People slowly come to realization that our frontcourt is very thin and lacks talent. Our low-post game, around the basket, and game in the paint is almost non-existent. We simply do not have the players/skills in that area. I know, I know... potisionless this and positionless that, 1-5 are interachangeable, etc. etc.
What we noticed today was that we really have one player, Black, right now who really has the skillset combined with some size around the basket. And Black really played out of his mind in the second half. He had a tremendous game in the second half, way above what we should expect from him every game, and he was really the main reason we got back in the game. Without Black playing an incredible game, it would not have been close. JMO.
Underwood is a good coach IMO but we lack the horses in the frontcourt, much of his success will depend on recruiting. We need some immediate help (besides Ayo) in the frontcourt this recruiting class and obviously play for all marbles with the '19 top frontcourt players (i.e., Liddell, Okoro, etc.).
On the positive side, kudos again to Leron Black in the second half, and I also liked the combination of TJL and Frazier in the same lineup at the end, something we had seen less of previously (they usually come in for each other).
As I've said in the past, if satisfaction is just solely based on making the tournament, some people may get disappointed. Personally, I still enjoy watching this team develop, it is fun competitive basketball regardless of making the tournament this year. The young players will get better and better as the season progresses. I would also like to see a little more playing time for Ebo, despite not being ready.
