[2 for 2028]

Stanford just outside the top 25 with the 2nd highest Pac12 vote total (Arizona is preseason #2):

http://sportspolls.usatoday.com/ncaa/bas...ll/2014/1/

[2 for 2028]

Stanford just outside the top 25 with the 2nd highest Pac12 vote total (Arizona is preseason #2):

http://sportspolls.usatoday.com/ncaa/bas...ll/2014/1/

[Papa John]

Interesting that Stanford tied for votes received with...Harvard. Based on last year's results and who's coming back, I think that might be a slight to the Crimson.

In any case, interpolating these results, the coaches have ranked Pac-12 teams as follows:
Arizona (2)
Stanford (T-26)
Utah (30)
UCLA (33)
Oregon (35)
Colorado (T-36)

I have to say that I'm with garvin on this one, unless last year's reserves have transformed over the summer a la Landry Fields a few years back. Or maybe it's just that the rest of the conference, excluding UA, is really weak this year.

[Papa John]

Interesting that Stanford tied for votes received with...Harvard. Based on last year's results and who's coming back, I think that might be a slight to the Crimson.

In any case, interpolating these results, the coaches have ranked Pac-12 teams as follows:
Arizona (2)
Stanford (T-26)
Utah (30)
UCLA (33)
Oregon (35)
Colorado (T-36)

I have to say that I'm with garvin on this one, unless last year's reserves have transformed over the summer a la Landry Fields a few years back. Or maybe it's just that the rest of the conference, excluding UA, is really weak this year.

[StanFan88]

Forget for a moment the matter of Johnny Dawkins. Does anybody see anyone on the current roster who's going to replace the points and rebounds that Josh Huestis and Dwight Powell contributed last year? I have a hard time believing this team will perform as well as the last one.

/sarcasm

Oh ye of little faith.  Rosco and Nastic have us covered.  And if they get in any foul trouble (nah), Verhoeven is there to spell them.

/end sarcasm

[StanFan88]

Forget for a moment the matter of Johnny Dawkins. Does anybody see anyone on the current roster who's going to replace the points and rebounds that Josh Huestis and Dwight Powell contributed last year? I have a hard time believing this team will perform as well as the last one.

/sarcasm

Oh ye of little faith.  Rosco and Nastic have us covered.  And if they get in any foul trouble (nah), Verhoeven is there to spell them.

/end sarcasm

[burger]

Forget for a moment the matter of Johnny Dawkins. Does anybody see anyone on the current roster who's going to replace the points and rebounds that Josh Huestis and Dwight Powell contributed last year? I have a hard time believing this team will perform as well as the last one.

Also, who's going to replace Powell's 3-14 shooting nights and missed shots at the rim?  Hopefully no Powell means more attempts for Nastic, who is an outstanding shooter. 

Huestis' absence worries me, since he was one of our best defenders and rebounders.  Hopefully Reid Travis can step right in and fill his place. 

On the plus side, since we were really starting 4 forwards/centers last year, we can actually start a normal lineup this year.  That should leave a starting lineup of something like:

PG Marcus Allen?  Christian Sanders? Cartwright?
SG Randle (he was never a real PG despite playing the position last year)
SF Brown (he was never a real SG ...)
PF Travis
C Nastic

I don't think offense will be a big problem with this team--Brown, Randle, and Nastic are all excellent shooters.  Defense has me more concerned.  Is it too much to hope that Nastic added 20 pounds of muscle this offseason?

[burger]

Forget for a moment the matter of Johnny Dawkins. Does anybody see anyone on the current roster who's going to replace the points and rebounds that Josh Huestis and Dwight Powell contributed last year? I have a hard time believing this team will perform as well as the last one.

Also, who's going to replace Powell's 3-14 shooting nights and missed shots at the rim?  Hopefully no Powell means more attempts for Nastic, who is an outstanding shooter. 

Huestis' absence worries me, since he was one of our best defenders and rebounders.  Hopefully Reid Travis can step right in and fill his place. 

On the plus side, since we were really starting 4 forwards/centers last year, we can actually start a normal lineup this year.  That should leave a starting lineup of something like:

PG Marcus Allen?  Christian Sanders? Cartwright?
SG Randle (he was never a real PG despite playing the position last year)
SF Brown (he was never a real SG ...)
PF Travis
C Nastic

I don't think offense will be a big problem with this team--Brown, Randle, and Nastic are all excellent shooters.  Defense has me more concerned.  Is it too much to hope that Nastic added 20 pounds of muscle this offseason?

