CMU at BG

[Globetrotter]

With 13 scholarships we could have medical redshirted him.

[hammb]

I still think he can end up being a good piece for us. Especially considering how badly we need a guy that can hit the outside shot.

I'm not drawing any conclusions at all about his long term potential based on what I saw last night. Between the injury, being rusty, and being out of basketball shape I just don't think you can really say anything definitive about him. I just hope he can stay healthy and stay on the court. Now that the redshirt has come off I want him to be able to play some minutes and start developing so that he can play a major role next year.

[able1]

I was hoping he would be redshirted too considering it's halfway through the season, he's not completely healthy and likely doesn't have much practice time in yet. Seems like a waste of a year of eligibility to have him play half the year at less than 100%. Of course with the current state of things, it's not surprising they're playing him.

[BGSU33]

I have watched Denny in the two games he has played on. He reminds me of Luke Kraus with......I said WITH....a jump shot. Similar body type, similar ball handling, but Kraus was a better defender. Granted, I am saying that in the very limited time Denny has played. I know he shot poorly vs CMU (a few bad shots and one banked in) but he drained two NBA-threes vs NIU that were deep. Deep as in we have no one else on our team who would even attempt to take or make one. But he wasn't moving laterally very well. Might be because of his injury, or from the lack of practice and playing time, or he might just not be a good defender. Time will tell. I never thought Kraus was the lockdown guy Orr made him out to be, but he showed me more than the very little Denny did and I was watching Denny at all times because I wanted to see what he could do out there.

I will say this though. If Denny can shoot the way he did vs NIU for his career and continues to improve, WHEN we get a new coach and more talent on our team, Denny could be exactly the kind of player to cause fits for teams. Put him on the floor with a good PG, F and C and he can really stretch a D and open up opportunities for others. If they get doubled and can kick it to him, he could make them pay. I think he's going to be a good role player, and his roll is to make outside shots. But again, some of this is speculation because he really hasn't played much at all and we have no idea what impact (if any) the injury is having on him.

[mscarn]

I love Denny's potential. The fact that it's only his second game can't be emphasized enough. The most hyped recruits in the country (Wiggins, Parker, etc.) have nights where they go 4-14. It's tough adjusting to the college game but the brief flashes he's shown bode well for the next three years.

[hammb]

I'm with you mscarn...I love his potential as well.

And for the comparison of being Kraus w/ a jumper...if Kraus had a jumper he would have been an incredibly valuable player.

I weighed in with my 2 cents, but I almost feel guilty doing so. I've only seen the kid play a handful of minutes, and he's obviously still trying to get over the injury. Not to mention how difficult it is to get into basketball shape midseason when you've been hurt for months. I just don't think we can really judge the type of player he's going to be for us based on anything we've seen thus far.

That said, I'm happy that he's able to play. Sure it MIGHT be in the best interest of the program, long term, to have just said redshirt him, but remember this is not professional sports. The team owes it to the fans and the seniors on the roster to do whatever it takes to win THIS year. If Denny can come in and give us a long range threat that can open things up so much for a team that really struggles in the half court offense. Plus, let's not forget, the kids themselves don't always WANT to redshirt. They're under no obligation to do so, if he's healthy enough to play I'm glad he's playing.

Plus I think the experience he can gain this year will be invaluable in having him make a major contribution next year.

[Globetrotter]

I agree with your take on not redshirting him. But this entire mess is illogical. If we had used 13 scholarships we would have more bodies who could play. If we didn't redshirt Mayleben we would have more bodies to play. If we played some of the sweatsuit squad we would have more bodies who could play. IMO it seems like we redshirted Mayleben for no real reason and should have redshirted Denny for a very good reason and blew it on both occasions.