Also we need to remember that Knuth will be returning next year. He will help at the 4 spot.

We still return a decent core and add Custer. What I was hoping is one of this year's big men would step up so Ingram can move to the 3 spot. I am not sure that is going to happen now.

It always comes close to physical hurt when I do previews for games when we're playing teams with really solid young big guys. I have to write out that SIU or Missouri State or Toledo or some other team recruiting players in our orbit and gravitational pull has a 6'8" freshman or sophomore who's got great footwork, shoots 50% from the field, pulls down 5.5 rebounds per game, and averages 9.5 points. Yes, that's about what Montel James is doing these days, but he hasn't attained that level until the second half of his senior season; he's gone in about 9 games from now.

Where do they all come from? A place that's not on our maps?

I'm impressed A LOT by Missouri State's 6'8" Obediah Church, who is from Springfield High School in Springfield, Illinois. He was a two star recruit who was long, athletic and put up really good numbers in HS (averaged a double-double). He's from our state, only 180 miles from Chicago, but he goes to ANOTHER Springfield in a different state, 300+ miles away.

Toledo has 6'9" Nathan Boothe, from Gurnee. Bola Olaniyan on SIU is from Richmond, Indiana.

Then there's Sean O'Mara at Xavier. And don't forget Matt Rafferty from Hinsdale Central, who decided to go to Furman (!?!!?) and is averaging 8.1 points and 7.2 rebounds as a freshman.

As I look at our offers, the only one I see out there is Lorenzo Edwards at Lake Forest. If that falls through, I don't know what Plan B we have. Even if Edwards decides to come to Loyola, we're still probably going to have to go for a juco as a backup or a starter to bridge the gap as Edwards develops or adjusts.

And that JCT. is the main knock I have against PM. We appear to have it all except the big physical forwards/centers--See ISUr just this past Wed. It was evident at least to me that ISUr has players that resemble the Bigs at top Hoops teams--We do NOT. Good BIG teams beat good little teams most times. These guys are out there as you say, but we have a bare cupboard on these, and have had through out his tenure.
But that is NOT the reason we are not on a par with GTN et al. BUT we have discussed that approaching ad nauseum.

BTW, I was at a Show Choir competition Ohio group today. One of the Walsh parents saw my license guard--Rambler Varsity Club and made a NOT so kind comment about what used to be versus what we are today. ( A classless Notre Damer , he )