Chadrack Lufile: Man or Boy?

[ShockTalk]

I have no doubt that Early will play SOME 4 if/when needed. But I don't see him being part of the "regular" rotation inside. He'll do more for us at the 3 than the 4 and that's where we need him as much as possible.

Early would play the 4 more like a 3. Kyle Wilson did this quite well with his 3 pt shot and it work successfully for the Shocks. Forcing a big man to go out and guard his (or Early's) 3 pt shot while letting Miller (Hall/Lufile/EO) work one on one inside. Early would also have one advantage over Wilson in that he would play the 4 postion as a true 3 because he has the foot speed/quickness to drive.

[wu_shizzle]

Match-ups will play a big part of our look at the 3 and 4. Many Valley teams play small at the 3 and 4, which would give Cleanthony more time at PF.

[Aargh]

If Early can handle a 6'4" guy on D, he's a terror for the 6'4" guy when the Shox have the ball.

Wilson and Howard more or less switched the roles of the PF and SF. The way they played the game, it seemed that Wilson was the SF and Howard was the PF.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Hall, Early, and Wiggins playing the 3, 4, and 5 against Valley teams that don't have a true center on the floor. I suspect Orukpe and Lufile will combine to get fouls on any true center in the Valley. CU has a legitimate backup at center, but they're about the only team with a backup.

[WuDrWu]

They're about the only team with even 1 legitimate center.

[shockmonster]

Defense at all positions will be a strength. We have it all covered. Marshall will demand it for any and all players who play. In additon, transition offense will be a given.

On the other hand, 1/2 court offense will be...............
Well, we'll just have to wait and see how Marshall creates spacing and chemistry. The talent is there but it'll be a much larger challenge.

[SubGod22]

They're about the only team with even 1 legitimate center.

Guys listed at Center in the Valley

Bradley - 2
Will Egolf - 6'9" 235
Nate Wells - 7'1" 240

Creighton - 3
Greg Echinique - 6'9" 270
Will Artino - 6'11" 225
Geoff Grosell - 7' 250

Drake - 2
Seth VanDeest - 6'11" 260
Robert Puleikis - 6'10" 215

Evansville - 3 (it's a stretch to call these centers and I don't have info on new players)
Ryan Sawvell - 6'8" 200
Jaylon Moore - 6'7" 230
Rokas Cesnulevicius - 6'8" 215

Illinois State - 1
Jordan Threloff - 6'10 255

Indiana State - 2
Mike Samuels - 6'11" 265
Justin Gant - 6'8" 210

Missouri State - 0 (unless they have incoming)

Northern Iowa - 1
Austin Pehl - 6'10" 250

Southern Illinois - 0 (only have 3 listed as F)

Wichita State - 3
Ehimen Orukpe - 7' 255
Carl Hall - 6'8" 240
Chadrack Lufile - 6'9" 260

The possible legit guys on this list would be Echinique, Artino, VanDeest, Threloff, Orukpe, Hall and Lufile. I don't know anything about Samuels but he has good size.

[Dave Stalwart]

I'm starting to change my mind about Lufile. At first, I said something about him maybe not being as big of a deal as Early and Wiggins, but after looking at his work ethic and his size, I'm starting to get just as excited. I love what he said in that eyewitness sports interview (over on another thread). He looks like he came to play hard and has some intensity to him. Bring it on.

[shock]

Did you watch his thirty minute workout video, DJ?

[MoValley John]

Guys listed at Center in the Valley

Bradley - 2
Will Egolf - 6'9" 235
Nate Wells - 7'1" 240

Creighton - 3
Greg Echinique - 6'9" 270
Will Artino - 6'11" 225
Geoff Grosell - 7' 250

Drake - 2
Seth VanDeest - 6'11" 260
Robert Puleikis - 6'10" 215

Evansville - 3 (it's a stretch to call these centers and I don't have info on new players)
Ryan Sawvell - 6'8" 200
Jaylon Moore - 6'7" 230
Rokas Cesnulevicius - 6'8" 215

Illinois State - 1
Jordan Threloff - 6'10 255

Indiana State - 2
Mike Samuels - 6'11" 265
Justin Gant - 6'8" 210

Missouri State - 0 (unless they have incoming)

Northern Iowa - 1
Austin Pehl - 6'10" 250

Southern Illinois - 0 (only have 3 listed as F)

Wichita State - 3
Ehimen Orukpe - 7' 255
Carl Hall - 6'8" 240
Chadrack Lufile - 6'9" 260

The possible legit guys on this list would be Echinique, Artino, VanDeest, Threloff, Orukpe, Hall and Lufile. I don't know anything about Samuels but he has good size.