[washingtonismoney]

  Is it too much to hope that Nastic added 20 pounds of muscle this offseason?

Nastic's weight is fine. It's his speed -- particularly laterally -- that's a big problem for him on both sides of the floor. I'd recommend against drastic weight changes for that reason, though if he can somehow add weight without it affecting his speed I'd say go for it...

[washingtonismoney]

  Is it too much to hope that Nastic added 20 pounds of muscle this offseason?

Nastic's weight is fine. It's his speed -- particularly laterally -- that's a big problem for him on both sides of the floor. I'd recommend against drastic weight changes for that reason, though if he can somehow add weight without it affecting his speed I'd say go for it...

[BobK]

Wow on Nastic, so agree with Wim.  :)

Far more depth with only one injury, Malcolm, hand, out another 3-4 or so weeks. 

[BobK]

Wow on Nastic, so agree with Wim.  :)

Far more depth with only one injury, Malcolm, hand, out another 3-4 or so weeks. 

[BobK]

Most all I know think
Randle
Brown
Roscoe Allen
Reid
Nastic

[BobK]

Most all I know think
Randle
Brown
Roscoe Allen
Reid
Nastic

[standfan]

Wow on Nastic, so agree with Wim.  :)

Far more depth with only one injury, Malcolm, hand, out another 3-4 or so weeks.

Nastic looks a bit stronger to me. Getting too bulked up does not seem to be a threat.

Travis is the second coming of Madsen, Chasson is the PAC-12 POY, Dawkins steps up his game with a team more suited to his skill set and this year's team will have a better regular season record than last year's. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

[standfan]

Wow on Nastic, so agree with Wim.  :)

Far more depth with only one injury, Malcolm, hand, out another 3-4 or so weeks.

Nastic looks a bit stronger to me. Getting too bulked up does not seem to be a threat.

Travis is the second coming of Madsen, Chasson is the PAC-12 POY, Dawkins steps up his game with a team more suited to his skill set and this year's team will have a better regular season record than last year's. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

[scorecard]

I'm with standfan.  I believe we will finish with a better regular season record as well.  Part of this is that the Pac-12 will likely be down again. Aside from Arizona, who else in the Pac-12 brings back anything better?  Maybe UCLA, but they will rely on a bunch of unknown commodities too.  Reid Travis is an animal down low, as long as he doesn't get called for ticky-tack fouls, he will fill the rebounding void.  Defense might be a problem (not sure we can replace Huestis' perimeter defense and blocks), but our biggest advantage is team length.  Across the board, we should have a size advantage against most teams.  I'm excited to see Humphreys, I think he will be special, hopefully sooner rather than later.  I'm actually more worried about our perimeter shooting, as Randle and Brown can both be a bit streaky.  Pickens looks like a dead-eye shooter, but it's hard to rely on a freshman to step in and be a great shooter in the first year.  This will also be our second year in the triangle which should help with actually running an actual offense.  I just don't see us being in the bottom half of the Pac-12.

[scorecard]

I'm with standfan.  I believe we will finish with a better regular season record as well.  Part of this is that the Pac-12 will likely be down again. Aside from Arizona, who else in the Pac-12 brings back anything better?  Maybe UCLA, but they will rely on a bunch of unknown commodities too.  Reid Travis is an animal down low, as long as he doesn't get called for ticky-tack fouls, he will fill the rebounding void.  Defense might be a problem (not sure we can replace Huestis' perimeter defense and blocks), but our biggest advantage is team length.  Across the board, we should have a size advantage against most teams.  I'm excited to see Humphreys, I think he will be special, hopefully sooner rather than later.  I'm actually more worried about our perimeter shooting, as Randle and Brown can both be a bit streaky.  Pickens looks like a dead-eye shooter, but it's hard to rely on a freshman to step in and be a great shooter in the first year.  This will also be our second year in the triangle which should help with actually running an actual offense.  I just don't see us being in the bottom half of the Pac-12.

[Papa John]

Travis is the second coming of Madsen

Yeah, but can he dance?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_6lAuKmGZM

[Papa John]

Travis is the second coming of Madsen

Yeah, but can he dance?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_6lAuKmGZM

[standfan]

Powell certainly had some frustrating games, but the bottom line is that he averaged 14 points and seven rebounds a game, Huestis 11 and eight. Both of them performed well enough to be selected in the NBA draft. Which two guys on the current roster will go to the NBA?

