As we head into year seven of the DeCuire regime, we can look back on any number of outstanding guard recruits--some among the best in the history of the program. But bona fide bigs? Not so many.
I can only identify three--Martin Breunig, Fabijan Kryslovic and Jamar Akoh. And only Akoh was a DeCuire recruit. Breunig was a redshirt senior DeCuire's first year, and Kryslovic a sophomore--both holdovers from the Tinkle era.
The list of washouts? Alphonso Anderson; Bryden Boehning; Admir Beslovic; Kelby Kramer; Karl Nicholas; Yagizhan Selcuk; Ben Carter; Michael Steadman; Darius Henderson.
In this regard we may be heading into the best year for bigs in DeCuire's seven year era: Kyle Owens, Josh Bannan and Scott Blakney. And while I don't think of Mack Anderson as a true big because of his slight build, he may be in the mix as well.
But how these guys perform this year will be critical. Because the answer to a deficiency of big men is to play fast-break, three-point basketball, a style that seems anathema to DeCurie. He really is old-school. And to be successful old-school, you've got to have bulk and competence in the low post.
Can Owens bulk up? Will Bannan develop beyond the promise of his freshman year? Will Blakney fit into DeCuire's system?
Verdict is out.
I can only identify three--Martin Breunig, Fabijan Kryslovic and Jamar Akoh. And only Akoh was a DeCuire recruit. Breunig was a redshirt senior DeCuire's first year, and Kryslovic a sophomore--both holdovers from the Tinkle era.
The list of washouts? Alphonso Anderson; Bryden Boehning; Admir Beslovic; Kelby Kramer; Karl Nicholas; Yagizhan Selcuk; Ben Carter; Michael Steadman; Darius Henderson.
In this regard we may be heading into the best year for bigs in DeCuire's seven year era: Kyle Owens, Josh Bannan and Scott Blakney. And while I don't think of Mack Anderson as a true big because of his slight build, he may be in the mix as well.
But how these guys perform this year will be critical. Because the answer to a deficiency of big men is to play fast-break, three-point basketball, a style that seems anathema to DeCurie. He really is old-school. And to be successful old-school, you've got to have bulk and competence in the low post.
Can Owens bulk up? Will Bannan develop beyond the promise of his freshman year? Will Blakney fit into DeCuire's system?
Verdict is out.