Froling Gone

[BallBoy]

No, he was not a bust, he was just a Wojo mistake.

If he is a Wojo "mistake" then we are good hands. We took a player with an open scholarship and a unique skill set. That player is now going home to go pro.  Not much of a "mistake" in my opinion.

[Nukem2]

If he is a Wojo "mistake" then we are good hands. We took a player with an open scholarship and a unique skill set. That player is now going home to go pro.  Not much of a "mistake" in my opinion.

And, Brett Nelson was the point man on Harry's recruitment out of HS and the transfer.   And, yes, I get that Wojo has the ultimate say.  But, the assistants often sell the HC on a player.

[Silkk the Shaka]

And, Brett Nelson was the point man on Harry's recruitment out of HS and the transfer.   And, yes, I get that Wojo has the ultimate say.  But, the assistants often sell the HC on a player.

Makes total sense to take on as a project. Nelson is a shot doctor. If he thought he could get a 6'11" guy shooting at 40%+ by his junior/senior year while rounding out other parts of his game, the upside there is worth the minimal "risk" since a scholly was open anyway

[tower912]

Harry is exactly the type of player you take a chance on.  They rolled the dice.  It did not work out.  Now, assuming status quo, Marquette  goes into next year with Matt, Theo, and Ike at the 5.  We've had much worse.

[Silkk the Shaka]

Harry is exactly the type of player you take a chance on.  They rolled the dice.  It did not work out.  Now, assuming status quo, Marquette  goes into next year with Matt, Theo, and Ike at the 5.  We've had much worse.

I'm thinking Morrow will see a good amount of time at the 5 too

[tower912]

  I am seeing fewer minutes for Sam at the 3, probably healthier for him.  I am seeing more pressure from defense and more frequent substitutions.  I can see a 3 forward lineup of Sam, Morrow, and Joey/Bailey with lots of switching that may leave Morrow on a 5 for a moment.   But I don't really see him with extended minutes at the 5.

[BallBoy]

  I am seeing fewer minutes for Sam at the 3, probably healthier for him.  I am seeing more pressure from defense and more frequent substitutions.  I can see a 3 forward lineup of Sam, Morrow, and Joey/Bailey with lots of switching that may leave Morrow on a 5 for a moment.   But I don't really see him with extended minutes at the 5.

I think the definition of a 4 and 5 are changing. With the advent of the stretch four, either you are a big on the outside or you are a big on the inside. Morrow fits more of the big on the inside so I see him playing that role as the "five" on the court with Joey and Sam next to him.

[romey]

Reading between the lines, I sure HOPE this rumor is false.  There were times over the course of the season I sensed some frustration on Jamal's part.

I did not hear anything regarding the possibility of Jamal transferring.  I don't want that speculation to begin on my account.

[jesmu84]

I did not hear anything regarding the possibility of Jamal transferring.  I don't want that speculation to begin on my account.

So what did you hear?

[Floorslapper]

I did not hear anything regarding the possibility of Jamal transferring.  I don't want that speculation to begin on my account.

Thanks for the clarification. Glad to hear that. Jamal has a bright future at MU.

[forgetful]

The most likely scenario in Froling coming here was always that he may only be here for 1 year.  If he had a lot of success, he was likely gone to go pro somewhere (unless he though 1 more year would assure him an NBA slot).  If he didn't have a lot of success, likely was going pro back in Australia. 

We got a chance to roll the dice and hope he had a lot of success.  He underperformed, we have an extra spot for next year. 

[swoopem]

  I am seeing fewer minutes for Sam at the 3, probably healthier for him.  I am seeing more pressure from defense and more frequent substitutions.  I can see a 3 forward lineup of Sam, Morrow, and Joey/Bailey with lots of switching that may leave Morrow on a 5 for a moment.   But I don't really see him with extended minutes at the 5.

The UofD grads/fans I know say Ike is more of a 3 than a 5. They say he can absolutely play with Heldt or Theo which would give us some great options

[tower912]

There aren't minutes at the 3.

