3star_recruit

If they became a 16 team conference it would soon crumble under its own weight anyway. The current members aren't exactly marching in lockstep right now. The Billikens need to be part of a stable situation.

Kent would not have addressed our need at small forward at the time. Maurice could play the 2 or the 3, just like Darren Clarke can play the 2 or the 3. Randal Falker would not have addressed the need to replace Kenny Brown and Chris Braun at center. Besides Randal is majoring in civil engineering, which SLU doesn't have. As for Matt Shaw, I'm his biggest fan on this board. I'm just not sure what the staff's intentions are at the power forward position. If they are comfortable with Izik and JJ defending that position on defense, they may not sign a 4 this year. Darren Clarke is big enough to play some three, but signing a 6'5 kid to play that position would be nice.

Congratulations to Blake on a great all-star game. But whether he scored 44 or 80 points, that doesn't change the fact that we need someone to back up the 3 this year. Darren Clarke, 6'3 195 lb is more physically prepared to do that than Blake Ahearn, 6'2 170 lb. The 1 and 2 guard positions are pretty much set with Fisher, Morris, Bryant and Drejaj.

With the loss of the only Big East teams to be ranked in the top 10 the last 4 years, 1) the Big East will lose its BCS slot 2) their next TV contract in football will be significantly lower than their present one. One article I've read says the contract would be slashed in half with the loss of Miami alone.

Darren Clarke scored 41 points also, in the Nike Super Showcase last summer in Orlando. So both players have shown they can score 41 points in meaningless games. What does that prove?

"no the way i had heard it was that one of either husak or the greek would redshirt, however brad would wait until the fall to decide which would sit this year." And Brad has never said anything different. But I knew better when I compared Coach's comments regarding both players. Bryce's fundamentals are "good". Ian's fundamentals are "tremendous" and "excellent". Ian has a chance to be "special". Read between the lines.

"all i am saying is that the first of 3 revelations of our actual inside position has been uncovered. that is my sigh." What revelation? Frericks, Vouyoukas and JJ are replacing Brown and Braun. We've pretty much agreed that Husak would be a redshirt for almost two months now. So why the concern about Husak?

This 41 point All-Star game performance has really spooked you, hasn't it?

Nobody should be surprised Husak is a project based on Brad's own comments: "I don't want people to get the impression that he will come in and be a 30-minute per game player, but few big men his age are. Because we were in a position to sign five players this year, it was a great time to take on a player that will work hard and become a valuable post player in our conference." But the other guys can play, again based on Brad's words. "Tom brings that strength, rebounding and defensive ability that we need to fill the hole left by Kenny Brown and Chris Braun," Soderberg said. "He also has the ability to score in the post, so we can throw it to him with some confidence." "Ian has excellent post moves, great hands and tremendous passing ability," Soderberg continued. "He's serious about becoming an outstanding player, and that passion for the game also is a highly desirable quality." Coach hasn't given me any reason not to trust him, and I'm not about to start now. You'd think from some posters hand-wringing we're replacing Mourning and Mutombo instead of Brown and Braun in the frontcourt.

"His feet looked like they were in quick sand." I don't think he's finished growing yet. Did you see the size of those puppies? Had to be size 20s. It takes a big man to fill those shoes and hopefully Husak will grow into one.

I was surprised by Clarke's court vision. I know he can shoot it so I'm not worried about last night's brickfest. And you're right, he is 6'3. I'm not sure if I reported this before, but Clarke sprained his ankle in March and had to be held out a week. Not sure if it was a high ankle sprain but I've had one and those suckers hurt.

"The National team had a real jerk in #7 LaKeith Blanks." He was rather . . demonstrative, wasn't he? Lots of screaming, scowling and strutting. Must be a fan of the NBA.

I don't think we'll find out anything useful about Husak or Clarke in this game. First, no one feeds the post in an All-Star game so the only shots Husak will get is off an offensive rebound. Second, Clarke can shoot it, but he may have to trip Richard McBride and Anthony Harris on the way downcourt to get the ball from them.

"I'm beginning to tremble." It's just basketball, man.

Thanks for the link, Nate. I don't really see Husak getting much PT in a run-and-gun all-star game. Maybe we'll get to see Clarke take a few shots after McBride, Gardner and Harris take their 20 shots apiece.

I got called in to work on Wednesday but I went today and nobody was there yet by 5:00 pm. Maybe they're taking in the draft.

If CUSA adds Pittsburgh and West Virginia, Cinci and Louisville aren't going anywhere.

CUSA would be better off giving Houston and Tulane their walking papers and adding Pitt and West Virginia. The question is, will they do it?

I've been reading Rivals and CUSA Talk message boards this morning and I still don't think most posters "get it". There is no way the the Big East can maintain a BCS bid with the loss of Miami. None. Adding Louisville does not make up for losing the #1 football program and the country. The TV contract is also going to take a massive hit with the departure of Miami and Virginia Tech. The Big East is in Big Trouble. They've only got 6 football playing members and two of them - UConn and Rutgers - suck. They're embroiled in a lawsuit with the ACC that may take months to resolve. Notre Dame can not be counted in join in football or to stay in basketball. Any team that joins the Big East risks being hung to dry whenever the ACC decides to add a twelfth team. And I can't imagine the athletic directors have any confidence in commissioner Tranghese at this point. CUSA is the conference negotiating from a position of strength, not the Big East.

Hmm . . . he's 6'5, not big and strong and his hair isn't that dark. That doesn't sound like Luke Meyer, that sounds like Dane Brumagin, a rising junior (Class of 2005) from Warrenton Christian. He scrimmaged a little with the Bills last summer and held his own. Brumagin's high school competition is extremely weak - he averaged 30 ppg and 13 rpg this past year - so the only real comp he gets is over the summer. I really hope this mystery player plays tomorrow so I can verify.

I'm off tomorrow so I can attend.

I'd take Lebron because he is really a 6'8 point guard - over the last 3 years he has averaged over 5 assists a game even though he averaged over 27 ppg. http://216.109.117.135/search/cache?p=Lebr...bron/stats.html That causes an instant matchup problem for the other team. If you guard Lebron with a point guard, he'll just shoot over the top of the defender. If you guard him with a bigger player that means one of Lebron's teammates has a mismatch and Lebron will get him the ball.

Clags had absolutely no talent at Venice and still posted a .500 record over two years. At McCluer he will have something to work with. Isham Williams should be All-Conference next year.

Hancock is a solid 3A program so this a good opportunity for Roland. He'll have young squad next year, though. http://prepsports.stltoday.com/ssi/prep/st...ketball+program

I don't think Drejaj will got outworked. I just believe Polk is a better point guard than he is, and Clarke is a better shooting guard. He can't help but get squeezed for minutes.