room for improvement by many of the Aggie players. GCU's starting five is playing at the top of their game right now. But we are still a month out from the WAC tournament. We will see if GCU can maintain the momentum or if they have peaked too early.

GCU has definitely peaked. They're pretty much the same team as they were in November. GCU is solid but I could see them losing a few WAC games this month.

Lmao. Who do you see us losing to? A CBU team that got beat by Dixie who we played at home? or UVU who also lost at home to Tarleton who we beat on the road? Let's be real here, GCU may lose a game where they just come out flat and don't have it, but not really more than that. ESPN BPI says GCU has more than an 80% chance of winning every game left on the schedule.

I could see GCU losing to UTRGV since we have never played well there. The trip alone to get there is exhausting. If we can get through this coming weekend then we may run the table.

In 14 games Lopes are 10-4 with a +5.8 differential. Games are usually close

The 4 L's were

2020 @ GCU 88-80
2019 @ GCU 72-69
2018 @ UTRGV 83-81
2015 @ UTRGV 73-72

If Levi and Otchere play this weekend, I think it is possible UTRGV gets a split. I doubt UTRGV wins both games. Levi is still the best passer and best point guard defender in the WAC. And, Otchere is probably the best shot blocker in the WAC; with 11 blocks in three games played thus far. If anyone is capable of defending Midtgaard one-on-one, it would be the 6'11, 240-lbs, Jeff Otchere.

(02-01-2021 11:41 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  

(02-01-2021 11:19 PM)Lopes87 Wrote:  

(02-01-2021 11:00 PM)DZ1 Wrote:  

(02-01-2021 05:09 PM)ThunderDan49_2 Wrote:  

(02-01-2021 05:00 PM)FINALFOUR1970SWEETSIXTEEN1992 Wrote:  GCU has definitely peaked. They're pretty much the same team as they were in November. GCU is solid but I could see them losing a few WAC games this month.

Lmao. Who do you see us losing to? A CBU team that got beat by Dixie who we played at home? or UVU who also lost at home to Tarleton who we beat on the road? Let's be real here, GCU may lose a game where they just come out flat and don't have it, but not really more than that. ESPN BPI says GCU has more than an 80% chance of winning every game left on the schedule.

I could see GCU losing to UTRGV since we have never played well there. The trip alone to get there is exhausting. If we can get through this coming weekend then we may run the table.

In 14 games Lopes are 10-4 with a +5.8 differential. Games are usually close

The 4 L's were

2020 @ GCU 88-80
2019 @ GCU 72-69
2018 @ UTRGV 83-81
2015 @ UTRGV 73-72

If Levi and Otchere play this weekend, I think it is possible UTRGV gets a split. I doubt UTRGV wins both games. Levi is still the best passer and best point guard defender in the WAC. And, Otchere is probably the best shot blocker in the WAC; with 11 blocks in three games played thus far. If anyone is capable of defending Midtgaard one-on-one, it would be the 6'11, 240-lbs, Jeff Otchere.

If we get a split - and the odds are against us - the win would have to be the first game. The pattern is GCU gets better on the second night of a weekend doubleheader, and we don't.

Otchere - Midtgaard
Rhea - Lever
Johnson - Fray
Levi - Blacksher
Dibiamaka - Dixon

GCU seems equal or better in each case. Well, Lever's gone a little soft so maybe Rhea is better. Quinton Johnson might not even play, he's been missing for a while. We'll need to have a really good night.

(02-02-2021 10:33 AM)edinburger Wrote:  

(02-01-2021 11:41 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  

(02-01-2021 11:19 PM)Lopes87 Wrote:  

(02-01-2021 11:00 PM)DZ1 Wrote:  

(02-01-2021 05:09 PM)ThunderDan49_2 Wrote:  Lmao. Who do you see us losing to? A CBU team that got beat by Dixie who we played at home? or UVU who also lost at home to Tarleton who we beat on the road? Let's be real here, GCU may lose a game where they just come out flat and don't have it, but not really more than that. ESPN BPI says GCU has more than an 80% chance of winning every game left on the schedule.

I could see GCU losing to UTRGV since we have never played well there. The trip alone to get there is exhausting. If we can get through this coming weekend then we may run the table.

