Does this Season Hinge on a Freshman and a Prayer?

Stansbury is very pleased with his freshmen. Which is good, because this State team has a lot of them.

Jamont Gordon is projected to be the star of the class, but that isn't stopping the Delk Twins from being, in Stansbury's words, "gym rats." And it isn't stopping Bernard Rimmer from impressing the head man either. And from the sound of early interviews, Vernon Goodridge is possibly the best athlete on the team, now he just needs to learn how to play basketball.

We've dicussed it before and we'll surely discuss it again, but how exactly do you replace all five starters and your top six leading scorers?

Granted, it's early, but Stansbury sounds like he's going to let these freshmen loose. This is a big change from previous classes, such as last year, where he reined the talented youngsters in and didn’t give them much room to learn on the court.

Unlike last year, this season Stansbury has no choice and as the first article linked above reports, these freshmen appear to be more mature that last year's group.

Even Sharpe has made significant progress in the off-season (we can all just thank the stars that these freshman have no problem with going to class and being on time for practice).

The biggest concern of all State fans this coming season is the number of "ifs" that are contingent on a winning season.

IF Rhodes has matured as a player.

IF Gordon can guard the perimeter and score.

IF Edmundson can find his shot and lead the team and not be a liability on defense.

IF we can get quality minutes from old, yet inexperienced players, like Morgan, Stelmach and Boler.

IF Houston is the all-around player we've been lead to believe he is from a year of "internet hype".

IF Slater has matured enough to provide energy and defense without sacrificing solid play on the offensive end.

IF Sharpe really has grown up, because we know he can play.

If the Delk Twins are as good as advertised.

Stansbury has repeatedly said that he isn't shying away from expectations. He created them; he'll have to live up to them.

I'm still predicting a 20 win season and a NCCA invite. As Stansbury often says, "Our team has one goal, championships."

Anything else is a disappointment.