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I posted the below remark in another thread but received no comments, was wondering what some of the regulars thought so I'll repost here.
My previous post: "I think Lacey would be a fine addition to the recruits for next year but I have to wonder about us still not having a large body in the center position. Hell, Josh will be gone and Vargas isn't even a replacement for him. I know Cal likes the tall quick athletes but it's painfully obvious that we need athletic "Bigs" like Kanter Cousins and such. Hope it doesn't bite us in the ass. Even the most gifted guys can't root out a 6'10" 270 lb center when outweighed by 40 pounds.... seen it too many times before."
Marc, I agree with the thought of the big, the dribble drive does not require it but the defensive end is where the short fall is felt. I believe next years class is more complete and we will have a great year with who we have. The concern is running into a dominant center on the run to the final 4.
Well, in response to your question Marc I would have to point out the 07/08 Memphis Tigers team coached by Cal. The biggest guy on the team was Shawn Taggart who was listed as a PF and was like 6'10" 230lbs. Ironically, Anthony Davis is listed at 6'11" 220lbs. Point is, Memphis really had no center on that team either and they would have won the national title if not for a miracle by Kansas. As long as Knight and Lamb return, I think the 2011 team is better than that Memphis team in a year where there will not be as many contenders.
I don't think there will be a plethora of quality centers next season either. This year there is a huge lack of inside dominance outside of Sullinger. He will definitely go pro and some of the other decent centers like the Morris twins, Perry Jones, Tristan Thompson etc will most likely follow suit. There is not a lot of quality centers coming in next season either. Take Louisville's "prized" C Zach Price and compare him to Davis. Price is listed at 6'11" 240. So Davis is giving up 20Lbs but can pretty much take Price off the dribble at will. I'll take that match up every single day.
The biggest problem will be facing the next lower tier teams we play in the SEC. Not many of the centers are good scorers though and the fact that they will be put on Davis who is basically a Power Forward, Point Guard hybrid, would actually present more of a problem defensively than Davis guarding them IMO. UGA would be the only team I could see us having trouble against and that's assuming Leslie and Thompkins come back for their senior year.
Basically, I'm not worried about lacking a center. Louisville is a prime example this year of how you don't really need a quality big guy to win. If you have shooters all over the floor and jack up 30 3's a game you can win in college. We will have a very talented team that will be explosive and athletic with the ability to drive at will on other teams. Teague is one of the best pure PG I have ever seen coming out of high school and Davis is a match up problem for everyone we will face. Gilchrist is a beast defensively and Wiltjer will add depth behind Davis and be a really solid 6th or 7th man. We will rebound by committee (kind of like what we are doing this year) and have the ability to hit a 3 from every single position on the floor. I honestly think this team will be better than the 2009-2010 cats and will be a pre-season top 3 (depending on who comes back).
Hey, your welcome, any time lol. I am usually the one in awe over the great analysis the regulars on here usually provide so it is nice to give back for a change! I hope everyone lives up to the ridiculous hype I just gave them haha!
Cal will add an extra body. Stan Simpson is a kid I have been watching. He is a Juco kid that just got an offer from Tennessee. From what I read he is waiting for scholly from Cal. Cal will pull something.
9 comments:
I posted the below remark in another thread but received no comments, was wondering what some of the regulars thought so I'll repost here.
My previous post: "I think Lacey would be a fine addition to the recruits for next year but I have to wonder about us still not having a large body in the center position. Hell, Josh will be gone and Vargas isn't even a replacement for him. I know Cal likes the tall quick athletes but it's painfully obvious that we need athletic "Bigs" like Kanter Cousins and such. Hope it doesn't bite us in the ass. Even the most gifted guys can't root out a 6'10" 270 lb center when outweighed by 40 pounds.... seen it too many times before."
Marc,
I agree with the thought of the big, the dribble drive does not require it but the defensive end is where the short fall is felt. I believe next years class is more complete and we will have a great year with who we have. The concern is running into a dominant center on the run to the final 4.
Marc,
6-foot-10 Andre Drummond, No. 1 prospect in the Class of 2012. He would fit the bill.
However for next year's class, I share your same concerns.
Well, in response to your question Marc I would have to point out the 07/08 Memphis Tigers team coached by Cal. The biggest guy on the team was Shawn Taggart who was listed as a PF and was like 6'10" 230lbs. Ironically, Anthony Davis is listed at 6'11" 220lbs. Point is, Memphis really had no center on that team either and they would have won the national title if not for a miracle by Kansas. As long as Knight and Lamb return, I think the 2011 team is better than that Memphis team in a year where there will not be as many contenders.
I don't think there will be a plethora of quality centers next season either. This year there is a huge lack of inside dominance outside of Sullinger. He will definitely go pro and some of the other decent centers like the Morris twins, Perry Jones, Tristan Thompson etc will most likely follow suit. There is not a lot of quality centers coming in next season either. Take Louisville's "prized" C Zach Price and compare him to Davis. Price is listed at 6'11" 240. So Davis is giving up 20Lbs but can pretty much take Price off the dribble at will. I'll take that match up every single day.
The biggest problem will be facing the next lower tier teams we play in the SEC. Not many of the centers are good scorers though and the fact that they will be put on Davis who is basically a Power Forward, Point Guard hybrid, would actually present more of a problem defensively than Davis guarding them IMO. UGA would be the only team I could see us having trouble against and that's assuming Leslie and Thompkins come back for their senior year.
Basically, I'm not worried about lacking a center. Louisville is a prime example this year of how you don't really need a quality big guy to win. If you have shooters all over the floor and jack up 30 3's a game you can win in college. We will have a very talented team that will be explosive and athletic with the ability to drive at will on other teams. Teague is one of the best pure PG I have ever seen coming out of high school and Davis is a match up problem for everyone we will face. Gilchrist is a beast defensively and Wiltjer will add depth behind Davis and be a really solid 6th or 7th man. We will rebound by committee (kind of like what we are doing this year) and have the ability to hit a 3 from every single position on the floor. I honestly think this team will be better than the 2009-2010 cats and will be a pre-season top 3 (depending on who comes back).
Nick,
Great analysis.
Thanks for the great reply Nick.
Hope your right... :)
Hey, your welcome, any time lol. I am usually the one in awe over the great analysis the regulars on here usually provide so it is nice to give back for a change! I hope everyone lives up to the ridiculous hype I just gave them haha!
Cal will add an extra body. Stan Simpson is a kid I have been watching. He is a Juco kid that just got an offer from Tennessee. From what I read he is waiting for scholly from Cal. Cal will pull something.
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