Starting five

[LoboMike]

Right now, it looks like this:

Gary
Prentice
Giddens
Harris
Faris

Who may be able to shake that up? Pegues? Toppert? Roman?

[LaVidaLobo]

I would imagine Pegues has a good chance at starting before the year is over, especially if we are trying to match up against a team with bigger front courts.

[Dr.M]

I'm in agreement with LoboMike. I watched practice on Monday. Darren was kept out because of a minor injury but I got a good feel of where things stand currently. The point position is between Jamaal and Dairese, and one has to go with the bigger, stronger guard, However, Alford is teaching Jamaal to play more like a true point guard, and his quickness and tenacity are not in question. Darren will play more as an off-guard, and most likely will start in place of Tony. Daniel is a lock as a post as is JR on the wing. Right now Harris is the more consistent of the two new juco posts but Monquel is three inches bigger and rapidly getting into shape. Both will get plenty of playing time. It is certainly possible to see Chad or Roman start depending on matchups. All in all, we have more talent and go deeper than we did last year.

[Burro lobo]

Dr M, I have been waiting so long for this first report, please accept my deepest gratitude for it!!!
Any news on ball pressure and movement??

[Loboexpat]

I'm in agreement with LoboMike. I watched practice on Monday. Darren was kept out because of a minor injury but I got a good feel of where things stand currently. The point position is between Jamaal and Dairese, and one has to go with the bigger, stronger guard, However, Alford is teaching Jamaal to play more like a true point guard, and his quickness and tenacity are not in question. Darren will play more as an off-guard, and most likely will start in place of Tony. Daniel is a lock as a post as is JR on the wing. Right now Harris is the more consistent of the two new juco posts but Monquel is three inches bigger and rapidly getting into shape. Both will get plenty of playing time. It is certainly possible to see Chad or Roman start depending on matchups. All in all, we have more talent and go deeper than we did last year.

Great post. Thanks for the report Doc.

[PitCrowd]

Thanks for the good news Doc.

[Canes-Lobos]

Watching JR yesterday in practice cpmpared to last season is night & day. He is a different player & teammate in practice. He made some very nice passes yesterday, which normally he would have forced a shot. Also, if a teammate made a mistake, he was not yelling or complaining the entire time. Also, he is very receptive to the coaching staff providing feedback.
If Monquel can keep-up his hard work in practice, he will challenge for the final spot. I think we will see a few different starting line-up based on the opponent. Coach Alford mentioned that the MWC provides a different mind set when factoring starting line-ups. He mentioned that most MWC teams don't have the traditional 4's or 5's (like a big 10), most big men are more athletic less size & girth. So he will base the match-ups on how our big men can guard the more athletic-quick big men.

[Roob]

Thanks for the reports Canes and Dr. M. They are much appreciated. Lots of positive news coming out of the practices - good start to the new season.

[Garishwolf]

Right on DOC,CANES, great info, thank you guys.

[GoLobos]

Both reports are much appreciated, thanks! First game is just around the corner.

Go Lobos!

[Dr.M]

There have been some good reports by Mark Smith and Richard Stevens on the new style under the Alford regime, which reported what I also saw. I'm not trying to bash Ritchie but this year one sees better organization and responsive players. There was an emphasis on ball pressure for the defense even while the offense was working on learning to move quickly while setting numerous screens. Although the staff reports a need for considerably more development, the team looked very good to me for only their 4th practice.

[loborick]

Thanks Doc! Your observations are greatly appreciated.

[swerve3030]

Thanks for the reports guys. So are we going to be a fast break team or a motion team?

[Bloo]

There have been some good reports by Mark Smith and Richard Stevens on the new style under the Alford regime, which reported what I also saw. I'm not trying to bash Ritchie but this year one sees better organization and responsive players. There was an emphasis on ball pressure for the defense even while the offense was working on learning to move quickly while setting numerous screens. Although the staff reports a need for considerably more development, the team looked very good to me for only their 4th practice.

Good observations, Doc!

[Mark]

Thanks Doc and Canes! You guys are feeding our hunger for Lobo news!

[Protege1212]

Essentially a new start for everyone, and it sounds like the players are really responding. Thanks Doc and Canes.

[Hoser]

Right now, it looks like this:

Gary
Prentice
Giddens
Harris
Faris

Who may be able to shake that up? Pegues? Toppert? Roman?

I think you have the starting five right there Mike. I see Toppert getting some good minutes on this team. He has bulked up which only leads to a stronger stroke from further out. The guy can flat out shoot and he will be hard to keep out when the Lobos need some 3's.

[GangsterLobo]

Thanks for the reports.......can't wait for the season to start.

[dcrowley]

What days and times are the open practices?

[ArkansasLobo]

Good info guys. Much appreciated out here in Arkansas

[LoneLobo]

From what I saw at the Howl and from what I've read in the papers I'm guessing Coach will start Gary ASAP so he has time to develop as much as possible. Without Prentice or Jamaal returning next year I'd think having an experienced returning PG is near the top of Coach's list. Got to have an experienced guy to get the ball to all the new talent...

And with the level of Gary's play right now it seems a wash between him and Jamaal. Jamaal, however, will certainly play an important role if we're to have the kind of successful season many have been suggesting..