Bigs

[ForstK]

   Another season about to dawn on Golden Munchkinland with the improbability of a 3-5 star big recruit or vet in the wings; only 3-5 year projects.  When and how will our great wings and guards be just that and not have to waste their talents playing out of position?  Would like to hear what youz folks think can be done, or what has to happen, to end this semi-eternal drought of Big East-ready bigs.  I go back to the days of Moran and Kojis and am desperate to see their likes again.  How many votive candles should we be lighting at Gesu?

[Markusquette]

We have a couple of potential bigs right now.  We have always been able to have success with our shorter guys, but we have a pretty good sized team coming up.  As long as we can get one good big man we can compete with all the other talent we have.

I trust Buzz will be bringing at least 1 highly touted big man to MU very soon.

[goodgreatgrand]

What's your definition of "big east ready?" Unless you recruit one of the top 3-4 centers in a recruiting class, the rest are projects - they arent "big east ready" until their sophomore year (or in most cases their junior year).   

[OhioGoldenEagle]

I trust Buzz will be bringing at least 1 highly touted big man to MU very soon.

I agree with this statement.  I don't know if this player will necessarily be HIGHLY touted, but Top100 IMO.  I would also add that the current roster is already very close to not forcing guys to play out of position.  The size and athleticism of both Jamil Wilson and Erik Williams (needs to gain strength but should come with time) make them legit PF candidates, Gardner is at minimum a PF and can likely play C due to his overall size and strength, and Otule is obviously our true C.  I'm reserving judgment on Otule and our immediate need for a C until I see how he plays this season.  If he has improved as much as many were saying 1 year ago, I think we are sitting in a VERY good position with all of the talent at the remaining positions.

[MerrittsMustache]

In my mind, college big men are similar to MLB prospects from the standpoint that some of the most highly-rated players never amount to much while no-name players have been known to come out of no where and become a stars.

As many posters have said before, it almost always takes time for big men to develop and they often don't become major contributors until they're upperclassmen. The problem at MU right now is that they don't have the upperclass bigs on the roster to play the bulk of the minutes while Otule and Gardner develop. If Robert Jackson and Ousmane Barro were currently on the team, we wouldn't spend much time at all discussing Otule and Gardner. Unfortunately, that's obviously not the case so, ready or not, Otule and Gardner represent MU's bigs.

If Buzz can consistently bring in 3-star and occasionally 4-star big men, MU should be in decent shape going forward. Some will develop into solid contributors, some won't. But if there's depth there, none of them will be "forced" into action well before they're ready (ie Mbao).

[kmwtrucks]

They way I look at it is, We are going to be way bigger, and more athletic in the back court, and assuming Otule can play about 15-20 mins per game, that would mean we will play small ball only 1/2 the time which is way better than last year.

[thanooj]

If Buzz can consistently bring in 3-star and occasionally 4-star big men, MU should be in decent shape going forward. Some will develop into solid contributors, some won't. But if there's depth there, none of them will be "forced" into action well before they're ready (ie Mbao).

Gardner is a freshmen big.  There is playing time available for young bigs at Marquette right now.  But IMO we need Gardner to be here in two years to be a junior big.  We need to continue to bring in 3 and 4 star bigs who develop into big east caliber players as upperclassmen.  To do that they can't transfer or get buzz cut before taking the next step.  I have stated that guys like Mbakwe and Maymon hurt us not only in the way and manner of their sudden exits, but also in the fact that the hole they created in the frontcourt.  I wonder if Hazell would have been a serviceable 4 (dwight burke style) by his senior year getting 7 - 10 minutes. 
Keep bringing in 3 stars to develop into faisel abrahams by their senior years and (In Buzz I Trust) bring in a 4 star top 50 guy whenever you can for the frontcourt.   I am sick of watching other big east teams have four or five 6'8"+ guys to throw in and rebound and put back and play dirty and hustle when MU might have one guy. 

