Who is the best BIG in the MVC next year?

[uniftw]

I'm thinking guys that play in the post. In no particular order, guys I would consider are:

Tuttle, Buss (really a stretch 4), Mockevicius, Lynch, Carter, Shaw, Gant, Smith (SF?), Thomas (SF?), Barnes (SF?), Olaniyan, Taylor, Kirk, McCullough

Anyone I am forgetting?

Centers/post forwards would be: Tuttle, Mock, Lynch, Carter, Gant, Kirk…big drop off offensively, but lots of potential from these returning sophomores: Olaniyan, Taylor, McCullough.

Stretch forwards would be: Buss, Shaw (I think), Smith, Thomas, Barnes…it gets a little tricky here as there are several 6-5ish guard/forwards that play the 3. I didn't include them.

If im ranking those players on a list for just next season I would go-

Centers- Tuttle, Mock, Carter,Gant, Lynch,Kirk

Forwards- Smith, Buss, Thomas, Shaw, Barnes



Tuttle might be player of the year this year and I like How Carter and Gant put up big offensive numbers over Lynch's rim protection and limited offensive game.

Smith looks to be set up for a breakout year. Like his size and athleticism, also very underrated defensively. After Buss there is a whole bunch of ?? on the wings this year. Guard and Centers are strong. 3's and 4's look to be unproven.

Is it just me or is there a rather large drop after Tuttle and Mock for centers?

I'm not sure Mock is all that close to Tuttle but he certainly has the potential to be...if the system in Evansville allows him to use it.

[Cdizzle]

Is it just me or is there a rather large drop after Tuttle and Mock for centers?

I think there is, at least in known commodities. I think Carter from WSU is going to have a great year, but his stats don't project to where I expect Mock and Tuttle, and I wouldn't really call him a center, either. And while Lynch had a good freshman year, he fouled way too often, even out of a zone. Fixable, for sure, but it might take some time.

[Bmarq04]

I like How Carter and Gant put up big offensive numbers over Lynch's rim protection and limited offensive game.

I glanced at some stats over the last 1/2 of the year (I used the last 1/2 because Lynch and Carter were still getting accustomed to the D1 game the first 1/2). Based on those stats, I'd bump Lynch above Gant and Carter.


Lynch averaged 9.6 pts, 5.5 rebs, and 3.2 blocks in 23.2 min. He's the best at protecting the rim and his scoring was much improved later in the year getting into double figures 10 of the last 17 games. Rebounding #'s should improve but he fouled way too often.

Carter would be my next pick averaging 7.6 pts, 4.2 rebs, and 1 block in only 17.8 min. I put him above Gant because I think with extra PT this year, he will outperform Gant. And, if he gets enough PT and does show a Carl Hall like bump like some WSU fans are hoping, he could pass Reggie and challenge for Tuttle and Mock.

Gant averaged 9.1 pts, 3.6 rebs, and .8 blocks in 24.6 min. I just don't think he brings enough to the rebounding and rim protection to pass Carter here.

For sure though, Tuttle and Mock are the clear 1 and 2.

[jturner38]

Gant was his best defensively his freshman year. But as his defense wore down over the years his offense stepped up. Really the problem with Gant is consistency. I'm hoping this year he will be consistent as he and K. Smith will have to carry the Sycamores this year I believe.

[Wufan]

I like How Carter and Gant put up big offensive numbers over Lynch's rim protection and limited offensive game.

I glanced at some stats over the last 1/2 of the year (I used the last 1/2 because Lynch and Carter were still getting accustomed to the D1 game the first 1/2). Based on those stats, I'd bump Lynch above Gant and Carter.


Lynch averaged 9.6 pts, 5.5 rebs, and 3.2 blocks in 23.2 min. He's the best at protecting the rim and his scoring was much improved later in the year getting into double figures 10 of the last 17 games. Rebounding #'s should improve but he fouled way too often.

Carter would be my next pick averaging 7.6 pts, 4.2 rebs, and 1 block in only 17.8 min. I put him above Gant because I think with extra PT this year, he will outperform Gant. And, if he gets enough PT and does show a Carl Hall like bump like some WSU fans are hoping, he could pass Reggie and challenge for Tuttle and Mock.

