Comparing the USF and UConn Bigs

[UConnJim]

Last night, USF played 4 bigs and UConn played 4 bigs. (Yakwe, Diarra, and Williams were out and I didn't include Wilson as a big.) Let's compare the bigs.

USF
Michael Durr: 7' 245 lbs, FR, 3* ranked 283, #42 C.
Alexis Yetna: 6'8" 231 lbs, RFR, 3* ranked 270, #66 PF
Mayan Kiir: 6'9" 218 lbs, SO, 4* ranked 120, #31 PF
Anton Maricovic: 6'10" 249 lbs, JR, N/R (JUCO from Croatia)

Avg Size: 6' 10" 236 lbs, 3.3*, ranked 224 (excluded unranked player)

UConn
Eric Cobb: 6'9" 249 lbs, SR, 3* ranked 273, #67 PF
Tyler Polley: 6'8" 201 lbs, SO, 3* ranked 187, #47 PF
Josh Carlton: 6'10" 236 lbs, SO, 3* ranked 219, #20 C
Isiah Whaley: 6'8" 209 lbs, SO, N/R

Avg Size: 6'9" 225 lbs., 3* ranked 226 (excluded unranked player)

Bottom line, with UConn missing Yakwe and Diarra, there is not much of a difference in recruiting rankings and experience, but the average USF big was 1" and 11 lbs heavier.

Production last night:

USF Bigs: 75 minutes, 15 points (4-12 FGs, 6-10 FTs), 16 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 assist, 6 TOs, 6 blocks, 13 fouls.

UConn Bigs: 63 minutes, 7 points (2-15 FGs 3-5 FTs) , 12 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 assist, 3 TOs, 5 blocks, 11 fouls.

The production was not great from either group of Bigs, but advantage to USF.


My analysis is that the USF and UConn bigs have similar talent with USF's bigs stronger and they somewhat outplayed UConn's bigs last night. Polley's 1-10 FG (0-7 3FG) really hurt last night and was the difference in the game. Without better quality big men, UConn will struggle to beat good teams with superior front court talent.

 

[WrenchFan69]

Our bigs are definitely mediocre, especially missing two of the better ones. But comparing team to team last night, USF was worlds stronger and tougher, and that was the difference. Going to take a couple years at least it seems.

 

[superjohn]

Our bigs are definitely mediocre, especially missing two of the better ones. But comparing team to team last night, USF was worlds stronger and tougher, and that was the difference. Going to take a couple years at least it seems.

Our bigs are nowhere close to mediocre, they are terrible. I watch a lot of college basketball and have yet to see a frontcourt as bad as ours.

 

[Towney007]

Our bigs are nowhere close to mediocre, they are terrible. I watch a lot of college basketball and have yet to see a frontcourt as bad as ours.

It's really that bad.

 

[LIuconn]

How many games has Diarra played? At what point do we stop counting him as 'missing'

 

[superjohn]

How many games has Diarra played? At what point do we stop counting him as 'missing'

He has degenerative knee issues, sucks for us and especially for him but he can't be a part of the plan. If he plays great but certainly can't expect it.

 

[mauconnfan]

You know the "stronger and tougher" thing is only partially correct. Not one of the UConn players couldn't compete with that front court of USF's, no mater what their size is now, if they knew how to play basketball. The small details of being "tougher" by being smarter, more proactive would be plenty to outplay that mediocre front court. No doubt "tougher" is a need but even a thin guy like Polley could compete if he took the fundamental approach to rebounding but none of them do. Hit first, read shots, guess where the carom is going just plain hit someone in the right spot and they need to foul you to beat you to the ball and get you out of the way. Like Brimah none have hands ready enough, none hit while the shooter is preparing instead wait until it's on the way (if the box out at all) and by then the other teams big has outfoxed you.

Don't get me wrong we need bigger, stronger kids but let's not believe this is the only reason they get out rebounded because it's not. What we do know is they don't understand the necessities to be a good rebounder, the need to be proactive in getting position especially seeing you aren't strong enough to rebound when you don't have the initial position.

Basically, we have a really bad rebounding team because they don't want to be good rebounders or they just don't care enough to put in the time.

 

[Doctor Hoop]

You know the "stronger and tougher" thing is only partially correct. Not one of the UConn players couldn't compete with that front court of USF's, no mater what their size is now, if they knew how to play basketball. The small details of being "tougher" by being smarter, more proactive would be plenty to outplay that mediocre front court. No doubt "tougher" is a need but even a thin guy like Polley could compete if he took the fundamental approach to rebounding but none of them do. Hit first, read shots, guess where the carom is going just plain hit someone in the right spot and they need to foul you to beat you to the ball and get you out of the way. Like Brimah none have hands ready enough, none hit while the shooter is preparing instead wait until it's on the way (if the box out at all) and by then the other teams big has outfoxed you.

Don't get me wrong we need bigger, stronger kids but let's not believe this is the only reason they get out rebounded because it's not. What we do know is they don't understand the necessities to be a good rebounder, the need to be proactive in getting position especially seeing you aren't strong enough to rebound when you don't have the initial position.

Basically, we have a really bad rebounding team because they don't want to be good rebounders or they just don't care enough to put in the time.

I want to give this 11 likes.

 

[imno1]

Start with the basics. Jump for a rebound, dunk a lay-in. These may be hard to grasp concepts but maybe by year 4 it could happen