Now that we have had a night to sleep on it, …

[MU Avenue]

... and now that the sting and frustration from the unexpectedly bad loss to Georgetown have eased, are people here thinking any differently this morning?

I can understand why some here are high on -- and quick to rally around  -- Ousmane Barro. He works hard, never gives up and, yes, is an improved player from a year ago -- especially if the measures are his year-over-year numbers.

Yes, Barro has delivered statistically as this season has progressed, even accomplishing the occasional double-double and playing OK defense on occasion -- although not against Georgetown. This is all to his credit. Like many of you, I want him to thrive and become a basketball force at MU.

That said, it seems we are so eager to have a strong, skilled big man that some here are anointing Barro one of the top big men in the Big East and, therefore, in the country. Some here have even suggested that Barro has the makings of an all-conference player next year. C'mon! This is a preposterous notion.

I respect people for their ardent support of Marquette University and its basketball team. I feel it, too. But let's look at Barro realistically and accurately: He is a project, not a strong, skilled big man who intimidates opponents and routinely influences the outcomes of games.

Think back on the Georgetown game or watch the highlights. Barro could do nothing to stop Roy Hibbert, who scored 23 points Saturday -- almost 10 more than the 13.7 he was averaging against Big East teams going into the game. (Overall, Hibbert has averaged 12.6 ppg this season, including several single-digit scoring performances.)

I see Barro as a proud guy who gives it his all and who wants to play well. But as this season gets close to the conference and the NCAA tournaments, I think he and Marquette's other big men are woefully far from what the team needs to do well in the Big East tournament or go far in March.

I am glad others here are liking what they see when Ousmane Barro takes the court. I find myself very worried and yelling at the television much too often.

[MUMac]

Don't know that I agree with much of what you posted.  This team needs to have the 3 Sophs to be effective.  Reading Rosiak's Blog and listening to the comments of Mac and Homer, their health definitely effected this team. 

Barro played well against Pitt and Providence (version 2).  Not so well against Providence (version 1) and could not handle Hibbert yesterday.  See any similarity between the two games MU struggled interiorly?

This team has beaten more talented teams than Georgetown.  Were within 1 with 7 to go.  With the illness and foul situation, they simply ran out of gas on the opponents home floor. 

If we get a chance against Georgetown in the BE Tourney, I am fairly confident the result will be different.

[michiganmufan]

I have to agree with the post that Barro has trouble against the top big men like Hibbert and Alando Tucker.  However, I also feel people who are high on him are right to do so, because he definitely matches the best for athletic ability and work ethic/intensity.  He just lacks experience, which has made him vulnerable to post players on the defensive end when he has gotten "schooled" a little.  But looking at how far he has progressed has got to make you feel good about the prospect that he is most likely not done improving.  If MU gets a rematch with Hibbert at MSG, I am willing to bet Barro does Much   better that he did Saturday.  Think of all the "projects" you see in NCAA/Pro sports that don't work out, and I really think Barro shines as a success. 
More evidence of Tom Crean's genius?

[CTWarrior]

Think back on the Georgetown game or watch the highlights. Barro could do nothing to stop Roy Hibbert, who scored 23 points Saturday -- almost 10 more than the 13.7 he was averaging against Big East teams going into the game. (Overall, Hibbert has averaged 12.6 ppg this season, including several single-digit scoring performances.)

How many other teams do not double Hibbert in the low post?  We basically ask Barro to handle the other team's best big man with NO help.  And he does a pretty good job.  It's asking an awful lot of any center to guard Hibbert with no help.  Yesterday, not only did we not give him any help, we didn't do anything to stop the entry pass from the wing. 

I agree that All Big East or whatever might be a bit of a stretch, but the guy is a very good D1 player right now and improving almost daily.  He has no low post moves to speak of.  I have a feeling he's going to develop a few over the summer, but of course that is by no means guaranteed.  If he can do that, though, then 2nd team All-Big East next season doesn't sound so far-fetcehd to me.

[77ncaachamps]

CT is right; Hibbert was rarely doubled as it seemed the perimeter defenders would just slouch to deny the passing lane. That did not work because 1) Hibbert made his way easily over a defender he towers over by 3 inches and 2) Green, Summers, and company just continually made the outside shots when left open.

With that said, he had an outstanding night against some of the best bigs he'll ever see in the Big East or whole season.