Edge.....

[dogsrus]

Since another poster stated his opinion on him in another thread I thought I'd start one for him specifically. While I WISH he was 3-4 inches taller I really like what I saw from this freshman.

He has some work to do but don't most freshman.

+'S = Good ballhandling.....above average defense....above average to very good speed.....good free throw shooter.....can get to the rim.......great rebounder and shotblocker for a guy his size.....goood stroke (see -'s)

-'s = Doesn't look for his shot....try's to force passes sometimes.....gets to the rim but needs to learn a 6-8 foot pullup J.......hit the freshman wall.....lack of confidence.

Edge seems like a smart kid...NEVER hear a negative word about his work habits. Appears to have a solid BB IQ.

I'd give him a C+ maybe even a B- for the year. I look for a SOLID soph season with a solid B to B+ year if he can clean up some of his weaknesses. I have NO reason to doubt he won't.

[Beninator]

Nice post DRU.. IMO, if Eddren was 3-4 inches taller, he would be at a BCS school. We got nice contributions from him this year and I look forward to seeing Eddren play in future years.


A couple of things I would add to your list.

1. Needs to work on freethrows.
2. Needs work on his three point shot... I would put this on the backburner compared to other items listed.

[BuAlum03]

really? a C+ or a B-? If he was a jr / sr, i'd agree. but considering he's a freshman, I'd go with a B+. Of course, its purely opinion, so i respect yours. I think if he develops confidence in his shot, he will be fantastic. I love that he's a pass-first pg, and he has a nice stroke, he just has to be more comfortable taking it when it's available to him.

[Braves4Life]

really? a C+ or a B-? If he was a jr / sr, i'd agree. but considering he's a freshman, I'd go with a B+. Of course, its purely opinion, so i respect yours. I think if he develops confidence in his shot, he will be fantastic. I love that he's a pass-first pg, and he has a nice stroke, he just has to be more comfortable taking it when it's available to him.

Excellent point! You took the words out of my mouth.

McCain as a Freshman -- B+
Maniscalco as Freshman -- A

McCain as Sophomore -- ??
Maniscalco as Sophomore -- B

Let's hope both improve on their grade for 2009-10

[dogsrus]

Hey I gave him a B-.....I don't think thats all bad for a freshman. I think there is merit in the fact he was a freshman and yes I could have graded him on the freshman curve so to speak but he was a starter and I graded him as one.

Had he not "hit the wall" and lost confidence as he stated he probably would have been a strong B IMO...but he did and that hurt him a tad.

He had some strong moments and overall played very good but he needs to shoot more and force less passes....I think that will all come with time/experience. I also think he was hurt by our lack of strong inside prescence...but it is what it is and he is what HE is.

Don't get caught up on numbers or grades...especially from me I REALLY like the kid and if you think he's a B...B+....or an A is warranted thats fine.

[SFP]

Let's not use a bell curve because a player is a freshman. EM has work to do but the potential has been exposed and I expect to see him improve dramatically next year. We already saw that his turnover numbers per minute improved tremendously as the season went along! I believe he has the physical ability to be a Ty Lawson like player. He will need to develop that outside shot first but the tools are all there for him to be an all time great here at BU.

[dogsrus]

Let's not use a bell curve because a player is a freshman. EM has work to do but the potential has been exposed and I expect to see him improve dramatically next year. We already saw that his turnover numbers per minute improved tremendously as the season went along! I believe he has the physical ability to be a Ty Lawson like player. He will need to develop that outside shot first but the tools are all there for him to be an all time great here at BU.

I agree...I would add I think he HAS the shot (I'm sure it can be perfected so to speak) but he just needs the confidence to take it. As I stated...that should come with experience.

I agree....he'll be an alltime favorite player. I hate to use the word great....I save that for the Hawkins and Walkers.

[BU Firsty]

Let me add a plus - this kid is fearless. He is tough and never backed down from anything. That is a huge plus in my book.

[real fan]

He had a great year for a freshman, needs to work on his shot because when he is hitting outside shots it makes it really tough to beat us.

[bigdaddystuck]

Good points by all.

