[NU Sports] Off-center

[Dennis W. Brandt]

<IMHO we have our inside big man, but they all need a summer in the weight 
room

The weight room will not turn Kyle Rowley into an athlete.  Last night, he 
was just as slow, clumsy, and confused as the kid who played the first game 
of the season.  I hope to the devil he makes himself into an effective 
center, but I don't think he has the innate physical skills to become that. 
He is inexperienced and reportedly has a great work ethic.  So, who knows? 
But it's only a wish that he will ever offer a substantial positive effect 
on the team's success.  I would love to say I was wrong.

Mirkovic has better potential and the weight room will help him, but I saw 
no signs of future excellence from him as I did with Shurna.  Think of the 
possibilities if we had gotten just two more defensive boards a game to deny 
opponents second chance-opportunities and gotten the same number of 
offensive boards and put-backs.  That's an eight-to-twelve-point 
differential, folks, and another half-dozen wins.

I'm looking forward to seeing an even more mature Michael Thompson next 
season.  He was the team's most improved player and better controlled at the 
end than he was at game one.  And is Coble ready for first-team Big Ten 
honors next year?  If Nash can become a reliable offensive player, he could 
be team MVP next season.

At least there is something to look forward to, but it doesn't appear that 
will be at the center position.  That may ultimately be our undoing.