Collin Mangrum

Buford_Julep · October 18, 2006

Men’s basketball

Mangrum a surprise in camp

UNT head coach Johnny Jones named the play of guard Collin Mangrum as one of the surprises of the early stages of practice.

Mangrum, a 6-4 guard from Howe, committed to the Mean Green early before battling a series of injuries at the end of his high school career.

“Collin has been an early surprise,” Jones said. “He had to fight through a lot of injuries in high school and when he got here he had a problem with his shoulder. What I admire is he played with those injuries. … He has been very competitive with our upperclassmen. He is one of the best freshmen we have brought in.”

e-bone ver2.awesome · October 18, 2006

That's good to hear. Even though he is mainly a scorer, with the lack of depth at PG he may get some PT there. If he can play the role that the team needs of him and shoot the ball like he is able, he could be a significant contributer.

Buford_Julep · October 18, 2006

So far Mangrum has worked only on the wing.

PG's at this point are Mike Sturns, Ben Bell and Jared Ruffin.

Travis · October 18, 2006

So far Mangrum has worked only on the wing.
PG's at this point are Mike Sturns, Ben Bell and Jared Ruffin.
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who is standing out?

Buford_Julep · October 19, 2006

It is still very early.

It's possible there will be an intra-squad scrimmage on Nov 4, before the La Tech football game.

MeanGreenBuzz · October 19, 2006

So far Mangrum has worked only on the wing.
PG's at this point are Mike Sturns, Ben Bell and Jared Ruffin.
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And of course Kendrick Davis. I have a feeling him and Sturns will start with Bell getitng alot of playing time in a backup role. Ruffin will clean up again like last season.

October 20, 2006

And of course Kendrick Davis. I have a feeling him and Sturns will start with Bell getitng alot of playing time in a backup role. Ruffin will clean up again like last season.
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I tend to agree that both Sturms and Davis need to start. They are the two best offensive players and we need scorers to get their minutes.

foutsrouts · October 20, 2006

I tend to agree that both Sturms and Davis need to start. They are the two best offensive players and we need scorers to get their minutes.
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I hope that Sturns and Davis aren't our two best offensive players. I have high hopes for Wooden and think that he may have a chance to be #1 or #2 in that department. When was the last time we had an inside player over 6'6" average 15 to 20+ points per game? Lyons, Worrell, and Erskin were all 6'6" forwards, but I don't recall any other big time scoring threats in the front court over the past quarter of a century. We probably hold some kind of a 25 year NCAA record for lack of offensive productivity in the front court.

GangGreen · October 20, 2006

I wouldn't count Calvin Watson out, either. He had an off year last season, but I expect him to come back strong at the 3 position.

October 20, 2006

Sturns and Davis were the best scorers per minute played last year. Watson wasn't far behind. Mangrum has as much, or more, potential than any of the three.

Wooden wasn't a tremendous scorer at Arizona State. He was a great rebounder and defensive player. He can score but it's not his strongest suit.

MeanGreenBuzz · October 20, 2006

Oh, I wasn't saying that Davis and Sterns were our only players. I am EXTREMELY excited about Wooden. Last year practicing and what I saw at A-State are alot more than promising. I also expect big things from Williams. I was only discussing our PGs for this season.

I expect this team to win 20+ games this season and make the NCAAs. With this kind of talent anything less would be a HUGE disappointment and could/should cost JJ his job. No one has ever questioned his recruiting, but his coaching/ability to instill discipline in a team (that cost us 5-6 games last season) have been key in our conference play.

e-bone ver2.awesome · October 20, 2006

I'm still a little scared about Sturns running the point. He was great last season coming off the bench. He is the type of energy guy that you can put in and he will change the flow of the game. If Bell is close to the assist-man he was in JUCO, then he needs to start. Getting Davis and Watson open looks would help tremendously, as the offense often broke down late in the shot clock and it was all 1-on-1. Having someone who can drive and dish or get the ball to the post in good position to score is so crucial it's hard to overstate it.

GrandGreen · October 20, 2006

I think that Wooden, Davis and Bell are sure starters. The question is who are the other two. JJ played with 3 guards last year. Assumming he remains with that imo its between Watson and Sturns to be the third guard. This leaves Williams and Stewart to fight it out for the other post position. A taller lineup of Wooden, Davis, Bell, Stewart and Williams would also be interesting.

Mangrum if he is as good as advertised could push into the lineup later in the year. Likewise Edwards who I thought had a somewhat disappointing freshman year based on signing hype, but did show some signs of being an impact player.

My best guess is that JJ will start Wooden, Davis, Bell, Watson and Williams at the beginning of the year; although I would prefer Stewart and Sturns to Williams and Watson.

Edited October 20, 2006 by GrandGreen