Missing D-Bev

[Connecticut13]

There has been a lot of talk on this board about just how important Kemba Walker was to this team last season and how much he is dearly missed. We knew this would be the case before the season (you just can't replace a Kemba Walker), but it's become even more obvious in the past few weeks. More than just his scoring, we miss his leadership. Despite SN's best attempts to be the leader of this team, it just hasn't quite happened yet. This team needs to find its voice, and the players need to not only find their roles, but also embrace their roles.

One thing that has not been discussed much is just how much we also miss Donnell Beverly. Yes, he averaged under 2 points a game. And yes, he only averaged 8.5 minutes a game. But, it's not his scoring that is missed. Heck, it's not even anything that necessarily occurred on the court that is missed. It's his leadership, both on and off the court. During Beverly's junior season (with Kemba a sophomore on a team that struggled all season), Donnell began to embrace the role of leader. Calhoun frequently commented on how Donnell, just a minor role player, had began to lead the team. After the poor 2009-2010 season, Donnell and Kemba decided to change things in 2010-2011. Together they led the team to a National Championship. Sure, Kemba did the majority of it. Kemba was a leader, Kemba made the game-winning shots, Kemba provided much of the toughness. But, Donnell's contribution must not be undervalued.

This season, Kemba's loss would not be as significant if Donnell was still around. Sure, we'd still miss Kemba's high level of play on the court. There was no player in college basketball like him. But, if D-Bev was still around, he would have been the leader of this team. He would have led by example. He would have shown how to embrace a role. He would have been a senior on a team full of underclassman. He wouldn't have the "go to" guy, but he would have been the unquestioned leader. So, yes, this team misses Kemba even more than we probably imagined it would But, it also misses Donnell Beverly. If Donnell was still here, the loss of Kemba would have been cushioned...even if just a little bit.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

You're gonna get blasted for this post.

And I love Donnell, think he's a great kid and was a really important voice in the program.

 

[UC990411]

Let me be the first. I love D-Bev as well, but come on. Seniors and leaders come and go. If Ricky Moore wasstill playing we'd be much better off as well.

You're gonna get blasted for this post.

And I love Donnell, think he's a great kid and was a really important voice in the program.

 

[Fishy]

Right now, I would settle for getting Boatright back.

DBev was great for what he was, but I think we need this year's backup point guard back far more.

Say, while I'm on the topic, how many free airlines flights do you think Mark Emmert has received since he got the head NCAA gig? Tickets bought and paid for, of course, by cash earned by 'student-athletes'.

But that's a permissible benefit, I 'spose.

 

[Palatine]

Why didn't D-Bev do those things in the heart of the BE schedule last year?

This looks like a huge reach.

 

[champs99and04]

There is no doubt we miss Beverly, even if it's just a little bit. I'm not sure how much of a vocal leader he was, but when you have a senior guard who lets go of his ego, guides the freshman guards, and doesn't stray outside his role, it definitely has an effect on the other guys, because they figure, if this guy only cares about the team, then I only care about the team.

Also, Beverly definitely would have been a better option than Brenan Allen at this point. He gave Kemba a blow at times last year.

 

[Connecticut13]

Sure, getting Boatright back would greatly increase this team's level of play. And, if this team is going to fulfill the lofty expectations we had pre-season, having Boatright back is absolutely essential. Still, even with Boatright, this team has struggled to find leadership. I only wanted to point out that if Beverly were here, things might be different leadership wise (although, we'd still struggle without Boatright).

Many of us compare this team to last season and wonder what has changed with some of the players. Why isn't Oriakhi the force in the post that he was in the NCAA tournament? Why isn't Roscoe that defensive presence and zone buster that he was last season? Yes, most of the changes this season have to do with not having Kemba. Just wanted to point out that losing Beverly also had an effect. The loss of the star player is always talked about and the loss of a role player like Beverly isn't.

 

[Burnsbros23]

what about coombs?

 

[RoderickSpode]

What about Chuck?

 

[Huskybass]

Sure, getting Boatright back would greatly increase this team's level of play. And, if this team is going to fulfill the lofty expectations we had pre-season, having Boatright back is absolutely essential. Still, even with Boatright, this team has struggled to find leadership. I only wanted to point out that if Beverly were here, things might be different leadership wise (although, we'd still struggle without Boatright).

Many of us compare this team to last season and wonder what has changed with some of the players. Why isn't Oriakhi the force in the post that he was in the NCAA tournament? Why isn't Roscoe that defensive presence and zone buster that he was last season? Yes, most of the changes this season have to do with not having Kemba. Just wanted to point out that losing Beverly also had an effect. The loss of the star player is always talked about and the loss of a role player like Beverly isn't.

I get where you are coming from on DBEV. He was a senior and was well liked even though his on court contributions were not major. This year, AO is the only upperclassman and he has been inconsistent at best, so there is no veteran leadership. If AO played like the AO of 2010-11, this team would have at least 2 more wins. I am still rooting for AO to snap out of his funk. When he plays well, this is a totally different team.