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I stated my doubts about AT at the beginning of the year, and now I feel even stonger. It has to be obvious to anyone who watches the Braves that SS and DC are below average post players, even in the MVC. The fact that AT can't play ahead of them, even with Will Egolf out of the way, speaks volumes. JL wants to win more than anyone, as that's his job, and even he doesn't trust AT on the court. It wouldn't surprise me if he's not around for next year. Seems like a great kid, maybe just not cut out for MVC basketball. It happens everywhere.
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Are you kidding me?!?! That's the most rediculous thing I've heard in a long time! AT was redshirted because he did not have any sort of DI body. He is now a freshman with a freshman's body. Give him some time. I understand being anxious about him but your post is completely rediculous.Originally posted by Disturbed View PostComment
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Yeah...let's keep in mind that AT is indeed still a freshmen, and I'm sure before the season started JL talked to him an reiterated that he is a freshmen "big" and "bigs" take more time to get in the lineup than freshmen guards. I do wish he could come in with SS and TW...that'd be cool to just pound the ball inside relentlessly. However, I just think JL is keeping AT as our secret weapon for next year.
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We might be a little too quick to dismiss kids if they don't develop their first year or so. AT has skills, athleticism, and talent. He just needs time. From everything I hear, he likes it at BU and isn't going anywhere.Comment
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I don't understand why everyone is so desperate to insert AT into the lineup. He's obviously not ready yet, so he isn't seeing the floor, and I don't see what the problem is with that. He's still just a rail-thin freshman who needs more time to develop before he's ready to get minutes.
When he's ready to play, JL will play him. It's as simple as that. And chances are, that won't happen until next year.Comment
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Coach Wright was on the pre-game(wmbd radio) sunday and talked about how they were working to get AT up to 235 lbs. This could be the reason why he has not played because he needs to get his weight up and by practicing and playing it would be hard to do that, I would like to see him play but I trust the staff that they are doing what is best for Anthony in the long run, why would he want to leave when we will be losing the 2 guys that are playing in front of him after this season, he is only a freshman so he has plenty of time ahead of him to make an impact at Bradley.Comment
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Exaclty...he's a smart kid. If he can actually reach 235+ pounds for next season he knows he'll be playing significant time. If JP and MK both come in DI ready like EM has then it'd be nice to see AT at the 5 and WE at the 4 together on the court once in a while. If they don't then AT and WE will be sharing the load in the paint separately...either way AT has plenty of playing time coming up soon.Comment
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Wasn't 235 the weight of NBA 7'1" #1 NBA pick Andrew Bogut?Originally posted by Bradleyguy10 View Post
AT is shorter and does not have to even that much
I do not think you need to be built like a #1 NBA pick just to see any minutes in the MVC...Comment
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They list him at 211 right now...but I have a hard time believing that. Regardless of the weight they list him at, it is pretty clear to me that he still needs to add a lot more muscle before he is going to play effective minutes in the post for us...Originally posted by ph View Post
If he can add another 25 'legitimate' pounds in the offseason like Ronnie Wright is planning for him, then he will be in a much better position to help us next year. He simply doesn't have a D-I post player's body yet.Comment
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So if he gains weight he will be a better player? He will be 21 years old in July, and I question how much more he will mature physically. Some guys are just going to be skinny. AT's been here almost two full seasons and apparently he hasn't made much significant improvement or I think he would be getting at least some minutes. It's not like he has POB playing in front of him.Originally posted by ER3 View Post
Also, related to this subject, someone had asked me the last time JL redshirted a freshman or anyone else for that matter that wasn't related to injury?Comment
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Hey it's not like I just threw that number out there for kicks and giggles. Look at the post above my previous one. Coach Wright is the one who said the goal was 235 so who am I to say that isn't right? If they want to aim for 235 then by all means go ahead. The higher the better. If they aim for 220 and get it then that's not as good as aiming for 235 and not getting it at 230.Originally posted by ph View Post
Also: David Collins C 7-0 242
Why is it so unrealistic for us to have AT get to 235 if we already have a center that, according to you, is built like a #1 draft pick. It's not just weight that matters, but it'd help AT out.
I disagree with you on this one. He is 21 but that doesn't mean he can't fill out. I think the whole stop gaining size thing after a certain age really mainly relates to height. He's tall enough, and I think he grew so quickly his body weight couldn't keep up. He's stopped growing now and I think it's the perfect time to start gaining the weight. Some just grow up first and then they grow OUT.Originally posted by Disturbed View Post
Also with the redshirting...I believe AT himself asked to be redshirted, not coach asking AT. Could be wrong, but that's just what I've always thought.Comment
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Sure, AT does not look the part, but I think there are a lot of good bigs in D1 that do not look the part of a stout inside guy..Originally posted by ER3 View Post
When I look down the road , some Illini post players with significant minutes (say 7'1.5" 220 Mike Tisdale) does not look noticiably larger. NOBODY on the Illini roster in the "big, tough B10" is listed over 220!, http://illinois.scout.com/a.z?s=169&...id=405&yr=2008
You frequently see many really lanky guys playing sucessfully in D1 BCS schools..
You will not get many bigs that look near as well built as Zach. I remember watching the Michigan State midnight madness intro 2 years ago with some toga/spartan intro, and everybody on that team looked like wimps in comparison to Zach..
So when coach Wright says he has a 235 goal for AT, that's fine, everybody on the staff should have goals, and re-evaluate those goals when they are getting close to met. but I think it is really unrealistic to say AT must be larger than everyone on the Illini just to sniff minutes...Comment
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