Bush Wamukota 7 Foot C 2014 - is a Shocker!

[wu_shizzle]

Here's where the EO comparison ends, Bush shoots free throws better than all but 3 guards on the Kilgore team at 68%.

[Wuzee]

I think Marshall knows how to use an athletic 7' post player (who may have minimal stats) to win games that might otherwise be lost.

EO didn't score much, and it seemed his rebound numbers should have been better. His block numbers would have been better, but in general, anyone who got close enough to the rim to get a shot blocked was more likely to leave a brown stain on their shorts than to put up a shot.

Having EO as a deterrent around the rim allowed the perimeter players to cheat every passing lane, contest every 3 shot, and generally dare opponents to attempt to drive the lane.

There are no stats for what EO brought to the F4 team. I doubt the Shox get F4 rings without EO in the games. Those who rely on stats, rather than an understanding of how the game is played, will always undervalue what EO did. There are no stats for "opponents points prevented through fear and terror".

I'm confident Wamukota will be utilized the same way EO was utilized. An "eraser" down low who lets the rest of the team gamble on D and go for steals and points off turnovers.

The team can probably get 6 - 8 points a game off of gambling on D with an athletic 7' post player to cover failed defensive gambles. If an opponent can break down the Shox D with a drive to the hoop, an athletic 7' post player can probably prevent 4 - 6 points a game. That's 10 - 14 points a game that will never appear in a box score, but are directly attributable to an athletic 7' post player.

The intangibles don't stop there. With the Shox playing an aggreesive, gambling perimeter defense, the opponent can face frustration and get discouraged with the difficulty of running their offense. If an opponent starts to think there's not that much reward with breaking down the Shox' D and getting to the hoop, they might start settling for 3's even with a hand in their face.

Marshall knows how to use big, athletic post plyers whose stats don't reveal their true value to the team. Paul Miller was a devastating offensive threat. His D was never dominating. EO's D was dominating. Replace EO with Miller on last year's team, and I doubt the Shox make the F4. EO's D allowed the rest of the team to play a completely different style and philosophy of D than they could have played with Miller down there.

Wamukota will not have anything resembling even "interesting" stats next year. The rest of the team will be able to play differently because there's a jumping jack 7' eraser waiting if they lose a gamble on D. Imagine what VanVleet, Baker, and Cotton can do on D if they can gamble on letting their guy get past them.

Just back from Dallas where I side-tripped to Kilgore for Saturday's game. My thoughts as someone who saw both Bush and EO play during their juco campaigns:

1. He's not the natural leaper/shot-blocker that EO was. EO was longer and much more explosive. EO also had great timing. Bush is developing the latter, but won't be up above the square from what I've seen. He still can change shots. The caveat here is that he'd been in big-time foul trouble in the games previous to this, which may have diminished his aggressiveness.

2. He runs just as well. The guy has excellent wheels and better footwork than EO had at this level. He doesn't get off-balance as much. He'll be very useful showing against guards at the top of the key and getting back to cover the post.

3. He's much better offensively at this stage. He's not as strong as EO physically (Let's face it: EO was a freak of nature in that area), but he gets good post position and is much more comfortable going to the basket and showed nice form at the line.

4. He hasn't played as much as EO had at this point in his career. He's made two significant jumps in talent level in two years: First to the U.S., then to D1 Juco. That also comes with two coaches in two years. He's still finding his way.

Conclusion. He's got the tools to be a very nice player and showed enough to take him out of the "project" range. That said: He's not a feature player next year from what I've seen, and is possibly a redshirt candidate. A year in the system with two left to play would be best for everybody if we can afford it.

[WSUwatcher]

Here's where the EO comparison ends, Bush shoots free throws better than all but 3 guards on the Kilgore team at 68%.

RDR and maybe even EO Basher #1, KC, will be happy to see that.

[wufan]

Just back from Dallas where I side-tripped to Kilgore for Saturday's game. My thoughts as someone who saw both Bush and EO play during their juco campaigns:

1. He's not the natural leaper/shot-blocker that EO was. EO was longer and much more explosive. EO also had great timing. Bush is developing the latter, but won't be up above the square from what I've seen. He still can change shots. The caveat here is that he'd been in big-time foul trouble in the games previous to this, which may have diminished his aggressiveness.

