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(04-16-2019 07:49 AM)DownOnRohs Wrote:  Maybe he doesn't love it at UC and Mick leaving has given him a golden ticket to attend 2 years at a different university for free.

If true, can't fault him for that.

Darius Mcneill who is transferring from CAL and a 1 time UC recruit has now committed to SMU.( Jon Rothstein tweet) Good get for SMU.

Two points I've read in this thread where i would offer counter arguments:

1) Brooks doesn't fit into Brannen's offense because he does not use traditional "5's"
This seems silly to me. How many traditional 5's w/ talent commit to schools like NKU? The truth is, we have no idea yet how Brannen might utilize an athletic big man. Time will tell. Most good coaches can adapt the system to the players they have. But, there is no way for any of us to know one way or the other at this point.

2) Brooks is not NBA-caliber
Again, this seems silly to me. For anyone that watches the NBA, they know the rosters are made up of stars, compliments, and role players. I believe Brooks is currently trending as someone that could make a nice NBA career for himself as a role player / 2nd team big man on a roster that can give you 10-12 minutes a night. It's not a bad career to have. For the sake of argument - consider these #'s:

Bearcat big men in their Jr seasons:
Player A: 8.2 Pts, 6.3 Reb (4th option on his perimeter-oriented team)
Player B: 8.1 Pts, 6.3 Reb

Player A went on to have an 11-year NBA career (Corie Blount)
Player B is Brooks

My only point is that none of us no for sure what his NBA prospects might be at this point.

I just want Brooks on the team. Contrary to popular myth, I do NOT think he's a stiff.

Brooks definitely came around this season, and you could see him add a step through move in the post as the season went on. A lot of players want to do a fade, or hook shot when posting up, but Brooks really figured out what works for him.

For those calling Brooks a stiff, there is NOTHING most 7-footers do that will look graceful. If you watch around college basketball, you'll find most 7 footers playing the same way. They don't all dunk 100% of the time. They don't block every shot. They don't move like Kevin Durant. You can't think everyone that tall is going to be Shaquille O'Neal.

Also, as an NKU alum, NKU played some of it's most effective basketball last season with 7 foot tall Chris Vogt playing alongside Drew McDonald. So this "Brannen can't have a natural big on the floor ever" angle is kinda overblown.

I actually think Brooks can be more effective in Brannen's offensive scheme. He shoots the ball pretty well face up, and does not depend on playing with his back to the basket. He struggled more offensively when he played with his back to the basket. His half hooks and post moves were not as strong. Key is he stays out of foul trouble going after rebounds. That was his downfall on both ends. He doesn't shy away from contact which is both his strength and weakness. Needs to learn to pick his fights to stay on the court. He's great offensively as he can guard a 4 or 5.

(04-17-2019 08:43 AM)fnz Wrote:  Brooks definitely came around this season, and you could see him add a step through move in the post as the season went on. A lot of players want to do a fade, or hook shot when posting up, but Brooks really figured out what works for him.

For those calling Brooks a stiff, there is NOTHING most 7-footers do that will look graceful. If you watch around college basketball, you'll find most 7 footers playing the same way. They don't all dunk 100% of the time. They don't block every shot. They don't move like Kevin Durant. You can't think everyone that tall is going to be Shaquille O'Neal.

Also, as an NKU alum, NKU played some of it's most effective basketball last season with 7 foot tall Chris Vogt playing alongside Drew McDonald. So this "Brannen can't have a natural big on the floor ever" angle is kinda overblown.

Was he the one Keith Williams almost killed on the dunk attempt?

(04-17-2019 08:50 AM)coachpipe Wrote:  

(04-17-2019 08:43 AM)fnz Wrote:  Brooks definitely came around this season, and you could see him add a step through move in the post as the season went on. A lot of players want to do a fade, or hook shot when posting up, but Brooks really figured out what works for him.

For those calling Brooks a stiff, there is NOTHING most 7-footers do that will look graceful. If you watch around college basketball, you'll find most 7 footers playing the same way. They don't all dunk 100% of the time. They don't block every shot. They don't move like Kevin Durant. You can't think everyone that tall is going to be Shaquille O'Neal.

Also, as an NKU alum, NKU played some of it's most effective basketball last season with 7 foot tall Chris Vogt playing alongside Drew McDonald. So this "Brannen can't have a natural big on the floor ever" angle is kinda overblown.

Was he the one Keith Williams almost killed on the dunk attempt?

This is accurate. I did say they played "some" of their most effective basketball!

No doubt in my mind Brooks will start and have a great season if he decides to stay. Brannen is a smart coach and will find a way to utilize his talents. Really hope he changes his mind.

Brannen is a good enough coach to realize he has to win with the players he has and use them to their strengths. In the future he may not have as many traditional big men, but he also knows Brooks is one of the better players on the team and gives them their best chance at being successful.

His defense will be a key and I expect Brannen will help develop him in different ways (example: passing out of the post).

(04-17-2019 07:22 AM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  I just want Brooks on the team. Contrary to popular myth, I do NOT think he's a stiff.