In 14 games Lopes are 10-4 with a +5.8 differential. Games are usually close

The 4 L's were

2020 @ GCU 88-80
2019 @ GCU 72-69
2018 @ UTRGV 83-81
2015 @ UTRGV 73-72

If Levi and Otchere play this weekend, I think it is possible UTRGV gets a split. I doubt UTRGV wins both games. Levi is still the best passer and best point guard defender in the WAC. And, Otchere is probably the best shot blocker in the WAC; with 11 blocks in three games played thus far. If anyone is capable of defending Midtgaard one-on-one, it would be the 6'11, 240-lbs, Jeff Otchere.

If we get a split - and the odds are against us - the win would have to be the first game. The pattern is GCU gets better on the second night of a weekend doubleheader, and we don't.

Otchere - Midtgaard
Rhea - Lever
Johnson - Fray
Levi - Blacksher
Dibiamaka - Dixon

GCU seems equal or better in each case. Well, Lever's gone a little soft so maybe Rhea is better. Quinton Johnson might not even play, he's been missing for a while. We'll need to have a really good night.

A pessimist is never disappointed, so I'll own up to having serious concerns about GCU dropping at least the first game against UTRGV. Lew Hill's teams have only gotten better year over year and the travel is tough, but my biggest concern is that the Lopes don't put the NMSU wins in the past and get punched in the face.

That would be SOP for a Dan Majerle coached team, so maybe my concerns are all for not. I just don't trust players who developed under him to rise and meet the big moments. Yes, I am looking at you Oscar Frayer and Ale Lever. The fact that Drew had to put the young guys in early in Game 1 vs. NMSU to get back on track shows me there is still some of that lingering PTSD or whatever those Majerle guys suffer from.

I would have never designated Lever anything more than a finesse Euro post player. The only real difference between this year and the last 3 years is, now under Drew Ale is being used more down low and he is playing 7 minutes less a game from last year as well.

(02-02-2021 10:47 AM)gleadley Wrote:  

(02-02-2021 10:33 AM)edinburger Wrote:  

(02-01-2021 11:41 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  

(02-01-2021 11:19 PM)Lopes87 Wrote:  

(02-01-2021 11:00 PM)DZ1 Wrote:  I could see GCU losing to UTRGV since we have never played well there. The trip alone to get there is exhausting. If we can get through this coming weekend then we may run the table.

In 14 games Lopes are 10-4 with a +5.8 differential. Games are usually close

The 4 L's were

2020 @ GCU 88-80
2019 @ GCU 72-69
2018 @ UTRGV 83-81
2015 @ UTRGV 73-72

If Levi and Otchere play this weekend, I think it is possible UTRGV gets a split. I doubt UTRGV wins both games. Levi is still the best passer and best point guard defender in the WAC. And, Otchere is probably the best shot blocker in the WAC; with 11 blocks in three games played thus far. If anyone is capable of defending Midtgaard one-on-one, it would be the 6'11, 240-lbs, Jeff Otchere.

If we get a split - and the odds are against us - the win would have to be the first game. The pattern is GCU gets better on the second night of a weekend doubleheader, and we don't.

Otchere - Midtgaard
Rhea - Lever
Johnson - Fray
Levi - Blacksher
Dibiamaka - Dixon

GCU seems equal or better in each case. Well, Lever's gone a little soft so maybe Rhea is better. Quinton Johnson might not even play, he's been missing for a while. We'll need to have a really good night.

A pessimist is never disappointed, so I'll own up to having serious concerns about GCU dropping at least the first game against UTRGV. Lew Hill's teams have only gotten better year over year and the travel is tough, but my biggest concern is that the Lopes don't put the NMSU wins in the past and get punched in the face.

That would be SOP for a Dan Majerle coached team, so maybe my concerns are all for not. I just don't trust players who developed under him to rise and meet the big moments. Yes, I am looking at you Oscar Frayer and Ale Lever. The fact that Drew had to put the young guys in early in Game 1 vs. NMSU to get back on track shows me there is still some of that lingering PTSD or whatever those Majerle guys suffer from.

Two guys outside a bar, both yelling "You're going to kick my a$$".

I only saw parts of your NMSU games but Oscar Frayer looked impressive in those parts. Lever was maybe a notch down from last year but still pretty good.

Again, I think our only hope is that our #6-#10 players are all proven to be capable of double-digit games and have a more playing time than yours.