2. He runs just as well. The guy has excellent wheels and better footwork than EO had at this level. He doesn't get off-balance as much. He'll be very useful showing against guards at the top of the key and getting back to cover the post.

3. He's much better offensively at this stage. He's not as strong as EO physically (Let's face it: EO was a freak of nature in that area), but he gets good post position and is much more comfortable going to the basket and showed nice form at the line.

4. He hasn't played as much as EO had at this point in his career. He's made two significant jumps in talent level in two years: First to the U.S., then to D1 Juco. That also comes with two coaches in two years. He's still finding his way.

Conclusion. He's got the tools to be a very nice player and showed enough to take him out of the "project" range. That said: He's not a feature player next year from what I've seen, and is possibly a redshirt candidate. A year in the system with two left to play would be best for everybody if we can afford it.

Great update.

[wufan]

2. He runs just as well. The guy has excellent wheels and better footwork than EO had at this level. He doesn't get off-balance as much. He'll be very useful showing against guards at the top of the key and getting back to cover the post.

This one is the key. This is what Marshall and staff have in mind when they recruit a long center: Hedge screens, make the opposing center work on both ends of the court, alter shots.

[wufan]

…the firm of Coleby, Lufile, and Carter is averaging just under six fouls per game, which nicely shows the value of being able to divide up the fouls.

Also, we are able to put a third string center in the game that is totally fresh and not in foul trouble. This center, in most cases, is bigger, stronger, and more athletic than the opposing starting center. Advantage Shockers every time.

[SHOXAAC]

RDR and maybe even EO Basher #1, KC, will be happy to see that.

No I'm good Mrs. Orukpe. Tell EO high & we all miss him.

[MadaboutWu]

I thought that was Cold.

[SHOXAAC]

I thought that was Cold.

To Cold's credit, he would have driven a nail through my hands as I was delivering my communication.

[The Cat]

http://stats.njcaa.org/sports/mbkb/2013-14/div1/boxscores/20140212_vti2.xml

Here is the link to Bush's last game against the number 10 team in the country. I keep posting his numbers but to tell you the truth I don't think we can put too much stock in them and him in general until he gets on campus. Big men usually have a hard time in juco because of the style that most teams play. Having watched a couple of Kilgore games I can tell you Stephan Moody who I believe is going to Ole Miss dominates the play. He has the green light when he passes half court and there just is not any effort to establish anything in the post. Maybe its because they know more than we do and it would be like throwing the ball into a black hole.

[RoyalShock]

http://stats.njcaa.org/sports/mbkb/2...40212_vti2.xml

Here is the link to Bush's last game against the number 10 team in the country. I keep posting his numbers but to tell you the truth I don't think we can put too much stock in them and him in general until he gets on campus. Big men usually have a hard time in juco because of the style that most teams play. Having watched a couple of Kilgore games I can tell you Stephan Moody who I believe is going to Ole Miss dominates the play. He has the green light when he passes half court and there just is not any effort to establish anything in the post. Maybe its because they know more than we do and it would be like throwing the ball into a black hole.

All good points, Cat.

[wufan]

I have no concerns for Bush. I do not believe he will be first or second team all-conference, but I believe he will improve our defense from game 1 and be a serviceable 4 point, 4 rebound center ala Kadeem/CJ.

[WstateU]

I have no concerns for Bush. I do not believe he will be first or second team all-conference, but I believe he will improve our defense from game 1 and be a serviceable 4 point, 4 rebound center ala Kadeem/CJ.

+1

Coach Marshall has stated on multiple occasions that he likes “rim protectors” and mentioned it again on last night’s coaches’ show. Yes, they may have hands made of stone, however their overall worth doesn’t always show up on paper, i.e., EO.

[pogo]

+1

Coach Marshall has stated on multiple occasions that he likes “rim protectors” and mentioned it again on last night’s coaches’ show. Yes, they may have hands made of stone, however their overall worth doesn’t always show up on paper, i.e., EO.

You have it wrong, it goes like this... E I E I O.

[The Cat]

I know I said I would quit posting Bush's game stats but its like an addiction and I just cant help myself. Not many points but he did stay out of foul trouble and he cleaned the glass.

http://stats.njcaa.org/sports/mbkb/2013-14/div1/boxscores/20140215_ihr9.xml