Let's cut JB some slack...

[Reality Man]

1. JB knows he made a mistake evaluating Donnal. When I first saw Donnal I thought a #4 but he clearly isn't quick enough. He is a hybrid forward who has no back to the basket game. Not his fault. JB swung and missed. It happens.

2. Doyle is playing like I expected on film. He is a solid Big Ten backup guy. Maybe a starting lower BT guy. He plays hard but he isn't a high level guy. He can hold his own when he is catching the ball. Don't have any problem with him. Problem is JB has him as the primary guy.

3. Wilson was a mistake. I like Wilson but I remember seeing him and said he would get pushed around like a rag doll. I really think he is a specialty zone guy and possibly a matchup 4 guy. Role player but good role player.



4. JB goes out and gets Wagner. Guy is legit but raw raw raw.

O.k. Follow me so far.

Now JB goes out and gets a banger in Davis who looks like a limited athlete but a low post banger/clean up guy. His type of style can help out in certain instances but again not going to be a high level #5.

JB goes out and gets Teske. Taller and better shot blocker/rebounder potentially. Not a big time guy but probably his most talented big guy while at UM next to McGary.

So my point is JB recognizes he made mistakes and now has to somehow cover up the #5 weakness. Hopefully Wagner can mitigate the problem.

Did JB get 'seduced' by the Morgan effectiveness? I think he did and now has to deal with this issue and rectify it. Doyle and Wagner can get the job done against most teams but JB has clearly added a couple of pieces so I don't think all is lost.

Xavier and other talented big teams are going to exploit the JB recruiting mistakes...for now.


RM

 

[guestavo]

JB has tough decisions to make.

IMO Wagner/Doyle/Teske are keepers.

Davis/Donnal and possibly Wilson may need a change in scenery IMO.

 

[Reality Man]

Davis looks o.k. Better than Donnal on film because he is somewhat stocky and likes to bang around down low.

I think Wilson can help in the JB system but I think he needs to be moved and work on his footwork or depending on who is playing be able to lay off the guy and not get beat off the dribble. I do think he can be okay with defending a #4 because he does have some length but a #5...especially a decent #5....too small.

I agree....Donnal is toast. JB needs to make the move asap.



As I have mentioned before...JB isn't going to attact high level center prospects in his system. McGary wasn't even a typical #5 on some level because he could get out and run. JB better put together teams where everyone is scoring and the #5 can pnr.



RM

 

[guestavo]

Don't need a high level center.

There are 3* centers who rebound, set screens, finish and block shots. Don't need a center with post moves or a face up game.

 

[Reality Man]

Fair enough although lower level guys might need some explosiveness here and there. I think the less talented guys come into play against better competition...i.e. Xavier and a good portion of Big Ten teams.

Doyle was working hard but he just didn't have the athleticism or instincts to win a lot of these battles.

Someone said somewhere that UM/JB should just get a guy to block and rebound. Sounds to me that may be Teske but when you are limited at the #5 you better have 4 other guys scoring.



RM

 

[Mroad]

We are definitely missing an active big man in the paint. Doyle is going to have to be the guy this year while we hope Wilson and Wagner develop so they are more effective in the future. I was hoping to see more size and strength gains out of Wilson and Donnal but they both played extremely weak against Xavier...both physically and mentally. Davis and Teske are big enough that they should be able to make a difference, particularly since both are supposedly hard workers. We just need some big guys with strength, determination and attitude patrolling the paint, defensively and rebounding. Morgan wasn't the most skilled player but he had a lot of heart and worked hard to become strong. That is the type of player we need in the middle.