Wisdom Cow – Great to read your comments and see your class overhere. I’m used to seeing you over at Wilner’s blog.

Max is pretty quick on the boards. Yes, lateral quickness is below average, but his hieght makes up for it (opponents still have to alter their shots much moreso than against the average defender, including Boykin). I admit I am assuming he continues to improve, though not the same jump he made from last year to this. His strength should increase and his understanding of positioning should improve with playing time (I am hopeful he goes to the big man camp, I think they still hold it, correct?).

MSF doesn’t seem overweight, IMO. He may be pushing it some, but I’d call him heavy, not overwieght. I think he got hit hard by the flu which really put him in a whole. I am not at all suprised a guy of his size trying to come back from significant illness/layoff developed back problems. It would be easy to do if he pushed his rehab from illness too hard. He is very strong, I love how he gets separation on offense for his shot, and I see his defense improving in terms of positioning. It is hard for me to put a near 2 week bout with the flu to the side and blame poor conditioning. I could certainly be wrong.

We will still be thin up front depth-wise which baffles me given Monty’s record with big men (I would think they would be lining up to play for him). Yet, I don’t think the cubbard is bare. Amoke is very fluid and still young, gaining great experience this season.

Don’t get me wrong. This is the year to win the Pac 10, not next, but I am not giving up on a tourney bid next season already.

MSF is slow in part due to poor conditioning. He’s obviously overweight and needs to lose some pounds so he can get quicker and imporve his jumping ability. His judgment and the way he uses his hands are other issues but beyond the scope of this thread.

We have no other options unless Solomon is a revelation (and I hope he is but am realistic in light of his need to develop physically) and Kamp’s pituitary gland can be manipulated to get him up to 6’9″….

LR, MSF and Max will be back next year. Not sure what your definition of “athletic big man” is, but one of them should qualify. MSF is strong and Max is quick with hieght. The loss of Boykin is huge, but not insurmountable. It is the guard play depth relying on freshman that will hold us back the most, but I wouldn’t predict a poor season already. It isn’t like the rest of the Pac 10 is going to become great in one year.

How do you figure? You mean losing two would not bury us in our title hunt but it would definitely hurt it. Esp. since we have two more road games right next week too. Because we have had 5 home games and 2 road games, we’ve essentially held serve. We really need to go 3-1 these next four. I would be disappointed but not too upset with 2-2. 1-3 or worse — well, we’re looking at either squeaking out a PX title somehow by going on a run or having to win the PXT. We’ve got to show up big time these next 4. No more excuses (injuries, flu, etc.) — let’s just do it.

Just like the game @ UW, this would be a huge win, but losing is not the end of the world. A split in the state is important, but even losing two would not hurt our chances at claiming the Pac 10 regular season title. I really want a win tonight, though, just because we really lack that nice road win.

If we win we deserve kudos for beating one of our tougher Pac 10 opponents on their home floor, if we lose we are just another mediocre Pac 10 team who will be worse next season.