I was there.
Decided to try to catch the semi this afternoon because I wasn't confident IMG would make the final tonight.
Good call.
McCullough didn't do much. That's true.
He didn't start the game the - came in with just 14 minutes to go in the half - and I have no idea why. Disciplinary? Trying to rest players after a 3 OT win last night?
Truthfully, IMG plays just as well - at least today - without McCullough.
He had eight points, one rebound, one assist (my numbers) in about 22 minutes.
He air balled a few shots, a baseline jumper and a short hook, and missed an easy breakaway layup.
He appeared to have another easy breakaway dunk in sight but a St. Thomas More guard knocked the ball away as McCullough was nearing the lane.
All in all, McCullough left 8-10 points on the floor. Sound familiar?
He no doubt passes the look test. He's stronger than when I saw him a year ago. But he's still passive and doesn't look to take control like I thought he would this year. Twice he tried to drive and was called for a charge.
He doesn't set up in the block and demand the ball the way a power forward should. He doesn't position himself well to get rebounds. It's almost as if he can't decide whether he's a power or a small forward, but he lacks the true skills to be good at either. He doesn't possess a mid range or three point game. His free throw shooting form looks fine (he was 2-4 from the line) but it doesn't seem like he gets to the line enough to make a difference there.
He really had a chance to make a difference in the game but he missed an easy breakaway layup with his team down 4 with just over 2 minutes left. IMG lost, BTW.
I thought the best player on the floor was St. Thomas More swingman and Fordham recruit Eric Paschall, who finished with 25 points, including two huge 3s late in the game. Remember him if we play Fordham again down the road. He's one of those kind of recruits that will make you say, "Why can't we get players like that?"
Again, McCullough will look great getting off the bus. He's a tremendous athlete in the mold of other long SU recruits.
You'll just need to temper your expectations. He's not going to be star right away. He's going to be around a few years. At least.
The greater concern, I think, is where do we get our points next year at forward if Grant leaves? Roberson? Johnson? McCullough? It's going to be a big drop off from Fair.
Wish I was the bearer of better news.
