Monroe on Katz's Weekly Watch

[kchoya]

Already getting love from the national press:

sports.espn.go.com/ncb/notebook?page=notebook/weeklywatch091

[capcenterhoya]

Katz better be paying attention since he'll be one of our announcers in Orlando with Len Elmore and Bob Wischusen.
www.espnmediazone.com/press_releases/2008_11_nov/20081120_FeastWeekBeginsMonday.htm

[bubbrubbhoya]

Shhhhhhh. Speak about Monroe only in hushed tones. We don't want people figuring out--we want to hold on to this guy as long as we can!

[jgalt]

ugh, i loathe len elmore as an announcer

[Jack]

Nov 24, 2008 12:09:16 GMT -5 jgalt said:

ugh, i loathe len elmore as an announcer

Is it because he is understated and knowledgeable? Other than his ties to UMCP (unforgiveable for some, I know), I think Elmore is right up there with Raftery and Bilas for intelligent color commentary.

[williambraskyiii]

explain to me how one could "loathe" Len Elmore...He is a big fan of the program and i agree with Jack's points.

[CTHoya08]

I also like Elmore.

[Boz]

On his approach to the game and knowledge of the game - basically Jack's points -- yes, Len Elmore is very good.

However, and this is just a personal point for me, I find his voice a little grating and irritating, so I can see why some might not like him for that reason.

It's pretty petty, I grant you, but if I'm honest, for some reason he just sounds kind of whiny sometimes.

Overall, I'd still rate him above many, MANY others though.

[kchoya]

Count me in the camp as being a big fan of Len Elmore. Intelligent and insightful, but not too full of himself (mostly).

[hoyatables]

Len E. is one of the best out there, right up there with Bill R., as Jack said. Both guys do a great job of focusing on the game, and also make an effort to get to know every program in D-1, instead of just focusing on the flavor of the month or perennial favorite. And they've always been friends of the program.

[dungeon ball]

Since this thread has totally gone off the rails, I'd also like to throw in a vote for Len E. I remember his game calling of our game vs. ND during the BET when Jeff was around being spectacular. Even when ND went up big at the beginning by draining ridiculous 3's, he was saying "Watch out. Live by the 3, die by the 3." And indeed they did.

[jgalt]

Nov 24, 2008 12:43:23 GMT -5 Boz said:

On his approach to the game and knowledge of the game - basically Jack's points -- yes, Len Elmore is very good.

However, and this is just a personal point for me, I find his voice a little grating and irritating, so I can see why some might not like him for that reason.

It's pretty petty, I grant you, but if I'm honest, for some reason he just sounds kind of whiny sometimes.

Overall, I'd still rate him above many, MANY others though.

Well I Never thought that i would elicit such a strong reaction, but i dont like him for the exact same reason as Boz. Its petty, yes, and i have nothing against him as a person, but ill have to listen to him and its his way of speaking that bothers me.

Anyway, sorry if i offended anyone, didnt mean to

[idhoya]

ditto on elmore

[RDF]

Len is okay--but he is a HOMER when it comes to ACC talk. I mean he's calling the BET and sees the league enough--but even a year ago he mentioned "ACC is still the top conference in country"--and that was based on him being a former ACC player--not using any logic or his eyes.

[blueandgray]

Looks like Katz missed on Samardo who has had a couple of big games as well. I'd like to see Samardo get a little more attn and Greg a little less.

[idhoya]

I think Samardo is Elton Brand and my be gone anyway.

[VelvetElvis]

I met Elmore at Logan Airport on my way out to Vegas. The man likes Knob Creek on the rocks... ALOT. He was also very willing to discuss basketball at length.

Nice guy.

[hoyatables]

I asked Prisbell at WaPo about Monroe -- here's his response:

Eric Prisbell: Monroe has gotten off to a better start than I thought he would. I went down to Louisiana last year to watch one of his practices and do a story on him. I thought he was good, but not great. You always wonder if he is too good too soon, he will take off after a year. But he is a good character kid, and a player who I thought could be in the program for a few years.

[mdhoya97]

i like l.elmore. great commentary. insightful.

[justabballfan]

Nov 24, 2008 14:43:10 GMT -5 hoyatables said:

Eric Prisbell: Monroe has gotten off to a better start than I thought he would. I went down to Louisiana last year to watch one of his practices and do a story on him. I thought he was good, but not great. You always wonder if he is too good too soon, he will take off after a year. But he is a good character kid, and a player who I thought could be in the program for a few years.

The more I watch Monroe, the more I think he is going to be a one and done player. There are many factors that are leading me to this conclusion. The first is Monroe looks very good, a lot better than I think many of us expected. The second is the the players who were locks to be one and done, Derozen from USC and Evans at Memphis, the other kid from UCLA, have so far been far from impressive. Monroe is going to jump all these guys on NBA scouts big boards. The last reason is the draft pool is going to be very weak this year. We can argue all day about how another year will help Monroe as a player, but the fact remains if you're a lock to go in the top 10 of the draft, you goto the NBA, sign a contract for guaranteed money and figure it out while playing with the big boys.