Gant averaged 9.1 pts, 3.6 rebs, and .8 blocks in 24.6 min. I just don't think he brings enough to the rebounding and rim protection to pass Carter here.

For sure though, Tuttle and Mock are the clear 1 and 2.

Great assessment! For curiosities sake, I looked at carter's numbers if he played 30% for time, or 5.3 minutes. That would put his total minutes at 23.1 minutes (virtually the same as Lynch). That would be Carter at 9.9 ppg and 5.5 rebounds as well as 1.3 blocks. Clearly, Lynch has the rim protection advantage, otherwise they were extremely similar in production, meanwhile Gant is really lacking in rebounding.

Tuttle and Mock are very, very good.

[mvcfan]

One advantage for Carter is that he is great at trapping at the point of a full court press and can guard 6'5 stretch 4s. With his long arms he is a serious factor on the full court press.

[UNIFanSince1983]

I like Carter a ton! I think he is a very good player. I didn't quite understand why he didn't start this year because I thought he was much better than Coleby. It is hard to argue with Marshall on that decision though with the season the Shox had.

I think he is due for a big year for the Shox this year. If Reggie Lynch improves he will definitely be in the running here as well. As others have said Tuttle and Mock are currently 1 and 2. I think Carter and Lynch have the potential to move into this top tier though. If Marty uses Mock like he should Mock could really blossom this year, but I really don't see their scheme changing with Ballentine still being there.

[Cdizzle]

I like Carter a ton! I think he is a very good player. I didn't quite understand why he didn't start this year because I thought he was much better than Coleby. It is hard to argue with Marshall on that decision though with the season the Shox had.

I think he is due for a big year for the Shox this year. If Reggie Lynch improves he will definitely be in the running here as well. As others have said Tuttle and Mock are currently 1 and 2. I think Carter and Lynch have the potential to move into this top tier though. If Marty uses Mock like he should Mock could really blossom this year, but I really don't see their scheme changing with Ballentine still being there.

Coleby was settled on as the starting center midway through the year. He provided a good chance to win the tip and a tone-setting defender to start the game. Bringing Carter off the bench also brought in a little more offense when we started subbing, which helped balance the rotation. Carter is also more of a natural 4 than a 5, but the PF spot was pretty well claimed last year. I'm curious to see how he does this year in what everyone assumes will be a slightly larger role.

Agree on Mock. I'm curious to see what sort of ball the try to play in Evansville this year. If it's the same ol, Marty has GOT to go.

[uniftw]

I like Carter a ton! I think he is a very good player. I didn't quite understand why he didn't start this year because I thought he was much better than Coleby. It is hard to argue with Marshall on that decision though with the season the Shox had.

I think he is due for a big year for the Shox this year. If Reggie Lynch improves he will definitely be in the running here as well. As others have said Tuttle and Mock are currently 1 and 2. I think Carter and Lynch have the potential to move into this top tier though. If Marty uses Mock like he should Mock could really blossom this year, but I really don't see their scheme changing with Ballentine still being there.

Coleby was settled on as the starting center midway through the year. He provided a good chance to win the tip and a tone-setting defender to start the game. Bringing Carter off the bench also brought in a little more offense when we started subbing, which helped balance the rotation. Carter is also more of a natural 4 than a 5, but the PF spot was pretty well claimed last year. I'm curious to see how he does this year in what everyone assumes will be a slightly larger role.

Agree on Mock. I'm curious to see what sort of ball the try to play in Evansville this year. If it's the same ol, Marty has GOT to go.

Agree with both of these.

Mock really could be a 17/18 and 10 a night guy...but he needs more than 192 shots. He made half as many shots as DJ while taking 25% of the shots that DJ did. If DJ doesn't stay under 425 shots and Mock doesn't get too closer to 300 this year (which won't happen) Evansville is going to be exactly where they were this year.

[rlh04d]

I like Carter a ton! I think he is a very good player. I didn't quite understand why he didn't start this year because I thought he was much better than Coleby. It is hard to argue with Marshall on that decision though with the season the Shox had.

I don't think starting under Marshall means all of that much. Orukpe was technically the starter the year prior, but I don't think he'd qualify as a "starter" under any measure except being on the court when the game began.

Orukpe and Coleby both seemed to "start" more because of the opening tip than anything else. Maybe for the initial interior defense as well.