Randle, Brown and Travis all have a shot. And it is TBD if Powell and Huestis (a first rounder in name only) stick in the League. They were drafted because they are recognized as great athletes with significant, beyond their college performances, upside. (OTOH, being the first or second all-time Stanford scorer may be as good as it gets for Chasson. I hope not, but he may be a great college player but lacking an NBA body and skill set.)

More importantly, it's a team game. I really like the pieces this team has- there is a good athlete for every slot of a well-balanced team.

Last year's regular season record was 21-12 (10-8 in conference). I think we can do better than that this year.

[standfan]

Powell certainly had some frustrating games, but the bottom line is that he averaged 14 points and seven rebounds a game, Huestis 11 and eight. Both of them performed well enough to be selected in the NBA draft. Which two guys on the current roster will go to the NBA?

Randle, Brown and Travis all have a shot. And it is TBD if Powell and Huestis (a first rounder in name only) stick in the League. They were drafted because they are recognized as great athletes with significant, beyond their college performances, upside. (OTOH, being the first or second all-time Stanford scorer may be as good as it gets for Chasson. I hope not, but he may be a great college player but lacking an NBA body and skill set.)

More importantly, it's a team game. I really like the pieces this team has- there is a good athlete for every slot of a well-balanced team.

Last year's regular season record was 21-12 (10-8 in conference). I think we can do better than that this year.

[StanFan88]

Randle - 2 guard in a 1's body
Brown - hope he returns to pre-injury form but not betting on it
Roscoe Allen - shooting range <3ft
Reid - ??????
Nastic - Taj Finger's long lost younger brother

7-11 in conference at best if this is the starting lineup

[StanFan88]

Randle - 2 guard in a 1's body
Brown - hope he returns to pre-injury form but not betting on it
Roscoe Allen - shooting range <3ft
Reid - ??????
Nastic - Taj Finger's long lost younger brother

7-11 in conference at best if this is the starting lineup

[kuz]

Randle - 2 guard in a 1's body
Brown - hope he returns to pre-injury form but not betting on it
Roscoe Allen - shooting range <3ft
Reid - ??????
Nastic - Taj Finger's long lost younger brother

7-11 in conference at best if this is the starting lineup

LongWinded, is that you???

[kuz]

Randle - 2 guard in a 1's body
Brown - hope he returns to pre-injury form but not betting on it
Roscoe Allen - shooting range <3ft
Reid - ??????
Nastic - Taj Finger's long lost younger brother

7-11 in conference at best if this is the starting lineup

LongWinded, is that you???

[washingtonismoney]

Nastic has many more post moves and is a much better passer than Finger ever was. Nastic is maybe...half as good on the defensive end as Finger? Not a great comparison.

[washingtonismoney]

Nastic has many more post moves and is a much better passer than Finger ever was. Nastic is maybe...half as good on the defensive end as Finger? Not a great comparison.

[HisKneeWasDown]

Stanford at #26? Must be a really weak field. Can't complain about "east coast bias" anymore....

Without a legit big man, I don't see how Stanford can do much damage. I like Nastic, I like how he plays. As a freshman he played like a robot (in a good way)... you can see him mentally step thru his mechanics. Now he's more fluid, and he's definitely put on some muscle. But he's a 4, not a 5.

[HisKneeWasDown]

Stanford at #26? Must be a really weak field. Can't complain about "east coast bias" anymore....

Without a legit big man, I don't see how Stanford can do much damage. I like Nastic, I like how he plays. As a freshman he played like a robot (in a good way)... you can see him mentally step thru his mechanics. Now he's more fluid, and he's definitely put on some muscle. But he's a 4, not a 5.

[washingtonismoney]

But he's a 4, not a 5.

... in the 1980s, maybe? You'd never get away with the power forward as immobile (and as unable to stretch the floor) these days. Hell, Nastic is notably slow as a center. Not sure about that take.

[washingtonismoney]

But he's a 4, not a 5.

... in the 1980s, maybe? You'd never get away with the power forward as immobile (and as unable to stretch the floor) these days. Hell, Nastic is notably slow as a center. Not sure about that take.

[StanFan88]

Nastic has many more post moves and is a much better passer than Finger ever was. Nastic is maybe...half as good on the defensive end as Finger? Not a great comparison.

