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Ask WG... (November)

  • Garnet&Black247 said...

    WG, from watching Geathers he seems to be way ahead of what everyone expected. I think he can contribute more minutes. Only thing I see is he's slow on perimeter closeouts in the zone but he's 6`10 260 so you shouldn't expect that from him anyways.

    I agree that he is ahead of where a lot of people thought he would be. I don't know if I would classify it as "way ahead" but I think he is progressing nicely.

    People tend to forget that Sam Muldrow was not that good when he arrived but it was Coach Bunton that really did a lot of the developing with Muldrow and I think you see a little bit of progress with Geathers.

    Follow WG on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WillGunter247

    William Gunter ●

  • Has Horn lost this team?

    What we do today echos through eternity

    soonercock

  • Bill,

    how much difference can Ellington make realistically?

    I felt last spring that his return impact would be muted based on his not being a part of the team and not having worked on his game and not really being in a position to lead anyone given his lack of participation.

    Now, I really would like for him to fly back in wearing a cape and fillign the gigantic hole at PG created by his departure. That isn't going to happen, is it?

    Would you agree that the biggest problem the team has, taking coaching out of it for a moment, is the lack of an engine at the one who can get into the lane and create shots for himself and teammates?

    VBCock

  • How smart are Carlos Morris and Ian Baker looking right now? I guess all we can do is cross our fingers that they have no idea what is happening right now and still come to USC???

    Also - how glad do you think Darrin Horn is that these two loses have come as we head right into the week of what some call the biggest USC vs CU game ever?

    This post was edited by europhilz on 11/21/2011 at 1:59 PM

    europhilz ●

  • europhilz said...

    How smart are Carlos Morris and Ian Baker looking right now? I guess all we can do is cross our fingers that they have no idea what is happening right now and still come to USC???

    Also - how glad do you think Darrin Horn is that these two loses have come as we head right into the week of what some call the biggest USC vs CU game ever?

    To a basketball guy like me it is ultra stressful knowing that basketball has to play UNC, then football has the tyger game all in a span of 3 days. I am feeling pretty good about one of those games.

    signature image signature image signature image

    one gamecock

  • soonercock said...

    Has Horn lost this team?

    No, Horn has not lost the team but they played with zero energy in the first half last night and that has to be corrected.

    Everybody I have spoken with around the program believes this is a very tight knit team especially the players. The leadership from Malik Cooke is excellent but no doubt it is being tested right now.

    Follow WG on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WillGunter247

    William Gunter ●

  • VBCock said...

    Bill,

    how much difference can Ellington make realistically?

    I felt last spring that his return impact would be muted based on his not being a part of the team and not having worked on his game and not really being in a position to lead anyone given his lack of participation.

    Now, I really would like for him to fly back in wearing a cape and fillign the gigantic hole at PG created by his departure. That isn't going to happen, is it?

    Would you agree that the biggest problem the team has, taking coaching out of it for a moment, is the lack of an engine at the one who can get into the lane and create shots for himself and teammates?

    It will be interesting to see how fatigued he is when he returns. Ellington is a freak of an athlete but it is hard to play football the way it is demanded from August to December and then show up and have fresh legs on your jump shot and all to play basketball. If he wore down last year in February what is going to happen this year when he is not receiving any break at all. I will say that he spends more time with the basketball team than the football team and has a great chemistry with the basketball team. Leadership will not be a problem.

    I think point guard is a problem but I also think the go to scorer is a major problem. The one area that Horn and his staff have really missed on in recruiting is landing a guy that can create his own shot, get to the rim or just flat knock down a shot. Ellington is the closest thing they have to that mold and even he is not really that type of player as he was asked to score last year more than he should be expected. I was never really a Zam Fredrick fan but they do not have a player on the team that can do the things he could in terms of scoring ability and in all honesty, Zam was a middle of the road SEC player that benefited from playing with Devan Downey who does not come around very often.

