Austin...

[BradleyBrave]

...well, people called me crazy for saying that it WAS a big deal that Austin missed the summer. Well, I think we've seen through the first 2 exhibition games how important the summer is. He's behind conditioning-wise and clearly is behind development-wise. You can tell he's a physical specimen, and can tell he's talented. But I think it's very evident he is not where he needs to be in a number of areas, and I think it can be directly attributed to not being here at all this summer. Will he get there? I think so, I really do. But it wouldn't surprise me if it wasn't until the conference season.

[georgethedog]

...well, people called me crazy for saying that it WAS a big deal that Austin missed the summer. Well, I think we've seen through the first 2 exhibition games how important the summer is. He's behind conditioning-wise and clearly is behind development-wise. You can tell he's a physical specimen, and can tell he's talented. But I think it's very evident he is not where he needs to be in a number of areas, and I think it can be directly attributed to not being here at all this summer. Will he get there? I think so, I really do. But it wouldn't surprise me if it wasn't until the conference season.

Agreed! I also think he is kinda short for a power forward...

[BradleyBrave]

Agreed! I also think he is kinda short for a power forward...

Perhaps, but I think his size and strength can make up for that. He's got to get there conditioning-wise, intensity-wise, and knowledge-wise. Just about everyone has been learning and progressing since July, with 2 months devoted to nothing but basketball. He's been learning and progressing since September, along with trying to balance school. Big difference.

[BUBraves06]

Great point BB. It wasn't something I thought about but thinking about it now, it definately seems like RA is a step behind the rest of the guys. I think he's physically ready but obviously has some catch up work to do for Saturday and beyond.

[houstontxbrave]

Agreed! I also think he is kinda short for a power forward...

Dwayne Funches wasnt real tall and he played a very "strong" power forward.

[audacious_aficionado]

he's definitely 6'7". i was looking for that today during their warm ups because someone had said he was more like 6'5". he is pretty much exactly as tall as salley and just a hair shorter than egolf. i agree that he's not ready yet but i think he's legit in his listed height.

[Scouter]

JJ Tauai was small for a power forward too.

Today was the first chance I've had to watch the team this year so I can't really say much about Austin, but I would have to assume that missing almost the entire summer has had some sort of effect.

The other possibility is that JL likes to start/give regular playing time to guys who work hard on defense in practice and Austin isn't up to that yet. Case in point: some people thought Sam Singh would be a starter, but he only played eight minutes today.

[Da Coach]

Agreed! I also think he is kinda short for a power forward...

Not in the MVC. There aren't many real good big men this year. Austin is as tall or taller than some of the best centers in the league (Coleman and Falker). And there aren't many power forwards taller than him.

I agree that RA will be OK with a little more time.

[Big Mike]

As far as the height concerns.......anybody remember the name.......Rolen Roberts from siu? 6'6 and 250 lbs and he dominated the Valley at center!

[BradleyBrave]

I hate to say "I told you so"...but....summer IS important!

Austin, as a junior, wasn't as patient in discussing his role. But as a late arrival to campus, he has been behind in some respects.

"As long as I'm playing, I'm all right," said the 6-7, 240-pounder. "I found I was way out of shape when I got here and it was hard adjusting. But I'm doing a good transition."

http://www.pjstar.com/stories/110807/BRA_BERILMN7.071.php

[dogsrus]

I hate to say "I told you so"...but....summer IS important!

Austin, as a junior, wasn't as patient in discussing his role. But as a late arrival to campus, he has been behind in some respects.

"As long as I'm playing, I'm all right," said the 6-7, 240-pounder. "I found I was way out of shape when I got here and it was hard adjusting. But I'm doing a good transition."

http://www.pjstar.com/stories/110807...RILMN7.071.php

I don't recall that many people disagreeing wether he would be in shape or not but moreso wether he would BE here or not. SOME were quite worried while others believed what lil Bish told us as far as his status and we need not worry.

Good news is he has yet to show us how good he can be.

[thefish7]

Yeah, I personally thought he really showed some progression in his few minutes vs. Quincy.

[bu fan 9]

I think he has a long way to go.

[tornado]

I don't think Rashad Austin is at all behind on physical conditioning,
and we have only seen a couple of exhibitions, so give the kid some time.
But each kid comes from a different background and different system, and Rashad didn't have the time to work out this summer with the trainers and with the coaches, but he will catch up.

[mexicobufan]

We just need a solid 8-10 minutes from him until the Valley play starts. I hope by then he is ready to provide a solid 20-25 minutes and can actually push for more based on his play. Right now we just need to see imnprovement from him game to game.