2010 UNDECLARED PF's and C's

[Skatastrophy]

Why isn't Drew Gordon in the picture as a transfer?

Consult the Drew Gordon thread on why he's no longer interested in UCLA and why he may not have Marquette on his list of potential xfer destinations.

[bma725]

Why isn't Drew Gordon in the picture as a transfer?

He may be, but there are just too many issues for him to really be a good fit.  Basically it breaks down like this....

• MU needs a center...Part of the reason he's leaving UCLA is not wanting to be a center
• Failing that MU needs a guy that is primarily a post player...Gordon has dreams of being a face up 4 man
• MU needs height....Gordon is 6'8 at best
• MU values team chemistry very highly....Gordon didn't get along with his teammates, but more importantly didn't care that he didn't get along with them
• Gordon wants to play west of the Mississippi, ideally west of the rockies
• Unlike what has been mentioned before, he doesn't have 2.5 years eligibility remaining.  As far as the NCAA is concerned the 6 games he has played this year count as a season.  Since he wouldn't be eligible for first semester next year that means he would really only play for MU for 1/2 of next season and then the following year.  Next year would essentially be a lost season because it would take him much of the main conference season to get into game shape and be ready to play.  So really he's only here at full strength for one year.
• Mid year transfers really only work under a small set of circumstances....the kid is a freshman, the kid hasn't played in this particular season so it doesn't count as a year of eligibility, or the kid is a lock to a get a "season of competition waiver" from the NCAA.  Gordon fits none of those criteria.

MU may still get a mid-season transfer but I doubt it's Gordon, or someone with a situation like his.

[TheDawson]

What about 6'6 SF/PF Josh Langford from Huntsville,AL?

Recently decomitted from L'Ville, he's got a pretty good inside game similar to Butler and Heyward's.

[bma725]

MU has been involved with Langford, but he's not a PF at the next level.  He's been working on his perimeter game and has been moved outside in high school.  The last update he gave talked about how every school that was recruiting him looked at him as a perimeter player. 

[VegasWarrior77]

He may be, but there are just too many issues for him to really be a good fit.  Basically it breaks down like this....

• MU needs a center...Part of the reason he's leaving UCLA is not wanting to be a center
• Failing that MU needs a guy that is primarily a post player...Gordon has dreams of being a face up 4 man
• MU needs height....Gordon is 6'8 at best
• MU values team chemistry very highly....Gordon didn't get along with his teammates, but more importantly didn't care that he didn't get along with them
• Gordon wants to play west of the Mississippi, ideally west of the rockies
• Unlike what has been mentioned before, he doesn't have 2.5 years eligibility remaining.  As far as the NCAA is concerned the 6 games he has played this year count as a season.  Since he wouldn't be eligible for first semester next year that means he would really only play for MU for 1/2 of next season and then the following year.  Next year would essentially be a lost season because it would take him much of the main conference season to get into game shape and be ready to play.  So really he's only here at full strength for one year.
• Mid year transfers really only work under a small set of circumstances....the kid is a freshman, the kid hasn't played in this particular season so it doesn't count as a year of eligibility, or the kid is a lock to a get a "season of competition waiver" from the NCAA.  Gordon fits none of those criteria.

MU may still get a mid-season transfer but I doubt it's Gordon, or someone with a situation like his.

+1
Great info, as per usual bma.  He seems like he is more trouble than he is worth and not really a great fit since he wants to play the 4 and we need a 5.

[TheDawson]

MU has been involved with Langford, but he's not a PF at the next level.  He's been working on his perimeter game and has been moved outside in high school.  The last update he gave talked about how every school that was recruiting him looked at him as a perimeter player.  

Moved him outside?Really?? I mean, I guess it's possible...but I watched his high school play 3 games over the thanksgiving break and he played Center every game. Also I saw him play about 3 weeks ago and he played inside that game too.

I agree he's not a PF at the next level...that doesnt mean he won't play down low for an undersized team such as Marquette.

[bma725]

Moved him outside?Really?? I mean, I guess it's possible...but I watched his high school play 3 games over the thanksgiving break and he played Center every game. Also I saw him play about 3 weeks ago and he played inside that game too.

I agree he's not a PF at the next level...that doesnt mean he won't play down low for an undersized team such as Marquette.

Things may have changed recently, but both Langford and his coach gave an interview to Rivals.com on November 6th talking about how he'd moved to the perimeter since he transferred high schools and they spent much of the summer working on his perimeter skills so he could player there during the year.

[TheDawson]

"Josh's position has changed," says Lee High School head coach Greg Brown. "Everybody had him playing in the post but this kid has gotten to be unbelievable. Everybody that comes in to see him says 'this is not the same kid we have always seen'. He's handling the ball. He has great handles now. He shoots the ball really well from the 3-point line. He goes and gets his little mid-range shots. He attacks the basket with force. He's becoming a passer. Everybody is recruiting him for the 3 now so that is why his stock has gone up higher," said Coach Brown.

Thats just the head coach pumping his boy up....He doesn't handle the ball at all. Lee has 3 guards that do all of the handling even though they have two very highly rated 6'6 SF prospects on their team.

Even when they played Vidalia(La), tallest player is 6'3, he didn't handle the ball, didnt take 3's either.

In the 3 games i've seen...he hasn't taken a single three.

[Doctor V]

Great info, as per usual bma.  He seems like he is more trouble than he is worth and not really a great fit since he wants to play the 4 and we need a 5.
[/quote]

Do we really need a 5? I personally think we need a solid, strong player at the 4 spot. In other words, someone in the 6'8 range with some bulk with the ability to defend and rebound down low

I would rather see a player like this commit rather than another 6-10 or 7 ft guy because next year we will have mbao and otule in that category... Everyone else will be 6'7 or shorter with technically no 4s on the team, unless maymon can become that guy.

I think the team needs someone who plays a lazar role (minus the great offensive production), a guy that plays long and can bang down, but isnt a center mold like otule or mbao... I dont think a face up 4 would be a bad get, assuming one of otule or mbao can be serviceable

1&2- DJO, buycks, cadougan, blue, smith
3&4- butler, fulce, maymon, williams, jones
5- otule and mbao

i think a 6'7-6'9 guy with some bulk that can defend the post and rebound would be perfect. I wouldnt mind if its a face up guy, since we havent really been a post up team in forever and i dont think u need that to win. If he can defend a 4-5 and rebound id let him face up all he wants.

To be honest, minus the character issues Gordon sounds perfect to me. If we got a post guy that could score some and rebound down low i think it would be a HUGE asset

Buzz could go small or big, with the big lineup being otule or mbao with gordon, or small with just gordon, butler, and 3 guards...

I just think Id rather see a face up 4 that we already know can rebound and score over another project at the 5. We already have two of those, if neither can produce then oh well