Western Michigan center to transfer to X...

[Lead Guitar]

Seems like an interesting pick-up, but if you look at what we have coming in this year and next, it appears to be what we need. Mack is not in need of an impact center. In fact there are not too many impact centers anywhere. The ones that are out there all become 4's in the pro's. Many teams are going to the 3 and 4 guard offenses (UC with Gates and 4; Missiouri with Oriaki and 4; Villanova who really started it; Louisville the same). We need a consistant big body to block out so the smaller, leaner, athletic guys can rebound and go. We sometimes, though, need a big body to play against the big Ten type teams in the NCAA.
We are never going to get the dominant center. We are surrounding this guy (5th option) with four get-up-and-go guys that can play in the open court. Half the time he won't need to go past halfcourt for Wells and Christian and Philmore and Thomas will go 2 on 2 and 3 on 3. In many games against A-10 competition, Reynolds and Farr will play the inside.
We have 13 scholarships to give. This is not a wasted 'ship. If you recall Coley from ND and Conklin from St. Louis and even Dayton's center used their wider bodies to play us tough. If this guy has any inside moves (he is left-handed, which can be a plus), he could be a decent 5th option. I'd see him playing at 270.

Shorter Frease; larger Pelkington!

[Mr. Neutral]

Good points, Lead. I guess we'll know when we see him play in 18 months.

[Prosserian]

Kenny 2, Electric Bugaloo. Actually, more pre-Kenny, like Cro-Magnon. Worse than a Hail Mary pass.

[Mr. Neutral]

You may be right; we just have to hope it's not a wasted 'ship.

Look at it this way----KF came in with high expectations, and really didn't hit his stride until almost out the door. This guy comes in with low expectations, and may surprise us.

[xufan277]

I kind of remember this guy from the game at the Cintas in 2010. Tu was a Junior and this guy tore us up inside early. We were all amazed that someone that looked so dorky could play. I think he can play and hope we are all pleasantly surprised.

[muncie6569]

I agree lead. Plus I just think this big boy will be big fun. i am different (that's for sure) than many of the posters here, in that I just enjoy xavier baskerball sure I like for us to win and go the the elite 8 and top 25 and see us on espn but I am more in to the fun of it all. and some players are just more fun. Yes, the david wests and the jordan crawfords were big fun but so were the guys who surprised us with there courage and sometimes good play. Kevin Frey and Joe Pangrazio and countless others who we just loved for their one of a kind personalities and there unpredictability. My bet this big boy will be one of these. i to remember him because one thing for sure is this kid is rememorable and that in itself is cool. Xavier does not have to be a team that is a maybe final four for me to love them because I just like the entertainment factor in a world where winning and losing is so important i love having something that I can be into that yes winning is great but the thrill of it all and the grandness of it all is where I am. P.S. Lead do you play professionally, my bet by your post you play the blues. just a wild guess, but my guesses are so poor that is why I avoid Vegas and even some of my buddies poker nights.l lol

[Mr. Neutral]

Box score from X-WMU game on 11/12/10---

http://www.goxavier.com/sports/m-baskbl ... 11-01.html

Stainbrook had 10 and 7 (only 1 foul) in 27 minutes. KF had 14 and 7 (4 fouls) in 21 minutes.

[hoosiermark]

he's probably slower than Kenny was. Ejected from a game for throwing an elbow? will he be called a Thug? We need a more athletic big man on this team. Not sure this transfer will be a big help.

[jct1941]

This is kinda a "head scratcher" like Andrew Taylor was and he will probably never be a starter but (like another poster said) if they can get him in better shape he could become a decent backup. Travis Taylor (so far) has not been the answer mainly because he is being placed in a position where he does not have a chance to be productive because he is trying to play out of position. We play him at center and he does not have the bulk to hold his own against the bigger players he is asked to guard. At least, Stainbrook has the bulk to hold his own. We just have to hope he works out. Go Xavier!

[Mr. Neutral]

Taylor was out of position when playing the 5, but he didn't show either the strength or moves to play with 4's, either. He was a BIG disappointment, given what we were told about him.