K, there is a huge difference between Kelly and Marble. Kelly could shoot and get into the lane while Marble may be one of the worst shooting perimeter players in the league. I also said Marble was below average athletically for his position in the league. That wasn't my opinion of him as an overall player. May still has a much higher ceiling because of his superior athleticism which allows him to do things that Marble simply cannot.
I agree that Kelly was a better shooter, but don't agree Marble is below average athletically. Look at his best games, they were wide open games and Iowa and opponents scored over 70 pts.
The games Marble struggled in were more halfcourt and physical games, he hasn't scored a point against Minnesota yet, a very physical team.
May having a higher ceiling, please, at least Marble can dribble and doesn't have more turnovers than assists. Protecting the ball is more important than one great dunk every four games. I like May and if he can figure out how to dribble better than a toddler, Iowa will be better for it. Marble has must better instincts than May as well, he knows when to shoot or when to drive, he just isn't a great shooter right now, but he is a freshman and he will improve.
Fundamentals do not allow May to be better than he is, an average player at best. Marble can be better than average given his skill set and his fundamentals don't have to be improved upon. Once Marble gets stronger, there will be a big difference in his game.
The game of college basketball isn't won because of how athletic a team is, it helps, but if it were Butler wouldn't have been in the final game two years running. Fundamentals really do matter and that is the difference between the two players Marble has solid fundamentals and May does not. May is a good shooter, but Marble is not, the difference, it is easier to become a better shooter rather than get fundamentals when a player has relied on athleticism their whole career.
Give me Marble's first year over May's two combined seasons and it is easy who has had more of an impact, if it isn't easy to tell, who did Fran go with at the end of the season? Marble doesn't do anything spectactular, yet...he needs more strength and a lot of hard work on his shot, the shot itself looks good, he just needs to become more consistent. Marble also got in too big a hurry at times when shooting, something not uncommon for a freshman trying to prove himself and get out of the shadows of someone he isn't.
