Now We're Cooking!

**Aclone** · 08-23-2009, 10:55 AM

I found myself thinking about what the Elgin Cook commitment means for the future of the ISU basketball program. A lot of people have caught on to the sudden influx of athleticism, but jucos Dendy and Gilstrap are far more about "right now", especially the latter.

On the other hand, the high schoolers, starting with the Class of '09, mean establishing a new baseline.

All right, so GMac was criticized, and somewhat justifiably, for a lack of athleticism among the signees of his first few classes. He also lost many of the good athletes that he did sign--which led to a self perpetuating problem.

Well, things seem to be changing--beginning with CB sticking around.

I find that I can't help but look at the future, either. Take, for example, the '11-12 season. Let's just start fresh, skip over whatever the next two seasons will--or will not--bring us. Although I'm thinking they bring us a lot. A fresh slate.

But what we will have is the most recent high school signees. Start off with Chris Colvin, which is a great place to start. Perhaps the most explosive athlete that I have ever seen in a Cyclone uniform at point guard. Then go to Antwon Oliver, whom I really hope will redshirt this Fall. Possibly an even more explosive athlete, and in that respect he and Elgin Cook may be very similar.

Now put those three together, around the perimeter. Point guards, wing, and small forward. I don't know anything about how development and maturity will affect their play, but at the very least, I can see that being one very nasty shark's nest on defense. Slashers on offense.

And that's just for starters. After all, we don't know yet who else will join them in the '10 and '11 signing classes. However, even in a worst case scenario, that could still be a very interesting three-fifths of a starting lineup. A great start to build around. Then toss in Wesley Staten the next season. And friends. Go from there.

Greg McDermott has established himself an excellent athletic baseline for the future. I'm excited about the future of Cyclone basketball. Long term, and short.

**isuno1fan** · 08-23-2009, 10:59 AM

I'm excited about it. Would like to see a couple big bodies added to the mix though. I have a feeling we'll be depending on Juco's for the big bodies in the near term (nothing wrong with that).

**Aclone** · 08-23-2009, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by isuno1fan

I'm excited about it. Would like to see a couple big bodies added to the mix though. I have a feeling we'll be depending on Juco's for the big bodies in the near term (nothing wrong with that).

Well, I have to admit that I didn't include the fact that L.A. would still be around (with the redshirt, a classmate of Colvin), but I don't think we're going to have a problem finding some more athletic bigs in the near future. Not with the season I expect CB to have, and when the team has a breakthrough season.

**IceCyIce** · 08-23-2009, 11:08 AM

One concern has to be the absence of a true post presence. When the shots are not falling we need a Jared Homan type down low or Victor Alexander to help get points during dry spells. We have a pretty good supply of 6 foot to 6 6 combo guards and forwards. We need Bigs in a big way. And since teh X-mass wish is out there not the 7 foot 210 pound types.

**swarthmoreCY** · 08-23-2009, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by IceCyIce

One concern has to be the absence of a true post presence. When the shots are not falling we need a Jared Homan type down low or Victor Alexander to help get points during dry spells. We have a pretty good supply of 6 foot to 6 6 combo guards and forwards. We need Bigs in a big way. And since teh X-mass wish is out there not the 7 foot 210 pound types.

A failure to develop big men is not something I worry too much about with McD. Schniderman, Grubber, Stout, Coleman, Jiri (gift from Morgan, but developed a lot under McD), Brackins, Hamilton (should end up being solid).
Besides Brackins, not too many highly ranked recruits, but players that can get points during dry spells.

**StLouisClone** · 08-23-2009, 12:13 PM

So IF we get Barnes and Ejim, I would think we'd be done recruiting combo guards and small forwards for a while. I guess it helps that these four guys aren't all in the same class and at least one of them can play just about anywhere on the court:

2009 - Antwon Oliver 6-5 175
2010 - Harrison Barnes 6-6 209
2010 - Melvin Ejim 6-6 205
2011 - Elgin Cook 6-5 180

**isucy86** · 08-23-2009, 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by IceCyIce

One concern has to be the absence of a true post presence. When the shots are not falling we need a Jared Homan type down low or Victor Alexander to help get points during dry spells. We have a pretty good supply of 6 foot to 6 6 combo guards and forwards. We need Bigs in a big way. And since teh X-mass wish is out there not the 7 foot 210 pound types.

Hamilton got lost in the shuffle once the Big 12 season started, in part because I just don't think he was ready to play against that level of competition.

If I look back, I would put Hamilton's freshman year on par or maybe even better than Homan's. I'm not sure Hamilton will have a break out this year with guys like Dendy, Brackins & Gilstrap eating up mintues at the 3/4 positions, but it would surprise me if he doesn't play 10-15 mpg.

Watching him early in the year, I thought he had potential to be all Big 12 by his senior year & I still think the potential is there if he develops.

**Bobber** · 08-23-2009, 01:21 PM

Originally Posted by isucy86

Hamilton got lost in the shuffle once the Big 12 season started, in part because I just don't think he was ready to play against that level of competition.

If I look back, I would put Hamilton's freshman year on par or maybe even better than Homan's. I'm not sure Hamilton will have a break out this year with guys like Dendy, Brackins & Gilstrap eating up mintues at the 3/4 positions, but it would surprise me if he doesn't play 10-15 mpg.

Watching him early in the year, I thought he had potential to be all Big 12 by his senior year & I still think the potential is there if he develops.

He has great hands. If he can improve his defense and post up better, the sky is the limit for this kid IMO.

**EddieISU** · 08-23-2009, 02:08 PM

I'm very encouraged by the influx of athletic talented players we are starting to bring in(this year's class and the next 2). Can't wait for Hilton to start rockin again and be back to one of the most feared arenas for opponents to come play in.