Big East Bias Article on Obekpa
- Thread starter NYCRedmen
- Start date
Where do you see that?
My favorite quote: "What do you want to accomplish this season: Be the best rebounder and BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year."
I am expecting big things from Obekpa. I am very happy to have Sampson and Sanchez out of the way. I think he will be in double-figures more times than not. I love that Ben Wallace is his favorite player.
beast of the east
Active member
I hope you are right and I am wrong. Unless Obekpa exhibits radical improvement in both offensive prowess and rebounding capability, I feel he will fall far short of the double doubles you predict, especially in conference games where even a watered down Big East is tougher to dominate in. Obekpa did show he was more offensive minded at the start of last season, but when facing legitimate front lines, he looked awkward and inept with the ball in his hands down low. Additionally, while he can certainly block shots, there is a disconnect between blocking shots and being a defensive stopper, as a big guy who wanders to block shots is often out of position when he fails to block a shot. Blocked shots is only one aspect of a big man being a stopper or presence inside. For my money, I'd be satisfied with a modest realistic improvement, say 7-8 ppg in conference and 7 rebounds or so.
All of Obekpas double digit scoring scoring games came in conference play. I think there was 4 of them.
beast of the east
Active member
Would you say he looked better vs. strong front lines, or weaker ones?
I wrote double-figures not double-doubles. Double-doubles are a hard thing to come by in 40 minutes at the college level.
If I haven't been painfully clear yet, I am glad Sampson and Sanchez are gone. They got in the way of not just our guards, but also Obekpa. There is nobody to lean on now...he has to step up. He was just a soph last year and big men take longer to develop than guards. Posters kill me...they expect the world from a kid like Obekpa as a frosh (when Marillac says 10-15 mpg MAX) but when Marillac says the kid could jump out as a junior, most posters think he is done. He didn't come to Jamaica with the hype of Anthony Davis. He barely cracked the top 75...those types of bigs need 2-3 years.
And if you think I am just a kool-aid drinker, look at my posts on the kid from when he signed until January of this year. I started the whole blocked shots doesn't equal good defense revolution.
How many kids come to college with the hype of Anthony Davis? CO came here with plenty of hype. No one was expecting much offense, however he has disappointed on the defensive end and in the rebounding dept. I don't anticipate much of an improvement on the offense end. He does not have size or instincts to compensate for his lack of offense skills. I do expect an improvement on D and in rebounding. Although Thomas will likely be grabbing most of the boards. My big concern has been and will continue to be(until hopefully proven otherwise) our lack of a legit front court scoring option. I don't see CO helping much in that area.
beast of the east
Active member
I don't think you are a Kool-Aid drinker. I don't know if you started the blocked-shots-don't-equal-good-defense revolution, because I know I've been saying that from the get go. In any event, we'd both agree that CO is far from a good defensive player, no less defensive POY. We may differ in that you may have detected something in his offense that would indicate radical improvement. I thought it was clear early last season that he wanted the ball more often and wanted to do something with it, but his footwork is horrible (offensively and defensively) and while he passes reasonably well for a big guy, I don't see a semblance of strong post moves or a soft shooting touch around the hoop. He's not big enough or active enough to find the ball for easy deuces. But again, I could be wrong, and hope you are right.
In terms of Sampson and Sanchez, I think both were enigmas. Sanchez had nice skills for a big guy but not enough of anything including passion to standout. Sampson could have been a 17 pt scorer but had many holes in his game. At times they both hurt us as much as helped us, but it could have been much different based on their talent.
JackofVirginia
Active member
I would like to see Obepka stay around for offensive rebounds. Thought that Sampson, Sanchez and Obepka took off down court after a Johnnie shot. We know he isn't much of a back to the basket scorer but he should pick up some easy putbacks this year.
I cant remember every particular game. My comment was just that as the season went on I could see Obekpa become more comfortable and thus productive on the offensive end.
I think Thomas will be a key in allowing Obekpa to freelance. Delarosa should also take up space and make our front court competitive. Our backcourt is superior as is and Dom can be a 6th man defensive stopper. The Bosnia guy might also be a situational contributor as well. A good opportunity for Steve to coach 'em up and rebuild his reputation.
L J S A
Well-known member
This post almost seems optimistic, so I can't tell if it's sarcasm or not. :lol:
It's a good assessment of where we are. Although the newcomers are ranked lower than we'd hoped, they fill (on paper) gaping holes from last season, and it's up to the staff to get some results. I think Dom is locked into a top-five role, though, so let's hope he finally performs consistently.
Dom rarely started last year, I hope that continues this year. ljsa, do you think he is one of our top 5 players?