Booker

[CurvedAir]

Anyone else a little disappointed with his usage the last few games? I have a feeling he'll play a bigger role in tonight's game against what might be the most physical team in the B12. He's only played a total of 12 minutes in the first two conference games.

He's shown he can be effective if he's involved in the offense. He's foul-prone...yes. He's also a matchup problem for other bigs and a good defender and rebounder. I can't figure out his role on this team. He should have one.

 

[Cydkar]

He's frankly played very poorly and doesn't create a problem for the opposition at all.

 

[chuckd4735]

Based on what has happened in the last 2 games, cant say that I am disappointed in his usage. Niang has stepped up and taken over Booker's previous role.

 

[The_Architect]

He's frankly played very poorly and doesn't create a problem for the opposition at all.

This X 1000. He's painful to watch right now.

 

[ISpyCy]

The way he commits fouls shortly after being put on the court, he creates more problems for himself than he does for the opponent.

 

[Cy$]

Booker was the guy last year that stretched the defense. With Niang, he kind of doesn't have a role besides spell Ejim, Niang, and others.

 

[DistrictCyclone]

Booker is a good fouler.

 

[mcblogerson]

I thought he might break out and have a Jared Homan type senior year. Instead he fouls the second he gets on the floor and pretends to be good at shooting 3's. Looks like he'll be playing leftover minutes for Niang and Gibson.

 

[Wesley]

He shot 45% from the field both this year and last year. For threes, he shot 42% last year and only 20% this year.

 

[DistrictCyclone]

He shot 45% from the field both this year and last year. For threes, he shot 42% last year and only 20% this year.

What kind of a sample size are we talking about here, Wesley?

 

[skelly]

No. No. No.

 

[Dryburn]

He has to stop fouling if he wants to play more. Only Melvin has more fouls on the team than Booker.

As a comparison......arguably the best big man in the Big 12 is Withey from KU. Stats......Withey/Booker......
Minutes played....473/212 Blocks....75/12 Fouls....20/35. Now granted, Withey is an All-American and I think he gets away with a lot, but that foul number is still out of whack for the minutes played, and for the defense achieved. He is a fifth-year senior. I think more should be expected of him.

 

[cycloneike001]

He can rebound, he's athletic. However he just doesn't play any defense whatsoever. The reason he commits so many fouls are because he gets way out of position. He doesn't have a role until he can learn to play defense beyond just blocking shots off the glass.

 

[Cyclonepride]

I still think he's struggling to find his role, and the fouls are probably part of the problem there. He has the size and ability to be a good rebounder and defender, with the added bonus of stretching the floor with his range. Just needs to find a way to settle in and not try to make too much happen when he gets in there.

 

[mjhavlo76]

This X 1000. He's painful to watch right now.

With an occasional block and rebound here and there in games, he is just really a warm body out there. lol:realmad:

 

[swarthmoreCY]

He can rebound, he's athletic. However he just doesn't play any defense whatsoever. The reason he commits so many fouls are because he gets way out of position. He doesn't have a role until he can learn to play defense beyond just blocking shots off the glass.

Why are some seemingly surprised, even disappointed, with Booker's play? The relatively lofty expectations needed to cause this were delusional and are skewing how he is perceived. His defense is not that far from the norm for the posts the past several years- Gibson and Georges play more because of their offense.

 

[Cydkar]

Why are some seemingly surprised, even disappointed, with Booker's play? The relatively lofty expectations needed to cause this were delusional. His defense is not that far from the norm for the posts the past several years- Gibson and Georges play more because of their offense.

You didn't expect more from a 5th year scholarship senior?

 

[DistrictCyclone]

He shot 45% from the field both this year and last year. For threes, he shot 42% last year and only 20% this year.

What kind of a sample size are we talking about here, Wesley?

Wesley, compute!

 

[ISUCubswin]

Booker will have a huge game today.

And you all must rep me afterwards.

And I promise this.

 

[swarthmoreCY]

You didn't expect more from a 5th year scholarship senior?

You mean the second season for a guy that transferred after being a marginal player in the MVC with a reputation of being a post without a post game? Nope.

Most of this board did not know of Booker 5 years ago. The expectations were formed less than 3 years ago with a lot of data suggesting exactly what we are seeing. Glad we signed him. He has filled his role and is valuable to the team.