[willie warrior]

If Buzz can consistently bring in 3-star and occasionally 4-star big men, MU should be in decent shape going forward. Some will develop into solid contributors, some won't. But if there's depth there, none of them will be "forced" into action well before they're ready (ie Mbao).

When was the last/first time that Buzz brought in a 4 star big?

[Markusquette]

If I'm not mistaken he's recruited two big men within the past 5 years who are in the NBA now.  Jason Smith and DeAndre Jordan.  I know there were a few other good names in there too.  Not sure what their star ratings were but I imagine Jordan was a 4-5.

[NersEllenson]

I genuinely believe "bigs" are going to go the way of the dinosaur - as far as their impact on college/pro ball.  The game is going more long and athletic and multi-skilled, than big, bulky and one dimensional.  Having a roster with 4 or 5 - 6'4" guards and 6 players in the 6'5" - 6'8" range, and then 1 or 2 project bigs over 6'9" is what most rosters will look like moving forward.  Buzz wants guys that can pass, dribble and shoot.  Davante Gardner is an example of this - yes..he is a big..but he can pass, dribble and shoot.

There just aren't too many Shaq's/DeMarcus Cousins/Mutombo, etc..in this world.  The "bigs" you see know - Dwight Howard, Amare, Pau Gasol..are all very athletic, and multi-skilled players.  I think we obsess far too much over "bigs."  Buzz will get this team to compete, and cause serious match up problems for other teams bigs...

[ChicosBailBonds]

I genuinely believe "bigs" are going to go the way of the dinosaur - as far as their impact on college/pro ball.  The game is going more long and athletic and multi-skilled, than big, bulky and one dimensional.  Having a roster with 4 or 5 - 6'4" guards and 6 players in the 6'5" - 6'8" range, and then 1 or 2 project bigs over 6'9" is what most rosters will look like moving forward.  Buzz wants guys that can pass, dribble and shoot.  Davante Gardner is an example of this - yes..he is a big..but he can pass, dribble and shoot.

There just aren't too many Shaq's/DeMarcus Cousins/Mutombo, etc..in this world.  The "bigs" you see know - Dwight Howard, Amare, Pau Gasol..are all very athletic, and multi-skilled players.  I think we obsess far too much over "bigs."  Buzz will get this team to compete, and cause serious match up problems for other teams bigs...

Tom Crean...is that you?   

[mikem91288]

I heard ooos has 7 brothers, maybe we can bring one of them over and play for us

[Dawson Rental]

I heard ooos has 7 brothers, maybe we can bring one of them over and play for us

Just one?

[QuetteHoops]

I genuinely believe "bigs" are going to go the way of the dinosaur - as far as their impact on college/pro ball.  The game is going more long and athletic and multi-skilled, than big, bulky and one dimensional.  Having a roster with 4 or 5 - 6'4" guards and 6 players in the 6'5" - 6'8" range, and then 1 or 2 project bigs over 6'9" is what most rosters will look like moving forward.  Buzz wants guys that can pass, dribble and shoot.  Davante Gardner is an example of this - yes..he is a big..but he can pass, dribble and shoot.

There just aren't too many Shaq's/DeMarcus Cousins/Mutombo, etc..in this world.  The "bigs" you see know - Dwight Howard, Amare, Pau Gasol..are all very athletic, and multi-skilled players.  I think we obsess far too much over "bigs."  Buzz will get this team to compete, and cause serious match up problems for other teams bigs...

While there may not be as many doesn't make them less important. I watched a ton of Duke games this year (dirty pleasure) and without Zoubek I don't know if they have as good of a season. Not only did they have Zoubek but they also had the two Plumlees and Thomas that they would rotate in. That kind of depth and ability around the rim on the DEFENSIVE end is what made them National Champs.

[DaCoach]

Just as there are few quality big men in college, the level of the competition against them is generally poor against them in high school. Their size alone makes many of them seem better than they are. Particularly on defense, their size alone makes many of them appear to be dominant.

While I'd always go with a 4 star over a 3 star big man, many times their careers in college don't reflect their rankings nearly as often as those of points and shooting guards.