Why is Kelly Olynyk not redshirting????

[dnj116]

Regardless of whether Kelly is able to contribute this year (which I do think he is), the TEAM as a WHOLE would benefit from having him redshirt this season. We are setting ourselves up for a full-blown rebuild four years down the road. By not staggering this freshman class a bit, we will in essence have six seniors leaving the team at once...Is there something Few is anticipating, i.e. players leaving early for the NBA or transfering??

By not staggering this giant incoming class with at LEAST two redshirts this year, I honestly believe this will harm us more than help us, not only immediately but in the future. We are already too deep for many of our players to see significant minutes, and I feel Kelly O. is better suited to gain muscle/weight/experience this year than to waste it playing marginal minutes. Anyone else feel the same?!?!?

[Argentum]

I think you answered your own question. Harris looks like a pretty solid NBA prospect.

[Martin Centre Mad Man]

Aren't Kong and Harris both Sophomores for eligibility purposes? We'll lose them at the same time as we lose Sacre, even if neither of them leaves for the pros after a year or two.

Those two earlier departures will free up a couple of scholarships that will let Few & Co. reload a little before the big wave of departures a year later.

That said, I'd still like to see him redshirt, this year. We've got a lot of depth at both positions that he plays and he looks like he could use a year in the weight room before playing a lot of minutes.

[SunDevilGolfZag]

He'll help us this year and the question is moot because he played tonight. Why ask the question?!

[btzag]

These things always work themselves out and I wouldn't worry too much about it. Few and the staff adjust and you just can't plan for everything years in advance. Case in point...I truly believe Few was a little surprised that Daye left early for the NBA this year and so you adjust. Now this year you have Harris starting and you have Olynyk as the backup and Dower as the RS. If Daye would have returned things would have been much different.

Truly I was shocked that Poling did not see more minutes but obviously Olynyk separated himself and earned the nod by his practice play. And being the primary backup at the 4 is not really marginal minutes especially with some patsies in the non-conference and the bottom dwellers in the WCC. This will be a nice learning year for Olynyk and then he should explode in year 2 and 3.

[LynetteG]

I was at the game, and thought I would have rather seen Kelly RS than Dower. I was not impressed at all. He looked like a deer in the headlights. I know it's just one game, so don't go all neg rep on me. He will need lots of time.

[hockeyzag]

He'll help us this year and the question is moot because he played tonight. Why ask the question?!

Because it's a valid question, and something interesting to debate. Your post however provided nothing substantial to this thread.

I agree with dnj, seems like we had enough players to redshirt Kelly and Sam. I was wondering what kind of things could've factored into this decision. I could be wrong but it seemed like Poling got less time than one of our walk ons, maybe his lack of performance is forcing Few to play Olynyk this year. Also, it is always a players decision whether or not to redshirt, maybe Olynyk just didn't want to. And maybe they just felt that he was good enough to contribute in a big way this year.

[CDC84]

Kelly or Sam had to play this year. Not enough size with offensive skill in the rotation without one of them. Gonzaga has to have someone in case Harris or Sacre comes down with an injury for a few games.

[krozman]

He looked like a deer in the headlights..

I thought the same thing about Adam morrison half of his first season.

[willandi]

He can shirt next year, when Sam comes back. It staggers the two most obvious redshirts.

[MickMick]

In Few I trust.

Kelly saw the floor plenty. Looks like Few thinks he can immediately help.
I can excuse the freshman jitters and it is completely unfair to compare any of the freshman to Harris. I have never seen a Zag freshman like Harris except for perhaps Blake Stepp.

[2wiceright]

Poling

Because it's a valid question, and something interesting to debate. Your post however provided nothing substantial to this thread.

I agree with dnj, seems like we had enough players to redshirt Kelly and Sam. I was wondering what kind of things could've factored into this decision. I could be wrong but it seemed like Poling got less time than one of our walk ons, maybe his lack of performance is forcing Few to play Olynyk this year. Also, it is always a players decision whether or not to redshirt, maybe Olynyk just didn't want to. And maybe they just felt that he was good enough to contribute in a big way this year.

I too was very surprised that Poling didn't get in to play until 1:40 or so left in the game...

[KSTATEZAG]

I was at the game, and thought I would have rather seen Kelly RS than Dower. I was not impressed at all. He looked like a deer in the headlights. I know it's just one game, so don't go all neg rep on me. He will need lots of time.

Lynette, Watching on the tube, I felt the same way. He's got a ways to go.
Edited to add: Of course no offense, he's a frosh--it's to be expected.

[Reborn]

Lynette, Watching on the tube, I felt the same way. He's got a ways to go.
Edited to add: Of course no offense, he's a frosh--it's to be expected.

I saw a very different Olynyk. Played very good, and does what is needed: passes good, screens good, has the speed on D to guard on the outside on switches off screens. His rebounding was a little weak. But this is going to be a team that plays fast, and Kelly has good speed. If you watch footwork, which is so imporant, Kelly has very good footwork.....The answer to the question, he is the best.

[zaguarxj]

KO was the first player off the bench and had the most minutes of any bench player. That should answer your question right there.