Breakouts

[juckerrules]

Who might have a breakout season? Who will "come into his own"?

I think there are three players poised to elevate their game to serious impact levels:
1) Gates - He will bust loose all over the BE this year - count on it
2) Dixon - He showed steady improvement last year and is ready now to assume a major role on the team
3) Davis - Again, a player who was better at the end of the season than before - should be a strong contributor

Steady Improvement:

Bishop - will be a good, solid player - not flashy, but valuable
Vaughn - with a point, should be able to elevate his already impressive game
Toyloy - improved after a year in the BE

I don't see, based on past performance any big changes from biggie or Wilks - they haven't shown much growth or improvement up until now, why expect an epiphany?

New guys: Wright has a lot riding on him - he will make the difference between a tolerable season and a really good season

Kilpatrick - Hope he contributes, never know with a freshman - could be a big addition

[bearcatbret]

I agree. However, I am still holding out on Wilks doing something. Maybe with Kilpatrick out there, Wilks will start to take the ball to the hoop more often than to just stand around the three point line and shoot bad threes. Kilpatrick is supposed to be a slasher and the team as a whole needs to take it inside more often and get to the free throw line more often.

[UC/XU fan]

You are right about Biggie and Wilkes. I just don't understand how anyone has ever seen the potential for either of them to compete in the Beast. It takes more than height and jumping ability. I too think Toyloy will vastly improve his game. Many of our past Juco's made big improvements their second year. I just hope Cash is half as good as most on this board are anticipating. I know he was great in highschool but he's still a freshman coming off major knee surgery. I think it's time Davis starts performing more consistent. I'm still not sold on Gates contributing anymore than he did last year. I don't ever see him having the desire to be a top player.

[kcat]

I think Wilks has the greatest breakout potential.. He showed some
flashes at the end of last season. He has lacked a lock down mentality.

[LongTimer]

Who might have a breakout season? Who will "come into his own"?

I think there are three players poised to elevate their game to serious impact levels:
1) Gates - He will bust loose all over the BE this year - count on it
2) Dixon - He showed steady improvement last year and is ready now to assume a major role on the team
3) Davis - Again, a player who was better at the end of the season than before - should be a strong contributor

Steady Improvement:

Bishop - will be a good, solid player - not flashy, but valuable
Vaughn - with a point, should be able to elevate his already impressive game
Toyloy - improved after a year in the BE

I don't see, based on past performance any big changes from biggie or Wilks - they haven't shown much growth or improvement up until now, why expect an epiphany?

New guys: Wright has a lot riding on him - he will make the difference between a tolerable season and a really good season

Kilpatrick - Hope he contributes, never know with a freshman - could be a big addition

Every one of these guys is quite capable and experienced enough to finally put it all together this year. If most of them actually do, then we can compete for a BE championship

[LongTimer]

I think Wilks has the greatest breakout potential.. He showed some
flashes at the end of last season. He has lacked a lock down mentality.

Wilks puts out great effort and hustle. I too think he is very close.

[shaunsimpson]

Wilks puts out great effort and hustle. I too think he is very close.

I think Wilks is going to have a very good year or sit on the bench. I don't think he will be a small contributer. If he plays smarter basketball he could be very good.

[Bearcat Jeff]

You are right about Biggie and Wilkes. I just don't understand how anyone has ever seen the potential for either of them to compete in the Beast. It takes more than height and jumping ability. I too think Toyloy will vastly improve his game. Many of our past Juco's made big improvements their second year. I just hope Cash is half as good as most on this board are anticipating. I know he was great in highschool but he's still a freshman coming off major knee surgery. I think it's time Davis starts performing more consistent. I'm still not sold on Gates contributing anymore than he did last year. I don't ever see him having the desire to be a top player. Wilks was a top 70 player. Evidently alot of people saw him as a player with big upside. I thought Wilks improved significantly by years end.

[cincycpaw]

Wilks was a top 70 player. Evidently alot of people saw him as a player with big upside. I thought Wilks improved significantly by years end.

I gotta say that I agree with those that question whether or not Wilks is going to get it and become a solid contributor. I just don't see it happening. I know it can happen and does often (ie. Dujaun Baker from Junior to Senior year, etc) but I just don't see it with Wilks.

