2008-09 Horns Preseason#1?

[Chest Rockwell]

I watched Memphis several times this year and they certainly had a different swagger to them last weekend. They play like that again this weekend and they'll have a field day with UCLA.

 

[VinnyVango]

I think DJ is most likely gone, even though this is going to be a point guard deep draft.

Balbay will have little to offer until he is confident physically, healthy, and comfortable with his teammates and the American Collegiate game. That could all take a good while. And, we still don't know if his 100% product is top level NCAA talent to begin with.

I don't expect much from the tall Nebraskan who was hurt most of the year. When he was healthy he was kind of a plodding, non lateral quickness, non elevation guy... a step down from probably all of our current PFs and Cs, even with healthy. He can alter shots... body for some boards...

We badly need another PG to compete with Balbay. Sucks that AJ can't play point. Is suspect Mason will be our primary/sole PG for the vast majority of next year... definitely at least the 1st 2/3 of the year... I pray we don't try to plug in AJ at point like we did two years ago...

If D James comes back, we should be pretty good if our plug-in PGs can pass into the post and not turn the ball over too much. If D James bails for the NBA with DJ Augustin, we've got problems, but should still slip into the NCAA Tourney.

 

[The Horn Identity]

Assuming DJ is gone (and I believe he will go), I expect next year''s line up to be:

#1 = Mason, balbay
#2 = AJ, Brown
#3 = Damian, GJ (at least Barnes mentioned him developing this direction)
#4 = Atchley, Wangmene/Hill
#5 = Pittman, Chapman

That's 2 deep at every position with pretty serviceable back ups - not including the possibility of another recruit. Sure, there's a question mark at PG, but if we go this direction we'll have a bigger line up. I wouldn't even be surpised to see Atchley slide out to the #3 when Gary comes in as more of a #4. That could creates some wicked match ups.

As long as Damian stays, I'd say my expectations are pretty high. Maybe not #1, but a solid contender to compete with Kansas for the Big 12 and go deep in the NCAA tourney.

 

[3ball]

What makes people think that Damion James is a risk to go pro? I love him but there is NO WAY he is a 1st round pick, if he even gets picked at all. I don't care what mock drafts say either. His offensive skill set is no where near developed enough for him to go pro. I can think of 9-10 guys in the FINAL 4 that would get drafted ahead of him, not to mention the other college guys and overseas players.

 

[Wally George]

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[Statalyzer]

Why do that when you can earn more in the NBA? He'll be a lot more likely to be drafted if he shows he can play SF in the league.

 

[3ball]

In no particular order I would say that all of these guys have a better shot at being drafted. There impact in the league can be debated, but I think they would all get drafted ahead of Damion.

Rose
CDR
Dorsey
Love
Collison
Hansborough
Lawson
Rush
Arthur
and maybe Westbrook from UCLA

Also, no one leaves early with the idea to go make money overseas. That is a ridiculous statement. They go overseas when they can't play in the NBA, not to get out of playing in college.

 

[uberheadymagical]

Ketch mentioned on Orangebloods that he ran into an NBA scout that told him DJ is leaning towards leaving.

 

[UTGradSchoolAg]

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