The USA U18 team has no one taller than 6'8"

[storminspank]

Billy Donovan's task: Create a 'team' from young U.S. stars - NCAA Basketball - Sporting News

Sort of explains why Woody wasn't selected.

 

[Travisam]

It really is crazy how much basketball has changed. Back in the day if you were 7' and had a pulse everyone would be all over you. Now you have to be 7' and be able to shoot at least an 18 footer and run in transition to get a sniff.

 

[BigD]

Yah but who is going to rebound the ball on missed shots? If the other teams have bigs those 6'9" guys are going to look real impressive sitting on the bench having fouled out because the couldn't stop the opposing teams inside game. Everyone knows one of Iowa's glaring weaknesses last year was a lack of size to help defend against the other teams bigs. It also allowed other teams to spead their defense out against us if they had bigs who could just stand under the basket and swat away Iowa's smaller post players shots. Woodbury and Meyers should significantly change the dynamics of Iowa's half court defense and allow our guards to do a better job of covering the perimeter shots instead of having to calapse to the middle to help defend the basket down in the post.

 

[Hawksel]

The NBA Finals is great example of this trend. A battle of 6'8" combo forwards and 6'5" super athletic combo guards. Everyone can switch defense onto multiple positions. It's disorienting but pretty fun.

 

[sportstalent]

Who is "Meyers"

 

[tm3308]

Yah but who is going to rebound the ball on missed shots? If the other teams have bigs those 6'9" guys are going to look real impressive sitting on the bench having fouled out because the couldn't stop the opposing teams inside game. Everyone knows one of Iowa's glaring weaknesses last year was a lack of size to help defend against the other teams bigs. It also allowed other teams to spead their defense out against us if they had bigs who could just stand under the basket and swat away Iowa's smaller post players shots. Woodbury and Meyers should significantly change the dynamics of Iowa's half court defense and allow our guards to do a better job of covering the perimeter shots instead of having to calapse to the middle to help defend the basket down in the post.

Most college bigs aren't 7-footers, either. Most of them are in the 6'8"-6'10" range (including Draymond Green and Jared Sullinger).

 

[BigD]

Who is "Meyers"

Kyle Meyer...... No sssssssssss.

 

[BigD]

Most college bigs aren't 7-footers, either. Most of them are in the 6'8"-6'10" range (including Draymond Green and Jared Sullinger).

Agreed 7 footers are not very common. Sullinger type players at 6'8" and 280 lbs don't come a dime a dozen either.

 

[tm3308]

Agreed 7 footers are not very common. Sullinger type players at 6'8" and 280 lbs don't come a dime a dozen either.

Never said they did. But forwards under 6'10" are far more common these days, even in the NBA.

 

[PalmettoHawkFan]

Interchangeable parts, speed and explosiveness over power play in the paint...looks like Nelly was right with those Golden State teams, just twenty years too early.

 

[JHHawk]

Shaq was the last true power center,especially offensively.
And he happened to be explosive and athletic at 350lbs. A freak.

Ibaka is useful,but he is as athletic as they come.
Zeller is solid for IU.

Woody faces a huge challenge in todays game.

 

[Foval21]

Shaq was the last true power center,especially offensively.And he happened to be explosive and athletic at 350lbs. A freak. Ibaka is useful,but he is as athletic as they come.Zeller is solid for IU. Woody faces a huge challenge in todays game.

that is why unless he develops very quickly i dont see more than 15-17 min a game for woody. he needs a dependable 15 footer and to be able to run. 2 things he didnt do a lot of in hs.

 

[frank]

Agreed 7 footers are not very common. Sullinger type players at 6'8" and 280 lbs don't come a dime a dozen either.

your right they dont, but ACTUAL sullinger type players at 6'8" 260 do.

 

[tm3308]

that is why unless he develops very quickly i dont see more than 15-17 min a game for woody. he needs a dependable 15 footer and to be able to run. 2 things he didnt do a lot of in hs.

I don't think running the floor is going to be an issue for Woodbury. He handled himself well in AAU circuits; whatever you may say about the quality of defense in the upper-AAU circuits, you can't deny that it's a fast-paced style of play. The guards look to run at almost every opportunity.

As for the jumper, I agree with you. But I also think that will come with some time in the program. I don't think it's a coincidence that Cole suddenly developed a pretty dependable 15-18 foot jumper his senior year, and that Basabe also improved greatly in that department this year. I think Iowa's bigs get pretty good positional coaching. He may not have it by the end of this season, but I'd wager Woodbury has that jumper before he's done in Iowa City.