If we want to have real success in March? I think he might be. Uthoff and Jok have been amazing, but I think Iowa has enough offensive talent and perimeter length to make up for poor performances from them (as infrequently as that has been.) With the lack of true depth at the C position, I think Woodbury's ability to stay out of foul trouble and eat up rebounds will be the main determiner of our overall success this season. He's become immovable once he gets his guy boxed out and his ability to start the fast break with his outlet passing has been really overlooked I think. This team is experienced, talented, and deep enough to beat just about anyone, but I think once we get to March and it becomes a game-to-game situation Woodbury's value will really show one way or another. Thoughts?
Is Woodbury our most important player?
- Thread starter RyderHawk7
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He is having a great senior year. His FT shooting has vastly improved. He plays good position BB. He is playing within himself much better. I concur with your comments.
I think it's possible to make the argument that Woodbury is more important than Jok, even though I would argue that Jok is a better overall player. You are correct that the lack of true depth at the 5 position is what makes Woodbury so critical. Without him, our defense just isn't the same.
However, Uthoff is still our most important player. While we do have perimeter talent outside of Uthoff, we don't have any other player worthy of being a Player of the Year candidate.
However, Uthoff is still our most important player. While we do have perimeter talent outside of Uthoff, we don't have any other player worthy of being a Player of the Year candidate.
Good call on his outlet passing. He gets it out quickly and he puts it perfectly ahead to let Mike take it IN STRIDE to really push the break. He shares well in the half court too, but he outlets at a very high level.
Off topic.....IMO Nebraska is generally just horrible in the passing game and it really hurts them in the half court. This leads to a lot of hero ball. You can count on Shields making a couple of dumb decisions at crunch time. They may be better next year without him.
Off topic.....IMO Nebraska is generally just horrible in the passing game and it really hurts them in the half court. This leads to a lot of hero ball. You can count on Shields making a couple of dumb decisions at crunch time. They may be better next year without him.
I think he is the most important player, and I'm shocked to be typing this. His defense, rebounding, and outlet passes are not easily replaced by anybody else on the team. Plenty of others can score points (JU, PJ, AC) but when Woody's on the bench, we lack interior defensive strength.
We have to, HAVE TO, keep him healthy and he has to avoid foul trouble at all costs. Giving up an easy two points and staying on the court is a lot better than getting a 2nd foul with 15:00 left in the first half. To his credit, he's managed this very well this season.
I am so pleasantly surprised by his development. Way to go, Adam!
We have to, HAVE TO, keep him healthy and he has to avoid foul trouble at all costs. Giving up an easy two points and staying on the court is a lot better than getting a 2nd foul with 15:00 left in the first half. To his credit, he's managed this very well this season.
I am so pleasantly surprised by his development. Way to go, Adam!
Look at it this way. In the Maryland game JU had his worst game of the season. And we were still in it until near the very end. When did we end up losing that game? When Adam fouled out on a bad call with 2 minutes left. We lost our interior defense and Maryland took advantage to win the game. We can afford for JU or Jok to have a mediocre game, but not at the same time. However, we can't afford to lose Adam for any extended period of time against good teams.
Jok and JU are the kind of guys that win games. Adam is the kind of guy that keeps us from losing games.
Jok and JU are the kind of guys that win games. Adam is the kind of guy that keeps us from losing games.
Its great to see Woody GI from thus board's fave whipping boy to a a pillar on our team. He's learned to play within himself and has done a great job staying on the court. Who would've ever thought his FT shooting would be better than Gesell's? I hope he's saved his best for last.
I will echo that, he is not the best player, but he is the most irreplaceable.
Honestly it's most hard to believe how much he has improved at the line. When he came in, his high school coach was pleasantly surprised that he managed to get into the 50s.
We've seen the same incremental improvement from other big men like Gabe and White. It's a little thing that can make a big difference, just ask Greg Brunner.
Honestly it's most hard to believe how much he has improved at the line. When he came in, his high school coach was pleasantly surprised that he managed to get into the 50s.
We've seen the same incremental improvement from other big men like Gabe and White. It's a little thing that can make a big difference, just ask Greg Brunner.
Agree. In addition Adam is by far the best on the team at setting screens. He has been outstanding at this.
Woody has been great, staying out of foul trouble and rebounding. Most important is a bit of a stretch but very important, yes.
I agree with his criticality. He does so many of the little things well -- screens, outlet passes, rebounding, setting the base of the defense, etc. I think the emergence of Wagner lately has been huge. Uhl and Wagner can't exactly replace Woodbury, but Wagner plays strong and his minutes going forward will be critical to give Fran the piece of mind to sit Woody for a couple minutes here and there to minimize the chances of foul trouble.
I can definitely see Woody winning the team mvp award.
If his arms were 3 inches longer and had 8 more inches on his vertical, we'd be talking about him possibly playing in the NBA.
If his arms were 3 inches longer and had 8 more inches on his vertical, we'd be talking about him possibly playing in the NBA.
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Good thoughts by all about Woody....incredible play this year. Luv the guy and his effort. In terms of the NBA and for those of you old enough to remember a player named Wes Unseld for the Balitmore/Washington Bullets....
Does Woody sound like this only 5 inches taller than Wes cause Wes was only 6'7" and a Hall of Famer?
"Famed for his rebounding, bone-jarring picks and ability to ignite a fast break with his crisp, accurate outlet passes, Unseld made up for his lack of size (6'7") with brute strength and sheer determination. Unseld took the Bullets franchise to four NBA Finals, and won the championship in 1978 over the Seattle SuperSonics, in which he was named the Finals MVP. He ended his playing career following the1980–1981 season, and his #41 jersey was retired by the Bullets shortly thereafter."
If both those things were true, he'd probably already be in the NBA. With just one of those things, he'd certainly play in the NBA. As it is without those things, he'll have his chances in NBA camps to try to get a spot in a D-League team or play overseas with the hopes of making the NBA. He does a lot of useful things really well, despite holes in his game. His biggest asset is something that can't be taught. You can coach technique, you can send a guy to the weight room, you can give a guy speed training, you can teach basketball smarts.....but you can't coach a guy to be 7 feet tall.
Woody for reasons mentioned above. Gesell is close second because of the way he manages the game plan and everyone around him succeeds. Just as the football team saw a huge change with CJ as a leader, I believe that Gesell has this trait for this team. Next year, the BB team will not have the leadership that these two guys possess. Of course, Clemmons has really stepped up too so Fran has his work cut out for him next year or two. Our freshman may be good, but they are not Kentucky good.
I agree with this. It's close though. Uthoff is a matchup nightmare. He opens up so much for our offense by just being out there. Plus his defense has been equal to Woodbury's if not greater.
I like a lot of what you said but on one hand you kind of proved Uthoff is our most valuable player. It's a tough debate. It's really close but I think uthoff is the answer.
I love all of the responses. I was not saying either way in the OP, but I think it is incredible that we've reached a point where an argument is even entertained. Really a credit to Woodbury for his hard work. It's been fun to watch his game mature and culminate in an excellent senior season thus far.
Maybe we could say it this way - without question, Woody is our most valuable DEFENSIVE player and he's pretty useful on the offensive end of the court too. Jarrod is, without question, our most valuable OFFENSIVE player and he's pretty useful on the defensive end of the court too.
So, nothing solved, but phrased in a different way that both Woody and Uthoff are hugely valuable to this team.
So, nothing solved, but phrased in a different way that both Woody and Uthoff are hugely valuable to this team.
17% of all americans who are 7 ft or taller play in the NBA per an ESPN article on Bird today. Based on that number, I'd expect Woody to get a cup of coffee for very good defense.
