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AT
- Thread starter bu fan 9
- Start date
I don't understand why everyone is so desperate to insert AT into the lineup. He's obviously not ready yet, so he isn't seeing the floor, and I don't see what the problem is with that. He's still just a rail-thin freshman who needs more time to develop before he's ready to get minutes.
When he's ready to play, JL will play him. It's as simple as that. And chances are, that won't happen until next year.
When he's ready to play, JL will play him. It's as simple as that. And chances are, that won't happen until next year.
Coach Wright was on the pre-game(wmbd radio) sunday and talked about how they were working to get AT up to 235 lbs. This could be the reason why he has not played because he needs to get his weight up and by practicing and playing it would be hard to do that, I would like to see him play but I trust the staff that they are doing what is best for Anthony in the long run, why would he want to leave when we will be losing the 2 guys that are playing in front of him after this season, he is only a freshman so he has plenty of time ahead of him to make an impact at Bradley.
Bradleyguy10
New member
Exaclty...he's a smart kid. If he can actually reach 235+ pounds for next season he knows he'll be playing significant time. If JP and MK both come in DI ready like EM has then it'd be nice to see AT at the 5 and WE at the 4 together on the court once in a while. If they don't then AT and WE will be sharing the load in the paint separately...either way AT has plenty of playing time coming up soon.
Wasn't 235 the weight of NBA 7'1" #1 NBA pick Andrew Bogut?
AT is shorter and does not have to even that much
I do not think you need to be built like a #1 NBA pick just to see any minutes in the MVC...
They list him at 211 right now...but I have a hard time believing that. Regardless of the weight they list him at, it is pretty clear to me that he still needs to add a lot more muscle before he is going to play effective minutes in the post for us...
If he can add another 25 'legitimate' pounds in the offseason like Ronnie Wright is planning for him, then he will be in a much better position to help us next year. He simply doesn't have a D-I post player's body yet.
So if he gains weight he will be a better player? He will be 21 years old in July, and I question how much more he will mature physically. Some guys are just going to be skinny. AT's been here almost two full seasons and apparently he hasn't made much significant improvement or I think he would be getting at least some minutes. It's not like he has POB playing in front of him.
Also, related to this subject, someone had asked me the last time JL redshirted a freshman or anyone else for that matter that wasn't related to injury?
Bradleyguy10
New member
Hey it's not like I just threw that number out there for kicks and giggles. Look at the post above my previous one. Coach Wright is the one who said the goal was 235 so who am I to say that isn't right? If they want to aim for 235 then by all means go ahead. The higher the better. If they aim for 220 and get it then that's not as good as aiming for 235 and not getting it at 230.
Also: David Collins C 7-0 242
Why is it so unrealistic for us to have AT get to 235 if we already have a center that, according to you, is built like a #1 draft pick. It's not just weight that matters, but it'd help AT out.
I disagree with you on this one. He is 21 but that doesn't mean he can't fill out. I think the whole stop gaining size thing after a certain age really mainly relates to height. He's tall enough, and I think he grew so quickly his body weight couldn't keep up. He's stopped growing now and I think it's the perfect time to start gaining the weight. Some just grow up first and then they grow OUT.
Also with the redshirting...I believe AT himself asked to be redshirted, not coach asking AT. Could be wrong, but that's just what I've always thought.
Sure, AT does not look the part, but I think there are a lot of good bigs in D1 that do not look the part of a stout inside guy..
When I look down the road , some Illini post players with significant minutes (say 7'1.5" 220 Mike Tisdale) does not look noticiably larger. NOBODY on the Illini roster in the "big, tough B10" is listed over 220!, http://illinois.scout.com/a.z?s=169&p=8&c=2&nid=405&yr=2008
You frequently see many really lanky guys playing sucessfully in D1 BCS schools..
You will not get many bigs that look near as well built as Zach. I remember watching the Michigan State midnight madness intro 2 years ago with some toga/spartan intro, and everybody on that team looked like wimps in comparison to Zach..
So when coach Wright says he has a 235 goal for AT, that's fine, everybody on the staff should have goals, and re-evaluate those goals when they are getting close to met. but I think it is really unrealistic to say AT must be larger than everyone on the Illini just to sniff minutes...
SpfldBUAlum
New member
while I wouldn't expect to see many minutes for AT this year I thought we would see him for a few minutes here n there especially after Will went down. If we lost DC or SS in a game due to fouls or injury do we just go small? It would also be nice to get AT some real experience for next year and perhaps the end of this one. An extra big that could eat some minutes in the Valley tourney would be a benefit.
Out of Bounce
New member
Some just grow up first and then they grow OUT.
Thats a under statement:roll:
Grow Out = Age = (Years + Years = Old + LBs) = Fat *** + Beer Bellie = Happy Old Man:biggrin:
Thats a under statement:roll:
Grow Out = Age = (Years + Years = Old + LBs) = Fat *** + Beer Bellie = Happy Old Man:biggrin:
G
georgethedog
Guest
Reggie Miller was as skinny as a rail his whole college and NBA career. He played on the perimeter much of the time, but he would still drive, rebound and bang around when needed (also there were plenty big and strong guards and forwards guarding him). He was just plain tough and that's how he did it. AT (and DC for that matter) need to get tough.
I know a lot of people that wish they stopped gaining weight as they age.
Imagine it will be harder (to maintain weight ) for a guy like AT who is probably forcing down, each day, as much as I eat in a week..
(well not quite a week's, 14k calories, but probably 2-3 days worth)
BradleyBrave
New member
I'm guessing he's probably on a Mike Tisdale-esque diet (5,000 calories a day). Tisdale, while effective, is still awfully skinny. However, I don't buy for a second that weight is the reason AT isn't playing. Taylor Brown is a rail too. Quite frankly, I don't think there's a good reason right now to keep AT off the court. It's not helping him or us.
houstonbrave
Member
My memory of the Coach Wright interview was that AT has lost weight during the season and he is currently ~200 lbs. They want to keep him there through the season and then work on getting him up to something like 235 for next year. He is lifting 3x per week which is 1x per week more than the rest of the team (during the season).
I really believe in AT's upside and I think he will be a great player for us before it is over but he just does not seem to be ready yet. I'd like to see him a bit this year but I'm not sure he will get the time. I do think he needs some extra bulk to be effective. I'd hate to see him on the floor with SIU right now. They would throw him into the third row.
Patience-he'll get there.
I really believe in AT's upside and I think he will be a great player for us before it is over but he just does not seem to be ready yet. I'd like to see him a bit this year but I'm not sure he will get the time. I do think he needs some extra bulk to be effective. I'd hate to see him on the floor with SIU right now. They would throw him into the third row.
Patience-he'll get there.