Front Office Football Central - View Single Post - Wake in 53 a continuation of an MP Dynasty

Brian Swartz · 03-23-2017, 02:29 PM

1965 Western Michigan Season Preview

A rebuild is expected after this year; it's a final chance to get back to the Dance before that happens.

Starters

Everything starts with the dynamic backcourt, which will be the best in small-conference play. Seniors Irvin Jean(8.1 ppg, 7.5 apg, 48% fg, +1.47) and Clifford Paschall(11.4 mpg, 6.1 ppg, 1.1 spg, 47% fg, +1.17) will be very tough to contain at this level. Jean is as good as they get at running the offense and his shooting should improve this year. Paschall can't guard anyone but is essentially a 'second point' and has been a dynamic bench scorer since he arrived. This year is his chance to shine.

Another senior, Charles Hunter(5.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 50% fg, -0.23) is the 7-foot starter in the middle basically by default. He's versatile, but not particularly good at anything and could have been a lot better if he'd worked more on his defense and conditioning. For a big man he has good ball skills which is the reason he was brought in.

The other two starters are new. Junior Roosevelt Cornell(12.2 mpg, 3.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 39% fg, +1.47) gets a chance to prove himself after what has been a disappointing first half of his career. A decent rebounder and adequate defender on a good day, his post game is slowly coming along which should boost that accuracy. It better. The small forward spot was hemmed and hawed on till almost the last minute. Freshman Blair Dillman(6-5, 226) takes the spot for now. He's definitely the future of the position, but raw and there were other options that are slightly better. Ultimately he was deemed 'close enough' though, and the need to get him playing time won out. It's a decision that could easily change.

Key Reserves

Sophomore J.C. Hurtado(10.3 mpg, 2.1 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 56% fg, -2.67) is another 7-footer. He improved some but not a lot, but is overall the best option for all of the minutes Hunter won't be able to play. True freshman Dante Ake, more a scorer than a defender, is the only vaguely passable option as backup point and he'll forego his redshirt year for that reason. Sophomore Paul Edwards(6.8 mpg, 2 ppg, 54% fg) was a bright spot last year and will see more minutes this year as the primary backup on the wing. It's also expected that the third tower, freshman Kirk Barbieri, will take his more versatile game to the court as Cornell's backup.

End of the Bench

** G/F Cary Hage(6-4, 189, Fr(RS)) -- Hage is the staff choice for starting small forward and that could still happen, or Edwards could snag the spot. He's a good athlete, decent defender and shooter, but ball skills are a weakness and he doesn't figure to be better than a reserve long-term. He's simply a lot more complete than Dillman at this point.

** G Israel Cass(5-11, 164, Jr(RS)) -- Cass is quick and a fairly good shooter, but size and being a defensive liability have sidelined his talent and probably will continue to. Edwards at the very least is simply a better option right now.

Redshirts

** G Claud Rojo(6-3, 175) -- If the Broncos find a suitable point guard to go with him, Rojo is going to fill up the bucket. He'll have his moments anyway. An elite shooter from mid or at the line, and he has reasonably decent range. Good athleticism will help him a bit in getting open, and he should defend a little above-average also. Doesn't pass well which is a big black mark in the Durden system, but enough skills that there's no way we could pass him up. Esp. as a an All-Stater from our home state.

** C Aaron Kinser(6-7, 238) -- Kinser is a guy who will exceed expectations. The pundits didn't like him as a recruit(**, 403) and they still don't(R/O). He has no individual post game which is the issue, but a good mid-range game ensures he can play the stretch four. rebounding, ball skills, defense are all potentially decent or better, and he adds elite shotblocking as well. Even better jumping ability than most low-ranking forwards. A lot of people were just plain wrong on him.

Outlook

It's all going to be about the dynamic backcourt. Eventually we'll see what the best option is at forward, but they've got to create enough chaos and opportunities to make the frontcourt look better than it is. With two playmakers like this on the floor, opposing defenses will have a relative nightmare on their hands. But, like last year, will they be able to stop anybody? There are no good defenders on this team and only a couple of adequate ones(Jean, Hunter). Expect a lot of fireworks, but it's definitely going to be a challenge to win the MAC without more toughness on the other end.