(02-02-2021 11:02 AM)edinburger Wrote:  

(02-02-2021 10:47 AM)gleadley Wrote:  

(02-02-2021 10:33 AM)edinburger Wrote:  

(02-01-2021 11:41 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  

(02-01-2021 11:19 PM)Lopes87 Wrote:  In 14 games Lopes are 10-4 with a +5.8 differential. Games are usually close

The 4 L's were

2020 @ GCU 88-80
2019 @ GCU 72-69
2018 @ UTRGV 83-81
2015 @ UTRGV 73-72

If Levi and Otchere play this weekend, I think it is possible UTRGV gets a split. I doubt UTRGV wins both games. Levi is still the best passer and best point guard defender in the WAC. And, Otchere is probably the best shot blocker in the WAC; with 11 blocks in three games played thus far. If anyone is capable of defending Midtgaard one-on-one, it would be the 6'11, 240-lbs, Jeff Otchere.

If we get a split - and the odds are against us - the win would have to be the first game. The pattern is GCU gets better on the second night of a weekend doubleheader, and we don't.

Otchere - Midtgaard
Rhea - Lever
Johnson - Fray
Levi - Blacksher
Dibiamaka - Dixon

GCU seems equal or better in each case. Well, Lever's gone a little soft so maybe Rhea is better. Quinton Johnson might not even play, he's been missing for a while. We'll need to have a really good night.

A pessimist is never disappointed, so I'll own up to having serious concerns about GCU dropping at least the first game against UTRGV. Lew Hill's teams have only gotten better year over year and the travel is tough, but my biggest concern is that the Lopes don't put the NMSU wins in the past and get punched in the face.

That would be SOP for a Dan Majerle coached team, so maybe my concerns are all for not. I just don't trust players who developed under him to rise and meet the big moments. Yes, I am looking at you Oscar Frayer and Ale Lever. The fact that Drew had to put the young guys in early in Game 1 vs. NMSU to get back on track shows me there is still some of that lingering PTSD or whatever those Majerle guys suffer from.

Two guys outside a bar, both yelling "You're going to kick my a$$".

I only saw parts of your NMSU games but Oscar Frayer looked impressive in those parts. Lever was maybe a notch down from last year but still pretty good.

Again, I think our only hope is that our #6-#10 players are all proven to be capable of double-digit games and have a more playing time than yours.

Maybe I'm the one with fan PTSD. I don't know, man. I'm a mess. Haha

What does peaking too early mean anyways? NMSU went 16-0 in the WAC last year. Did they peak too early? Did anyone expect them to lose in the WAC tourney? If GCU just stays the status quo of what they have been all year, they stand a good chance to run the table in the WAC regularly season and give anyone fits, including NMSU, in the WAC tourney.

(02-02-2021 12:08 PM)PojoaquePosse Wrote:  What does peaking too early mean anyways? NMSU went 16-0 in the WAC last year. Did they peak too early? Did anyone expect them to lose in the WAC tourney? If GCU just stays the status quo of what they have been all year, they stand a good chance to run the table in the WAC regularly season and give anyone fits, including NMSU, in the WAC tourney.

Peak too early means your team has maximized the talent level and skill of the players playing the most minutes. Once that is achieved it falls on the other teams (coaches) with similar or greater talent to play catch up within the remaining timeline; before they ultimately meet again. The goal is to optimize your team's talent and performance by the time it matters in the WAC tournament. Case in point, two years ago, everyone knew what NMSU starting five brought to the table... AJ Harris, Terrell Brown, Clayton Henry, CJ Bobbitt, and Eli Chuha were known quantities and playing at an expected level. But did anyone know what Trevelin Queen was capable at the time? He peaked at the right time. Its about having extra gas in the tank... players who have another gear not yet reached. With GCU, I see a very strong starting five playing near the top of their respective games. In my mind, only Blacksher could take his game to still another level. The rest are pretty much known quantities. If there is another player on the GCU bench better than the starters, you will have to show me. This is not the case with NMSU. Our players are still recovering from injuries and try to get more more organized by getting more games under its belt; after long stoppages. The Aggie team that played last weekend still hasn't peaked. So the term "peaked too early" simply means you have shown your best hand too early and now it is on the others playing the game to make adjustments to put out their best hand when it truly matter. The game is about putting out your best hand near the end of the season; not allowing the other coaches/players enough time to compensate accordingly for any new variables.