Immediate need for bigs?

[ColumbiaHeightsHoya]

Do we really need that many more center types at this point? Uconn may have lost Bynum to the draft and Cuse always had some huge horses but outside of that I don't really see us running into the 6'10, 6'11, 6'10 front line this upcoming year (please correct me if I am wrong on this).

With our style of play, we can run more guards/wings in and play small ball against most of our BE opponents I would think and then bring in a guy like Egerson & Spann to provide minutes for our bigs. Am I missing something?

[DuddingtonHoya]

Could be nice to bring a/some bigger guy(s) to fill the open slots starting in 06-07, if for no other reason than to cultivate him/them for a year with both Green and Hibbert on the floor. I imagine Green will leave no later than at the end of the 06-07 season, and it would be nice to start the following year with another big guy option that's been in the system for a year.

[SirSaxa]

A key point which doesn't seem to be getting much attention, is there is no real option behind Roy and Jeff. That means each has to stay out of foul trouble, which in turn limits their ability to be agressive on D, on the boards, and in every other way.

It also means if either gets hurt, we are in big trouble.

And there is no "enforcer" to come in a demonstrate that "we own the paint".

The absence of another big guy we can count on is a serious weakness to the structure of our current team. Will JT3 compensate with coaching strategies? of course. But it was clear from all the guys we were pursuing that he really wanted more size on the team. At this point, it doesn't look like that is going to happen.

We still have plenty of talent to have a successful season, but lack of depth behind Jeff and Roy is a weakness.

[GIGAFAN99]

I think that it would be nice to have another big but the absolute need for one has been way overblown. We were 9th in rebounding margin and 5th in blocks last year with two freshmen down low. If Roy just picks up his minutes (not even his game although I'm sure that will happen) and Jeff gets stronger we'll be better on the boards.

If Roy can go 25 minutes and Jeff 15 at the center spot, we're in good shape. Would foul trouble kill us? Of course, but that's always the case. If Roy and Jeff are both in foul trouble we're pretty screwed anyway and a guy from Southwest Montana A and I Community College is just a stopgap.

Another reason I'm less worried is the boarding ability of the potential wing players. The battle for the forward minutes will be interesting going into the season with Crawford, Egerson, and Spann all looking to be the main guy (or two) after Bowman and Green. Spann is a safe bet to get minutes since his length sets him apart. Egerson versus Crawford is going to be the one to watch in my opinion.

[SFHoya99]

GIGAFAN99 said:

I think that it would be nice to have another big but the absolute need for one has been way overblown. We were 9th in rebounding margin and 5th in blocks last year with two freshmen down low. If Roy just picks up his minutes (not even his game although I'm sure that will happen) and Jeff gets stronger we'll be better on the boards.

If Roy can go 25 minutes and Jeff 15 at the center spot, we're in good shape. Would foul trouble kill us? Of course, but that's always the case. If Roy and Jeff are both in foul trouble we're pretty screwed anyway and a guy from Southwest Montana A and I Community College is just a stopgap.

Another reason I'm less worried is the boarding ability of the potential wing players. The battle for the forward minutes will be interesting going into the season with Crawford, Egerson, and Spann all looking to be the main guy (or two) after Bowman and Green. Spann is a safe bet to get minutes since his length sets him apart. Egerson versus Crawford is going to be the one to watch in my opinion.

Giga, you're right that we probably don't have a lot of problems if Roy can win a starting spot.

And Jeff and Roy stay healthy. And if Jeff stays for his junior year.

I don't even know if there is anyone any good left in 2005, but I doubt it. I doubt there is anyone who will beat out AKD for minutes.

But in 2006, we need some bigs. We may lose Jeff; we will lose 6'8.5" Brandon. If Roy doesn't develop as planned, we've got a really short team.

[ColumbiaHeightsHoya]

I was thinking Spann would get significant minutes as well but that is a lot to put on a freshman. Egerson sounds like he could get the job done as well. I am mainly thinking who matches up againsts Boone & Armstrong (I think that was his name) & / or Bynum if he comes to Uconn. Should be interesting. Definitely need to get one for '06, but '05 seems unlikely and I don't want to make a stretch to get a guy that can't get it done.

[stafford72]

Let's not forget that PE Jr. is available in '06 and he is currently 6' 8' and growing. With the recent departures, there are 2 remaining vacancies available for the next recruiting class. Almost assuredly, one of them will be a big man.

[ColumbiaHeightsHoya]

Good point about Ewing. That pick up looks better every day. I forgot about him on my initial post. For '05/06, Spann & Egerson are going to have to contribute as bigs for us to have some depth. I think we should have a much improved fast break as well

[RBHoya]

I don't think the need is that immediate. For this upcoming year, we're basically going with the same frontcourt as last year, which, while not that deep, was solid for the most part. It'll feature Jeff at the 4 and 5, Roy at the 5, and Amadou as the backup when need be.

I get the feeling that regardless of DJ's return, we're going to spend a lot of time with Brandon at 4 and Jeff at 5. That's when we were at our best last year, and I suspectr this year will be the same even with Roy's development. If Ownes comes back, he'll play the 3 with Brandon at 4 and Jeff in the middle. If he doesn't come back, I still think you'll see us spend a great deal of time with Brandon/Jeff at 4/5 and we'll play with either Marc or Spann at 3. I've already heard a ton of good things about Eggerson, and I suspect the same would be true of Spann if he played in the area. Something tells me that at least one of these two will be too good for JTIII to keep as a reserve for very long. If Darell is back, we'll have even more minutes at the 3 spot.

Another possibility is that we could play with Brandon and Jeff at 4/5 and play with 3 guards. Any 3 of Ashanti, Tyler, Jon, Jesse, and Josh. This might match up well against a team like Nova, who'll be playing with Nardi/Lowry, Foye, and Ray.

All in all I'm not too worried about. I think we're better off playing Jeff in the middle most of the game and keeping an extra wing out there. Roy can take some minutes as well, and if e ither has foul trouble, Amadou can play bit. If anyone gets hurt, yea, it'd be bad news, but we'd be alright.