On the ETSU board, they are having discussion about lack of size inside on their team. This has been a problem for Belmont in the past. Right now, we seem to have some size with Scott Saunders at 6-10 250 pounds, Mic Hedgepeth at 6-9 230 pounds, Mike Dejworek 6-11 235 pounds, and Keaton Belcher at 6-9 215. Keaton really plays more of a small forward, but the others play a 4 or 5 position.

I think 3 of those 4 will be on the floor quite a bit. I would like to see Mike have a solid year in a back up role, but I’m not holding my breath. In the past, we did well with a smaller line up and I think ETSU will do well with the small lineup this year, but my question is this, will size help us out in the smaller ASun?

I checked the newly released 2009-10 rosters for the league or last year’s roster and announced signings for ASun teams. Just based on height, the ASun size contest would go to Kennesaw State. Here are the number players over 6-8 by team.

5 – Kennesaw State
4 – Belmont
2 – Lipscomb
2 – Stetson
1 – ETSU
1 – Florida Gulf Coast
1 – Jacksonville
1 – USC Upstate
0 – Campbell
0 – Mercer
0 – North Florida

What teams will size (or lack of it) help or hurt?

Lack of size is a concern for us again this season. It is possible that are starting center will be 6'4" Tommy Hubbard. If not Tommy, then 6'8" Isiah Brown will play center, but Brown is far more effective at the '4'. Surprisingly, Hubbard holds his own in the post, and plays far bigger than 6'4". He outhustled a 6'11" 300 lb center at App. State and had 7 rebounds against NBA-draft picks Blair and Young of Pitt. We also have developing 6'11" Seth Coy, who will have to give us productive minutes this season for us to be successful. We also have a 6'8" kid from Tampa coming in (Lukas Poderis), but I'm not sure how much he'll contribute his freshman year. He had a very successful prep career.

I'm not sure how much our lack of size matters in league play. I can really only think of a few big men who I fear playing in the league: Hoznic of David Lipscomb and Colbert at JU to a lesser extent. You guys seem to have some more size this year. I thought you had some nice big men a few years ago with Herndon and Preston (I believe it was Preston? Tall, thin kid?). Those two were the nail in our coffin a few years ago in the ASUN finals. KSU has some highly recruited big men coming in next year in Cummings and Green. These two, if they develop, have a great deal of potential. I suspect Green and Cummings will impact the league sooner rather than later.

I have been impressed with Belcher and Hedgepeth, but less so with Dejworek. What are you guys expecting from Saunders?

(07-17-2009 07:24 PM)Bucfaithful Wrote:  Lack of size is a concern for us again this season. It is possible that are starting center will be 6'4" Tommy Hubbard. If not Tommy, then 6'8" Isiah Brown will play center, but Brown is far more effective at the '4'. Surprisingly, Hubbard holds his own in the post, and plays far bigger than 6'4". He outhustled a 6'11" 300 lb center at App. State and had 7 rebounds against NBA-draft picks Blair and Young of Pitt. We also have developing 6'11" Seth Coy, who will have to give us productive minutes this season for us to be successful. We also have a 6'8" kid from Tampa coming in (Lukas Poderis), but I'm not sure how much he'll contribute his freshman year. He had a very successful prep career.

I'm not sure how much our lack of size matters in league play. I can really only think of a few big men who I fear playing in the league: Hoznic of David Lipscomb and Colbert at JU to a lesser extent. You guys seem to have some more size this year. I thought you had some nice big men a few years ago with Herndon and Preston (I believe it was Preston? Tall, thin kid?). Those two were the nail in our coffin a few years ago in the ASUN finals. KSU has some highly recruited big men coming in next year in Cummings and Green. These two, if they develop, have a great deal of potential. I suspect Green and Cummings will impact the league sooner rather than later.

I have been impressed with Belcher and Hedgepeth, but less so with Dejworek. What are you guys expecting from Saunders?

I expect Saunders to start. If he could get some starts as a true freshman at Rice, then he probably can at Belmont two years later. I've heard really good reports on him, and he is supposedly better than Herndon or Preston. We shall see. If Dejworek plays much, we're in trouble unless he really gets better. We'll have some quality size next year. Also, Jordan Campbell can play bigger than his size too. I like our chances at controlling the boards and paint next year. We have to find the shooters and ballhandlers for a change.

Size will always matter. However, you can get around it with superior athletic talent and a clever point guard to go with.

Kennesaw will really be able to break the full court press due to our size this year. I have heard great things about a few of our new guys including that a few of them can bring the ball up the court. However, like gold stated height alone will not win games. I look to see three of our five guys over 6'8" getting big minutes- Green (RF), Mitchell (played late last year with injuries), and Heramb (Auburn transfer- did not play last year). Cumming is actually listed as 6'7" so he is not counted in the five suggested above.