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Post by Raiderfan on Nov 24, 2004 18:14:57 GMT -5
I did some snooping around on Toledo's web site and have some tidbits to pass on.
They all five of their starters back from a team that went 19-11 last year. They are very young and start 3 sophmores and their first sub is a sophmore. Against Vanderbilt 9 players played 10 minutes or more.
Starting lineup:
Allen Pinson 6' 10" So. 235 lbs
Kareem Milson 6'7" Sr. 235 lbs.
Sammy Villagas 6'6" So. 210 lbs.
Justin Ingram 6'2" So. 180 lbs.
Keith Triplett 6'3" Sr. 185 lbs.
6th man:
Florentine Valencia 6'5" So. 240 lbs.
Valencia played 30 minutes against Vandy and lead them in scoring with 18 pts against some pretty tall timber in the paint. He is exclusively a post player.
Triplett and Villagas take a ton of shots and a lot of 3's.
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Post by Big D on Nov 24, 2004 18:32:59 GMT -5
Toledo Rockets 2003-04: 20-11, 12-6, 3rd 2003-04 postseason: NIT By Joel Welser The Rockets return all five starters, highlighted by All-Conference selection Keith Triplett. Toledo had a successful season in 2003-04 going 20-10 before bowing out to Marquette in the first round of the NIT. The return of all five starters should get head coach Stan Joplin’s Rockets to the big dance for the first time since 1980. Who’s Out: The frontcourt losses some depth with the absence of roleplayers A.J. Shellabarger and Ricardo Thomas. Shellabarger, a 6-9 center, started nine games and averaged 5.9 points and 3.3 rebounds. Thomas averaged 5.7 points and 3.9 rebounds during his senior campaign. Little used forward Phil Alexander has also run out of eligibility. Plenty of returning players gained valuable experience last year to move up on the frontcourt depth chart. Florentino Valencia, Allen Pinson, Anton Currie, Keonta Howell and Kareem Milson all played in at least 28 games last year. Guard Chauncey Shelton has decided to transfer after his sophomore year. Shelton averaged just 1.8 points per outing. Who’s In: Haris Charalambous will provide some more depth in the frontcourt. The 6-10, 260-pounder from England is a low post threat and a big body under the basket. Charalambous missed most of his senior year in high school with an ankle injury, but should see some minutes for the Rockets. Speedy point guard Kashif Payne will back up the guard trio of Keith Triplett, Sammy Villegas and Justin Ingram. With his speed, Payne can take anybody to the basket and get some easy points. Even at 5-9 and 160 pounds, Payne is a tough little player who doesn’t fear driving the lane. Who to Watch: Keith Triplett is the guy to watch if you want to see a great basketball player. Triplett will be solid and should put up around 20 points per game this year as well. For the team, the important players are in the frontcourt. The entire returning frontcourt needs to play better with another year of experience under their belt. Sophomore Florentino Valencia may be the player expected to do the most. As a freshman last year, Valencia averaged 6.8 points and 3.3 rebounds. He’s undersized at 6-5, but should be able to put up more points this year. The Rockets didn’t rebound well last year and Valencia will have to be able to attack the glass if he wants to see more minutes. Projected Conference Rank: The Rockets shouldn’t have much trouble in the MAC West, but getting first overall in the MAC will be tougher. Toledo is the most talented team in the conference and should be able to slip by teams like Miami, Kent State and Buffalo to make the NCAA Tournament. Projected Post-season Tournament: NCAA www.collegehoopsnet.com/specials/preview/42.htm |
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Post by Raiderman on Nov 24, 2004 20:07:32 GMT -5
This is the game that will tell us just how good we are. I am happy that we are 2-1 but I just don't think that Tulsa and Brown are that great of an indicator of what kind of team we have. I think they both could struggle to win 10 games. Arizonia you say. We were down 34 and Arizonia is a team that is being acused of not having the killer instinct.
This game will tell us a lot!
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Post by Raiderfan on Nov 24, 2004 20:38:22 GMT -5
Big D, appreciate the article. It gives a lot more insight into the Rockets. The comparision between us and Toledo are interesting. 4 of their top six players are sophmores and only one senior contributes. We are playing mostly underclassman as well with only one senior contributing. It will be interesting to see how our young guys stack up against their young pups.
Toledo is tough and this would be a big win for us.
Raiderman, I agree that Toledo is better than either Brown or Tulsa. We better bring our defense or it will be a long afternoon.
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Post by Newbie on Nov 25, 2004 19:51:09 GMT -5
Deshaun, Jaron, Everett, and Zakee better come ready to play some serious defense Saturday. I think Jaron and Zakee will take turns guarding Triplett. The matchup that scares me is Spencer on Villagas. Villagas is a 6'6" guard that weighs 210 pounds. He will run Spencer through many screens and I am worried that Everett won't be able to hang with him.
I see Zach W. on Valencia in the paint with Drew on the 6'10" Pinson. Pinson isn't much of a scoring threat and Valencia is so with Zach being our best post defensive player I see him guarding Valencia.
The matchups will be interesting.
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