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Author Message FlashGary General User Member Since: 6/18/2013 Location: Long Island, NY Post Count: 385 Status: Offline     It's early to makes predictions, but...    Posted: 10/28/2017 4:43:55 PM  I don't know why I feel compelled to make predictions about a team whose players I haven't watched practice or have seen play this season. But here goes, anyway. I think this team can have a really good season IF--and it's a huge if--it remains relatively healthy, injury-wise. And it appears that injuries already are a concern, particularly with three of the freshmen. That being said, I expect significant jumps in effectiveness, efficiency and production from several, or all, among Gavin Block, Jordan Dartis, James Gollon and Doug Taylor, which is something that tends to happen the third year in a program, when talented players finally are able to merge experience and strength to their skill levels. I'm confident Mike Laster will be a big factor as a senior, similarly to the way Kenneth van Kempen blossomed. And I can see Kevin Mickle surprising everyone in Athens, as well as in the MAC, emerging as a real force on defense, on the glass, with his toughness and, surprisingly, as an offensive player. He could be a classic late bloomer. Jason Carter will be a monster. That' all that needs to be said! So I see a definitive, strong seven-man rotation at the present time, which obviously is too light. This is where the freshman fit in; either Teyvion Kirk, Zach Butler (if he can avoid or play through annoying injuries) or both have an opportunity here to really boost that number. Hopefully, Bennett Vander Plas will be included in this group up front, once his foot heals. I'm really interested to see who starts, although there are several lineups I can envision coach Phillip using that could produce similar results. What about Laster and Dartis in the backcourt, Carter at center, Block and Mickle at the forwards, with the offense running through both Dartis and Block? Gollon then swings between shooting guard and small forward; Taylor comes in at center, with Carter moving to big forward. You extend the lineup with whichever (or both) freshmen point guard is ready to contribute. Then you hope you get contributions from some of the remaining frontcourt players--Vander Plas, Ellis Dozier and AJ Gareri. This has to happen, because they'll need more than four big-position contributors during the course of the season. So how 'about it, Bobcat Nation? Last Edited: 10/28/2017 4:44:21 PM by FlashGary Back to Top brucecuth General User Member Since: 12/21/2004 Post Count: 1,836 Status: Offline     RE: It's early to makes predictions, but...    Posted: 10/29/2017 4:32:38 PM  Lot's of moving parts on this team. I don't know what to expect from Mickle. Gollon? Hasn't played competitively in two years. How will the freshmen guards do? Can BVP make a completely recovery from his foot injury, or will it nag him all year? All I am hoping for is steady improvement over the year and no more injuries. I'm already looking past this year to '18-'19. We really could be a monster then, if things go right... Back to Top FlashGary General User Member Since: 6/18/2013 Location: Long Island, NY Post Count: 385 Status: Offline     RE: It's early to makes predictions, but...    Posted: 10/29/2017 9:44:38 PM  brucecuth wrote: Lot's of moving parts on this team. I don't know what to expect from Mickle. Gollon? Hasn't played competitively in two years. How will the freshmen guards do? Can BVP make a completely recovery from his foot injury, or will it nag him all year? All I am hoping for is steady improvement over the year and no more injuries. I'm already looking past this year to '18-'19. We really could be a monster then, if things go right... I personally never look past a season this early, Brucecuth, as quite often teams put it together a year before you expect it and then may actually fall back the following year when you expected things to really come together. Back to Top bshot44 General User Member Since: 2/12/2012 Post Count: 2,211 Status: Offline     RE: It's early to makes predictions, but...    Posted: 10/29/2017 10:52:47 PM  I wouldn't be totally stunned if Carter isn't the monster many predict. Has nothing to do with his skill. More that... A) He's now a known commodity. Spent most of last year under the radar B) No Jaaron Simmons or AC for teams to focus on ... more focus on Carter as he will be offensive focal point Now... if Dartis can add consistent offense off the dribble and be more than a catch and shoot guy, I think that will open things up more for Carter Back to Top OhioBobcat General User Member Since: 1/20/2006 Post Count: 1,619 Status: Offline     RE: It's early to makes predictions, but...    Posted: 10/29/2017 10:55:07 PM  I'm looking forward to the entire MAC overall. We all know nearly all of the 1st and 2nd All-MAC players are gone, but I think there's going to be much more parity and overall competitiveness across the board in the conference, which is a welcomed sight. Back to Top shabamon General User Member Since: 11/17/2006 Location: Cincinnati Post Count: 6,854 Status: Offline     RE: It's early to makes predictions, but...    