[jsglow]

The UofD grads/fans I know say Ike is more of a 3 than a 5. They say he can absolutely play with Heldt or Theo which would give us some great options

I think Ike is going to need to find minutes the way Sacar found a few as a Frosh. 'Whatever you need me for coach.'

[DCHoopster]

I think Ike is going to need to find minutes the way Sacar found a few as a Frosh. 'Whatever you need me for coach.'

Has Ike started to work out yet?  If he wants to get anytime next year he needs to play.

[willie warrior]

If he is a Wojo "mistake" then we are good hands. We took a player with an open scholarship and a unique skill set. That player is now going home to go pro.  Not much of a "mistake" in my opinion.

Of course he was a mistake. Saying that he is becoming a pro--which nobody knows yet--does not erase the fact that he did not come close to what we were told he would be, and what he turned out to be with the team.

[Its DJOver]

I think the problem that Harry had was that he wasn't given much of a run to get the rust off before conference play, where you won't get time to de-rust.  People compare him to Luke because they were both mid-season transfer big men, but Luke came in and 1) was immediately a large part of the offense (Averaged almost 8 shots per game in his first 4 games, compared to 3.5 for Harry), and 2) Luke got major minutes against more mid majors before conference play started (4 games vs 2). 

I realize that in Harry's first game Northern Illinois played us closer than we expected, but I still think Harry should have gotten more than 3 minutes.  Remember, this was a time when Theo was a foul machine (4 fouls in 14 min vs Northern Ill) and Matt was still Matt (A serviceable back up but nothing more, and 2 points in 25 minutes vs Northern Ill).  Just being able to see the ball go through the net is a big factor in these kids confidence (see 1982 final with Patrick Ewing and Georgetown).  I wouldn't have minded if Harry took 10-12 shots and had 3-4 turnovers, if he had scored 10-15 points (assuming we still get the W).  I realize that he got 20 minutes vs American in the final non conference tune up, but 24 minutes of total basketball before conference play is not a recipe for success. 

He still might not have had what it takes to be a Big East player, a lot of kids just don't, but the lack of playing time in his debut certainly did not help his chances, and this was evident later in the season when he appeared afraid to shoot the ball.  At least we'll still always have Georgetown.  Best of luck to you in the future Harry, I wish you success wherever you end up.

[BallBoy]

Of course he was a mistake. Saying that he is becoming a pro--which nobody knows yet--does not erase the fact that he did not come close to what we were told he would be, and what he turned out to be with the team.

First off, have you ever liked anything MU does. I feel MU could replace Wojo with Al Macguire's corpse, who takes them to a national championship, and you would complain he wasn't lively enough.

Second, find a quote from Wojo that says Frolling is going to be the next coming of Jesus. He talks about his unique skill set and that he brings something different and could fill an Ellenson type role. We as fans anointed him as the savior. You are happy that he failed because now you can say Mu/Wojo are failures. As far as we truly know Wojo could have recruited him as the 11th man.

Finally, if this is such a horrendous mistake as you try to make it out to be then we are in very good hands. If this is the biggest mistake Wojo makes, I will be elated. 10th man leaves for a better opportunity.  He was also likely to fall in playing time as others got healthy.

[GGGG]

I think the problem that Harry had was that he wasn't given much of a run to get the rust off before conference play, where you won't get time to de-rust.  People compare him to Luke because they were both mid-season transfer big men, but Luke came in and 1) was immediately a large part of the offense (Averaged almost 8 shots per game in his first 4 games, compared to 3.5 for Harry), and 2) Luke got major minutes against more mid majors before conference play started (4 games vs 2). 

I think we are going out of our way to make excuses for the guy.  Look, he just wasn't as good as advertised.  I don't think we are missing out on some uncut diamond.

Furthermore, with the rumors regarding his suspension a few weeks ago, the fact that he was suddenly stapled to the bench, and the fact Wojo didn't mention him at all in Ben Steele's season wrap up piece shows that perhaps his issues weren't entirely basketball related.

