Hello Board,
I have been offer the MU Boards a few years. The Crean debarcle has brought me back.
Why do you suppose MU has such a hard time recruiting for center? Granted, Ouze put through one hell of an effort, but he had so far to grow.
We were a Robert Jackson from the Elite 8.
The talented schools will figure out how to beat us next year by watching the Stanford and Georgetown reels. We will be quick and give 110% each night as always, but the lack of the talented big man will be our downfall.
The kid from Texas is an unknown.
Thanks.
I blame Kareem, he set the bar low for centers in Milwaukee when he wanted out.
Two reasons. First crean is considered a guard coach who runs an offense that utilizes guards driving one on one. Second Crean wanted to run which ruled out recruiting slow footed bigmen. The pool of mobile big men is very small and they are much more likely to go to Kansas, North Carolina, etc.
I think the myth is that we need a big man, a 7 footer. I don't think that's correct. All you really need in college is a 6'6" to 6'8" guy, maybe with some bulk, with back to the basket moves (see Harangody and Adrien). Next year in the BE, I can't think of any team with a true big man. LVille has a bunch of powerforwards. Hibbert will be gone. I can't remember if Sam Young is a senior or not. Maybe Thadbeet on Uconn, but he is more of a shot blocker than anything. The problem is all these guys 6'6" - 6'8" guys, like Lazar, is that they come to college wanting to be a swing man or play on the perimeter. Look at Kansas, they had 2 guys who weren't typical big men, but had legitimate back to the basket, and turn and face moves. They also had two bigs off the bench in Kahn and the frosh, but they didn't do much except screen and pick and roll's, and rebound on defense.
Sam Young was a sophomore this year.
We took G-Town to OT, Stanford to OT, Beat ND twice. Our style can overcome size.
So, correct that we don't need a slow-footed 7 footer as it doesn't fit our style.
And no slow Wisconsin type plodding big man should be interested in us.