Mel has definitely struggled as of late. Foul trouble, missing a couple early, whatever it is, he can't get into the flow of the games. I personally think Mel looks frustrated, not uninterested. He is essentially the starting center based on who is guarding him on any given night. Teams know that Zach has the range to go outside, therefore he is drawing the "4" while we are on offense.
We can all agree that Mel is an undersized center. Last year, while playing the 4 and Cole playing the 5, Melsahn did not have vastly taller defenders on him, Cole drew that match up. Having a true center in Woodbury next year, along with Gabe progressing will help greatly.
I know that won't help this year, and I am not going to say any of us know more than Fran, but we should try to bring Mel up higher in the offense so he can work his face-up game easier and not be dwarfed in the post.
That is just my 2 cents here. We need to keep supporting this YOUNG team that is improving and will keep improving. One step back, for every 2 forward is fine with me, considering we had been taking 10 steps back with the previous regime.
Bring that attitude Mel, and prove your doubters wrong! Go Hawks!