Archives For David Robinson

Saturday’s Starting Five Without Robinson

January 10, 2013 — 1 Comment

David Robinson is more than likely out for Saturday’s game against Charleston Southern, so the immediate question arises…who should replace him. The most logical name that will come up is Karl Ziegler but it probably wouldn’t be the best pick. This has nothing to do with Ziegler, who is coming off a career high 11 points versus Campbell and has been a great spark off the bench all year long, rather this has everything to do with the Charleston Southern Buccaneers. The Bucs sport the Big South’s most talented starting backcourt with sophomore combo Saah Nimley and Arlon Harper. The two of which combine for nearly 30 points per game, 7 assists, and 7 rebounds.

With the talented duo coming to Farmville would the Lancers benefit more from…wait for it…wait for it…starting Lucas Woodhouse? Woodhouse could run the point while Nik Brown moves to shooting guard. Not only do you get to “test drive” Woodhouse as the starter, but its likely a better match up when facing the Bucs. The biggest challenge would be with rest or substitutions, you could mix and match at times or Stephen Shockley could be given some minutes like the five he received versus Coastal Carolina last Saturday.

Lets see what will happen…

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A Look at 2012-13: The Backcourt

June 5, 2012 — Leave a comment

Today we turn our heads to the 2012-13 season and what we can expect for the Lancers. Certainly Longwood fans have a lot to be excited about in joining the Big South and the addition of six quality players to Mike Gillian’s lineup. There is a chance that one more player could be added for next season, but the class is pretty much rounded out. Given the additions and the players set to return for the Lancers, I’d expect a lot of smaller lineups and three guard sets.  These sets certainly aren’t foreign to Mike Gillian who started last season with Jeremiah Bowman, Martez Washington, and Tristan Carey.

Returning Lancers

Tristan Carey, 6’4, Junior: TT will return for his junior year as the primary scoring option for Mike Gillian’s offense. In his first year as a Lancer the LaSalle transfer averaged 13 points and lead the team in assists. Obviously with the rash of injuries and the loss of Durann Neil and Bowman for other reasons, TT was thrown into some roles that were not ideal for him. This year should be different as primary ball-handling duties will likely be turned over to the incoming freshman and TT can flourish on the wing. TT has the best chance to be an all-Big South performer than anyone else on our roster, don’t be surprised to see him listed as a 1st or 2nd teamer at Big South media day this fall.

David Robinson, 6’4, Junior: Robinson has the opportunity to grab some valuable starting minutes last year but was derailed by injury. He did however end up being the Lancers primary scoring option off the bench, averaging over seven point per game last year. The biggest question with Robinson is, will he start? He certainly has the skillset to do so, and fans should be excited about what he brings to the table. But with the way next year’s lineup may pan out the best option for Robinson may be being the sixth man once again and bringing a spark off the bench. Some guys just seem better suited for coming off the bench (think Manu Ginobli) and Robinson is one of those guys in my opinion.

Anthony Taylor, 6’2, R-Sophomore: With injuries and departures piling up last year Taylor was forced to receive a baptism by fire. He even started seven games for the Lancers late in the season. Taylor ended up averaging just over three points per game and showed some flashes of developing into a decent role player at the latter end of Gillian’s bench. His primary downfall was taking care of the basketball, he had 43 turnovers to just 23 assists. It’ll be interesting to see what kind of role Taylor has in 2012-13 given the influx of freshman talent.

Stephen Shockley, 6’0, Senior: Shockley will find himself as the lone Senior next year for the squad. He appeared in 20 games last year, averaging about six minutes. Obviously Shockley isn’t the most talented player on the Lancers bench, but what he lacks in talent he makes up for in hustle. He will once again be able to give the Lancers some high intensity minutes off the bench, in a pinch next year.

New Additions

Nik Brown, 6’2, Freshman: Brown comes to Farmville via the Middleburg Academy and was ranked as one of the top twenty-five players in the state. The primary advantage that Brown will have is the fact he’s been with the team and practicing since December. Brown is very much a combo guard who can score and distribute the basketball. Brown is also supposed to be a solid defensive player who can guard multiple positions. I would be surprised not to see Brown in the starting lineup come November, the only question is will he be the primary ball-handler?

Lucas Woodhouse, 6’0, Freshman: The Lancers introduced Elwood recently but will be introducing LWood this fall.  Out of all the recruits coming to Longwood this season Woodhouse is the one that I’m most excited about. He’s not the biggest guard, standing 6’0, 155 lbs but he knows how to win and lead Harborfield (NY) High School to several championships over the past two years. Woodhouse has an extremely high basketball IQ and has averaged a double-double for the past two years. Woodhouse can certainly be the primary offensive facilitator for the Lancers, but the question is will he be right away? Could a three guard set featuring Woodhouse, Brown, and Carey be Mike Gillian’s best option in November?

 

Photo via Newsday

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Lancers Escape a Shock

February 15, 2012 — Leave a comment

With around five minutes left in the second half Mike Gillian seemed like he could relax. After only winning by four over Washington Adventist at the half the Lancer had grown their lead to sixteen. But then the ninth year coach for the Lancers started suffering from an acute case of deja vu, there was eight seconds left and the WAU Shock had the ball with a chance to win the game. Luckily the Shock clanked a game winning shot off the rim and the Lancers survived with a 90-88 victory. But how should Lancers fans feel about this victory over a 11-12 Division 2 squad? Happy? Sad? Embarrassed? Mad?  The game was in hand with 5 minutes left and no worries were on the horizon, but lack of smart play down the stretch and coaching failed the Lancers once again.

The Lancers did receive a huge blow before the game when David Robinson suffered an ankle injury during the Seattle game. Robinson had been starting for the Lancers and playing extremely well replacing suspended guard Jeremiah Bowman. With Robinson out redshirt freshman Anthony Taylor was thrust into his first career start. Taylor had an up and down night, but all in all played pretty well. The downside was his five turnovers, but Taylor was four for six from the field scoring ten points, seven assists, five rebounds, and two steals.

All 90 of the Lancers points came from the starting lineup. Antwan Carter passed Jerome Kersey for number two all-time on the Lancers’ scoring list by scoring 28 points. Antwan also added 12 rebounds for his 37th career double-double. Also scoring for the Lancers was Martiz Washigton with 23 points, TT Carey with 17, and Jan Van der Kooij with 12. Van der Kooij once again struggled inbounded when being pressed and was forced into seven turnovers.

The Lancers play their final Division I home game of the year this Saturday as they take on North Dakota (11-13) at 2PM in Willett Hall.

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