Nice summary, Sub. I might add one thing about Creighton. I don't follow recruiting that much, so I don't even know how highly regarded this guy is, nor do I know much else. That said, I do have a nephew that attends Creighton, he follows this stuff and knows all of the players very well. I also have nephews attending Drake, Bradley and another playing biddy ball at North Dakota State. Anyway, he told me that the big to really watch for Creighton would be Geof Grosell. I can't tell you much about him other than he red shirted last year and is a legit 7'er. From what my nephew has said, Grosell red shirted because there was enough depth in the post and Artino is really a combo 4-5, while Grosell is a pure center. Last year was a rare opportunity where Creighton had the luxury to sit a true big and develop him over a year of practice. I am told that Grosell is bigger, stronger, much more physical and quicker than Artino. That said, Artino really never impressed me last year and I probably would have excluded him from your list of legit centers, but then again, that is just my opinion, Artino could be a world beater and I'm just an idiot that is down on a quality player.

On the other hand, I did hear of a minor incident where Grosell got in a bit of trouble. He didn't break the law, fail classes or do anything really bad, I won't even tell anyone what happened, other than it was very minor. That said, it didn't impress me with his judgment and decision making.

[Kung Wu]

I'm gonna go with "boy". You ain't a "man" 'til you have proved your skeelz in your first D1 game. That said, I'd hate to piss this guy off.

[SubGod22]

Nice summary, Sub. I might add one thing about Creighton. I don't follow recruiting that much, so I don't even know how highly regarded this guy is, nor do I know much else. That said, I do have a nephew that attends Creighton, he follows this stuff and knows all of the players very well. I also have nephews attending Drake, Bradley and another playing biddy ball at North Dakota State. Anyway, he told me that the big to really watch for Creighton would be Geof Grosell. I can't tell you much about him other than he red shirted last year and is a legit 7'er. From what my nephew has said, Grosell red shirted because there was enough depth in the post and Artino is really a combo 4-5, while Grosell is a pure center. Last year was a rare opportunity where Creighton had the luxury to sit a true big and develop him over a year of practice. I am told that Grosell is bigger, stronger, much more physical and quicker than Artino. That said, Artino really never impressed me last year and I probably would have excluded him from your list of legit centers, but then again, that is just my opinion, Artino could be a world beater and I'm just an idiot that is down on a quality player.

On the other hand, I did hear of a minor incident where Grosell got in a bit of trouble. He didn't break the law, fail classes or do anything really bad, I won't even tell anyone what happened, other than it was very minor. That said, it didn't impress me with his judgment and decision making.

Fair enough. I've heard a number of good things about Grosell and expect him to be a factor at some point. I've seen more talk about Artino coming from the few instances I've seen CU fans talk so I went with that. I also almost put Egolf on the list just because he has legit size. But I don't think anyone expects much out of him.

Needless to say, the next few years look pretty good for CU with Grosell and Artino. Would like to see WSU bring in a FR big next year.

[1972Shocker]

I'm gonna go with "boy". You ain't a "man" 'til you have proved your skeelz in your first D1 game. That said, I'd hate to piss this guy off.

I am going to have to call BS on that one O' Grand Master @Kung Wu: until you have delivered the message face to face and in person, man-to-boy so to speak. May your recovery be swift and full.

[im4wsu]

Stats of Recruits

I posted this in April, but have added Lufile and Holland to the spreadsheet. Lufile did not start at the beginning of the year, but did after about 6-8 games into the season. The minutes played are not available for all games, but at the end of the season, he was playing 23-27minutes.

[Mr. Obvious]

Good job on the stats! 2 things stand out. Early for averaging 24ppg, is a all around busy player. Rebounds, blocks! Wiggins on the other hand will need to be more involved.

[Kung Wu]

I am going to have to call BS on that one O' Grand Master @Kung Wu: until you have delivered the message face to face and in person, man-to-boy so to speak. May your recovery be swift and full.

Hahaha, fair enough. But this ain't boxin' and being big and heavy isn't good enough -- he's gotta show those skeelz in the heady D1 level. If our fingers are crossed tight enough I bet he steps right in and gets it done. I hope so!