Youth and Inexperience

[Khan4Cats]

Wasn't really sure how to title this thread, but I was thinking about the roster and how many players are either new or playing in new roles this year so I thought would run it down.

Jared Josten: still starting, but being asked to run the point now, may move back to his usual role if Dunham can continue to handle more of the point responsibilities. NEW
Eric Coleman: coming off the bench to try and preserve early fouls and keep him fresh. I know this is an area of frustration for many fans, but we are 7-2 and the two losses are in games where EC either picked up two early first half fouls that kept him out for nearly the entire first half (SDSU) or was sick (Iowa). NEW
Adam Viet: role player who has been asked to play more with his experience. May move back to his more often used "zone-buster" late game bomber situation with Reed's return. SAME
Joe Green: transfer player new to team. NEW
Carlton Reed: transfer player working his way back to health and into the rotation. NEW
Travis Brown: started most of last year before ending the year coming off the bench. Started every game this year except the last. Probably the best role for him is coming off the bench as a spark, but for now NEW
Adam Koch: starter for the first time this year. NEW
Jordan Eglseder: starter for the first time this year. NEW
Brian Haak: reserve point guard seeing limited action outside of practice. SAME
Kwadzo Ahelegbe: injured, not playing. NEW
Kerwin Dunham: redshirt freshman starter, taking on more point guard duties as well. NEW
Josh Molstead: redshirt freshman, deep reserve/practice player. SAME, except he can actually play in blowouts.
And the four true freshman, obviously are NEW, but even then you have players like Lundberg and Montgomery that might have reshirted without injuries so they are in different roles than anticipated.

So out of our roster of 16 players, 3 are in the same roles as they have had in the past. We are clearly VERY young and/or inexperienced. Yet, we are 7-2. There have been some good games and some bad. It shouldn't be a surprise. We are in for some more good and bad yet this year, but I would expect to see more good than bad as the year progresses. I like the talent level we have and I think we will surprise people by where we end up. Let's get these last two non-cons and gear up for the Valley.

[FuturePanther09]

Re: Youth and Inexperience

Nice post, I knew our roster got all flipped around but I wasn't aware it was this much. Lucas O'rear surprised me the most at the Wartburg game. Looks like that kid could be a big help for us!! We're lucky to get some great freshman that can step in and play well. I'll think we'll be a GREAT team coming into the next couple years of play....although loosing some of our upperclassmen might hurt alot...we'll see.


About the whole Eric Coleman deal, I like it better when he starts. Having him come off the bench to play seems like it just takes a little too long for him to get into the swing of things. Once he gets going hes great, but the sooner you let him start playing, the faster he gets into the groove. I know the number of fouls he gets during a game is a factor why he doesn't start but its not like hes loading up on 3 fouls in the first 5 minutes. I think he would be fine starting and actually I think it would be better for the team...although letting Jordan play there is also great so he gets more experience.

i don't know just my opionin...what does everyone else think about EC not starting?

[Marc Wigim]

Re: Youth and Inexperience

Yeah, all of this makes me think we could be really good in two or three years...

[TommyT]

Re: Youth and Inexperience

I think that the idea of a new role may have less impact than a new position. The reason that we are 7-2 (and if Iowa doesn't have an insane 3pt % against us - 8-1), is that we had so many guys who have had time in their position last year. How many of the starting 10 are new to their position this year? The only person I really see having major difficulty with a new role is one of our more experienced players (Viet) and he should eventually be placed back in a role he is comfortable with.

[jman2004]

Re: Youth and Inexperience

Is Josten not new to his position? He NEVER was asked to control the game last season, or ever as a Panther.

[3ballkaboom]

Re: Youth and Inexperience

About the whole Eric Coleman deal, I like it better when he starts. Having him come off the bench to play seems like it just takes a little too long for him to get into the swing of things. Once he gets going hes great, but the sooner you let him start playing, the faster he gets into the groove. I know the number of fouls he gets during a game is a factor why he doesn't start but its not like hes loading up on 3 fouls in the first 5 minutes. I think he would be fine starting and actually I think it would be better for the team...although letting Jordan play there is also great so he gets more experience.

i don't know just my opionin...what does everyone else think about EC not starting?[/QUOTE]

I'd agree that having EC start gives us some mo' early in the game...but to be honest with you, I kind of like having the first guy off the bench be a guy who is the heart and soul of the team. You see an instant change in the team when EC comes off the bench for the first time. And that's not to say that big Jordan or Adam aren't plenty qualified to start...it is just that EC brings a different attitude to the game. And a few minutes into the ballgame...after the hype of the intros and opening tip have worn off...it is nice to have a guy off the bench who brings that back and pumps up both the team and the crowd (at home of course). On top of that, it doesn't seem to be hurting the stats, either. EC is getting his points...getting his boards...and seems a little more focused than he was at times last year. There seemed to be times when EC would get discouraged and that affected the team...so now when he's coming off the bench, it appears (just my opinion tho) that he's got the focus and drive necessary to be the leader of the team.