First off let's give a little credit to our boys. I love seasons where double digit wins come before single digit losses. However, you all know we have not been tested as a team. Hell, we haven't even had a road game.

Tomorrows game is really big for alot of reasons. It would provide a nice boost going into Big XII play and the toughness and solid defense of this team could really keep alot of games close that normally wouldn't be.

We will play some very good teams in the next couple of months and I, for one, cannot wait to be there to support our team.

So lets talk Aggie Hoops.

• Joe Jones: Possible First Team Big XII?
  
• Acie Law: Possible Honorable Mention?
  
• 10-6, no way?
  
• 6-10, entirely possible without of NJ Net?
  
• Is it just me or does every team that play us say they just played the most physical game they probably will all season?
  
• Josh Carter or Martellus Bennett?
  
• Chris Walker, more valuable than you think?
  
• Edjuan, Pompey?
  

Discuss...

maybe
maybe
maybe
maybe
whatever
Bennett
No
Pompey

Yes

Most of these are things that have been gone over several times on this board. Here are the questions I think are important moving into conference play.

If we play a team that can front Joseph and has the size to double down and shut him down, who is going to step up and score for us in the post? Are we going to be relying on Marlon Pompey to score points for us in big games (not that he's not capable, just a question)?

Will we be able to run our offense and get it into the low post or will we settle for three pointers which we do fairly often? We will face a team that will cut off the low post (Oklahoma comes to mind) and we're going to have to penetrate and dish and I'm unsure at this point of our ability (aside from Law) to do this.

And, is Acie Law going to be able to shoulder this team and lead us to the tournament. You can talk about Antoine all you want, but the key to this team last year was Acie. As Acie goes, so go the Texas Aggies. (exception was the tech game) but last year every time we needed a run it was always Law that hit the key shot. Law's shooting took the pressure off of AW and allowed him not to have to face a double team. Acie though will have to step up and hit shots himself this year instead of hitting shots to set up the rest of the team.

Josheph Jones might make BIG XII first team, but IMO I would say 2nd team. I'm not sure will get it over him, but he doesn't produce EVERY game like a first teamer should. I would love for him to prove me wrong.

Acie Law i think will get higher then honorable mention. He continues to become a better leader. The only thing I can see hindering that is injuries. I know they are other good guards in the BIG XII but I think he'll step it up and become a big time player for us.

10-6 is my guess for our BIG XII record

6-10 possible, seeing how alot of the time we seem to play to the level of our opponent, which may take the game down to the wire and have inferior teams ekk out a win.

Yes we are the usual the most physical teams play. Its our style and becoming our identity. Which i like.

Push on Carter and Bennett. I like Carter's shot and he was showing me something early on, but lately he's been not getting as much playing time. Not sure why. Bennett, I like his potential and athleticism. So far he's all hype w/ a few flashes of brillance, hope he can live up the hype.

NO Walker is not more valuable then we all think. I think people think to highly of Walker as it is. He's a hustle player and brings alot of energy. I would love to see him come off the bench and provide a spark, but it seems to me that some people think Walker is gonna be a significant contributor. He's not a really good shooter, and is a lil undersized, although he makes up for it w/ heart and determination.

Pompey I think may be the key to our success. I think w/ Jones being doubled team its gonna be up to Pompey to pick up the slack. Antanas and Green haven't really produced much, so I think its up to Pompey.

These are my opinions, take what you want and think what you want about them!

The idea that we are counting on Pompey to take up the slack in the post (and aren't being sarcastic) is one of the most positive things we have in this team. No one would have thought that was possible last year.

BCG flat out improves players.

absolutely. pompey has seriously improved this year, and I doubt that he is through impressing us with his ability and presence.

I think both Josh and 'tellus can come in and be role players in different ways. Josh has the shot and a bit better view of what is going on, and 'tellus has the athleticism, fire-assed drive to score(sometimes at whatever cost), and great rebounding ability. I would take Josh on offense and Marty on Defense.... we'll see how Billy works it.

I like Chris Walker's heart and defensive fire, but he is a liability on offense most of the time. I wouldn't be dissapointed if Kenneth 'red' White never played for us again. I bite my fingers off every time that guy steps on the court, because he is nothing but a shooter, and not a wonderfully good one at that (I would rather Josh play that roll). Same with Edjuan...not impressed.

