Where have all the big men gone?
SEC TOURNAMENT
WHO: USC vs. Auburn
WHEN: Wednesday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Georgia Dome, Atlanta
TV: WKTC (TWC Ch. 4)
Demetrius Henry received the pass at the elbow. At 6-foot-9, Henry needed one step to get to the rim and figured that, with South Carolina trailing by 10 points to Florida, a high-percentage shot would be the best move.
Henry took one step and elevated. Florida’s 6-9 Patric Young stepped into the lane to challenge. Without leaving his feet, Young planted and thrust both arms into the air. Henry had the reach and the leap.
Then he slammed into Young, the ball went flying into Scottie Wilbekin’s hands and Henry hit the deck. Young seemed annoyed, as a rhino might when a fly wouldn’t leave his hide.
The result was expected. Henry is 215 pounds, Young 240. Henry knew he might get a basket or two over Young during a game, but chances of him consistently scoring on Young were not good.
“It’s a lot of weight, and playing against seniors and juniors that may be 260, and I’m cracking on 220,” Henry sighed after a loss at Tennessee, where he was going against 260-pounders Jeronne Maymon and Jarnell Stokes. “I’ve just got to stand in there and keep fighting.”
The Gamecocks have had their issues with post play this season, their bigs barely able to stay on the floor because of foul trouble, and having trouble being effective when they do. It’s no coincidence that USC’s top six scorers are guards (although 6-5 Michael Carrera plays inside and out).
It’s a problem that stretches back years. Asking program observers to remember the last really good big man the Gamecocks have had – 6-6 or above, at least 220 pounds, who consistently scored and rebounded – resulted in a plethora of answers.
Does one have to reach back to Jimmy Foster (6-8, 220), fifth in career scoring and rebounding? Would Carlos Powell be in there, as a 6-7, 220-pounder who could play inside and outside but was known as an acrobatic slasher? Jim Slaughter? Terry Dozier? The two Toms – Riker and Owens?
It’s a question that has no answer. The clear reply is that the Gamecocks haven’t had one for quite some time, and it’s a problem that continues to be unsolved.
“All of the above,” coach Frank Martin answered after the Tennessee game, when asked if the issue was youth or being undersized. “Guys have got to get older, stronger. I hope the day that some of our freshmen are juniors, we’re strong enough to be able to withstand some of that, and those are issues that we’ve got to continue to recruit.”
USC has two tall players committed for next year – 6-6, 210-pounder Shamiek Sheppard and 6-5, 185-pound TeMarcus Blanton. Neither fits the profile of a big, bulky block player.
That will leave it up to Henry, who hopes to gain some weight during the offseason; 6-11 center Laimonas Chatkevicius, who fits the profile but averages 12.2 minutes; 6-7 forward Mindaugas Kacinas, who has had a fine season but averages 5.5 points; Desmond Ringer, a burly 6-9, 255-pounder who averaged 10.8 minutes this season; and Reggie Theus (6-6), who played in 11 games this year.
The Gamecocks are hoping that will be enough. Many times this year, opponents were taller, bigger and longer than USC at every position. The bigs couldn’t stay in the game or score consistently to force the interior defense to collapse on them, and as a result, longer perimeter players were free to stick to guards Brenton Williams and Sindarius Thornwell, which limited their production.
Wednesday’s SEC tournament matchup, Auburn, throws 6-foot-4, 6-6 and 7-0 front line at USC. Tennessee had four starters between 6-6 and 6-8. Georgia – 6-5, 6-7, 6-8, 6-9. Florida – 6-8, 6-6, 6-9. There wasn’t much the Gamecocks could do.
“It’s real tough,” Henry said. “Playing high-school basketball and AAU, I was always the four, so it kind of took a load off me. It’s a challenge. Every game, there’s going to be a big that’s at least 240. I’ve just got to get used to it and keep developing.”
Looking back on the past 10 years of USC bigs shows an odd assortment of excuses:
• Antoine Tisby (2005): Afflicted with what Dave Odom called a “time-management issue,” Tisby’s potential slipped down the drain.
• Keving Palacios and Ousmane Konate (2006): A pair of international imports under Odom who had the height and the bulk. Just not the talent.
• Chad Gray and Mike Jones (2007): Gray barely played under Odom after fighting to gain admission to school, then was dismissed by Darrin Horn. A Lower Richland High star, Jones went to Syracuse for one semester, transferred home and was booted from USC before playing a game.
• R.J. Slawson (2011-13): The state’s Mr. Basketball who sparsely produced for three seasons and then transferred to Jacksonville.
