Contrary to what is generally expected on the board (gathered from reading the board), I think Wague is a significant level up from anything we have had in a long time in the defensive and rebounding department from a big. To be seen, but that is my prediction from just watching one scrimmage. Other than some decent plays around the rim, I didn't see anything that would make me think he will produce much offensively. But, he showed good hands, at least, and doesn't look lost or play soft. If anything, his problem will be he is too aggressive. I see that as a good starting point.
I don't think Sam's ceiling is all that high, but disagree with TEvan's a little, I do think he has improved some. As for Oweh and Uzon, I thought there was definitely skill development from Oweh last year, but agree Los didn't play as well. Common to see sophmore slumps by kids, the college commitment leads to this, and often, you kids come out of this, and you see great growth in their junior year. This may or may not occur in their new homes.
My problem with Los was always that I thought he was out of position. I thought he lacked the lateral quickness to guard the better point guards. And, offensively, I never expected too much, as he wasn't a jump shooter. Tough to play good competition as a guard when you are basically a set shooter from the outside. I thought he was good going to the rim, however, so that helped him out. He muscled up some and that might have explained his outside shooting becoming less reliable. Anyway, I was hoping he would stay, get his second wind, and really help us out this year. Sure seemed like a good kid and could be a good player on the wing. Never thought he would be great, but every kid doesn't have to be to be a winning player.
I don't know if it will be this year, but Atak is tall, crazy long, very skilled, and will mix it up. If we can keep him and develop him, he will be the first really good big we have had here in a long time. If you put the team through the Celtics 100 3 test, I would put my money on him hitting the most. He is really thin but doesn't play that way. I don't know if they will use him this year and give him a year to put some weight on, but I wouldn't be surprised. On that Celtic 3 test, it would be fun to see Jones, goodine, Atak and Dayton Forsythe compete. All of those guys can really shoot the ball from distance in a unique way. Can they play winning basketball doing everything else I don't know and we will have to wait and see.
Agree completely that this is a big year for moser and the team. I think we will need to see some games played out before we can really assess what they are capable of. It is almost a completely new team. Of the 4 returning players, only two played -- Sam and Jalon. So, until we see them against some talented competition, it will be hard to assess, at least for me. However, I won't be surprised, if it is Moser's best team (for whatever that means).