Here's to there rest of the season and good luck tonight against Pacific. Gig em!

[This message has been edited by flaith22 (edited 1/3/2006 10:21a).]

Joe Jones needs to be a 1st team all Big 12 caliber player for us to have a good shot at the NCAA tournament. I think he makes it, and I think Acie Law makes 2nd or 3rd team. We need contributions from both Bennett and Carter if we want to get to the big dance.

Joe Jones: Possible First Team Big XII? Yes

Acie Law: Possible Honorable Mention? Unfortunately the Big 12 has a lot of great guards, so probably not.

10-6, no way? Entirely possible and I expect it

6-10, entirely possible without of NJ Net? I don't think so. We'll at least go 8-8. With all due respect to AW, losing him is almost made up for by another year in BCG's system for everyone else

Chris Walker, more valuable than you think? In the lockerroom, maybe; on the court, he is an indication that we are still not where we want to be talent-wise.

Edjuan, Pompey? As above; I think these guys are good role guys, but they aren't the kind of talent we'll need seeing big minutes against the KU's, OU's, OSU's and tu's of the conference

I think 9-7 or 10-6 IS entirely possible. I didnt think that we would go 8-8 last season. Big if but IF we win all our home conference games and one or two on the road we have a chance.

We can beat Texas, Tech, OU at home, not saying we will but we can beat them at home. OSU is down but will come to play, CU is good but is also at home, Nebraska, Baylor all at Reed. Kansas is always good, but down this year by their standards. They have had to replace a lot of Seniors.

Yes we have played a weak schedule, but we played a weak schedule like these in the past and right now would be 6-4 with losses to NW St, Auburn, Penn St and maybe even Savanah St or another team like that. We aren't on a National Championship run by any means yet, but We are one of only 9 teams to remain unbeaten this far into the season.

because it is our first road game, tonight's game will tell a lot about this team, no matter the quality of the opponent.

[This message has been edited by Farmer04 (edited 1/3/2006 11:42a).]

No offense Farmer04, but I thought this was one of the funniest things I've ever read.

"I think 9-7 or 10-6 IS entirely possible. I didnt think that we would go 8-8 last season. Big if but IF we win all our home conference games and one or two on the road we have a chance."

That is one of the greatest examples of coach speak I've ever seen. Hmmm... let's see, you're saying that if we win our 8 conference home games and 1 or 2 of our away games that we have a chance to be 9-7 or 10-6??

Personally I'd say it guarantees us 9-7 or 10-6.

...sorry, not trying to be a *******, it just struck me as funny.

I'd say that, if we win all of our games, we have a pretty good chance of going undefeated.

I'm going out on a limb and saying if we can win the Big XII tournament, we will make the tourney.

Kinda makes me sad that I can't even say "*******."

How else should we refer to a fatherless child?? Call them a TO?

(yeah, it was a low blow but I enjoyed it)

Joe Jones bein 1st Team Big 12 is possible...IF LaMarcus Aldridge wasn't in our conference. Several say he is All-American and I agree, he'll only get better. Also, look at what Bookout is doing for OU. You take him out and OU is a Taj Gray show with several losses. Jones is a Phenom but there are some good big guys in big 12.

Acie Law will be Honorable Mention in the Big 12 or higher I agree.

10-6, possible because we don't know how good or bad this conference is...we'll know more with some head-to-heads.

6-10, ditto from above but i honestly don't see us doing it. Our play would have to regress signifigantly wile i think we are progressing.

Chris Walker is a spark to the team and is a hustler. his defense is needed but look at some of the matchups in big 12, yikes.

Pompey definately over Edjuan.. Edjuan was just to give JJ/Marlon a breather last year. He shouldn't play any and we'll be ok. Pompey is coming on strong.

I Say Bennet AND Carter. Both will get key minutes in those key situations. Carter can shoot but he's just struggling. Between Carter and White...I'd say White but you gotta go with who is HOT. Bennet is still learning and will give us good minutes, eventally. We can't give up on because he's alot like CW by being a spark.

i agree w/ giving bennett a spark, but it seems to me that he provides a spark more to the crowd then to the team. maybe its just me, but i get more excited when he comes in the game because i can see him doing something to pump up the crowd (dunk, block, etc.)