03-23-2017, 02:29 PM	#53
Brian Swartz Grizzled Veteran Join Date: May 2006	1965 Western Michigan Season Preview A rebuild is expected after this year; it's a final chance to get back to the Dance before that happens. Starters Everything starts with the dynamic backcourt, which will be the best in small-conference play. Seniors Irvin Jean(8.1 ppg, 7.5 apg, 48% fg, +1.47) and Clifford Paschall(11.4 mpg, 6.1 ppg, 1.1 spg, 47% fg, +1.17) will be very tough to contain at this level. Jean is as good as they get at running the offense and his shooting should improve this year. Paschall can't guard anyone but is essentially a 'second point' and has been a dynamic bench scorer since he arrived. This year is his chance to shine. Another senior, Charles Hunter(5.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 50% fg, -0.23) is the 7-foot starter in the middle basically by default. He's versatile, but not particularly good at anything and could have been a lot better if he'd worked more on his defense and conditioning. For a big man he has good ball skills which is the reason he was brought in. The other two starters are new. Junior Roosevelt Cornell(12.2 mpg, 3.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 39% fg, +1.47) gets a chance to prove himself after what has been a disappointing first half of his career. A decent rebounder and adequate defender on a good day, his post game is slowly coming along which should boost that accuracy. It better. The small forward spot was hemmed and hawed on till almost the last minute. Freshman Blair Dillman(6-5, 226) takes the spot for now. He's definitely the future of the position, but raw and there were other options that are slightly better. Ultimately he was deemed 'close enough' though, and the need to get him playing time won out. It's a decision that could easily change. Key Reserves Sophomore J.C. Hurtado(10.3 mpg, 2.1 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 56% fg, -2.67) is another 7-footer. He improved some but not a lot, but is overall the best option for all of the minutes Hunter won't be able to play. True freshman Dante Ake, more a scorer than a defender, is the only vaguely passable option as backup point and he'll forego his redshirt year for that reason. Sophomore Paul Edwards(6.8 mpg, 2 ppg, 54% fg) was a bright spot last year and will see more minutes this year as the primary backup on the wing. It's also expected that the third tower, freshman Kirk Barbieri, will take his more versatile game to the court as Cornell's backup. End of the Bench G/F Cary Hage(6-4, 189, Fr(RS)) -- Hage is the staff choice for starting small forward and that could still happen, or Edwards could snag the spot. He's a good athlete, decent defender and shooter, but ball skills are a weakness and he doesn't figure to be better than a reserve long-term. He's simply a lot more complete than Dillman at this point. G Israel Cass(5-11, 164, Jr(RS)) -- Cass is quick and a fairly good shooter, but size and being a defensive liability have sidelined his talent and probably will continue to. Edwards at the very least is simply a better option right now. Redshirts G Claud Rojo(6-3, 175) -- If the Broncos find a suitable point guard to go with him, Rojo is going to fill up the bucket. He'll have his moments anyway. An elite shooter from mid or at the line, and he has reasonably decent range. Good athleticism will help him a bit in getting open, and he should defend a little above-average also. Doesn't pass well which is a big black mark in the Durden system, but enough skills that there's no way we could pass him up. Esp. as a an All-Stater from our home state. C Aaron Kinser(6-7, 238) -- Kinser is a guy who will exceed expectations. The pundits didn't like him as a recruit(, 403) and they still don't(R/O). He has no individual post game which is the issue, but a good mid-range game ensures he can play the stretch four. rebounding, ball skills, defense are all potentially decent or better, and he adds elite shotblocking as well. Even better jumping ability than most low-ranking forwards. A lot of people were just plain wrong on him. Outlook** It's all going to be about the dynamic backcourt. Eventually we'll see what the best option is at forward, but they've got to create enough chaos and opportunities to make the frontcourt look better than it is. With two playmakers like this on the floor, opposing defenses will have a relative nightmare on their hands. But, like last year, will they be able to stop anybody? There are no good defenders on this team and only a couple of adequate ones(Jean, Hunter). Expect a lot of fireworks, but it's definitely going to be a challenge to win the MAC without more toughness on the other end.