Eric Castro

[PonyTales]

Castro is on the verge of becoming my favorite player.

He's not going to lead the break. He's not going to start flying over the rim for Isham-like slams. He's not going to camp out at the arc and drain 3s all day.

But he is the most fundamentally sound player we've had in years. He sets strong screens. He hits the boards. He has a slew of low-post moves that are reminiscent of .... maybe Jay Poerner? He gets terrific position in the low post, he has an unspoken chemistry with Patrick Simpson, allowing each to know not only where the other is, but also where he's headed next. He draws charges. He can hit the occasional perimeter jumper. He dives for loose balls.

And he does all this while looking like he's having more fun than anyone on the floor. I just really enjoy watching Castro play. Keep it up, EC!

[Diehard Pony]

I agree. I wish others with more natural ability would step up as Eric has.

[StangEsq]

He played through an injury tonight according to Dement.

[Red Horse]

I believe he is improving with each game. He certainly is more well-rounded than our other players, and he gives great effort.

Maybe even better - he is a fine young man and a good student.

He probably is too nice on the floor. The only weakness I see is that he is not mean enough. Last night in the low post - he was fouled numerous times while attempting to get off shots and no fouls were called. He should bang more, in those types of games, to move people off balance before he tries to shoot since they are not easily blowing the whistles. Of course you can't do this if they are calling every ticky tacky touch.

I also really enjoy watching him play. I wish Simpson would step his game up a notch for 40 minutes like Castro. He needs more intensity. I know he can do this because last night when Castro was forced to sit on the bench because of foul trouble, Simpson stepped up his intensity and helped us through a crucial part of the game with a block, a tip-in, and a jumper. Sometimes he is so laid back that he is a non factor. Come
on S - we need you to play like that the full game.

The next two games will be rough on our west coast swing. We need everyone playing with intensity and focus. The WAC will be won by the team that can get some road wins this year, and this week is a good time for the PONIES to get a head start. Think of the possibilities if they can be 3-0 in WAC after Saturday coming home to play Hawaii and San Jose.

Go Mustangs.

<small>[ 01-07-2004, 05:04 AM: Message edited by: Red Horse ]</small>

[LA_Mustang]

I love Castro's game. He uses his body very well and has excellent low post moves. You cant say enough good things about Eric, he brings it every night. :thumbupcool:

[The PonyGrad]

Castro is a great presence under the rim. My only knocks are his propensity for putting the ball on the floor before going to the basket and the tendency to get rebounds taken away.

Footwork could be better and that may be what has him wanting to put the ball on the floor.

But he can really score from down low.

[Pony Up]

I'd like to echo everything said here, except maybe that statement about his footwork. I think it's exactly the opposite, that he has exceptional footwork, which allows him to get such great position beneath the rim. i love the fact that he doesn't feel the need showboat, go for the hard play that might look cool, or woof to opponents or to the crowd after scoring. He sees the easy play and makes it without thumping his chest to make sure everyone knows he was the one who scored. He seems just as fired up when he draws a charge or fires a perfect outlet pass as when he scores.

The one thing I'd like to see more of from Castro (and Simpson, for that matter), is evidence of a mean streak. When someone drives the lane, especially early in a game, I'd like to see Castro (or Simpson or the Rack) plant the guy HARD into the floor. Not to injure a guy, but just to send the message that if a player drives the lane against SMU, it's going to hurt. Maybe guys will think twice before taking it to the rim. And while Simpson is the better shot blocker, Castro is bigger and stronger, and therefore better-suited to delivering one hard foul to toughen up the Ponies' interior D.

Overall, I'd take a team full of Eric Castros.

[FloridaMustang]

Originally posted by Pony Up:
I'd like to echo everything said here, except maybe that statement about his footwork. I think it's exactly the opposite, that he has exceptional footwork, which allows him to get such great position beneath the rim. i love the fact that he doesn't feel the need showboat, go for the hard play that might look cool, or woof to opponents or to the crowd after scoring. He sees the easy play and makes it without thumping his chest to make sure everyone knows he was the one who scored. He seems just as fired up when he draws a charge or fires a perfect outlet pass as when he scores.

The one thing I'd like to see more of from Castro (and Simpson, for that matter), is evidence of a mean streak. When someone drives the lane, especially early in a game, I'd like to see Castro (or Simpson or the Rack) plant the guy HARD into the floor. Not to injure a guy, but just to send the message that if a player drives the lane against SMU, it's going to hurt. Maybe guys will think twice before taking it to the rim. And while Simpson is the better shot blocker, Castro is bigger and stronger, and therefore better-suited to delivering one hard foul to toughen up the Ponies' interior D.

Overall, I'd take a team full of Eric Castros.

Think a team full of Castros could out-assist B-Hop? Probably.

[silverpack]

Castro killed the Pack in Reno last year. I remember being scared to death of Hopkins and Ross but it was Castro that was most impressive that night.

[50's PONY]

Eric Castro is a credit to S.M.U. in every respect and we need more like him!

[Stallion]

Yep he'd make for a quality back-up on an NCAA Tourney Team-let's not get too lathered up about the guy. Didn't he miss about 10 shots last nite.

[gostangs]

how about suiting up at tight end next year?

[50's PONY]

Stallion,
Sorry I upset you by saying something nice about Eric. I really wasn't sitting there last night counting the number of shots he missed.

[Charleston Pony]

Castro shot an uncharacteristic 40% (6-15) last night, but on the season has the best percentage (53%) on the team. You expect your low post guys to hit 50% or better, but Eric is the only post player doing so at this point. He's a solid low post guy in the WAC. He and Simpson are both good players and it's still early in their Junior seasons. Let's just hope we can find some good replacements for the 2005-6 class. Huge question whether Rack, Pearson and Reay will be adequate replacements in the low post.

[gomustangs]

May I remind you that his left hand was taped up. I think he injured it in pre-game warmups. Even though it wasn't his shooting hand, that could have been a significant cause of several of his uncharacteristic misses.