It’s not to suggest USC hasn’t had quality big men recently. The Gamecocks have. They just couldn’t keep them.
Brandon Wallace and Sam Muldrow were outstanding for what they were, which were tall, rangy, elite shot-blockers. Mike Holmes had all kinds of talent, but discipline wasn’t his strong suit. Damontre Harris was headed for All-SEC stardom before Horn was fired and he transferred to Florida, where he remains in limbo trying to get his off-the-court activities in order. Anthony Gill played in every game this year for ACC regular-season champ Virginia.
And the strange case of Murphy Holloway, who transferred to USC to be closer to his daughter, spent his transfer year practicing with the team and then transferred back to Ole Miss without playing a game. That’s the one that really introduces a lot of faces to palms.
USC continues to search for big men to fix its woes, but it’s hard to find them. Finding the right mix of height, weight, talent and toughness is less difficult for winning programs. The Gamecocks are improving, but can’t command a recruit’s respect simply by showing up.
Until USC gets those kinds of players, it might mean a lot more of watching players like Henry try to steel themselves for running into the brick walls of SEC lanes. Then watching it again, and again, and again.
“It’s hard,” Martin said. “You can do it on one play, maybe two, but it’s no different than football. No different than that 240-pound defensive lineman. Yeah, he might be able to beat that 300-pounder on a play, but when you keep pounding on him, in the third quarter, that guy’s not going to be able to deal with that size anymore. That’s a big part of what we have to continue to address with our program.”
---------------
IN THE PAINT
A look at South Carolina’s “big” signees over the past decade.
2013-14
Demetrius Henry (6-9, 215)
Good start before “freshman wall” hit. Averaging 4.1 points, 3.5 rebounds.
Desmond Ringer (6-9, 255)
Averaging 2.2 points and 2.0 rebounds, he has started one game.
Reggie Theus (6-6, 210)
Has played 11 games and averages less than a point and rebound.
2012-13
Laimonas Chatkevicius (6-11, 255)
Came on late and is averaging 4.2 points with 3.8 rebounds.
Tyrone Haughton (6-10, 195)
Signed by Darrin Horn, he wound up at Juco and will go to Pitt next year.
Mindaugas Kacinas (6-7, 210)
Improving, he averages 5.5 points and 4.9 rebounds in 24 starts.
2011-12
Anthony Gill (6-8, 235)
Promising freshman year ended with Horn’s firing and a transfer to Virginia.
2010-11
Carlton Geathers (6-10, 256)
Plagued by knee issues, he was forced to take a medical redshirt.
Damontre Harris (6-9, 214)
Left following Horn’s firing and transferred to Florida.
Murphy Holloway (6-7, 234)
A huge get when he transferred, he went back to Ole Miss before playing a game.
R.J. Slawson (6-8, 196)
An S.C. Mr. Basketball, he made a minimal impact before landing at Jacksonville.
2009-10
Malik Cooke (6-6, 210)
A transfer from Nevada, Cooke was more comfortable playing the wing than the post.
Johndre Jefferson (6-9, 210)
Tall and thin, he had winning personality but couldn’t make an impact on the court.
2008-09
None
2007-08
Mike Holmes (6-7, 230)
Kicked off the team and transferred to Coastal Carolina, where he was also dismissed.
Sam Muldrow (6-9, 2296-9)
Elite shot-blocker, but not an everyday offensive threat.
Austin Steed (6-8, 215)
Signature moment was blocking John Wall’s layup in USC’s win over No. 1 Kentuck.
2006-07
Evaldas Baniulis (6-7, 209)
Solid player, but as a 3-point specialist, not a post.
Mitchell Carter (6-10, 273)
A Dave Odom project, he wound up transferring to Milwaukee.
Chad Gray (6-7, 205)
Instate product whose work ethic was questioned before Horn dismissed him.
Mike Jones (6-8, 210)
Transferred to USC after one semester at Syracuse, he never played and finished at Claflin.
2005-06
Dominique Archie (6-7, 198)
His torn knee ligament spelled the beginning of the end for Horn.
Ousmane Konate (6-10, 286)
Barely had more career points (32) than games (25).
Keving Palacios (6-8, 278)
The native Venezuelan was gone after a year in which he scored 22 points in 17 games.
2004-05
Antoine Tisby (6-8, 230)
A bruiser on the block but couldn’t keep his off-the-court affairs in order.
Dwayne Day (6-7, 177)
A spindly guard whose listed height kept decreasing.