[jsglow]

I think we are going out of our way to make excuses for the guy.  Look, he just wasn't as good as advertised.  I don't think we are missing out on some uncut diamond.

Furthermore, with the rumors regarding his suspension a few weeks ago, the fact that he was suddenly stapled to the bench, and the fact Wojo didn't mention him at all in Ben Steele's season wrap up piece shows that perhaps his issues weren't entirely basketball related.

I think you're maybe reaching there Sultan.  We really have no credible evidence that Harry was in any kind of doghouse.  I do wish he had stayed to finish out the semester but that's another issue.

[Its DJOver]

I think we are going out of our way to make excuses for the guy.  Look, he just wasn't as good as advertised.  I don't think we are missing out on some uncut diamond.

Furthermore, with the rumors regarding his suspension a few weeks ago, the fact that he was suddenly stapled to the bench, and the fact Wojo didn't mention him at all in Ben Steele's season wrap up piece shows that perhaps his issues weren't entirely basketball related.

If you would have quoted my entire post, you would have seen that I said that he still might not have had it.  Harry was at a distinct disadvantage due to his mid season transfer. I don't think any of the true freshman, or freshman by experience (Sacar) would have had nearly as productive years in conference if they had only gotten 25 minutes of non conference play. 

Harry was also at a disadvantage playing a position that takes longer to develop. Not trying to make excuses for the guy, but we all say mid season transfer big, and thought and expected Luke, or we saw supposed Henry like skill set and thought and expected Henry.  Both of those were unfair expectations to put on Harry.

[Nukem2]

I think we are going out of our way to make excuses for the guy.  Look, he just wasn't as good as advertised.  I don't think we are missing out on some uncut diamond.

Furthermore, with the rumors regarding his suspension a few weeks ago, the fact that he was suddenly stapled to the bench, and the fact Wojo didn't mention him at all in Ben Steele's season wrap up piece shows that perhaps his issues weren't entirely basketball related.

Obviously Harry has some limitations.  But, to be fair, he was  rehabbing during the off-season due to his foot injury so he did not get much off-season development at his new weight.  Also, he had to sit the first semester, so he was on the scout team as opposed to working with the regular rotation.  So, he did have a lot of rust and just never fit in though he did have some flashes.  All irrelevant as he is gone now.  We never knew ya mate.

[MUfan12]

Furthermore, with the rumors regarding his suspension a few weeks ago, the fact that he was suddenly stapled to the bench, and the fact Wojo didn't mention him at all in Ben Steele's season wrap up piece shows that perhaps his issues weren't entirely basketball related.

Ding!

I wish Harry well, but it's best for both parties to move on.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

Been checked out since the loss.

A little bummed to see Froling leave, but hardly surprised.  I think MU can improve upon that spot, but I sure hope that they do (rather than banking).  Cam Marotta is cool and all, but let's use the scholarship on an upgrade.  A traditional transfer or two grads would be fine with me.

[willie warrior]

First off, have you ever liked anything MU does. I feel MU could replace Wojo with Al Macguire's corpse, who takes them to a national championship, and you would complain he wasn't lively enough.

Second, find a quote from Wojo that says Frolling is going to be the next coming of Jesus. He talks about his unique skill set and that he brings something different and could fill an Ellenson type role. We as fans anointed him as the savior. You are happy that he failed because now you can say Mu/Wojo are failures. As far as we truly know Wojo could have recruited him as the 11th manO.

Finally, if this is such a horrendous mistake as you try to make it out to be then we are in very good hands. If this is the biggest mistake Wojo makes, I will be elated. 10th man leaves for a better opportunity.  He was also likely to fall in playing time as others got healthy.

Yeah, I have been liking MU since Don Kojis and Dick Nixon played. Long before you ever heard of MU. But that does not mean that I will not point out mistakes, because I want the best at MU, and we ain't getting that right now.