The new pup looks great! Guys are playing inspired. Peaking at the right time?
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The new pup looks great! Guys are playing inspired. Peaking at the right time?
When should Bracey be back?
I wouldn't say peaking as much as adapting and finding their identityQuote:
Originally Posted by techman05
This team is beginning to remind me of Mike White's first team
I think our HC is beginning to be a HC and leading instead of relying on a player to be the leader - Hamilton then McCree
We have a ton of raw talent but we are only 7 or 8 deep with the injuries
I still think we match up well against WKU, UAB and MTSU on a neutral floor
If Jean can find his offensive game it would surely help and me need Washington to give us a consistent 10 and 7
AAA is better than Speedy and Duruji could me a matchup nightmare
Powell is still learning and if he can learn to finish he could be a presence in the post
Speedy was a special player at Tech. There is a reason he was chosen as the back-to-back conference player of the year. His leadership, his tenacity, his defense, his court vision, his speed, and his passion is rare. I do think Archibald is gonna be a good one but Speedy was probably the best point guard to ever play at Louisiana Tech.
I'm not so sure about that. Speedy was great and I have much respect for him. But, IMO the best point guard to ever play at LA Tech was another Smith, not Speedy Smith. It was Wayne Smith who played 4 years from 1982-83 thru 1985-86. Remember, Wayne Smith's stats include two NCAA Tournament appearances (1984 & '85), a Sweet 16 appearance ('85) and a NIT Runner-up title (1986, without Karl Malone). Wayne Smith was bigger than Speedy (6-4 vs 6-3), averaged more points per game (9.0 vs 6.2), had a better FG percentage (.477 vs .389), and had close to the same assist avg (5.6 vs 6.1). Speedy averaged more rebounds per game ( 3.8 to 2.9) and was a slightly better free throw shooter (.689 to .622).Quote:
Originally Posted by boxerdog
Otherwise, most of their game stats are pretty much the same, except for the fact that there was no 3-pt shot back in Wayne Smith's day. I'm sure if the 3-point shot had existed back in Wayne Smith's day, it would have had a positive impact on Wayne's scoring average. On the other had, Speedy would almost certainly have a higher FG percentage if the 3-pt shot had not existed in his day. This is a great example of why comparing 2 players from different eras can be so difficult.
Wayne Smith:
Louisiana Tech Southland 28 28 35.7 2.3 5.5 .419 1.0 2.5 .406 3.1 4.5 1.3 0.0 2.8 2.4 5.6 -1.34 Louisiana Tech Southland 33 33 34.1 3.9 8.1 .485 2.4 3.2 .736 3.0 5.9 1.5 0.1 2.8 2.7 10.2 -0.68 Louisiana Tech Southland 32 32 31.8 4.0 8.5 .474 2.1 3.1 .680 2.7 5.4 1.3 0.0 2.7 1.8 10.2 -1.38 Louisiana Tech Southland 34 3.9 8.1 .484 1.8 3.0 .592 2.9 6.4 1.8 0.2 9.6 2.09 Louisiana Tech 127 93 33.8 3.6 7.6 .471 1.9 3.0 .622 2.9 5.6 1.5 0.1 2.8 1.7 9.0 -0.33
Speedy Smith:
Louisiana Tech WAC 34 13 25.8 1.1 3.5 .322 0.7 2.0 .338 0.4 1.5 .300 0.9 1.4 .646 1.1 2.5 3.6 4.2 1.2 0.1 2.4 2.1 3.6 -1.19 Louisiana Tech WAC 34 34 27.9 2.1 5.4 .401 1.4 3.3 .420 0.8 2.1 .371 1.8 2.6 .690 0.6 3.4 4.0 5.0 1.7 0.1 2.4 1.7 6.8 -2.06 Louisiana Tech CUSA 36 35 30.4 2.6 6.1 .423 1.5 3.2 .474 1.1 2.9 .365 1.5 2.3 .655 0.7 3.1 3.8 7.7 2.5 0.1 2.4 2.2 7.8 -1.20 Louisiana Tech CUSA 36 36 33.1 2.1 5.5 .379 1.1 2.8 .392 1.0 2.7 .365 1.3 1.7 .770 0.8 3.2 4.0 7.4 1.9 0.1 2.5 2.3 6.4 -1.34 CUSA POY Louisiana Tech 140 118 29.4 2.0 5.1 .389 1.2 2.8 .415 0.8 2.3 .356 1.4 2.0 .689 0.8 3.0 3.8 6.1 1.8 0.1 2.4 2.1 6.2 -1.45
The game has changed so much, but Leon was very good.
You may be exactly right and I take your word for it because I've only followed closely for the last 30 years. Speedy was good, really good too though. He was so good that the COACHES of our conference opponents said he was the BEST player in the conference the last two years of his career. And we're talking about a kid who could hardly score a lick. He's the best passer I've ever seen in person.Quote:
Originally Posted by HogDawg
As others have said, he could see the floor, he could distribute, he could get out and run, and when we needed a bucket, he could get it and spark a run. His personality and character on and off the court has been extremely refreshing to see. Always humble and appreciative. Took time with kids and families. I think that is part of why we all remember him so fondly as well. Definitely special.Quote:
Originally Posted by boxerdog
Archibald is the better all around player as a freshman and it's not even close, especially on the offensive side of the ball...Quote:
Originally Posted by boxerdog
Wayne Smith and Brett Guillory were better true points but could score when needed
Speedy's defensive prowess is what made him so special
I only reacted because I respect your analysis. I don't know if Archibald has the stuff to be compared to Speedy at this point. He played with all his heart and he made players around him much better. It's definitely not a slight of Archibald because Speedy was special. Again, the fact that guys who coach the game believed he was the best basketball player in the conference make the comparison extremely substantial. I hope you're right!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Dwayne From Minden
I think you can compare apples to apples - frosh vs frosh - at this point
AAA has responded big time to the role he has been thrust into due to Harris leaving and Bracey's injury and all the tough close losses
I want to see how his body develops in our strength and conditioning program this off season
I do think defensive pressure (or lack there of) will define this team for the remainder of the year
Will be interesting to see what happens when you put Bracey back in the lineup!
Should allow Bracey to operate from the 2 (and not be as pressured to try to do so much) and allow AAA to still direct the point and be a legit scoring threat from that position...Quote:
Originally Posted by touchdown123
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...ie_poster).jpgQuote:
Originally Posted by Dwayne From Minden
http://google.com/search?tbm=isch&q=Groundhog Day
What about Jean? He moved to the 2 to allow Bracey to play 1. Now moving Bracey to 2 so AAA can play 1?Quote:
Originally Posted by Dwayne From Minden