SEC TOURNAMENT
WHO: USC vs. Auburn
WHEN: Wednesday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Georgia Dome, Atlanta
TV: WKTC (TWC Ch. 4)
Demetrius Henry received the pass at the elbow. At 6-foot-9, Henry needed one step to get to the rim and figured that, with South Carolina trailing by 10 points to Florida, a high-percentage shot would be the best move.
Henry took one step and elevated. Florida’s 6-9 Patric Young stepped into the lane to challenge. Without leaving his feet, Young planted and thrust both arms into the air. Henry had the reach and the leap.
Then he slammed into Young, the ball went flying into Scottie Wilbekin’s hands and Henry hit the deck. Young seemed annoyed, as a rhino might when a fly wouldn’t leave his hide.
The result was expected. Henry is 215 pounds, Young 240. Henry knew he might get a basket or two over Young during a game, but chances of him consistently scoring on Young were not good.
“It’s a lot of weight, and playing against seniors and juniors that may be 260, and I’m cracking on 220,” Henry sighed after a loss at Tennessee, where he was going against 260-pounders Jeronne Maymon and Jarnell Stokes. “I’ve just got to stand in there and keep fighting.”
The Gamecocks have had their issues with post play this season, their bigs barely able to stay on the floor because of foul trouble, and having trouble being effective when they do. It’s no coincidence that USC’s top six scorers are guards (although 6-5 Michael Carrera plays inside and out).
It’s a problem that stretches back years. Asking program observers to remember the last really good big man the Gamecocks have had – 6-6 or above, at least 220 pounds, who consistently scored and rebounded – resulted in a plethora of answers.
Does one have to reach back to Jimmy Foster (6-8, 220), fifth in career scoring and rebounding? Would Carlos Powell be in there, as a 6-7, 220-pounder who could play inside and outside but was known as an acrobatic slasher? Jim Slaughter? Terry Dozier? The two Toms – Riker and Owens?
It’s a question that has no answer. The clear reply is that the Gamecocks haven’t had one for quite some time, and it’s a problem that continues to be unsolved.
“All of the above,” coach Frank Martin answered after the Tennessee game, when asked if the issue was youth or being undersized. “Guys have got to get older, stronger. I hope the day that some of our freshmen are juniors, we’re strong enough to be able to withstand some of that, and those are issues that we’ve got to continue to recruit.”
USC has two tall players committed for next year – 6-6, 210-pounder Shamiek Sheppard and 6-5, 185-pound TeMarcus Blanton. Neither fits the profile of a big, bulky block player.
That will leave it up to Henry, who hopes to gain some weight during the offseason; 6-11 center Laimonas Chatkevicius, who fits the profile but averages 12.2 minutes; 6-7 forward Mindaugas Kacinas, who has had a fine season but averages 5.5 points; Desmond Ringer, a burly 6-9, 255-pounder who averaged 10.8 minutes this season; and Reggie Theus (6-6), who played in 11 games this year.
The Gamecocks are hoping that will be enough. Many times this year, opponents were taller, bigger and longer than USC at every position. The bigs couldn’t stay in the game or score consistently to force the interior defense to collapse on them, and as a result, longer perimeter players were free to stick to guards Brenton Williams and Sindarius Thornwell, which limited their production.
Wednesday’s SEC tournament matchup, Auburn, throws 6-foot-4, 6-6 and 7-0 front line at USC. Tennessee had four starters between 6-6 and 6-8. Georgia – 6-5, 6-7, 6-8, 6-9. Florida – 6-8, 6-6, 6-9. There wasn’t much the Gamecocks could do.
“It’s real tough,” Henry said. “Playing high-school basketball and AAU, I was always the four, so it kind of took a load off me. It’s a challenge. Every game, there’s going to be a big that’s at least 240. I’ve just got to get used to it and keep developing.”
Looking back on the past 10 years of USC bigs shows an odd assortment of excuses:
• Antoine Tisby (2005): Afflicted with what Dave Odom called a “time-management issue,” Tisby’s potential slipped down the drain.
• Keving Palacios and Ousmane Konate (2006): A pair of international imports under Odom who had the height and the bulk. Just not the talent.
• Chad Gray and Mike Jones (2007): Gray barely played under Odom after fighting to gain admission to school, then was dismissed by Darrin Horn. A Lower Richland High star, Jones went to Syracuse for one semester, transferred home and was booted from USC before playing a game.
• R.J. Slawson (2011-13): The state’s Mr. Basketball who sparsely produced for three seasons and then transferred to Jacksonville.
