[Cracked Sidewalks] Ben-Eze to Harvard

[CrackedSidewalksSays]

Ben-Eze to Harvard
In a major blow to Marquette's recruiting efforts, highly-coveted 6'10" center Frank Ben-Eze today committed to Harvard over MU and Virginia Tech. IWB had the news first over at Marquette Hoops. Congratulations and good luck to Frank. Harvard, wow.

Now back to MU.

Anyway you cut it this is a huge hit to the 2008 recruiting class. Amazingly, Crean has a starting center spot available for the taking -- yet still can't land the type of immediate impact, high-ceiling center you'd expect from a top 25 program. Sadly, the last center to sign with MU was Ousmane Barro -- a kid who did not play high school basketball in the U.S.

There is some reason for optimism. Crean is recruiting a host of other centers (O'Tule, Stutz and Sutton) but at least two of these appear to be projects. Also, it is worth noting that in the past, recruiting misses at the center position have not dealt the kind of blow to the program you might have expected (think Bryce Webster).

As long as the backcourt remains strong, Crean's system can overcome the absence of a consistently productive center - - but it should not have to be that way. Imagine what this program could be with a formidable front line anchored by a true center.

Imagine is all we can do for now.


http://www.crackedsidewalks.com/2007/10/ben-eze-to-harvard.html

[4everwarriors]

you're preachin' to the choir here. Amazing to me that he can't close the deal on a legit bigman. Guards alone cannot keep you winning in March.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Maybe Crean's suggestion that he twirl a basketball in his hands while he's studying turned him off.

[NCMUFan]

The world doesn't end.  It just becomes more interesting.  Crean probably has more options up his sleeve.  Option 1 just didn't come through.