I think Brooks was our most important player down the stretch last season...it would hurt us considerably to lose him. His season reminded me a TON of Chiekh Mbodji's senior year...started out rough, but by the end was completely taking over portions of games. I remember being really disappointed he didn't have another year, and that's why I hope to hell we can keep Brooks because he could be something special too.

(04-17-2019 11:48 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  

(04-17-2019 07:22 AM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  I just want Brooks on the team. Contrary to popular myth, I do NOT think he's a stiff.

I think Brooks was our most important player down the stretch last season...it would hurt us considerably to lose him. His season reminded me a TON of Chiekh Mbodji's senior year...started out rough, but by the end was completely taking over portions of games. I remember being really disappointed he didn't have another year, and that's why I hope to hell we can keep Brooks because he could be something special too.

You mean the stiff who put up 5.1 PPG and 4.7 RPG?

(04-17-2019 11:44 AM)C1ncy4Life Wrote:  Brannen is a good enough coach to realize he has to win with the players he has and use them to their strengths. In the future he may not have as many traditional big men, but he also knows Brooks is one of the better players on the team and gives them their best chance at being successful.

His defense will be a key and I expect Brannen will help develop him in different ways (example: passing out of the post).

Yeah, I don't think Coach Brannen is going to complain about having a 6'11" guy who defends, rebounds, moves well and is developing a nice low post game. He'll definitely find a way to use Brooks effectively.

(04-17-2019 12:02 PM)doss2 Wrote:  

(04-17-2019 11:48 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  

(04-17-2019 07:22 AM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  I just want Brooks on the team. Contrary to popular myth, I do NOT think he's a stiff.

I think Brooks was our most important player down the stretch last season...it would hurt us considerably to lose him. His season reminded me a TON of Chiekh Mbodji's senior year...started out rough, but by the end was completely taking over portions of games. I remember being really disappointed he didn't have another year, and that's why I hope to hell we can keep Brooks because he could be something special too.

You mean the stiff who put up 5.1 PPG and 4.7 RPG?

Yes... that's the same guy who averaged 8PPG 1BPG and 6.7RPG the last ten games.

Brooks showed great improvement down the stretch this year and there is no reason he shouldn't get better his senior season.

I think Mbodj was a little overvalued in that post but we absolutely do not have the 9 NCAA streak without him. Our last game his senior year was against a bad USF team (is there any other kind?) and we were really struggling and he was the driving force behind us coming back in that game. We ended up a 10 seed that year so the home loss to USF probably knocks us out.

(04-17-2019 12:02 PM)doss2 Wrote:  

(04-17-2019 11:48 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  

(04-17-2019 07:22 AM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  I just want Brooks on the team. Contrary to popular myth, I do NOT think he's a stiff.

I think Brooks was our most important player down the stretch last season...it would hurt us considerably to lose him. His season reminded me a TON of Chiekh Mbodji's senior year...started out rough, but by the end was completely taking over portions of games. I remember being really disappointed he didn't have another year, and that's why I hope to hell we can keep Brooks because he could be something special too.

You mean the stiff who put up 5.1 PPG and 4.7 RPG?

At the end of the season, specifically against USF and Providence, you could tell he turned a significant corner. Obviously not to the extent of Brooks, but it reminded me of that situation.

(04-17-2019 08:43 AM)fnz Wrote:  Brooks definitely came around this season, and you could see him add a step through move in the post as the season went on. A lot of players want to do a fade, or hook shot when posting up, but Brooks really figured out what works for him.

For those calling Brooks a stiff, there is NOTHING most 7-footers do that will look graceful. If you watch around college basketball, you'll find most 7 footers playing the same way. They don't all dunk 100% of the time. They don't block every shot. They don't move like Kevin Durant. You can't think everyone that tall is going to be Shaquille O'Neal.

Also, as an NKU alum, NKU played some of it's most effective basketball last season with 7 foot tall Chris Vogt playing alongside Drew McDonald. So this "Brannen can't have a natural big on the floor ever" angle is kinda overblown.

i JUST wanted to see Brooks be consistent in making 5 foot jump shots or utilize the backboard for close in shots. He started this season out hitting some nice short hook shots and then as the season progressed he was shooting air balls with them. He seemed to hesitate dunking a shot around the basket which really puzzled me. HE Needs to get stronger and become more aggressive around the basket.
i HOPE he stays. Great shot blocker along with Scott.

i asked it before, not sure if i got a response, did brooks ever win an opening tip?

I would be curious to see what impact Brannen would have working with Brooks on his offensive game. Drew McDonald gives(JB) an awful lot of credit for developing his game, and given Brannen is a big guy himself i have no doubt that his approach would help Nas. That said, Brooks has to be able to stay on the floor more than 20 minutes a game if he's going to move it to the next level wherever he goes. In some ways defense and rebounding were his biggest asset, and also his worst enemy. A guy at that point in his career needs to get 30 minutes a game. I think some of his foul issues were born out of his frustration missing shots up close. If he progressed offensively, i think you would see a guy who is able to contribute more on both ends of the court.