ASU 2007-2008 Men's Basketball Thread

[Dback Jon]

And I'd assume that by your NAU education you got rejected from UofA and ASU...

...and MCC

...and Pima

...and DeVry?

Nope - could have gone to any college in the country, choose Illinois and NAU for the superior educational program.

 

[Russ Smith]

The sophomores play harder than the newcomers especially on defense. ASU is actually trading baskets with Antuane, Shipp, Glasser, and Polk on the court.

And not that Russ and I didn't warn you, but Eric Boateng sucks. Him and Kirk Walters would have an epic "Who looks more like a newborn calf on the basketball court?" contest.

Did he even play? The part of the game I saw he was barely in, seemed that Harden sat a long time too.

Bad first game hopefully ASU got that out of their system. My first look at them says they have 2 glarind needs, a PG to step up, and a 2nd rebounder so that Pendergraph doesn't have to go it alone. When I was watching it seemed like Illinois was all over the offensive glass.

Young team though so not a surprise they struggled out of the gate.

 

[Gaddabout]

I'm betting (or maybe just hoping) that's the last time Harden finishes with only 6 points. The coaches looked committed to sticking with the offense regardless of the outcome. That will pay off down the road, I think. Just wasn't pretty to watch. Illinois definitely looked quicker, though. That was discouraging.

 

[FArting]

ASU plays Princeton at 2:30. Is there any TV for this game?

 

[bko32]

ASU had no post presence last night on offense or defense. Pendergraph needs help on the boards and Boateng doesn't appear like the person who can help - he looked horrible. How did he become a McD's All-American??? They need to start a more experienced player at PG. McMillan isn't bad, but he just doesn't have the experience to run the point position right now. I think they'd be better off starting Glasser until McMillan gets some more minutes under his belt.

 

[Gaddabout]

They need to start a more experienced player at PG. McMillan isn't bad, but he just doesn't have the experience to run the point position right now. I think they'd be better off starting Glasser until McMillan gets some more minutes under his belt.

Guessing the coach's logic: Starting McMillan now will bring a big payoff for the Pac-10 slate because he is a naturally gifted defender with good size at the spot. The more McMillan can log quality minutes starting at PG the better ASU is going to matchup with their opponents.

He's got point guard instincts and he ran a similar offense in Washington, just can't remember if it was for his high school team or his summer league team.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

ASU has a shot of getting out of Hawaii 2-1 tomorrow. LSU struggled mightily with D-II Chaminade today.

 

[HooverDam]

^We'll see, LSUs one strength seems to be front court play, which is obviously an area where ASU is very thin. Pendergraph needs to stay out of foul trouble and Boateng needs to show up.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

But it's young talent. Tasmin Mitchell is overrated.

Not to worry if you guys lose, look around the Pac-10. Everybody not named UCLA isn't looking so hot.

 

[Russ Smith]

ASU had no post presence last night on offense or defense. Pendergraph needs help on the boards and Boateng doesn't appear like the person who can help - he looked horrible. How did he become a McD's All-American??? They need to start a more experienced player at PG. McMillan isn't bad, but he just doesn't have the experience to run the point position right now. I think they'd be better off starting Glasser until McMillan gets some more minutes under his belt.

Boateng was the top rated C in his class as a soph, as a junior others started to catch him, but he committed early to Duke. So he basically made the McD's game because he was a Duke commit who'd been highly rated as a younger player, by the time his senior year was done there were several guys rated ahead of him in most services and he was a bit of a surprise to make the McDonald's team.

He's got physical ability just seems to lack a feel for the game.

I will say this, Coach K doesn't exactly have a history of project bigmen his history is generally sign a heralded C can't miss first rounder and turn him into a 2nd rounder.

Hopefully Sendek can help Boateng.

 

[Gaddabout]

Boateng was the top rated C in his class as a soph, as a junior others started to catch him, but he committed early to Duke. So he basically made the McD's game because he was a Duke commit who'd been highly rated as a younger player, by the time his senior year was done there were several guys rated ahead of him in most services and he was a bit of a surprise to make the McDonald's team.

He's got physical ability just seems to lack a feel for the game.

I will say this, Coach K doesn't exactly have a history of project bigmen his history is generally sign a heralded C can't miss first rounder and turn him into a 2nd rounder.

Hopefully Sendek can help Boateng.

