Welcome to the HornSports Forum

By registering with us, you'll be able to discuss, share and private message with other members of our Texas Longhorns message board community.

SignUp Now!

Damarcus Croaker

utisdabomb12

V.I.P.
Joined
Dec 9, 2013
Messages
8,338


I've been hearing/reading good things about Croaker this offseason. Think he's going to have a big year. Here's a video of Croaker taking it at Ben Gordon in a pickup game in Orlando.

 
Last edited by a moderator:

Thanks for posting this, utisdabomb.  You know, Croaker is extremely athletic, and he is capable of really playing much taller than he is.  If he and Walker play to their ability and if they are able to accept their role on the team playing time wise ... well, we are going to have a much better team this year than people think.  You know it had to be hard for Croaker moving to Austin with a new baby back in Florida - that was probably a harder adjustment than a lot of freshmen have to make.  With regards to Walker, he looked like he was playing like his lunch depended on it later on last season.  I get the impression that he is here to make it for himself.  I remember a vignette from a story about him last year where Coach Barnes sat down with his grandmother, I think it was, in Detroit, in her living room. He was there to finalize the scholarship offer.  Coach asked her if she had any questions. and she asked, "Will Martez have his own bed?"  Think about that for a minute.  Most of us do not even think about such basic issues.  Something tells me that Martez will be on a mission this year.  I hope that Damarcus is in lock step with him ... though not actually in lock step ... that would probably get them both benched!  ;)

 
Last edited by a moderator:
My thoughts on Croaker. 

1-Croaker obviously got in Barnes doghouse last year. Think that had to do with not buying into the system and lack of defensive effort. 

2-Croaker IMO is one of our best pure scorers. Not really sure why Croaker lived with jumpshots all of last year. Croaker's game is to have the ball in his hands and create off the dribble. Granted, I'm not sure how that will mesh with other players that require the ball in their hands like Taylor. 

3-I think Croaker is best utilized coming off the bench (6th man type scorer). If Croaker is in the game he needs the ball in his hands or his talents are not being maximized. Personally, I think Croaker and Lammert off the bench in a pick and roll game would be very effective. 

4-Croaker should be stealing minutes from Felix. 

5-Croaker is at his best when there's not much structure. That's why he excels in those pick up games. I think Barnes needs to let him loose and just let him do his thing to a certain degree. 

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Thanks for posting this, utisdabomb. You know, Croaker is extremely athletic, and he is capable of really playing much taller than he is. If he and Walker play to their ability and if they are able to accept their role on the team playing time wise ... well, we are going to have a much better team this year than people think. You know it had to be hard for Croaker moving to Austin with a new baby back in Florida - that was probably a harder adjustment than a lot of freshmen have to make. With regards to Walker, he looked like he was playing like his lunch depended on it later on last season. I get the impression that he is here to make it for himself. I remember a vignette from a story about him last year where Coach Barnes sat down with his grandmother, I think it was, in Detroit, in her living room. He was there to finalize the scholarship offer. Coach asked her if she had any questions. and she asked, "Will Martez have his own bed?" Think about that for a minute. Most of us do not even think about such basic issues. Something tells me that Martez will be on a mission this year. I hope that Damarcus is in lock step with him ... though not actually in lock step ... that would probably get them both benched! ;)
Lock step together, no. Also Martez won't have to share a bed with Croaker either.

 
If he gets on Barnes's good side and gets considerable playing time, he will be a stud at UT. There are plenty of games and ways to get on the court so if he does, he will make an impact.

 
My thoughts on Croaker. 

1-Croaker obviously got in Barnes doghouse last year. Think that had to do with not buying into the system and lack of defensive effort. 

2-Croaker IMO is one of our best pure scorers. Not really sure why Croaker lived with jumpshots all of last year. Croaker's game is to have the ball in his hands and create off the dribble. Granted, I'm not sure how that will mesh with other players that require the ball in their hands like Taylor. 

3-I think Croaker is best utilized coming off the bench (6th man type scorer). If Croaker is in the game he needs the ball in his hands or his talents are not being maximized. Personally, I think Croaker and Lammert off the bench in a pick and roll game would be very effective. 

4-Croaker should be stealing minutes from Felix. 

5-Croaker is at his best when there's not much structure. That's why he excels in those pick up games. I think Barnes needs to let him loose and just let him do his thing to a certain degree. 
Of course. everybody always forgets about Lammert!  If the guys on this roster can get it through their heads that they are "... on a mission from GOD!", we are going to be pretty good!  Maybe the best way to look at it is that everybody is just a roll player.  We definitely got a lot of players who can play a lot of rolls!  ;)

 
If he gets on Barnes's good side and gets considerable playing time, he will be a stud at UT. There are plenty of games and ways to get on the court so if he does, he will make an impact.
As I said above, if everybody can realize that they are roll players, methinks we will be pretty good!

 
Back
Top Bottom