Recruting for the zone ...

[SU94]

(first of all, this is not meant as some sort of scathing crisicism of Boeheim or any current player! Everyone was fantastic all season)

What this program really needs (and honestly, all programs do) is a power forward (4) to play on the wing down low and simply command the boards. And from there, we need him to outlet the ball to a point guard already streaking down court. But that is a bonus.

Yes, we need the next DC, Wallace or Melo. Sweep the boards to the tune of 9-12 rpg.

If we had that tonight (even without the offensive input), we win. Likely by 6-8 points.

Southerland did not command 2-3 boards tonight because that is not his strength. And if cost us. JS is not DC. Not Wallace. Not Melo. He is, however, a terrific shooter who did darn well in the paint this season. But on a few possessions tonight, he just did not have the strength to fend off McGary and his incessant tap backs.

Here is hoping that Tyler Roberson and/or McCullough can be that guy in the coming years!

LGO!

 

[newmexicuse]

What game were you watching? We had that guy out there - his name was Jerami Grant (8 boards in limited minutes) - too bad the coach didn't have the guts to trust a freshman who was coming up big in crunch time. Next year we will have another warrior who fits that description in Roberson.

 

[doc05]

Chris McCollough.

 

[JeremyCuse]

The problem is neither of our two main centers are good rebounders, Rak was bad on the boards tonight and Keita was even worse. We really need a dominant center who can board, hope Coleman is that guy. Rak and Keita were totally out played today, it was sad.

 

[Libero2]

I'm hing that next year DC picks up his speed/agility a bit to play at the same time as Rak. That would make for a bruising defensive lineup that can really clean up the glass. Supposing of course, one develops an offensive game this summer...

 

[Orangeman]

The problem is neither of our two main centers are good rebounders, Rak was bad on the boards tonight and Keita was even worse. We really need a dominant center who can board, hope Coleman is that guy. Rak and Keita were totally out played today, it was sad.

I don't agree with this...in this zone, you really can't label our centers as good or bad rebounders. They are always, by definition, hedging to the ball side of the play, and often defending the shot as last line of defense. That is one of the weaknesses of the zone: you often end up with your best rebounder trying to block the guards shot while the 3/4 "box out" the other teams 4/5 and go to battle...no question this happens in man too, but it's the actual strategy of the zone.

In addition to Carmelo being the best player in college that year, the fact he's the best rebounding small forward in 40 years had a lot to do with the 2003 title, not a coincidence.

I think the math is the zone holds opponents to a very low %, offset by some extra possessions due to difficult rebounding assignments.

Great season, by the way...needed some breaks last night and didn't get them, but nothing to be ashamed of at all.

PS every commentator besidesKellogg had that as a block on triche drive