First a disclaimer, I played HS basketball 55 years ago so following observations are not ground in anything more than sitting in the stands.
OK where to start, to begin I have nothing but respect and admiration for Travis and the entire coaching staff. I’ve been fortunate to spend considerable time with each of them. And I have little criticism for the product they put on the floor. However in order to win a game or two in the big dance they need to fill one important void, a true and versatile big man. I know this has been discussed to the ends of the earth and back but if they hope to be taken seriously in the NCAA tournament this is a short fall that will need to be addressed. Again, just an observation but if we look at the future with what we have in the wings I don’t see this being a road map to success in the tournament. To begin I thought Kramer was going to be that person but his development to date does not lend it self to his being the next Brian Quale. I hope I’m wrong. Mac Anderson has great potential but his frame tells me he is more a 4 than a 5. I think he will be very good in a couple of years but that does not address our need for an inside banger who can produce 8-12 Pt’s. and 6-8 rebounds a game. I’m still trying to get a read on Ben Carter but I don’t think he is the answer either.
When you look at the coaching staff you see all of them, Chris, Jay and Rollie having played the 1 or 2 spots in collage and that’s obviously where our strength lies. I feel Travis needs to bring a big man into his staff. Someone who truly understands and has connections with recruiting big men and can shape them.
Another observation, and I’ll close with this. When you see Kirby in a defense stance arms outstretched and feet equally spread he limits is mobility. He looks more like a tennis player spread eagled and therefore it limits his lateral movement. It might work for tennis but not for basketball.
Anyway that’s my two cents worth and I encourage rebuttal.
OK where to start, to begin I have nothing but respect and admiration for Travis and the entire coaching staff. I’ve been fortunate to spend considerable time with each of them. And I have little criticism for the product they put on the floor. However in order to win a game or two in the big dance they need to fill one important void, a true and versatile big man. I know this has been discussed to the ends of the earth and back but if they hope to be taken seriously in the NCAA tournament this is a short fall that will need to be addressed. Again, just an observation but if we look at the future with what we have in the wings I don’t see this being a road map to success in the tournament. To begin I thought Kramer was going to be that person but his development to date does not lend it self to his being the next Brian Quale. I hope I’m wrong. Mac Anderson has great potential but his frame tells me he is more a 4 than a 5. I think he will be very good in a couple of years but that does not address our need for an inside banger who can produce 8-12 Pt’s. and 6-8 rebounds a game. I’m still trying to get a read on Ben Carter but I don’t think he is the answer either.
When you look at the coaching staff you see all of them, Chris, Jay and Rollie having played the 1 or 2 spots in collage and that’s obviously where our strength lies. I feel Travis needs to bring a big man into his staff. Someone who truly understands and has connections with recruiting big men and can shape them.
Another observation, and I’ll close with this. When you see Kirby in a defense stance arms outstretched and feet equally spread he limits is mobility. He looks more like a tennis player spread eagled and therefore it limits his lateral movement. It might work for tennis but not for basketball.
Anyway that’s my two cents worth and I encourage rebuttal.
