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Message: [QUOTE="RF2044, post: 4468419, member: 40"] You're bringing up some important context here. The year we recruited Girard was Battle's final year. We had extremely limited depth [especially after Frank got injured], and virtually no bench scoring. We had talent [Battle, Brissette, Hughes, Buddy] but games were typically rock fights, and we had NO scoring outside of the main guys. If anyone was "off" any given night, there was nobody to turn to. Joe was a 50 ppg scorer who was also touted as a deadeye shooter. I don't think that even when he committed, anyone viewed him as a multi-year [let alone 4 year] starter -- but I do think he was viewed as a guy who might be able to provide a consistent dose of bench scoring and outside shooting. Kind of like how Spike Albrecht was for Michigan -- a microwave caliber scorer, and spot starter. In other words, exactly the type of bench performer that the preceding, Battle-led team lacked. But then Battle departed after his junior year, and Frank got suspended and ran out of eligibility. The reins were handed to Carey, but he was a big recruiting "miss." Carey lost his starting job 3 or 4 games into the season, because Joe at least could put the ball in the basket. Neither one of them could dribble down their chins. Carey went on to be a bust [relative to his recruiting ranking] even at a lower conference level, and Joe went on to be a four-year starter. The one recruit JB brought in to challenge Joe played better than him during significant portions of games two years ago, but transferred out when it became clear that Joe enjoyed favored status. We brought players in this year [Joe's senior campaign], but most of them don't seem as equipped to play extended minutes yet. Very strange four years, in no small part due to Joe's controversial career / capabilities. [/QUOTE]

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