I really like his overall athletic ability. I think that he had a very good start to the season and then cooled down the stretch. I like his ability to handle the ball and create. His speed and ability to jump erased many mistakes on D. He needs to work on his outside shot and get that confidence up. I agree that he has to be in the top 4 freshman in the league....my grade would be a solid B-. If he had finished a little stronger I would have bumped him up to a B+....but love his upside!

[ifarania]

Love most of his game... Great with the basketball, good floor vision, breakneck speed... Just one negative for me:

He is very lackluster in his effort when it comes to defending the outside shot.

[ER3]

Let's not use a bell curve because a player is a freshman. EM has work to do but the potential has been exposed and I expect to see him improve dramatically next year. We already saw that his turnover numbers per minute improved tremendously as the season went along! I believe he has the physical ability to be a Ty Lawson like player. He will need to develop that outside shot first but the tools are all there for him to be an all time great here at BU.

Eddren McCain...Ty Lawson?...All-time great at BU? Give me a break.

I like McCain well enough. I like a lot of his intangibles that he brings...his poise, his toughness, etc. I think he has a chance to be a nice player for us...If he could have as good of a career at BU as Billy Wright did, I'd be extremely happy.

He hit a wall this year...which is understandable as a freshman...He showed very little offensively...no confidence in his outside shot and an inability to get to the rim and finish consistently...again, things that aren't unexpected for a D-I freshman.

I like his game overall...I think he has good shooting fundamentals and is a good athlete, so it is logical to assume that his offensive game could improve significantly next year and beyond at BU...but Ty Lawson and all-time BU great are things we simply shouldn't be associating with him until we see some progress in his offensive game.

[dogsrus]

Eddren McCain...Ty Lawson?...All-time great at BU? Give me a break.

I like McCain well enough. I like a lot of his intangibles that he brings...his poise, his toughness, etc. I think he has a chance to be a nice player for us...If he could have as good of a career at BU as Billy Wright did, I'd be extremely happy.

He hit a wall this year...which is understandable as a freshman...He showed very little offensively...no confidence in his outside shot and an inability to get to the rim and finish consistently...again, things that aren't unexpected for a D-I freshman.

I like his game overall...I think he has good shooting fundamentals and is a good athlete, so it is logical to assume that his offensive game could improve significantly next year and beyond at BU...but Ty Lawson and all-time BU great are things we simply shouldn't be associating with him until we see some progress in his offensive game.

Agreed.....and thus my c+/B- grade.

Many think thats low or unfair but, as you stated, typical for many freshman who do indeed hit a wall.

I have NO doubt the kid will improve and continue to be a very valuable member of the team. He got invaluable experience this year.....he's smart and a hardworker from all reports.

Look forward to his remaining 3 years....

[BuAlum03]

everybody is entitled to their own opinion. dogs, i wasn't criticizing you, just disagreeing slightly.

I DO think he's done a good job of finishing at the rim. Many times he would get there and score a layup and we'd be looking at each other and saying, "how did he just do that??". Once in a while he'd get caught underneath with no place to go, but that will happen to everybody.

I love that he quit jumping before passing. he was really bad with that early in the season. I love it because it improved his fundamentals, but also showed he's coachable and wants to improve.

I think he has a good outside shot, he is just way too hesitant to take it. A solid pull-up jumper along with confidence in his outside shot would make him a very dangerous offensive threat.

As for his defense, I thought he was okay at stopping the outside shot, but he struggled due to his size. he doesn't have the length to reach around screens and he doesn't have the size to fight through them. that's where having taller guards around him will help on switches.

I won't say he'll be an all-time great. I think he could be, but i won't make any bets yet. I'd be happy with improvement next year, and 10 ppg.

[georgethedog]

Love most of his game... Great with the basketball, good floor vision, breakneck speed... Just one negative for me:

He is very lackluster in his effort when it comes to defending the outside shot.

Yes, I would like to see him do more than stand and wave at a player taking a 3 point shot. Maybe the coaches are telling him to not leave his feet. If that is the case, he is doing exactly what he is being told.