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Eric McKnight

jbindm

jbindm

Well-Known Member
Dec 2, 2010
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Des Moines
Anyone have an insider view of why McKnight can't get on the floor in games? I really thought going into the season that he would be a good fit for this offense as a finisher on fast breaks and a weakside shot blocker on defense. Is it academics, slow development, lack of system knowledge? It can't be something as simple as a numbers game; they don't have the depth for someone to just get lost in the shuffle.
 
Oh goodie--another "Why isn't Eric McKnight Playing" thread!

The immediate answer is--your expectations were both too high, and unfounded.

The reason Eric was signed was that he is very athletic--despite also being very raw. Personally, I thought that everyone understood that he would be redshirting if Fred had a choice. Once he starts to develop some skills, and understanding of the game to go with that length and athleticism--watch out!

I suppose that if he works hard and keeps learning, he might see some spot/emergency duty late in the conference season--but I'm not etching that in stone.
 
In the situation we were in, I understand why we took him. He does have potential.
Maybe a one year detour to a JC, next year?
 
Rural said:
In the situation we were in, I understand why we took him. He does have potential.
Maybe a one year detour to a JC, next year?
Click to expand...

No. Eric McKnight would be better off taking a RS next year and have 3 left to play rather than blow a year at a JC. Playing on the Scout Team against the likes of White and Co. will improve his game immensely.
 
Rural said:
In the situation we were in, I understand why we took him. He does have potential.
Maybe a one year detour to a JC, next year?
Click to expand...

Eric M has more than just potential. He has a HUGE upside. He was wanted by us as well as numerous other programs even though he did not put up big numbers in HS. The reason: the potential. So yes he is raw. The problem is that, as mentioned here and numerous other threads, is that right now we don't need potential. We need bodies inside to bang, rebound, and play defense. Like Calvin is doing. Eric will be able to do this but its asking a lot from him right now. Yes, he needs a redshirt year. And he needs to gain 20-30 pounds of muscle. And more of an attitude. He is a little soft and frankly he would get pushed around alot inside against stronger players. It would be best if he were to redshirt this year. But he won't because we are so thin inside. What if JVB or Calvin got injured? Eric would play because he would have to; ready or not. My belief is that he will play this year and redshirt NEXT YEAR which is highly unusual but appropriate for the situation (assuming White and Booker are both available of course. Oh and Calvin and Railey both return too). I hope he doesn't go to a JC. Once gone, he may never make it back because it opens up a whole new world where other recruiters, schools, etc could get involved. Many of these people are pretty shady and could influence Eric to go elsewhere. So anyway, there is nothing wrong with Eric or his game that a little time and maturity won't fix. I hope that he sticks around because I believe 2 years from now he has the "potential" to be all B12. Really, he "could be" that good. Just give him some time.

Oh, and I echo the sentiment. Please no more ... what's wrong with McKnight threads.
 
Eric didn't start practicing until almost the first game because of something to do with his heart. So he missed all of that time where a lot of skills were developed.

I think Eric has a TON of potential and that's what the coaches have said. They've also said he is raw. Ideally he he would be redshirting this year, but we don't have the numbers.

I think if he keeps working hard and realizes that there are some freshman that don't get a lot of playing time, he'll be a successful player in this program.
 
If you've seen him play in the limited minutes that he has so far he needs to add a TON of weight and work on his offense. Ideally he would have redshirted this year just for that alone but we're not deep enough to be able to do that.
 
Oh said:
Sorry, I'm new to the site. I didn't realize McKnight had already been dissected and fully evaluated by all of you experts in other threads. From now on I'll be very careful to only weigh in on new, relevant or topical matters.
Click to expand...
 
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Interesting he got that many bigtime offers being that raw. He must have the ideal body to grow into. I think alot of people were duped into expecting alot right away, because we were seeing such quotes as "he is the best recruit we've had since Brackins" type of thing. Too bad we had to be so thin the first year he came in though.
 
He reminds me a lot of Tyrus Thomas. No way near the player he was in college at LSU, but everyone saw the frame and athletic potential and fell in love with him. This led to us throwing on offer to him, despite not having great stats. This is also why the Bulls drafted Thomas at #4 overall despite not being a proven NBA prospect. It depends how he grows into his talent. I agree he could be really good, but he could also struggle for a few years, such as Thomas did in Chicago.
 
From what I have been told he is not what the staff expected, if we are looking for an open scholarship it might be his next year. Way overhyped and not a great ball player. Potential maybe, but this program needs guys who can play now, not later.
 
For an "over-hyped" player he sure had some nice offers, based on the recruiting websites. Maryland, Wake Forest, Indiana, BC, Missouri? A bit surprising to now find out he's incapable of playing at ISU.
 
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jbindm said:
Sorry, I'm new to the site. I didn't realize McKnight had already been dissected and fully evaluated by all of you experts in other threads. From now on I'll be very careful to only weigh in on new, relevant or topical matters.
Click to expand...

Don't worry about it, like every other board CF has it's share of tools that think everyone that posts spends every waking moment reading message boards. Personally I usually look at the last two pages of that forum, if the subject doesn't show up it's fair game. The really irritating responses are the ones that take one thought out of context and attack it making it very obvious they didn't even bother to read the entire post.
 
jbindm said:
Sorry, I'm new to the site. I didn't realize McKnight had already been dissected and fully evaluated by all of you experts in other threads. From now on I'll be very careful to only weigh in on new, relevant or topical matters.
Click to expand...

No worries....we just have a few arrogant fans that think they know it all.
 
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