Better on O, worse on D.  Sounds like net net about the same quality player.  Point is, if Nastic is starting this team is not very good.

[StanFan88]

Nastic has many more post moves and is a much better passer than Finger ever was. Nastic is maybe...half as good on the defensive end as Finger? Not a great comparison.

Better on O, worse on D.  Sounds like net net about the same quality player.  Point is, if Nastic is starting this team is not very good.

[standfan]

[quote author=washingtonismoney link=topic=10900.msg102495#msg102495 date=1413577209]
Nastic has many more post moves and is a much better passer than Finger ever was. Nastic is maybe...half as good on the defensive end as Finger? Not a great comparison.

Better on O, worse on D.  Sounds like net net about the same quality player.  Point is, if Nastic is starting this team is not very good.
[/quote]

Well, he started on last year's team that made the tournament. And in the three  tournament games, he averaged 11.7 PPG with a 78% FG% (and 3.7 RPG). His defense is so-so (being 7 feet has it advantages) and his rebounding not even but he won't be the reason the team is not a contender to make the tournament if that turns out to be the case.

Our primary disagreement is that I think Rosco and Reid, together with a stronger bench, can replace Dwight and Josh who, although great athletes, were only good basketball players. I am not sure that we'll be as good as last year but I'm pretty sure that this will be a less frustrating team to watch. (I will not miss Huestis starting a post move 3 feet from the basket and ending up shooting a 6 foot fall away or Powell showing how a 6'10" player can pretzel himself into a 6'4" one.)

[standfan]

[quote author=washingtonismoney link=topic=10900.msg102495#msg102495 date=1413577209]
Nastic has many more post moves and is a much better passer than Finger ever was. Nastic is maybe...half as good on the defensive end as Finger? Not a great comparison.

Better on O, worse on D.  Sounds like net net about the same quality player.  Point is, if Nastic is starting this team is not very good.
[/quote]

Well, he started on last year's team that made the tournament. And in the three  tournament games, he averaged 11.7 PPG with a 78% FG% (and 3.7 RPG). His defense is so-so (being 7 feet has it advantages) and his rebounding not even but he won't be the reason the team is not a contender to make the tournament if that turns out to be the case.

Our primary disagreement is that I think Rosco and Reid, together with a stronger bench, can replace Dwight and Josh who, although great athletes, were only good basketball players. I am not sure that we'll be as good as last year but I'm pretty sure that this will be a less frustrating team to watch. (I will not miss Huestis starting a post move 3 feet from the basket and ending up shooting a 6 foot fall away or Powell showing how a 6'10" player can pretzel himself into a 6'4" one.)

[Fan in Phoenix]

I think Michael Humphrey will be a combination of Powell and Huestis (at this point, minus Powell’s point forward skills)
Rebounds out of his space
Exceptional timing around the rim
Good passer and excels at the outlet pass
Shooting range to the 3 and above average free throw %
Loves to block shots (bet he leads the team) and has great footwork on both ends of the court
A year ago he was playing high school quarterback…with full time dedicated to basketball his progress has been amazing…look at the recent team photo( http://www.gostanford.com/ViewArticle.db...=209694415 )  ~ he is the middle of the back row ~ still growing?
Listed as a player with a shot at the NBA( http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/jeff-goo...st?id=3894 ), I am not just some homer blowing smoke.  He went from not be recruited to a four star recruit in a month’s time http://www.studentsports.com/basketball/...-rankings/
Season is right around the corner…my bet is that Michael Humphrey is the difference maker!

[Fan in Phoenix]

I think Michael Humphrey will be a combination of Powell and Huestis (at this point, minus Powell’s point forward skills)
Rebounds out of his space
Exceptional timing around the rim
Good passer and excels at the outlet pass
Shooting range to the 3 and above average free throw %
Loves to block shots (bet he leads the team) and has great footwork on both ends of the court
A year ago he was playing high school quarterback…with full time dedicated to basketball his progress has been amazing…look at the recent team photo( http://www.gostanford.com/ViewArticle.db...=209694415 )  ~ he is the middle of the back row ~ still growing?
Listed as a player with a shot at the NBA( http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/jeff-goo...st?id=3894 ), I am not just some homer blowing smoke.  He went from not be recruited to a four star recruit in a month’s time http://www.studentsports.com/basketball/...-rankings/
Season is right around the corner…my bet is that Michael Humphrey is the difference maker!