Re: What are our needs?

["Berry, Mark S" <berrym@BATTELLE.ORG>]

A few thoughts following up on posts by Jaime and Joe:

Although this is a deep PG group, I don't think it's especially strong. Each
player has weaknesses. Cota isn't a great shooter or defender. Gottlieb
can't shoot from anywhere (including FTs), is small and can't defend.
Cleaves isn't a great shooter or especially creative with the ball (I like
his size, defense and leadership). Scoonie (one of my all-time favorites
here in Buckeyeland) is short and isn't a strong defender (good shooter from
deep and off the dribble and great floor/emotional leader). Sanchez is a lot
like Gottlieb. Barkley probably is the most complete of the bunch, but he's
not a real creative type PG either. I think he's the only guy worth a shot
where we'll be picking. Reminds me of William Avery.

On the big men: Pryzbilla (I'm sure I butchered that) will be long gone
before we pick (unless we luck into the top 3). I'd love to see him in
green. He's big, long, has a knack for blocking shots and is improving
offensively (although he doesn't need the ball to be a factor). He has quick
feet for a guy his size (read: he's no Big White Stiff). Mihm and Martin,
likewise, are out of our reach. Etan Thomas is a mystery to me. I've watched
him in this tournament and, to be honest, I liked him more as a freshman. He
has really bulked up, but seems to have lost some of his quickness and
explosiveness in the process. I'm not sure he'll still be around when we
pick, but I guess I wouldn't be disappointed if we took him. Fizer: Who
knows? Karl Malone or Gary Trent? He's much quicker afoot than Fortson. He's
dominated the Big 12, which is a big step up from the MAC (Trent's
conference). I think he'll score at the next level, but I'm not convinced he
can defend the PF spot much better than Toine. In my mind, he's not exactly
what we need, but would be a nice acquisition in a "best player available"
sort of way.

The scorers: It sounds like Murphy is staying at ND. Peterson and Richardson
(who is slipping, at least before private workouts) could be there for us
and may be options. I've seen Peterson a lot and he's really improved. Still
needs to work on his ball-handling and passing, but has good size (6-7), can
really shoot it, run the floor, attack the basket and defend. Pitino wants
athletes, and MoPete is just that. The others mentioned seem like reaches at
our draft position, although I like Hemsley's potential. He's one of the few
athletic, big guards who defend and actually hit the open shot when they get
it. He may move up in postseason workouts.

A couple of players who have piqued my interest: Jerome Moiso. Not a
finished product, but I watch him and ogle at his potential. He's 6-10, runs
like a deer, blocks shots and has some nifty moves from 15 feet and in. I
like this guy. His teammate, Dan Gadzuric looks pretty good too. And unlike
most players who would benefit from staying in school, these two no doubt
would get much better coaching on an NBA bench than they would from Steve
Lavin.  Jabari Smith. Stromile Swift's running mate at LSU is 6-11 and
athletic. Probably a reach for us, but I would think a mid-to-late first
rounder. Richie Frahm is much more of an NBA prospect than I gave him credit
for. Again, probably not a guy we'd consider at our spot, but he's 6-7, a
great shooter and a pretty good athlete. Think Craig Ehlo. 

And Joe, I love Terrence Morris. I think he's said he'll stay for his senior
year, but what a nice player. He's 6-9, can handle, rebound, shoot and run
the floor. He's unselfish to a fault (Gary Williams wanted him to be a
little more assertive offensively). He'd be a great fit at SF if we keep
Toine at PF and Paul at SG. He gives us the intangibles of an Adrian Griffin
in a more talented package. I think the Derrick McKey comparisons are pretty
good.

Anyway, it sounds like I'm not the only basketball junkie who plays NBA
scout when watching these NCAA games. Jaime and Joe, I enjoyed your opinions
on all these players.

Mark