What's so strange about Boateng on this team is his mismatch of skills with the offense. Passing and smart movement is at a premium. He doesn't really do either. He's an inexperienced, awkward low-post center in a high-post center offense. ASU needs to go find another Chad Prewitt.

 

[Russ Smith]

What's so strange about Boateng on this team is his mismatch of skills with the offense. Passing and smart movement is at a premium. He doesn't really do either. He's an inexperienced, awkward low-post center in a high-post center offense. ASU needs to go find another Chad Prewitt.

Yep and that was his problem at Duke too they don't use C's in the low block that often. Zoubek is far less athletic but he can pass the ball and understands what K wants from his bigs, Boateng just didn't fit.

Boateng can do some things on defense for ASU but I don't see him being much of a factor in that offense.

 

[Mulli]

Pendergraph looks pretty good v. LSU.

 

[bko32]

Guessing the coach's logic: Starting McMillan now will bring a big payoff for the Pac-10 slate because he is a naturally gifted defender with good size at the spot. The more McMillan can log quality minutes starting at PG the better ASU is going to matchup with their opponents.

He's got point guard instincts and he ran a similar offense in Washington, just can't remember if it was for his high school team or his summer league team.

I agree that getting McMillan quality minutes will be great in the long run. However, I just feel he should be the backup at this point, until he gets some more experience.

By the way, whatever happened to the art of passing into the low post? ASU seemed to have a hell of a time getting the ball down low to either Boateng or Pendergraph. I've noticed other teams struggling with getting the ball down low as well.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Wow, LSU might be one of the worst major conference teams I have seen thus far (probably because I haven't seen Oregon State play yet). How many 30 foot three's with 25 left on the shot clock do you have to brick before you take advantage of ASU's small lineup? No wonder John Brady is going to get fired.

 

[Mulli]

Wow, LSU might be one of the worst major conference teams I have seen thus far (probably because I haven't seen Oregon State play yet). How many 30 foot three's with 25 left on the shot clock do you have to brick before you take advantage of ASU's small lineup? No wonder John Brady is going to get fired.

Too many offensive fouls as well.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Too many offensive fouls as well.

Yeah, saying their hoop IQ is lacking is being generous. And everyone on their team is freak athletes as well, if they took good shots and didn't try to steal or block everything into the tenth row on defense they'd probably be okay.

 

[Mulli]

Great, now LSU is winning.

 

[Mulli]

LSU has made a few crazy threes. Missed FT's for the Devils. ASU up by 1 15 seconds to go in OT.

 

[HooverDam]

LSU adjusted well in the 2nd half, and fell out of love w/ the dumb 3s. ASU has done some nice things, but damn, they've got to better from the free throw line. If they were shooting a good percentage (70%+) from the free throw line, this game wouldn't have gone into OT.

 

[Mulli]

LSU adjusted well in the 2nd half, and fell out of love w/ the dumb 3s. ASU has done some nice things, but damn, they've got to better from the free throw line. If they were shooting a good percentage (70%+) from the free throw line, this game wouldn't have gone into OT.

It is good to see ASU have a few talented players.

 

[HooverDam]

All right, Devils hang on for the win. It would've been nice to have played a few games before this tourney, so that they would've been more prepared for Illinois...but I can't complain about a 2-1 trip.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

All right, Devils hang on for the win. It would've been nice to have played a few games before this tourney, so that they would've been more prepared for Illinois...but I can't complain about a 2-1 trip.

I'll take it, for sure.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

It is good to see ASU have a few talented players.

Yeah, everyone knew Harden and Pendergrpah would be fine although it looks like the team as a whole is still a year away. The role players haven't developed enough to be a Tourney team. If/when McMillan learns how to run a team and Polk/Abbott learn what a good shot is they'll move into the upper half of the Pac-10. Glasser and Shipp know the game but they're not nearly athletic enough to make an impact in the conference.

 

[Gaddabout]

Yeah, everyone knew Harden and Pendergrpah would be fine although it looks like the team as a whole is still a year away. The role players haven't developed enough to be a Tourney team. If/when McMillan learns how to run a team and Polk/Abbott learn what a good shot is they'll move into the upper half of the Pac-10. Glasser and Shipp know the game but they're not nearly athletic enough to make an impact in the conference.

I still think this is a team that will show progress through the year. I think the first thing will happen is Boateng's minutes will disappear while ASU goes to a more effective -- if seriously undersized -- smaller lineup. Somehow they'll end up playing better defense and getting more rebounds.