    Follow WG on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WillGunter247

    William Gunter ●

  • Morris and Baker wanted to sign, if the decision was entirely up to them, they would have signed. Arlington Country Day asks their kids to not sign for obvious reasons and I do not disagree with the decision at all.

    Follow WG on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WillGunter247

    William Gunter ●

  • William Gunter said...

    Morris and Baker wanted to sign, if the decision was entirely up to them, they would have signed. Arlington Country Day asks their kids to not sign for obvious reasons and I do not disagree with the decision at all.

    So do you see them signing regardless of how the season plays out? Or if there are even more questions surrounding Horns future?

    europhilz ●

  • europhilz said...

    So do you see them signing regardless of how the season plays out? Or if there are even more questions surrounding Horns future?

    Today yes even with questions and job status and all. However we get to January and if anybody else actually gives them something to think about let's see.

    Still I would be surprised if they did not sign with South Carolina when all is said and done.

    Follow WG on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WillGunter247

    William Gunter ●

  • Hey WG,

    I live in Greenville and thinking about going to the Clemson game. I see where its on Sunday, Dec. 4th. That sounds like a TV game. Do you know if its televised?

    Metcock

  • CockynSC said...

    Hey WG,

    I live in Greenville and thinking about going to the Clemson game. I see where its on Sunday, Dec. 4th. That sounds like a TV game. Do you know if its televised?

    Yes, it is a TV game.

    Jelsik Sturm

  • CockynSC said...

    Hey WG,

    I live in Greenville and thinking about going to the Clemson game. I see where its on Sunday, Dec. 4th. That sounds like a TV game. Do you know if its televised?

    It is a 3:30 game on ESPNU

    Follow WG on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WillGunter247

    William Gunter ●

  • WG,

    For us to be neighbor a talent rich state like GA, it has been a while since we've signed a kid out of GA. Does this have anything to do with the Murrow situation? Do you find it odd we've gone 0'fer in GA under Horn?

    europhilz ●

  • europhilz said...

    WG,

    For us to be neighbor a talent rich state like GA, it has been a while since we've signed a kid out of GA. Does this have anything to do with the Murrow situation? Do you find it odd we've gone 0'fer in GA under Horn?

    Nothing to do with the Morrow situation, South Carolina did not recruit that state very hard for the previous two years which I have no answer for. This season they went after guys like Charles Mann (Georgia), Kenny Gaines (Georgia) and Chris Bolden (Georgia Tech). I expect them to be after a few more guys next season as well.

    Follow WG on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WillGunter247

    William Gunter ●

  • Bill - did Ellington practice with the basketball team today, and is he expected to play on thursday?

    ee3

  • ee3 said...

    Bill - did Ellington practice with the basketball team today, and is he expected to play on thursday?

    Yes, Ellington was back on the court today. He will play Thursday, how many minutes will depend on how he feels as the game goes on. If he is in good basketball shape I could see him getting 10-15 minutes.

    Follow WG on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WillGunter247

    William Gunter ●

  • swhaile said...

    How many season tickets were sold this year? last year?

    I heard there were 1,700 non-renewals this season (I am assuming that means total tickets), which if true, is a staggering number. Hate to admit I was one of them (first season w/o season tickets in 18 years).

    ee3

  • WG,

    -You've said before that Horn is 'learning on the job'. How long should he be given to get to an SEC level of knowledge?

    -Last year it was said that Galloway leaving was addition by subtraction bc he was shooting to much for how few he'd make. Brian Richardson appears to be a very below average shooter. I know he just hit 4 for 7, but, let's be honest, anyone can get on a heater.... Spinella threw in 18 against MSU last year and we all know how bad he was. Do you foresee him being given the same treatment as Galloway? I'd rather the extra experience in Galloway this year if I'm choosing between the two. You?

    europhilz ●

  • europhilz said...

    WG,

    -You've said before that Horn is 'learning on the job'. How long should he be given to get to an SEC level of knowledge?

