Ejim's Replacement: Dustin Hogue!
- Thread starter mitya51
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Hogue can hit the three, he just shouldn't focus on it. If the offense leaves him open he can do it. He certainly should work on improving his outside shot and his free throw shooting, but he is at his best inside getting rebounds at both ends.
Last night really showed his potential. Hogue and Niang is going to be a great combo next year. With McKay and Edozie going to be interesting to see if ISU can play "big" at times.
I truly believe Hogue may be the one to have a breakout season next year. If he can have a consistent outside shot him and Niang become a nightmare for opposing bigs.
I truly believe Hogue may be the one to have a breakout season next year. If he can have a consistent outside shot him and Niang become a nightmare for opposing bigs.
Not trying to be that guy, but it don't think we'll ever replace the production of Ejim. Hogue can be a good low post scorer (as we saw) but he was getting plays run through him. I don't think we ran that many plays through Ejim.
If anything Hogue showed that when there is a lack of production from other guys he is more than capable of filling that gap. Melvin is a great player but also benefitted from Niang opening up the lane. There is no reason Hogue can't get similar benefits next year with Melvin gone.
hogue always had a lot of potential he had 22 points and 16 rebounds v auburn look to see more of that next year
Agree 100%. Hogue is the equal to Ejim in rebounding. He is better at creating his own shot driving to the hoop. If he gets stronger and improves his outside shot? Watch out.
Hogue and Nader will fill the Ejim and Hogue rolls from this year.
People thinking we take a step back are going to be disappointed for the fifth year in a row.
People thinking we take a step back are going to be disappointed for the fifth year in a row.
Big 12 I'd give him even though DK won it, Kane had a pretty phenomenal NCAA stat line. You won't likely see a lot of 3 game NCAA tournament averages that close to a triple double.
McKay seems like the type of big guy that wouldn't slow down our pace at all. I know it's just juco footage but the kid looks extremely athletic and quick.
I love, love, love Ejim... but I think he at times he was more susceptible to a down game versus an active big/shot blocker that caused him to get his confidence rattled.
Georges is really crafty and can be extremely effective playing aggressively against bigger players and last night Hogue did the same taking it to the UConn bigs aggressively.
I will miss Melvin and his jersey should be in the rafters, but I am really excited for our future!!!
Georges is really crafty and can be extremely effective playing aggressively against bigger players and last night Hogue did the same taking it to the UConn bigs aggressively.
I will miss Melvin and his jersey should be in the rafters, but I am really excited for our future!!!
Don't worry, you threw your bucket of water into a pretty strong wind.
What you posted is not true, or at best a distortion on Ejim and Hogue's roles this year.
And remember, McKay was for IHCC what Hogue was for us last night. If McKay is still better than Hogue...yes please. If one of those two adds a consistent 3P shot, they are a hell of a tandem.
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People are being a little hard on Ejim for last night's game. He's not a center, he's not even a power forward. You take away our one true offensive post player and go up against a team with legit bigs on the road. Oh and he's averaging 18ppg in the season and tournament so Ollie would have been an idiot not to focus on shutting down Ejim. Of course that's a recipe for a tough game.
You're right. That's what I meant by "big" but still playing ISU's style. I don't know much about McKay but it would seem that he could play right along Niang and Hogue and still keep up the pace up. And if Edozie progresses for next year that can add a whole different dimension to the line up.
We all know Fred doesn't buy too much into traditional positions and is more about creating mismatches. And one would think there will be many opportunities next year to have three bigger guys on the floor that can play from just about anywhere on the floor.
Based on what we've seen Hogue's outside shot will likely continue to improve. He'll be playing with an All Big 12 forward in Niang, he'll be playing with a freaky long and athletic shot blocker in McKay, he could be playing with a bruiser power forward in Lee, and he'll be playing with a skilled small forward in Nader.
There is a ton of opportunity for Hogue to create chaos for opposing defense next year. Nobody will be able to pay attention to him and he'll be even more lethal on the glass. He's still going to have passing wizards Niang and Morris giving him the ball. We haven't seen Nader but you'd think practicing with Ejim, Kane and Niang for a year that he's a share the ball type of player too.
I think you are right. Uconn knew that had to limit 1 scorer and couldn't allow 3 guys to have big nights. When you look at Kane or Ejim it is actually easier to shut down Ejim's game when there are missing pieces. Kane can still over power anyone they put on him but you can put a defensive scheme out there that can limit the back door cuts etc, that Ejim made a living off of.
Last night showed just how valuable it is to have Niang moving bigs out of the block area.
I agree. Dustin had the advantage of being a rung down the ladder in UConn's defensive agenda (and he sure as hell took advantage of it to his credit).
Dustin can go a long way to easing the loss of Melvin, but he will need to keep getting better. I have no doubt he will.
We don't know about his toughness and his all around skill level. I've seen enough to know he's the most athletic big man we've had under Fred and will be among the most athletic big men in the Big 12.
Other than the two open roster spots, the next biggest news to wait for is if we get a miracle and McKay can play the whole season.
Kane and Napier all-american'd it up against each other, both looking unstoppable at times. Daniels had a freakish game to balance out Hogue's freakish game. They took and made a ton more free throws at crazy high %. Game.
Not really for officiating, but in fg and ft shooting % you have to acknowledge that outside the Niang injury playing close to home in a familiar arena was a plus for UConn too. Those free throw and 3pt %s don't happen often in a road environment in college basketball.
Next year's ISU team will be better able to absorb foul trouble or injuries to our big men…our guards never tend to get in foul trouble, but it remains to be seen if our back court will be as deep. Biggest ? is will another guard emerge who can run the point when Morris takes a breather or is that just Niang point-forward time.
