Now that LU is in the MVC we have had a chance to see the big guys.

Wednesday night LU will have a chance to see the best of them when we play Wichita State. We will see a constant trio of big wide bodies at center and the talented 6-8 215 lb power forward, Cleanthony Early, backed up by one of the 3 centers when he rests.

It may be comical when LU’s Coach plays against them his favorite crunch time midget lineup with 6’5” Christian Thomas at center surrounded by 4 other players 6’4” and under.

BUT looking at the MVC big guys, either over 6’8” or over 220 pounds,
NONE of them are in the top 15 scorers in MVC play.

ONLY 2 of the MVC big guys over 6’8” get over 6 rebounds a game: Evansville’s 6’10” 225 lb. Egildiju Mockevilcius with 8.6 rebounds a game (1st in the MVC) and 1st place Wichita State’s 6’9” 251 lb. Chadrack Lufile with 6.1 rebounds a game (tied for 8th in the MVC).

LU’s coach’s failure to develope his two 6’10” big men may allow him to reach the lower level MVC teams. But if he wishes to excel in the MVC he is missing (or has missed) his chance.

The game is tonight.

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Cigarboy sucks!

Don't take my word for it, but going off of memory, I think most of the bigs in the MVC right now are pretty young so that may explain some of those stats. Plus, the MVC has been a guard dominated league.

Does Thomas really play center some? He'll be abused inside trying to guard a couple of 6'9" 250+ guys if so.

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The Roundhouse

Of course we need better than average big men--no question--BUT those we have are coming along slowly but surely--Its hard to develop a winner as we know, from how far behind we were--AND Cripes we were behind--
I have been as hard on Porter as anyone--a lot he could care--BUT it all starts with guards--He has them--He has a winner in Christian--a bonus- as he is playing against giants and scoring--He is short to be effective as a rebounder--BUT he has helped--

Our weakness--our REAL weakness is depth--and HERE is where O'Leary comes in--He must step up--as has Osborne.--IF he does we will be better for it.

6'8 Osborne'-6' 10"Cody and 6' 7 or what ever O'Leary's
height is would relieve Christian and go a long way in helping our bench---KING ?? Well, maybe he just does not have it--Porter would use him if he could.

We were at a level where we literally had to start all over--Pickett will help soon I trust-- AND we do have recruits on the way.

I say again --Its O'Leary and Pickett. KEY !

Are there times when it's four guards plus Thomas on the court? Yes. Does Thomas "really" play center? No.

They make it work.

It would be great if we had a consistent player in the 6'8" - 6'10" range, but we don't right now. Hopefully someday.

An aside: people have been asking for awhile if Thomas will be able to switch to the SF position, but my question is why? As a small four, he's scored over 600 points in over the last two years. He's doing fine.

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MBB Scholarship Chart

The whole big man thing is kind of a mystery in terms of current recruiting. Verbal Commits has us recruiting some taller JUCOs two 6'9 kids but our letter of intents for next year are shooting guards at best and only one offer for next year , Rafferty(Hindsdale Central), is over 6,5. Why would we be bringing in a center for next year that will be Jrs along with King,Johnson,OLeary, and Osbourne and then nobody with center for the next two years. I know that OHare was a target for next year but there does not appear to be a back up plan ?

Seth Tuttle is listed at 6'9", 232, and ranks 6th in conference scoring at 16.8 ppg. He's also averaging 8.1 boards per game in league play. WSU's Early is 6'8", 219 (needs two burgers and some fries to get to 220), and ranks 7th in conference scoring with 16.0. Drake forward Aaron Hawley is listed at 6'8" (but only 197) and ranks 9th in scoring at 15.3 ppg. Would love to have that production in our front court.... ISU freshman Reggie Lynch doesn't score much away from offensive board tip ins, but leads the league in blocks (24 in conference play, 49 overall). Those are the top big minutes, big men in the league, plus Mockevicius who doesn't score a lot but averages 8.6 boards. WSU's Coleby and Lufile play all-out minutes but they come off the bench in bursts. Alec Brown for UWGB is probably the only guy in the HL who would fit in with this group.

I think Milwaukee's 6'8 transfer would fit pretty well in that group, at least from the few games I've seen of them

The two best bigs in the MVC last year graduated...Carl Hall at WSU was 6-8, 235 and averages 13 and 7. Gregory Echenique at Creighton was 6-9, 270 and averaged 11 and 9 or so. Tuttle is the only post left that scores and rebounds. Some good young talent in the league, but players over 6-8 almost always develop late.

And we should have beaten ISUblue twice.

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Cigarboy sucks!