Post
by obg » Thu Apr 08, 2004 2:59 pm
The part of my brain that focuses on hope likes all the optimism. The part that deals with reality has a different view. The reality usually wins when the two parts argue. Before you start in on me, hear me out.
We have 13 scholarship on the roster for next year. (Assuming no one bails. If none do it will be a first.) We have the eight guys who played in the latter part of the schedule (Anderson, Bowers, Chadwick, Freeman, Lasme, Martin, Maxwell and Viggiano.) We have two walking wounded. (Kouyate and Lee.) We have three new guys. (Carrier, Lamoureux and Salovoski.)
With the eight and Lee they were 5-9. Without Lee they were 5-10. Not a hell of a difference. Now the five first year players will all get better. (Most of the time. Some of the time it goes the other way. I'll use the Hope part and go with 30% better for each of them. That would get three wins.)
Lee, what is he, a senior with two years of eligiblity? Based on the stat above, his presence will not make a big difference. by the way he has a history of getting injured.
Kouyate, he played like a lost soul as a freshman and he was built like a vaulting pole. I saw him at a game at the Bill late in the season this year and it seemed that his upper body was larger than when he was a freshman. He may be a good addition or maybe not. Who knows?
The three newcomers, Lamoureux and Salovski seem to be works in progress and not likely to make any difference in the win-loss.
That leaves us with Carrier. He is hyped as a 6'8" flexible player with a good three shot record. If he can play on the perimeter on offense and hit the threes, get the ball inside when needed and play good D against a big foe he could make a significant difference. There was one thing in his write up that makes me nervous.
" Carrier averaged 20.3 points and 9.3 rebounds for Coach Chris Hinchey's team while recording a team-high 74 steals. Despite missing several games over the course of his career due to injury, he ranks as Salisbury's all-time scoring leader with 1,355 points. Carrier selected UMass over Colorado, Southern California, Miami, Arizona State, Oregon State, Texas and Rutgers."
We also have the same coaching staff. Nuff sed!
So how do we get more than 13 wins? It's all on Carrier. If he can step to a level near Ray has we have a shot. If he doesn't it's going to be same old! same old!
They may not be great, but they won't be boring!
