Like this verbal a lot. Have to believe more schollies will be available after the season. I can't see both McMurray and Springs sticking around. McMurray's minutes appear to be officially history now with everyone healthy. Pieces are coming together, but we still lack one key ingredient....a center who can put up 8 points and 6 boards a game.
I mentioned a similar thought in another thread. Not wishing either of them away, and I'd rather see them elevate their games and stay, but I can see one of them leaving for more minutes potentially.
Disagree on the thoughts about a center. Give me a 6'3" to 6'6" guy with an all around game over another big guy that's just "Okay". I'd rather see us play 3-4 guards and rely primarily on Foster and BVP to be the "bigs". Now, if another scholly opens up because of a transfer out, the need to address size is probably there.
Also like the Towns verbal and that he's seasoned a year beyond HS with still 4 years to play.
I don't think anyone wants to recruit guys who are just "okay". 8 points, 6 boards AND block a couple shots a game would be an impact player. If we don't add a big next year we will be in trouble. Foster is a foul magnet and is regularly torched on D (he will improve but I don't think he will be ready for 20+ minutes). BVP can function as the 5 on defense in spurts but he is also a person who picks up a lot of fouls, if he's ridding the pine early it will be hard for us to score. If BVP has to bang down low on every possession it will impact his performance on the other end where we really need him to excel. Give me a JUCO big body who can start at the 5 next to BVP on Day 1 and I think we can take a step forward next year.
I think, if no one leaves, there's enough size on the team that I'm still in favor of wherever the best "ready now" player is. Even if it's a guy that's a shooting guard.
How many true big post guys in the MAC does Ohio have to worry about defending?
I'll take a player that can have the influence on a game like Jeremy Harris or Jaylin Walker over a 6'9" wide body that can't shoot.
I don't think it's a stretch to prefer those guys over a bad post player who can't shoot. I agree. How about we find a 6'-9" wide body who can shoot? Antonio Campbell have a brother?
I like the small lineup with BVP at the five in spurts as it seems like our best offensive lineup (I've not looked at any stats to back that up). I just don't think we can do that all game unless we're matching another team doing the same. I think it increases the likelihood of BVP riding the pine with foul trouble and that's the point where I worry. Don't get me wrong he can get in foul trouble at the 4 too, it just seems more likely to me if we ask him to play the 5.
I didn't know how many true bigs there are in the MAC so I looked it up...
BG will have 3 bigs over 6'-10" next year
Buffalo has 2 over 6'-10"
Kent has a 6'-11" 300 lb Freshman
Miami's biggest guy is Bowman at 6'-8 & 273 lbs but they signed a 6'-10" Frosh
Akron is graduating a 6'-10" guy but no real other bigs, I'm sure they will add a JUCO big or a transfer.
Ball St has two 6'-10" guys
CMU has 1 6'-10" guy
EMU has 6'-10" and graduating a 7'-0"
NIU McCarty is their biggest returning player at 6'-8"
Toledo has 4 guys 6'-10" or bigger with Knapke graduating,
WMU biggest guy is Wright at 6'-8".
We have Foster & Springs over 6'-10" but they are 2 of the lightest on this list.