Eric Coleman's development

[Hime_Peterson]

I have followed Northern Iowa Basketball off-and-on for awhile now, and I think that Eric Coleman is the most physically gifted player that UNI has had in a long time--perhaps ever.

He has done a great job his first two seasons, and has times where he is dominant. However, he still is raw with a lot of room for improvement in several areas, which is exciting for Panther fans.

To me, the most important thing he needs to work on over the off-season are simple post moves, drop-steps and turnarounds going over his left shoulder.

Everytime he gets the ball in the post to make a move, he has to turn and go over his right shoulder--it's almost as if he's physically incapable of going the other way.

There have been several times this year where he could have drop-stepped to his left-side and dunked it, but he had to go to his right shoulder and force a jump-hook.

If Coleman can get to the point where he can go both ways inside, I don't think anybody in the MVC will be able to stop him.

What do you guys think?

[panther2317]

I think Eric brings a style of play similar to another Coleman that played at Syracuse. He's got long arms, he strides down the court. He's a heady post player who has guard skills with his ability to see the court and make the right pass out of the post. I think (much like many other players across the country) the thing that could make him a dominant force in all of college basketball would be to score by using both hands. I don't think he has to shoot the ball with both hands, but to attack the basket from each shoulder (can turn both ways and score or pass out of the post) I think he does this better now than his freshman season and I have no doubt he'll work on it this summer. He's a stud and we love him on this Panther team,.

[ejacobson]

Coleman has made long strides between last year and this, and with his work ethic will be even better next year, people should fear UNIs post game for next year with Eric, Grant, and Jordan, wow that is a scary set of people to deal with. Gonna be a lot of fun.

I think that Eric can turn that way it is just that he is most comfortable turning to shoot with is left hand. So if he turns right he has to shoot right, a layup yes but not his most confident shot yet. He has also vastly improved in FT department since last season.

[Matt Trump]

Maybe he can't help not being able to turn left. Maybe he's a nambiturner like:

[alleycat]

I like Coleman's "in your face attitude" that doesn't show up on the stat sheet.

[Unionpanther]

Sometimes both Coleman and Stout disappear from the action, but I think that is mostly due to the offense that the Panthers run. Especially when Jacobsen gets hot.

[FerociousCat]

Sometimes he seems to get a little out of control and rushes his shot. Other times it's almost like he is pouting. He isn't getting the ball offensively so he doesn't rebound with the tenacity shown at other times. He has totally taken over stretches of games, and then been non-existent as well. It's too bad he had to miss time in the off season due to his elbow. I look forward to seeing the progress he can make this off-season. His free throw shooting is much better than last year. Still room for improvement, but last year he just kind of threw it up there.

[UNIAlum95]

... people should fear UNIs post game for next year with Eric, Grant, and Jordan...

Not to mention Austin and Everette. Those two will be a couple more big bodies. Depth and size.

[ejacobson]

Not to mention Austin and Everette. Those two will be a couple more big bodies. Depth and size.

Good point I forgot the Footballers, and Atila will probably feel even more comfortable. Wow UNI with a solid, likely deep post game, huh, who would have thought.

(disclaimer, not that we are not solid in the post this year, its just we are shallow in the post)

I like the idea of Grant playing a 4 sometimes, his midrange game is improving fast.

[Panthers to the Bone]

Guys, Adam Koch might be the best incoming recruit UNI has. He brings something to the table that UNI doesn't have right now. A post that can drive to the basket. A good comparison might be a slightly more athletic Dane Watts (Creighton forward). He might be able to step in right away. Time will tell though.

[merkpanthers]

None of the incoming Freshman should play right away. We have too many veterns coming back and we will need them more in the future. Yes, I am talking about both Adam and Jordan.

[BCPanther]

There is no way Eglseder redshirts. When you can make an impact in primetime league games at 16, you can play, and be effective in the Valley right away.

With the players coming in it is going to be hard to redshirt any of them. For the first time since Mac has been here, some of those guys returning are going to have to work real hard if they want to play and keep the new kids on the bench. I have gotten to see Dunham play 4 or 5 times and the kid is DI ready now. It is exactly like watching Benny play in high school, except this kid is three inches taller, a solid 6-6. Ahelegbe can provide the quickness Michael Williams was supposed to, and is a true PG, which would allow Brooks to move to the 2. Koch is a 6-8 athlete, not many of those in the Valley. And as I said before Eglseder is special.

Next Years Lineup and Rotation:
PG- Ahelegbe- Mac has shown in the past he is not afraid to play a freshman
SG- McKowen- Will have a big year, while not having to play the point
SF- Brown- Another scoring threat
PF- Stout- Will make a run at POY
C- Coleman- Another year of work makes him a beast down low

Bench-
C- Eglseder- 7'1" 260- big body in the Valley
SF/PF- Koch- In the highlights I've seen he brings great energy
SG/SF- Dunham- Will give the Valley fits trying to match up
PF- Pedescleaux- Remember he almost came here to play baskeball only
PG- Josten- He is OK in short spurts
PG/SG- Mason Stewart- quick as can be
C- Santos- another year to get stronger

Next year will be so different because it will be a deep team. You can go 12 deep next year and be pretty comfortable and I did not even include Viet and Howard. WOW!!

[ejacobson]

Next Years Lineup and Rotation:
PG- Ahelegbe- Mac has shown in the past he is not afraid to play a freshman
SG- McKowen- Will have a big year, while not having to play the point
SF- Brown- Another scoring threat
PF- Stout- Will make a run at POY
C- Coleman- Another year of work makes him a beast down low

Bench-
C- Eglseder- 7'1" 260- big body in the Valley
SF/PF- Koch- In the highlights I've seen he brings great energy
SG/SF- Dunham- Will give the Valley fits trying to match up
PF- Pedescleaux- Remember he almost came here to play baskeball only
PG- Josten- He is OK in short spurts
PG/SG- Mason Stewart- quick as can be
C- Santos- another year to get stronger

Next year will be so different because it will be a deep team. You can go 12 deep next year and be pretty comfortable and I did not even include Viet and Howard. WOW!!

This is like 99.9% correct in my mind, except for Brian Haak, he will likely be a third SG/SF guy to bring in. He can play. Next year is going to be a huge year talent wise, I hope that Mac realizes he can let the talent run and not have to control the game so much from the bench. Because that group has natural players all over its roster.

[BCPanther]

There are legitimately 15 players that can play at this level. 8 years ago there were maybe 2. What a great problem to have.

[GonzoCat]

They will redshirt someone from the incoming freshman class. I don't know who or how many, but not all 4 will play right away next year.

The Travis Brown factor should be used, anyone who can help us win games next year should not be redshirted.

Of all the top Valley teams we are the one that is losing the most player wise, the other teams have just about everybody back. The MVC is going to be very good again next year, I just hope we are still in the mix.