I too was a little disappointed that we have not been able to be more of a force in the New Big East.
I think part of the problem in Nova WBB not being able to move up in stature has a lot to do with the inability to recruit top front line players that can rebound. We look for forwards that can also handle the ball on the five-out and shoot from outside.
A lot of true post players come out of high school with poor rebounding technique anyway, and those who are used to roaming outside probably have even less rebounding prowess when they get here. Height has a bit to do with it, but some games speak volumes of our inabiltiy to compete on the boards. The WVA game on Sunday featured at least five offenseive rebounds off of missed FOUL SHOTS. Unacceptable, especially in key end of game situations. We were absolutely killed on the offensive boards. Are these intelligent kids just not coachable with respect to rebounding technique, or is just that no effort is spent, since Harry doesn't want them rebounding on their own end of the court and doesn't want players picking up fouls.
Until we can compete with teams on the front line, I think we are destined to continue a legacy of coulda, woulda, shoulda, close but no cigar games year after year. In a Nova style of play that relies on tough defense, ball control and clock management, giving the opposition multiple shots at the basket costs us dearly. So frustrating to have a 27 second defensive stop with a missed shot, only to have a putback or a recycle of the shot clock for the oppostiion.
With Leer and Holman graduated, I can't see how we can be any better at rebounding next year.