Posted: 10/30/2017 8:25:22 AM  True. I don't see any true bottom feeders the season. I think the teams that finish at the bottom will show plenty of signs of capability, but may lack consistency. On the other end, do any of the teams picked towards the top really scare you? There's no 2013 Akron or 2008 Kent here. Back to Top OU_Country General User Member Since: 12/6/2005 Location: On the road between Athens and Madison County Post Count: 8,370 Status: Offline     RE: It's early to makes predictions, but...    Posted: 10/30/2017 2:31:13 PM  shabamon wrote: True. I don't see any true bottom feeders the season. I think the teams that finish at the bottom will show plenty of signs of capability, but may lack consistency. On the other end, do any of the teams picked towards the top really scare you? There's no 2013 Akron or 2008 Kent here. My only question is - did we say the same thing at this juncture in 2008 and 2013? Otherwise, I agree with you, though if I were a betting man, with my crystal ball, I would possibly predict UB as the team that's above everyone else a little bit. Back to Top shabamon General User Member Since: 11/17/2006 Location: Cincinnati Post Count: 6,854 Status: Offline     RE: It's early to makes predictions, but...    Posted: 10/30/2017 3:00:25 PM  OU_Country wrote: shabamon wrote: True. I don't see any true bottom feeders the season. I think the teams that finish at the bottom will show plenty of signs of capability, but may lack consistency. On the other end, do any of the teams picked towards the top really scare you? There's no 2013 Akron or 2008 Kent here. My only question is - did we say the same thing at this juncture in 2008 and 2013? Otherwise, I agree with you, though if I were a betting man, with my crystal ball, I would possibly predict UB as the team that's above everyone else a little bit. Not in 2008, but I think everyone around the MAC knew in 2013 that Akron would be really good and probably thought the same even more strongly about us. Back to Top Bobcat1998 General User Member Since: 11/7/2012 Post Count: 2,518 Status: Offline     RE: It's early to makes predictions, but...    Posted: 10/31/2017 10:13:27 AM  Not so much predictions here but here are my top 5 hopes: 1. Kevin Mickle gives us 20 mpg, 6 ppg, 8 rpg, 2 bpg and Doug gives us 7 ppg, 8 rpg, 1 bpg (that would add up to 13 ppg, 16 rpg and 3 bpg which would give us a combined inside monster to go with Carter). 2. Kirk ends up being Freshman of the Year in the MAC after averaging 10 ppg, 6 apg, 2 spg 3. James Gollon gives us 10 good minutes per game 4. Gareri, Butler or Vander Plas get off the injury list and give us either combined or solo points per game of 10 with 5 boards per game and 5 assists (that's all I want -- more would be awesome) 5. Jordan Dartis takes the Nick Kellogg leap and drives to the hoop more while still hitting that sweet triple! Last Edited: 10/31/2017 10:13:50 AM by Bobcat1998 Back to Top OU_Country General User Member Since: 12/6/2005 Location: On the road between Athens and Madison County Post Count: 8,370 Status: Offline     RE: It's early to makes predictions, but...    Posted: 10/31/2017 12:04:48 PM  Bobcat1998 wrote: Not so much predictions here but here are my top 5 hopes: 1. Kevin Mickle gives us 20 mpg, 6 ppg, 8 rpg, 2 bpg and Doug gives us 7 ppg, 8 rpg, 1 bpg (that would add up to 13 ppg, 16 rpg and 3 bpg which would give us a combined inside monster to go with Carter). 2. Kirk ends up being Freshman of the Year in the MAC after averaging 10 ppg, 6 apg, 2 spg 3. James Gollon gives us 10 good minutes per game 4. Gareri, Butler or Vander Plas get off the injury list and give us either combined or solo points per game of 10 with 5 boards per game and 5 assists (that's all I want -- more would be awesome) 5. Jordan Dartis takes the Nick Kellogg leap and drives to the hoop more while still hitting that sweet triple! I'm with you on number 1 in terms of both guys giving significant minutes and contributions. I don't care about ppg/rpg, etc. I'm hopeful that the three freshmen you mention can get healthy so they can show what they're capable of. Lastly, If Jordy makes that big of a leap forward like Nick did, there's nothing to be worried about in The Convo this year (other than getting and staying healthy). Back to Top OUVan General User Member Since: 12/20/2004 Location: Bethesda, MD Post Count: 5,580 Status: Offline     RE: It's early to makes predictions, but...    Posted: 10/31/2017 12:09:36 PM  Bobcat1998 wrote: Not so much predictions here but here are my top 5 hopes: 1. Kevin Mickle gives us 20 mpg, 6 ppg, 8 rpg, 2 bpg That's a large number of boards in 20mpg. I hope you are right. Back to Top Showing Replies:   1 - 11  of 11 Posts Jump to Page:   1 View Other 'Ohio Basketball' Topics                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               WHO'S ONLINE There are 362 Active Visitors on BobcatAttack.com 359 Guests 3 Registered Users:   Bobcat110, BillyTheCat, Alan Swank There are no other users looking at this page.

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