Posted by ScooterDevil on April 29, 09 at 22:18:56:
In Reply to: Scooter posted by Koster on April 29, 09 at 04:55:08:
I know everything about him that you just stated and then some. It's not lack of research. And it's not lack of AAU exposure, it's performing poorly in the summer sessions that made his rating suffer. And last I checked Texas Tech and Georgetown aren't Duke and Kansas. As a matter of fact last year they weren't even ASU. I hope Thompson is a late bloomer that really turns out to be special. But for the local media outlets to report that we got one of the top guards in the country is not accurate. ESPN rates him a 90, yet had not even a comment on him until ASU signed him. I trust Herb, so he must have some real good team skills. But last years two freshman were complete wastes during their freshman year. So why would I think this year's group are going to be major contributors in year one?
: Before you start commenting on Thompson's "STAR" rating do a little research, there's a reason behind it...There's a reason Georgetown & Texas Tech offered and ESPN has him rated as the 14th best point gaurd in the country. Here's a hint, has something to do with his HS only being in it's 4th year and lack of AAU experience/exposure...He's damn good!!!
: : Let's be a little realistic here. Thompson is a 1-star recruit according to Scout and a 3-star according to Rivals. Those services are pretty accurate when it comes to evaluating talent. Seldom do guys with less than 4 stars turn out to be impact college players at the D1 level. I think we may be surprising next year, but I'm also realistic in thinking we may be next years Oregon. Pateev and Thompson are not rated any higher then Taylor Rhode or Kraidon Woods were coming out of H.S. So to count on them for freshman production is very optimistic. Lockett, Walker, and Rudd are all higher rated than the other two, but they are freshman. These guys are not in the same class as James Harden. They're more like Ty Abbot as a freshman. With all this being said the main issue I think ASU will have is not having a go-to guy. This team has ran it's offense for two years through two players (Harden and Pendergraph). None of the others that have gotten significant time (Glasser, Abbot, Kuksiks, Shipp, or Boeteng) have shown any ability to really create their own shot. I think that Ty Abbot really has the potential to be something special. He's quick and has great leaping ability. I think he can be a very effective slasher and he can still hit the 3. But he has to be more consistent. I really think he's the key guy. He needs to step up and be a 15 ppg scorer for us. I really think that anyone believing we will have a similar record to last year is on crack. I think making the tournament should be a goal, but if we do we'll sneak in.
: : : With lower expectations and a deeper team I think we will be a similar team record wise to last year. With Glasser, J Mac, Abbott and Shipp returning guards, Kuksiks, Boat, Woods and Rohde returning 4/5's. Thompson, Lockett, Walker, Rudd and Pateev coming in, we'll be much deeper. Don't forget how competitive we were Herb's first year with little experience and talent, this upcoming year we're going to surprise people, especially those around the Pac that don't think we'll be a factor.