No Manyang for Sweet 16

[Big Old Booger]

Because this is a matchup where we need him. A&M is signficantly bigger and mroe post oriented than most teams in the Big XII. Our starting Center is also a guy who is prone to pick up idiotic fouls in a hurry, and the only other big we have on the bench is not even close to ready for the spotlight.

Our quickness with a smaller lineup is as much a mismatch for them on defense as their height is a mismatch for us on defense. Especially if we can get solid minutes out of Buford at the 4 tonight.

 

[TINY]

Condolences to AK and his family. Just devastating.

Also feel for the team to lose the most physically intimidating big on the team against one of the most physical teams left in the tournament. We could use another 6-9+ guy to at least get some fouls. Having said that, it might not be bad to have Buford out there to stress their perimeter defense, which has been average at best this season.

 

[sperry]

Our quickness with a smaller lineup is as much a mismatch for them on defense as their height is a mismatch for us on defense. Especially if we can get solid minutes out of Buford at the 4 tonight.

We will see how it plays out. I obviously still think we have a shot, but I think AK would have played big minutes and this will hurt.

It has always been the case that if our 3 guards play at a high level we aren't losing to anyone in this tournament.

 

[hoopsaustin]

Mcneace is horrible currently. Ryan wright bad.. he will get there, just not this year..

It will be funny to hear fans blame manyangs absence is there is a loss when half the board experts declared him not good enough This year... He is waaay better than mcneace

 

[WTSooner]

He is waaay better than mcneace

Yet Lon Kruger didn't believe that to be true just a couple of weeks ago.

Odd.

 

[Chaser728]

Yet Lon Kruger didn't believe that to be true just a couple of weeks ago.

Odd.

Well, I know this might be hard to believe, but perhaps Kruger changed his mind... or finally AK showed more in practice... There are number of reasons how AK could be better than Jamuni and play less minutes. Is there a huge gap? of course not; but as far as development (IMO), AK is further along than Jamuni.

Next year, Jamuni could be the "Jamari Traylor" of our team. And I believe that AK will be our first big off the bench.

Also, I think Kruger goes with the hot hand (see WVU big 12 tourney for an example); and it is plausible that he does the same with guys in how they are performing in practice.