Anyone else wondering why a team with a gaping hole in the post did not add an experienced, let alone impact, big man via the portal? With Joel, Hyder, Celestine, Roberson, Bowser (and hopefully Askew, though he's probably a longshot to play this year) along with Kuany, Obinna, Alajiki & incoming FR Grant Newe…
Anyone else wondering why a team with a gaping hole in the post did not add an experienced, let alone impact, big man via the portal? With Joel, Hyder, Celestine, Roberson, Bowser (and hopefully Askew, though he's probably a longshot to play this year) along with Kuany, Obinna, Alajiki & incoming FR Grant Newell on the wing, the guard/wing spots seem set...however, IF Thorpe does not return from injury (which opens up a scholarship), that leaves just Lars Thiemann and talented but raw FR ND Okafor in the post: while Lars definitely looked improved in '21-'22 from previous seasons, he nonetheless struggled to compete v. P12 front courts. Fox historically doesn't give big minutes to FR, so the C and PF position next year figure to be a struggle. Wonder if he plans on having Sam fill Grant's shoes as the stretch 4?
You hit the nail on the head - though hardly a surprise, Fox does not seem to recruit well enough at the Power 5 level. Sorry to say, it's tough right now on paper to see how this team is better next year.
Well, that's the truth. Still, a big body from some mid-major should've been available, even if he was just logging unproductive minutes...Fox seems to have made no effort to even recruit a big, let alone land one...just low percentage shooting guards that turn the ball over.
Thanks Nick, great article!
Anyone else wondering why a team with a gaping hole in the post did not add an experienced, let alone impact, big man via the portal? With Joel, Hyder, Celestine, Roberson, Bowser (and hopefully Askew, though he's probably a longshot to play this year) along with Kuany, Obinna, Alajiki & incoming FR Grant Newell on the wing, the guard/wing spots seem set...however, IF Thorpe does not return from injury (which opens up a scholarship), that leaves just Lars Thiemann and talented but raw FR ND Okafor in the post: while Lars definitely looked improved in '21-'22 from previous seasons, he nonetheless struggled to compete v. P12 front courts. Fox historically doesn't give big minutes to FR, so the C and PF position next year figure to be a struggle. Wonder if he plans on having Sam fill Grant's shoes as the stretch 4?
You hit the nail on the head - though hardly a surprise, Fox does not seem to recruit well enough at the Power 5 level. Sorry to say, it's tough right now on paper to see how this team is better next year.
"Anyone else wondering why a team with a gaping hole in the post did not add an experienced, let alone impact, big man via the portal? "
bc Mark Fox sucks at recruiting?
Well, that's the truth. Still, a big body from some mid-major should've been available, even if he was just logging unproductive minutes...Fox seems to have made no effort to even recruit a big, let alone land one...just low percentage shooting guards that turn the ball over.