Travis Brown not red-shirting this year?

[ejacobson]

I noticed a few posts from the thread regarding the audio of last nights game, and having had the fortune to be at the game I thought I would put in my 2 cents worth.

Travis is a special player, he is like Ben was, he is quiet and then BANG!!! he just backdoored the defense and put up an easy 2. He see's the floor well and with Mike Williams out there running the floor, Travis was able to do what he liked to the defense. He has a very smooth shot and after a few trips up the floor looked calm and collected.

With that said, In Mac's position, ie Lots of experience and talent in the first 6 and, lots of talent and no experience in the second 5 it is his best move to get Travis minutes this season, not only for the future, but for the conference season. If Travis can get on the floor and learn the offense quickly how valuable is that to have 7 guys to play tough against anyone, and he as the talent to do so, just not the minutes to know when and how. And if Williams keeps learning the offense the two of them will soon make a scary combo off the bench this season, which in Jan. and Feb. on the road, is something that will be priceless to have, at least thats my analysis. What do you guys think?

On a side note, for any of you how only got to listen to the game, Travis made a shot off one foot falling backwards out of the lane from about 9 feet that only one other person would even take, Ben. He (Travis) is gonna be good.

[TravOforTHREE]

Travo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!! I'm so effin proud of him! You guys are going to love Travis! He is good!!!!!!!!! lol man I sound like one of those crazed fans. But man, when you've known this kid since you were 7 years old you just have to be proud of him! TravO!!!!!!

[The Coletrain]

Let me preface this by saying I think this is a great move. I think Brown gives us another scorer off the bench and some more athleticism on the defensive end. But I still think the big contributor to this decision is our post depth. I know I said this last night, but with just three true post players Crawford is going to have to slide over and play some four this year. And if we have any injuries he'll probably play a lot of four. And when that happens who's going to play the three? I think Travis's athletic ability and length will give us another guy who can play small forward and handle the opposition's size advantage at that position. And if there's a chance that could happen and we would have to pull his redshirt mid-season, why not just play him all year and have him seasoned by tourney time. JMO, but by the time we get into Jan/Feb I think we'll all agree this will be big.

And with the potential of this season I say put it all on the line. An extra year with Travis would be nice, but we'll never get this season back again. And if this helps us win a couple more games that will all be worth it. And I bet TB is a whole lot happier playing during this special season than watching.

[NJ Panther]

So is the jaw surgery/medical redshirt a rumor or hard fact?

[TravOforTHREE]

Well I don't even think it would be a medical redshirt, he was just going to redshirt. I think what may have happened was Coach Mac may have asked Travis if he wanted to play this year and Travis had his parents push back the surgery. The jaw surgery is a fact. He was supposed to have it done over Winter Break but they pushed it back apparentally. I actually had the same type of surgery in December of 03'. If he has it done in May, he won't miss anything except some spring workouts if there are any and he'd be ready by the 06-07 season.

[Blue42]

Agree this is a good move to get TB into the mix early on. I think the Panthers will need him over the long haul.

Thought Santos looked good last night. A couple nice assists and was pretty active overall.

Stout was very tough on D. At one point I think he blocked a shot on 3 of 4 trips down court. And not gentle blocks. In your face stuffs. Boys been on the weights too.

I'd pay for a ticket just to watch Eric "The Deuce" Coleman work that left handed magic down low. He looks stronger than last year and picking up right where he left off. Couldn't see any ill effects from the injury. I love this guys game. Think they should get him the ball more than they did last night.

Thought Josten looked good. Still waiting for Viet to break through. Like McKowen's D. Jake was his normal self...3 or 4 shots you wondered how he got down. Didn't see much of Crawford. Didn't need him on Sunday but will need lots of big nights down the stretch.

If the Panthers can play that nasty, scrapping D all year they'll be real tough. I worry about the depth down low. What they've got is good but would sure like to see one more 6-8 body like a Jon Godfread to fill some minutes or for those nights where there's foul trouble. But overall, I'm pretty pumped for what's coming this season.