It’s not to suggest USC hasn’t had quality big men recently. The Gamecocks have. They just couldn’t keep them.
Brandon Wallace and Sam Muldrow were outstanding for what they were, which were tall, rangy, elite shot-blockers. Mike Holmes had all kinds of talent, but discipline wasn’t his strong suit. Damontre Harris was headed for All-SEC stardom before Horn was fired and he transferred to Florida, where he remains in limbo trying to get his off-the-court activities in order. Anthony Gill played in every game this year for ACC regular-season champ Virginia.
And the strange case of Murphy Holloway, who transferred to USC to be closer to his daughter, spent his transfer year practicing with the team and then transferred back to Ole Miss without playing a game. That’s the one that really introduces a lot of faces to palms.
USC continues to search for big men to fix its woes, but it’s hard to find them. Finding the right mix of height, weight, talent and toughness is less difficult for winning programs. The Gamecocks are improving, but can’t command a recruit’s respect simply by showing up.
Until USC gets those kinds of players, it might mean a lot more of watching players like Henry try to steel themselves for running into the brick walls of SEC lanes. Then watching it again, and again, and again.
“It’s hard,” Martin said. “You can do it on one play, maybe two, but it’s no different than football. No different than that 240-pound defensive lineman. Yeah, he might be able to beat that 300-pounder on a play, but when you keep pounding on him, in the third quarter, that guy’s not going to be able to deal with that size anymore. That’s a big part of what we have to continue to address with our program.”
---------------
IN THE PAINT
A look at South Carolina’s “big” signees over the past decade.
2013-14
Demetrius Henry (6-9, 215)
Good start before “freshman wall” hit. Averaging 4.1 points, 3.5 rebounds.
Desmond Ringer (6-9, 255)
Averaging 2.2 points and 2.0 rebounds, he has started one game.
Reggie Theus (6-6, 210)
Has played 11 games and averages less than a point and rebound.
2012-13
Laimonas Chatkevicius (6-11, 255)
Came on late and is averaging 4.2 points with 3.8 rebounds.
Tyrone Haughton (6-10, 195)
Signed by Darrin Horn, he wound up at Juco and will go to Pitt next year.
Mindaugas Kacinas (6-7, 210)
Improving, he averages 5.5 points and 4.9 rebounds in 24 starts.
2011-12
Anthony Gill (6-8, 235)
Promising freshman year ended with Horn’s firing and a transfer to Virginia.
2010-11
Carlton Geathers (6-10, 256)
Plagued by knee issues, he was forced to take a medical redshirt.
Damontre Harris (6-9, 214)
Left following Horn’s firing and transferred to Florida.
Murphy Holloway (6-7, 234)
A huge get when he transferred, he went back to Ole Miss before playing a game.
R.J. Slawson (6-8, 196)
An S.C. Mr. Basketball, he made a minimal impact before landing at Jacksonville.
2009-10
Malik Cooke (6-6, 210)
A transfer from Nevada, Cooke was more comfortable playing the wing than the post.
Johndre Jefferson (6-9, 210)
Tall and thin, he had winning personality but couldn’t make an impact on the court.
2008-09
None
2007-08
Mike Holmes (6-7, 230)
Kicked off the team and transferred to Coastal Carolina, where he was also dismissed.
Sam Muldrow (6-9, 2296-9)
Elite shot-blocker, but not an everyday offensive threat.
Austin Steed (6-8, 215)
Signature moment was blocking John Wall’s layup in USC’s win over No. 1 Kentuck.
2006-07
Evaldas Baniulis (6-7, 209)
Solid player, but as a 3-point specialist, not a post.
Mitchell Carter (6-10, 273)
A Dave Odom project, he wound up transferring to Milwaukee.
Chad Gray (6-7, 205)
Instate product whose work ethic was questioned before Horn dismissed him.
Mike Jones (6-8, 210)
Transferred to USC after one semester at Syracuse, he never played and finished at Claflin.
2005-06
Dominique Archie (6-7, 198)
His torn knee ligament spelled the beginning of the end for Horn.
Ousmane Konate (6-10, 286)
Barely had more career points (32) than games (25).
Keving Palacios (6-8, 278)
The native Venezuelan was gone after a year in which he scored 22 points in 17 games.
2004-05
Antoine Tisby (6-8, 230)
A bruiser on the block but couldn’t keep his off-the-court affairs in order.
Dwayne Day (6-7, 177)
A spindly guard whose listed height kept decreasing.