Everyone always talks about his effort...and his cheerleading on the sidelines. I think that evidence enough to show that he really hasn't done anything except try. And I think the fact that he is trying and not doing very well shows me that he won't ever get there, because I have seen little to no improvement.

I hope I'm wrong, as a guy with his gifted abilities would be great if he adds skill and talent.

[qsilvr2531]

I gotta say that I agree with those that question whether or not Wilks is going to get it and become a solid contributor. I just don't see it happening. I know it can happen and does often (ie. Dujaun Baker from Junior to Senior year, etc) but I just don't see it with Wilks.

Everyone always talks about his effort...and his cheerleading on the sidelines. I think that evidence enough to show that he really hasn't done anything except try. And I think the fact that he is trying and not doing very well shows me that he won't ever get there, because I have seen little to no improvement.

I hope I'm wrong, as a guy with his gifted abilities would be great if he adds skill and talent.

I really think Wilks improved alot from his freshman to sophomore season. His shooting improved, his decision making improved and his defense improved a ton. He also wasn't very good as a freshman so it wasn't that difficult to improve, but at the least his effort did result in some improvement.

For him to really take a step forward I think he's going to have to either gain a bunch of weight without losing any athleticism or he's going to have to significantly improve his ball handling ability. Neither of those are easy things to do though.

[Bearcat82]

Every one of these guys is quite capable and experienced enough to finally put it all together this year. If most of them actually do, then we can compete for a BE championship

I really do like the positive outlook, but remember, it took UCONN 11 years, count 'em 11 years to win their 1st BEast Championship-- and they came in without a nuked program.....

[bearcat1518]

If you watched Wilks' progression last year, here's what you should have noticed:

He filled a nice role at 4, hitting mid range jump shots when Mike Williams went down
That actually helped free up Gates down low, and the shooters outside the arc. (When Williams or Wilks wasn't hitting those shots, our offense was horrible).
He only did this at the end of the season, when he was spelling Mike Williams. Possibly, this is the role they see him in.
He's still too weak to defend and rebound down low in the Big East, and that's not his position. He's a tall 3.
His ball handling and slashing still need a lot of work before he can become a 3 man
He did lead the team in 3FG%, hitting almost 50%
He will be valuable on defense in full court pressure, if we run


Net result, he's not going to be the stud 3/slasher (unless a miracle happens), yet his mid range game really opened up opportunities for Gates down low and Vaughn and crew beyond the arc. It'll be interesting to see what happens and if we run and press!

[LongTimer]

If you watched Wilks' progression last year, here's what you should have noticed:

He filled a nice role at 4, hitting mid range jump shots when Mike Williams went down
That actually helped free up Gates down low, and the shooters outside the arc. (When Williams or Wilks wasn't hitting those shots, our offense was horrible).
He only did this at the end of the season, when he was spelling Mike Williams. Possibly, this is the role they see him in.
He's still too weak to defend and rebound down low in the Big East, and that's not his position. He's a tall 3.
His ball handling and slashing still need a lot of work before he can become a 3 man
He did lead the team in 3FG%, hitting almost 50%
He will be valuable on defense in full court pressure, if we run


Net result, he's not going to be the stud 3/slasher (unless a miracle happens), yet his mid range game really opened up opportunities for Gates down low and Vaughn and crew beyond the arc. It'll be interesting to see what happens and if we run and press!

I think we could see any possible scenario with Wilks this year. He could be a stud and he could be a dud. I'm leaning more toward stud. He's an effort guy and it just has to kick in for him soon. There's too much athleticism there to continue to not produce.

[Not Guilty]

You are right about Biggie and Wilkes. I just don't understand how anyone has ever seen the potential for either of them to compete in the Beast.

It's interesting that this would come from an X fan. I actually see a lot of similarities in Wilks and Derrick Brown. Both are long, athletic wings who were talented prospects coming out of high school. Neither was ready to play his first year. Unfortunately due to circumstances, Wilks didn't get his redshirt. In their second seasons, both were limited but showed some flashes of talent. Brown was a defensive guy his first year who could only dunk on offense. Wilks showed a nice shot occasionally and was also a good defensive player in the press.