    -Last year it was said that Galloway leaving was addition by subtraction bc he was shooting to much for how few he'd make. Brian Richardson appears to be a very below average shooter. I know he just hit 4 for 7, but, let's be honest, anyone can get on a heater.... Spinella threw in 18 against MSU last year and we all know how bad he was. Do you foresee him being given the same treatment as Galloway? I'd rather the extra experience in Galloway this year if I'm choosing between the two. You?

    - That is up to Eric Hyman and if he is willing to go out and get a proven coach or will again pay below league average of 1.5 million dollars. There have been strides in Horn such as recruiting and even adjusting his scheme to fit his players a little bit better. If Hyman believes they are the proper steps then he honestly needs to pony up to league average and pay Horn and ride with him. Bottom line if Hyman is not going to pay the next coach what the league average is then South Carolina will step backwards and have another coach learning on the job and be in the same position.

    - Richardson is a better shooter than Galloway, is longer and is just capable of doing more. I agree 100 percent that he has not shown it but we will see at the end of the year if he is still performing the way he has. Obviously for the Gamecocks to take a step in the right direction Richardson needs to play better. I guess experience in Galloway would help but I disagree with you because I like length and again even though Richardson has barely been able to hit the side of the barn I think he is capable of providing more than Galloway.

    Follow WG on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WillGunter247

    William Gunter ●

  • WG -- Is basketball recruiting really as dirty as it seems? What steps can we take to up our recruiting to a level where we will be competitive each and every game in the SEC? Thanks

    Birdman12 ●

  • Birdman12 said...

    WG -- Is basketball recruiting really as dirty as it seems? What steps can we take to up our recruiting to a level where we will be competitive each and every game in the SEC? Thanks

    It's bad, I don't want to pigeon hold every AAU coach or situation but more times than not there is something going on behind the scenes.

    I think South Carolina has recruited well and has more talent on the team but player development has to improve.

    People can jump on Brian Richardson and say what they want but he also had offers from Alabama and Virginia and they were legit and would have taken him.

    Damontre Harris had legit offers from Connecticut and Florida as well as plenty of others.

    Damien Leonard had legit committable offers from Arizona, Oklahoma State and plenty more. Now he waited and by the time he made his decision he did not have as many offers because teams like Arizona filled up but he still had those offers.

    Anthony Gill committed extremely early but would have picked up several more solid offers had he remained on the market. Virginia Tech was his only other offer when he committed which was prior to his junior season.

    Bruce Ellington has very strong interest from Kansas and Memphis and had of those schools thought they had a chance it is likely they would have offered.

    You look at the recruits being brought in now, Ian Baker has Miami and Providence offers, Carlos Morris has Arkansas, Cincinnati, Georgia and plenty more. Tyrone Haughton had a Miami and Alabama offer that really stood out.

    Follow WG on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WillGunter247

    William Gunter ●

  • WG,

    Thornwell and Howard. I've seen Thornwell listed as both a 2 and a 3. And Howard as a 2. What position are we recruiting each of these players for?

    europhilz ●

  • europhilz said...

    WG,

    Thornwell and Howard. I've seen Thornwell listed as both a 2 and a 3. And Howard as a 2. What position are we recruiting each of these players for?

    Thornwell has really rounded out his game. He can play either the two or three and is showing some ability to step in and run some point guard. Howard is much more of a two guard.

    Follow WG on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WillGunter247

    William Gunter ●

  • William Gunter said...

    Thornwell has really rounded out his game. He can play either the two or three and is showing some ability to step in and run some point guard. Howard is much more of a two guard.

    Eventually I going to get to an AV Flora game to see Howard play, but almost 95% of his highlights are of him attacking the rim. Same with Thornwell. Based on video alone, Howard reminds me of Leslie, from UGA. Considering our lack of consistent shooters, can he fill a shooters role?

    On Thornwell, same question. But also, can you compare him to anyone? Was thinking a Zam Fredrick type, just bigger? That's just a guess.

    europhilz ●

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