Scholarship table
Well its good we aren't setting expectations too high!
Part of defense is getting rebounds. Gardner is far superior to Otule in the catagory.
Well stated, but doesn't even have to be in teal because you are right....I thought we would have all learned from the crazy expectations of Vander last year by some. Let the kids develop, they will hit their strides soon enough but it takes time and different intervals for different kids.
From the MU Record book, only 8 sophomores in MU history have averaged 16+ ppg:1. Mike Moran 20.4 ppg2. Russ Wittberger 19.4 ppg 3. George Thompson 18.0 ppg4. Jim Chones 17.9 ppg5. Dwyane Wade 17.86. Tom Flynn 17.3 7. Dean Meminger 16.4 8. Bo Ellis 16.316 points/game would put Gardner ahead of Maurice Lucas (15.4 as a soph.).
Al hasn't already been canonized?
Nope. The Roman Catholic Church requires TWO verified miracles to be canonized. As best I can tell, Al has only one attributable miracle. It's the 2003 Regional Final game against Kentucky. DWade was on fire that day and I doubt he's played a game as good since. I saw Al's hand in that game -- especially given how Al had such a "warm" relationship with former UK Head Coach Adolph Rupp.So it's the Blessed Al for now!
While we are going out on a limb, my prediction is Devante gets drafted in the second round of the 2014 NBA draft.
The problem I see is that he is basically a back to the basket scorer, with little "explosion" to his game. He is way too short at 6'9" to play that way in the NBA. Plus he has to seriously improve his defense from last year.Damon Key is a great analogy. Had a knack to score, but simply too limited by his body to be successful at the next level.
Davante's lack of explosion may (or may not) be attributable to his lack of conditioning. Give him a couple more years of professional training and nutrition, and let's see where he is.Also, while Damon Key makes for a good comparison, there certainly have been several players of Gardner's body type to make it in the NBA. The aforementioned Glen Davis comes to mind, as do guys like Oliver Miller, Popeye Jones and Zach Randolph. I'm not suggesting Davante will be as good as any f the above, but it's hardly unheard of for a 6'8"+, 270+ pound guy without mad hops to succeed in the NBA.
My fear with DG losing weight is that without his current bulk, he'll just be another 6'8-6'9 player. Right now he takes up a lot of space down low, and is strong as... well, as an ox. If he loses 25 or more pounds, does he lose his advantage? Granted, he does need to get in better shape in order to have the stamina to go more minutes. But when it comes to losing weight, is there too much of a good thing?
I do think that is a valid concern. He has learned to play with his size and uses it to his advantage. I do not think getting down to 275 will hurt him, but if he got significantly below that and his athleticism did not improve it could hurt him. I hope I am wrong,but I really do not see his jumping ability improving much if he lost weight. Are there any statistics on MU players standing still jumps as seniors vs what there were as freshmen? I could see them possibly increasing an inch or two, but basically you can either jump or not jump. Even if Gardner increased his jumping ability 3" he still will not be a leaper. He needs his size to take up space.
Chicos - I would like you to call Davante a kid at 6'9" 280
Everybody is worried about DG's weight, his body will mature good or bad, up to him. But one of favorite bigs wasWes Unseld, huge man like DG. I think DG has learned how to use his body down low, great hands. My question is,does Buzz know to utilize what he might have. Wes Unseld had a great J from the free throw line and extended. DoesBuzz run an offense to get him in different positions to score. All Buzz has done with both bigs is set them down low,not hard to figure out MU's O. Can Buzz play an high low game or pick and pop, with DG getting the shot. Options arethere, lets see how Buzz coaches him.
Well considering Dwight Burke and Otule aren't much of a threat offensively from free throw line extended - not much reason to try do anything with those two other than keep them down low. Lastly, Buzz's offense is based on paint touches, drive and dish - even though Devante has good shooting touch, doubt you will see much in the way of him being used in pick and pop situations - or running set "plays" to free him for a shot. Buzz's offense is equal opportunity, and not running a bunch of sets..
I think Buzz will pull Gardner away from the basket at times. First of all Gardner can shoot from the outside. However, the biggest reason is when he posts down low he is clogging up the middle on offense, which takes away the room for the switchables to operate. MU does not want the defense to completely collapse around the center, unless our 3 point shots are falling.
The problem I see is that he is basically a back to the basket scorer, with little "explosion" to his game. He is way too short at 6'9" to play that way in the NBA.
DeJuan Blair ?
I hope I am wrong,but I really do not see his jumping ability improving much if he lost weight. Are there any statistics on MU players standing still jumps as seniors vs what there were as freshmen? I could see them possibly increasing an inch or two, but basically you can either jump or not jump. Even if Gardner increased his jumping ability 3" he still will not be a leaper. He needs his size to take up space.