Myles Fox Morrissey - 2014 Guard (Xavier)

I was wondering if maybe we view Macura as having more handle/ability as a combo guard than Mathias, who most pegged as just a shooter/scorer. Maybe you're right that Butler may have offered Mathias eventually. I guess we'll never know. Just trying to understand what role Stevens' thinks Macura can play (i.e., whether he's more than just a shooter).

Another reason I think the offer is interesting is that it might fly in the face of the conventional wisdom on here from a couple months ago that, because Butler would never oversign players, 2014 would be a 3 man class -- a PG, a SF/Bluiett and a big. I personally always thought Butler would be wise to recruit as if it had 4 or even 5 scholarships available (see "Scholarship renewal policy" thread), but many disagreed with that strategy, believing it wouldn't be fair to the guys on the team.

If we add Macura, would we still accept commitments from a PG, Bluiett and a big? If so, this signals that Butler doesn't have a policy against overcommitment and may choose not to renew someone's scholarship under the right circumstances.

 

I had originally thought that perhaps the Dawgs were trying to apply pressure onto Bluiett with Macura or Gray, but it appears that the two are mutually exclusive and Butler's going after a pure point guard, 2 wings and a big, which means that overall the strategy of the team hasn't changed with how they are planning on playing with the move to the Big East (in terms of court personnel and their typical mix of players will still be guard/wing heavy). They still wouldn't be overcommitted because Barlow isn't guaranteed a scholarship and my guess is that while he'd love to have one, he didn't come to Butler for it.

Definitely won't count the chickens before they hatch with any of these guys, but it would be a great class with Tejada, Bluiett and Macura. They're in the race for Lyles, but I don't think he'll come to Butler and then I don't think anyone knows what's going on with Hall, but even if they're playing possum and end up with a Hall (or a similar caliber player), it's still a great, and very skilled group.

That kind of offensive firepower on the wing with Dunham, Brown, Macura and possibly Bluiett? Wow.

 

Pretty sure you're mistaken. Butler has 3 without Barlow on schollie. Only 2 if they kept Barlow on scholarship (which they won't).

Agree that a class of a Tejada-type, Macura, Bluiett, and a Hall-type would be awesome. A long way to go for that to happen, but fingers are crossed.

 

So you're saying that Fromm and Marshall aren't 3 people?

I guess that means we'll see if they even go for a big in the 2014 class (since they really only appear to be actively recruiting Lyles).

 

They might think that Berry at 6'10" can handle time at the 5 until the 2015 class shows up.

 

My only concern would be having 3 guys (Woods, Berry, Chrabascz) to essentially cover 2 spots. That would likely mean a very healthy dose of a 4 guard lineup with Jones at the 4. Could be okay if you can have the point guard and shooters to spread things out on offense, but defensively (especially on the glass), they'd likely have to go back to just having the guards rebound and everyone else box out.

Hopefully we do get some good news on the Macura front soon though, would be a good way to start the 2014 class.

 

That's a pretty big concern, even if you assume both freshmen prove they can play, no one has any injury problems and no one transfers. To me, that's way too many assumptions; I don't think there's any question a big guy is necessary in this class.

 

Whomever is playing the "5", and who knows at this point, I think Marshall needs to compliment that person with more than just 21 minutes a game (his average last year). He's a senior now, he can rebound against taller players, and, we're going to need that this coming year. If I were Stevens, I would tell him his mission is to get rebounds, defend and get as many garbage put backs as possible, in that order. Brad may also want to revisit his minimal approach to double teaming the post. I think we're going to need a lot of "paint" help this year. Make them beat you from outside. A lot of teams can't shoot very efficiently any way, like in the past.

 

Agree. Marshall is going to have to approach 30 minutes/game and rebound like a mad man.

 

Hopefully Marshall understands that this is his last shot in college and will play hard all the time and not disappear. I remember Mack occasionally would disappear for long stretches of time. But when money was on the line he was deadly. Hopefully Marshall will have the fire in the belly this year.

 

I expect Kam Woods to make a big difference on the boards next year. He was our best rebounder/40 last season, and I don't expect that'll change.

I really hope we hear something positive regarding Macura in the next couple days, both because he'd be a great addition to the program and for the sake of board sanity.

 

If Woods improves this coming season as much as he did this past one he could be something special.

 

Sorry, I never should have started the thread down this path.

Anyone hear anything or see anything having to do with the official visit today?

 

No but it sounds like Pitino is now aggressively pursuing Macura.

 

Looks like he isn't in a rush to accept Butler's offer.

 

KState would not be a bad option for him. Curious as to whether he is from a rural area.