Going forward, Wilks needs to continue to develop his all around game, but I definitely think the talent is there.

[Not Guilty]

As for the rest of the players on the team:

Vaughn: I expect him to return to his sophomore form in terms of efficiency, which will be huge for this team.

Dixon: I think we will see solid improvement, but nothing special. I really hope he works on the mechanics of his shots, otherwise I think he will be limited offensively throughout his career.

Davis: I probably expect the biggest breakout from him. I was never a big fan of his before the end of last year, but I really liked what I saw before he got hurt against Pittsburgh. I think he will become a nice weapon off the bench.

Gates: I think he will follow a path close to Dejuan Blair, but not quite as good. He needs to finish a little stronger. Obviously though he will be a cornerstone of the team.

Bishop: Don't expect much difference. Hopefully he works on his ability to get to the basket.

Toyloy: Not sure. Would like to see him develop on offense, but I'm not sure I see the ability there.

Biggie: Hope he redshirts.

[Matt1982]

Oh, I misunderstood the headline, I thought you were saying this team broke out of jail or something...

[Loggerfield]

Oh, I misunderstood the headline, I thought you were saying this team broke out of jail or something...


Yeah, because the entire team was in jail in all. I wouldn't make any more attempts at humor if I where you, your not funny at all.

[Matt1982]

That's the funny part... because it could be very easily true!

[catsfan32]

That's the funny part... because it could be very easily true!

Don't quite get what you going for here. Unless you're just trying to stir the pot, I believe we had a thread about responses such as these already.

[bavermme]

I may be wrong about Davis, but I don't see whole lot of room for improvement. He's an OK defender, who almost singlehandedly won the Notre Dame game with his defense on McIlarney and his out-of-nowhere 21 points, but that was only one game. The only area he can really get better is at shooting. He's not quick enough to get to the hoop or create his own shot, so he must improve on getting open and hitting 3s. He must stay healthy, because he was severely limited after going down with the ankle injury late in the year.

On Wilks: the guy has a ton of upside. He definitely can improve because he already has the physical tools to excel. Harnessing his athletic ability, and not relying too much on it, will make him more disciplined (i.e. not flying past every shot fake). I'm not giving him K-Mart upside, but their is similarity in his Bearat career path (not playing much early on, huge athletic ability, getting better year by year). He MUST add strength this offseason, continue to work on footwork and get better at free throws. Getting stronger will help him battle down low for boards and be able to handle the muscle of the Big East. He can't rely on his leaping ability to get boards, because any strong big man can box him out. More strength will help him finish inside and get tougher. He also needs to work on a quicker release on the outside shot. The important thing is that he's still young and he does have the potential to excel in all areas.

[Bearcat Jeff]

Davis will be much better. He was averaging double figures the last 5-6 games before he got hurt. He had "gotten it". The light bulb went on. He was using his mid-range game and that was giving him better looks at the 3. Davis is at his best when he drives and pulls up.

[Not Guilty]

Davis will be much better. He was averaging double figures the last 5-6 games before he got hurt. He had "gotten it". The light bulb went on. He was using his mid-range game and that was giving him better looks at the 3. Davis is at his best when he drives and pulls up.

I agree with this. He got in a pretty nice grove and then he developed a good pump fake as well.

I never liked the guy before midway through the season, but now I understand why Mick likes him so much.

[PakMan]

If we turn the ball over less, everyone will improve, particularly Bishop, Wilks, Davis, and of course Gates. Turnovers take everyone out of their rhythm, keep role players on the bench (and therefore inhibit their growth), and make players force shots when they do have the ball.

I thought ball handling, turnovers, and lack of scoring depth were our biggest problems last year. I think Cashmere helps A LOT in each of them.

And I don't understand how some on here think Gates will not improve significantly. He's legit 6'9", more athletic than Blair (since he seems to be compared to him often), and has a nice 10-12 ft jump shot. He was a FRESHMAN last year. He will improve and gain strength, confidence, and eventually, will develop into a monster.