(POST GAME) @Xavier, Wed., Jan. 6, 8p, CBS SN / 970AM

[SLYFOXX1968]

Earlington and Roberts played pretty well last year . So did Greg Williams , also a Mullin Recruit . Caraher even contributed a bit last season . The Guy we miss significantly is Figgy . No doubt about that . I would say Figgy and CMA weren't on the same page from day 1 but , not sure . It was apparent Figgy did not like the Role that CMA wanted him to play . Nether is at fault if that was the issue .   But , Figgy and Champagnie playing together this year would be a tough duo to defend . And , Figgy was a BE Talent enough to play or start for most other schools . His absence hurts ..  Cole was thought to be a impact player and , while capable , is not that .  Moore is good , plays hard but , his size gets him pushed around by nearly all BE Centers .  It seems to be consensus on the board that Recruits for next year are nice players but , again , not Program changers . Roster changes will likely happen and getting that 5 th Year Transfer or , a high caliber player looking for change , might be critical to improving theRoster  for next year . 

 

[lawmanfan]

Earlington and Roberts played pretty well last year . So did Greg Williams , also a Mullin Recruit . Caraher even contributed a bit last season . The Guy we miss significantly is Figgy . No doubt about that . I would say Figgy and CMA weren't on the same page from day 1 but , not sure . It was apparent Figgy did not like the Role that CMA wanted him to play . Nether is at fault if that was the issue .   But , Figgy and Champagnie playing together this year would be a tough duo to defend . And , Figgy was a BE Talent enough to play or start for most other schools . His absence hurts ..  Cole was thought to be a impact player and , while capable , is not that .  Moore is good , plays hard but , his size gets him pushed around by nearly all BE Centers .  It seems to be consensus on the board that Recruits for next year are nice players but , again , not Program changers . Roster changes will likely happen and getting that 5 th Year Transfer or , a high caliber player looking for change , might be critical to improving theRoster  for next year . 
 

I'm not pining away for LJ.  He did some good things, but I don't miss the hero-ball chucks from midcourt for no reason.

I think this team is missing two main things:  a legit center, and a year of experience for Alexander. 

If it had a legit big man then Moore could play the 4 where he belongs, Champagnie goes to the 3 where he belongs, and all of a sudden your offense and defense are both enormously improved.  You don't need an all-star at center either - a Wahab-level player who has size, defends the rim, and gets you 12 and 8 would be just fine.  But without that you end up with about 3/5 of your starting lineup playing more or less out of position - and the pressure defense is not making up for it, at least not so far this year.

As for Posh, he does some things well but he is no exception to the old rule that the best thing about freshmen is that they become sophomores.  My expectation is that next year his judgment, shot selection and shot-making, and distribution will all be better than they are this year.

 

[beast of the east]

Robert's played well last season in the OOC easy games.  He looked like a hs kid chewing up 8th graders.  Once the big boys showed up in conference games he looked lost and was getting eaten alive.

The same thing happened during his freshman year.  Then in short bursts he did some good things.  When given more of a chance. He wilted.

 

[fordham96]

Earlington and Roberts played pretty well last year . So did Greg Williams , also a Mullin Recruit . Caraher even contributed a bit last season . The Guy we miss significantly is Figgy . No doubt about that . I would say Figgy and CMA weren't on the same page from day 1 but , not sure . It was apparent Figgy did not like the Role that CMA wanted him to play . Nether is at fault if that was the issue .   But , Figgy and Champagnie playing together this year would be a tough duo to defend . And , Figgy was a BE Talent enough to play or start for most other schools . His absence hurts ..  Cole was thought to be a impact player and , while capable , is not that .  Moore is good , plays hard but , his size gets him pushed around by nearly all BE Centers .  It seems to be consensus on the board that Recruits for next year are nice players but , again , not Program changers . Roster changes will likely happen and getting that 5 th Year Transfer or , a high caliber player looking for change , might be critical to improving theRoster  for next year . 

 

I'm not pining away for LJ.  He did some good things, but I don't miss the hero-ball chucks from midcourt for no reason.

I think this team is missing two main things:  a legit center, and a year of experience for Alexander. 

Missing to do what?

1)Finish 7th instead of 9th.  Because unless the center is Hakeem Olajuwon they are missing a bit more than that to finish like a top 4 program.

2)They need quality players 1-8 or 9.  Obviously you want diversity of position but they need QUALITY 1-8/9.  They don't even come close to that right now.

3)No one is saying LJ is MIchael Jordan.  But again put him on this team, does he start?  Of course.  Is he the leading scorer or 2nd leading scorer/leading rebounder or 2nd leading rebounder?  Yes.  So they lost that type of production without replacing him with any equivalent player.  And they were a 5-13 team WITH HIM.  
 

 

[SLYFOXX1968]

While  Figgy dud take those long range shots from way out , I think CMA bears some of that responsibility . He's the Strategist and Tactician . Mullin never had  Figgy that far from the Basket and he let him shoot within his range . It appeared to me that Figgy and CMA were never going to be on the page and , thus the transfer .it happens all the time in College BB . Look at Ewing , he lost MCClung and Akingo , both great talents .. I do think whatever the thoughts about him are , he delivered a lot of points , rebounds , Steals and hard nose play . Of course , his contributions are missed . 

 

[Mean Gene]

LJ drove me crazy at times last year but the fact of the matter is that if we had his production this season we would have beaten BYU and won the first Georgetown game also. LJ was very good defensively in this system getting in the passing lanes and creating turnovers. 

 

[boo haarvey]

Robert's played well last season in the OOC easy games.  He looked like a hs kid chewing up 8th graders.  Once the big boys showed up in conference games he looked lost and was getting eaten alive.

The same thing happened during his freshman year.  Then in short bursts he did some good things.  When given more of a chance. He wilted.

Huh?  Roberts didn't play in the OOC portion of his freshman year.  He got a little burn during the second half of the Big East schedule and brought energy and played well in bursts as you said.

Agree he didn't play as well during the Big East portion of the season last year but I think CMA could have played him more.  In any event, he can't be worse than Toro.  Unless he is still injured (a possibility) or is misbehaving, not playing him in I explicable.