After attending several games this year, things are beginning to fall in place and one of them is that we are young and extremely talented. Extremly with a capital "E".

I am just thrilled with the idea that we have 4 freshmen that not only are capable of competing, but of starring. And I'm really happy with what DM is doing with the team. We fast break with authority, play sound "in your face" defense and get tremendous effort out of the younger players - which means they have the work ethic required to improve in the future.

The four young players I'm impressed with are, of course:

Rashad Ray - 5-11 PG
Shaq Harrison - 6-3 Guard
James Woodard - 6-4 Guard
Deandre Wright - 6-9 F/C

Ray is lightning in a bottle and will just jet through anyone on his way to get to the basket and score. Height isn't a disadvantage to him, it becomes an advantage. He's like some of the kids we've had in the past that could be small but play big.

Shaq Harrison is kind of a hybrid guard who can do it all - shoot, rebound, defend and get the ball down the floor fast. He's angular enough to play like the old "swing" players from the past. He's a player that could conceivably rebound and get the outlet pass to another player and then race to the basket on the other end and finish the break.

Woodard is that kid you want to put your best player on and guard or he'll eat you up with 25 points. Maybe a little up and down, but if he feels it, you're dead meat. A potential difference maker and season maker.

Wright is a real pleasant surprise to me. He's a beautifully agile and skilled big man that is like money in the bank when he gets it low. I bet DM makes him into an All Conference player. He is currently our biggest player and reminds me a lot of Charlie Davis from the Self years - but more talented IMO.


Add those kids to Rashad Smith, and you have a team in the future that will be extremely hard to beat. And with our style of play, it will be so much fun to watch. I'm getting my moneys worth already.

Now don't get me wrong, we are so young that we will get beat and probably get beat a game or two that we shouldn't and the grind of a season may wear on them "big time" because of their youth, but the talent, desire, toughness and skill are there. IMO.

I thought I'd add Zeldric King and Swannegan to the mix of good young players.

King is really coming on of late and has been a force. He's finally rounding into shape and is very difficult to move off the blocks. He's currently playing at 260lbs, if he could lose 10 more and get to 250, he'd be twice as good imo.

And Swannegan is coming on. A good utility 6-7 reliever at a post or forward. Tough in close and can handle the ball some in open court. Nice baby hook. We now have 6 good to very good freshmen and if we ever get Smith back along with our two bigger bodied signees, things are looking very, very good for the future. How in the world could we have kept Wojcik on for so long? Danny IS "D-Man" for sure. I'm enjoying going to the games again - win or lose.