(01-30-2020 05:28 PM)Gilesfan Wrote: (01-30-2020 04:46 PM)ODU BBALL Wrote: (01-30-2020 02:27 PM)Gilesfan Wrote: (01-30-2020 11:19 AM)ODU BBALL Wrote: (01-30-2020 11:04 AM)Gilesfan Wrote: Why do we care if we develop bigs from US or another country?
Why not save money with the recruiting budget and create better ties with the school by recruiting someone from the region? Also, they should surely be able to get more first hand looks at the kids that are within a couple hours drive than someone playing in Greece. If this kid was a star coming to the program - like Laughton or Lee were - then it would make sense. These last two from Greece don't seem to make alot of sense.
Who is to say there are kids that are within a couple hours drive that are just as good and willing to play at ODU? Who is to say that the relationships developed with coaches in greece won't produce a big time recruit that wants to attend ODU because of who has come over?
You're simply trying to argue about something now. We can play the "Who is to say" game all day long if you wish.
The two hours comment was simply a "for instance" and not meant to be a limiting factor. Surely there are lots of sizeable guys that could be taken on as a "project" within a 2 hour drive from Norfolk, right? You realize that in approximately two hours one could drive well into eastern and mid-NC and west to at least the Richmond and its supburbs.
The main point being, do you really think that it is necessary to go so far as Greece to get what they have gotten thus far to support the ODU basketball teams? I'm guessing not. Frankly, what what we have witnessed thus far, neither of them would be hard at all to replace.
We are talking about a true freshman. Unless we know what he will be in 2-3 years, then I have no idea what other options were out there that were interested in ODU.
We previously discussed (your point) that we had to have big guys. Now that we got one, we should have stay in the States for a big player?
Now you're trying to reword my previous comments on big guys to fit your story line. You think ODU had to go all the way to Greece to get an injured big guy to anchor the end of the bench for us? They probably could have found a healthy one in Hampton Roads alone to fit that bill.
For the record I have stated previously (since the end of last season) the need for ODU to get one or more bigs that can provide an immediate contribution. I mentioned something to the effect that it remained to be seen if this Greek guy could fit that bill, especially with his noted injury along with the facts that he is a European player and a true freshman.
Several on here (most likely yourself included) stated that they felt ODU would not have any problems with the Center position this season after I had made my comments detailing my concerns there. I believe I made those comments back in June after the recruitment of the big from Greece. I was skeptical of the development of both Dickens and Kalu as far as them progressing as much during the off season as some others had predicted they would. I also expressed my concerns regarding the technique that Dickens used to guard heavier/stronger post players - i.e. attempt to body up on them instead of leaving himself enough room to jump up to defend their close in shot. I stated that Kalu would be better suited to playing PF, and that those two was not enough - and that we were only an illness, injury, disciplinary action, foul trouble, etc. (transfer) away from having to play our undersized Carver at center. Well taaa-daaa, here we are.
NOTHING has changed in that regard. ODU needs bigs now even more than they did when last season ended. Jeff Jones himself stated right after the season ended, "We need to get more production out of the post position". What grade would you give him on fixing that matter?
If the Greek guy was any good today he would be playing. If he was too injured to play up to this point of the season then he shouldn't have been the lone big man brought in during the off season. Yes, ODU needs some size in the post, but they don't need another guy that is just getting splinters from sitting on the pine. That does nothing to help change the status quo.