MUScoop

MUScoop => Hangin' at the Al => Topic started by: Wade for President on February 17, 2009, 01:37:14 PM

Title: Just how small are we?
Post by: Wade for President on February 17, 2009, 01:37:14 PM
It's no secret that MU's greatest deficiency is our size...or lack there of.  According to Pomeroy, by average height, we're the 295th smallest team in D-1.  Let that sink in for a second.  295th!?!?!!!?!?!?

As we near the final stretch with this accomplished group, it's hard not to think what we could do in the NCAA tourney with a serviceable big man. 

I LOVE this squad and have been pleasantly surprised by Buzz in his first year.  I'm hoping our squad will make a good run, but what if we had somebody, anybody, down low.

http://kenpom.com/height.php?s=SizeRank (http://kenpom.com/height.php?s=SizeRank)
Title: Re: Just how small are we?
Post by: esotericmindguy on February 17, 2009, 01:43:48 PM
Thats crazy, whats crazier is MU will probably be in the top 100 next year when they add 7'0, 6'10, 6'7, and another 6'7 to their roster and lose 5'10, 6'2, 6'5 and 6'8.  And even crazier, they won't be nearly as good....(edit)
Title: Re: Just how small are we?
Post by: 2TimeWarrior on February 17, 2009, 01:43:58 PM
According to Pomeroy, by average height, we're the 295th smallest team in D-1. 

http://kenpom.com/height.php?s=SizeRank (http://kenpom.com/height.php?s=SizeRank)

Wouldn't be be the 295th biggest team in D-1?
Title: Re: Just how small are we?
Post by: MU Chi_IL on February 17, 2009, 01:48:22 PM
We are probably smaller since Chris OToole is included in these numbers and he is not on the court at all.
Title: Re: Just how small are we?
Post by: GGGG on February 17, 2009, 01:49:40 PM
If we replaced Mo Acker with the Kenny George of last year (as in, when he had a foot) we'd be tied for 13th with Temple and Hawaii.
Title: Re: Just how small are we?
Post by: Avenue Commons on February 17, 2009, 01:57:11 PM
The fact that we have been a Top 15 team for most of the year is the more compelling ranking to me.

The team is what it is: short. But they play to their strengths and good guard play can take a team far in the tournament. I don't like how we match up against teams like UConn and Pitt, but as the saying goes you've go to play the cards you are dealt. Or in this case, play the guards you are dealt.

Sorry for the cheesy pun.
Title: Re: Just how small are we?
Post by: Shack on February 17, 2009, 02:00:59 PM
It’s amazing that we even have one victory with the size that we have.  Can you imagine if we played some of the teams listed in this top 15:  West Virginia, Vandy, Florida St., UTEP, LaSalle, Texas A&M Corpus Christi, Hawaii, Temple?  We would absolutely get destroyed.   

It’s about talent not size. 
Title: Re: Just how small are we?
Post by: mu_hilltopper on February 17, 2009, 02:02:23 PM
(cough)

http://www.crackedsidewalks.com/2009/02/short-marquette-climbs-to-no-6-in-cbs.html
Title: Re: Just how small are we?
Post by: ErickJD08 on February 17, 2009, 02:13:05 PM
It’s amazing that we even have one victory with the size that we have.  Can you imagine if we played some of the teams listed in this top 15:  West Virginia, Vandy, Florida St., UTEP, LaSalle, Texas A&M Corpus Christi, Hawaii, Temple?  We would absolutely get destroyed.   

It’s about talent not size. 


It hurts to not have size.  Lets face it.  That is one reason why we lost to TN.  Their shortest guy on the court at some points was 6'6.  Height won't win you a game but it can help.  That match up problem is the only thing I am worried about with the Tourney. 
Title: Re: Just how small are we?
Post by: Shack on February 17, 2009, 02:36:25 PM
Some of these teams that you’re afraid of having match-up problems with are also afraid of having match - up problems against our guards.   The lack of depth scares me more than the lack of size. 
Title: Re: Just how small are we?
Post by: Tugg Speedman on February 17, 2009, 02:40:39 PM
As we near the final stretch with this accomplished group, it's hard not to think what we could do in the NCAA tourney with a serviceable big man. 

You mean like Trevor Mbakwe?
Title: Re: Just how small are we?
Post by: augoman on February 17, 2009, 02:58:07 PM
You mean like Trevor Mbakwe?


Who???
Title: Re: Just how small are we?
Post by: Wade for President on February 17, 2009, 03:03:21 PM
(cough)

http://www.crackedsidewalks.com/2009/02/short-marquette-climbs-to-no-6-in-cbs.html


With apologizes Hilltopper.
Title: Re: Just how small are we?
Post by: 4everwarriors on February 17, 2009, 03:20:33 PM
Even if you're a little Gurkee and not a Giant Dill, you can get things done. Right EAT?
Title: Re: Just how small are we?
Post by: The Man in Gold on February 17, 2009, 04:18:35 PM
On the positive side, we are taller than 49 other teams (including 1 other BCS conference school).  Poor Nebraska
Title: Re: Just how small are we?
Post by: Marquette84 on February 17, 2009, 05:45:39 PM
On the positive side, we are taller than 49 other teams (including 1 other BCS conference school).  Poor Nebraska

I think it's more appropriate to compare effective height rather than average.  That measure incorporates minutes by position rather than average height on the roster.

It doesn't help us much--we move us up to 291. :)

However it creates an interesting comparison between the two tallest Big East teams:  UConn and DePaul
UConn is the #1 team nationally in terms of effective height. DePaul is #6 nationally.
Title: Re: Just how small are we?
Post by: IAmMarquette on February 17, 2009, 09:55:47 PM
Regarding the thread title...


That's what she said?
Title: Re: Just how small are we?
Post by: ChicosBailBonds on February 17, 2009, 10:56:44 PM
Look a few columns over on that page.....we're 8th in experience.  That makes up a lot for height. 

And the average height for the American male is 5'9" now?   

http://www.basketballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=82


What happened to it being closer to 6'0"?

Title: Re: Just how small are we?
Post by: bilsu on February 17, 2009, 11:17:04 PM
We could go smaller and be the best team in the country if we could trade 6'10" Otule for  6'7" Blair. Crean tried to recruit Blair. I can remember thinking when he pick Pittsburg that it was no big deal since how good can a 6'7" center be. Boy would I love to have him.
Title: Re: Just how small are we?
Post by: 2TimeWarrior on February 18, 2009, 08:52:12 AM

And the average height for the American male is 5'9" now?   

http://www.basketballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=82


What happened to it being closer to 6'0"?



Illegal immigration? :o