Wilks

[ralph1950]

When will Wilks be cleared to play by the NCAA?
1) tomorrow
2) next week
3) next month
4) next year
5) he will be playing in Europe with Hanol Hall

As we all know from past experience in these situations, no news is not good news.

[Kindog202]

I was at practice yesterday and he was conditioning w/Bostic and then watched the end of practice. Also Williams was there, appeared he did not have crutches, but don't know for sure.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

When will Wilks be cleared to play by the NCAA?
1) tomorrow
2) next week
3) next month
4) next year
5) he will be playing in Europe with Hanol Hall

As we all know from past experience in these situations, no news is not good news.

Add another guess - 6) soon.

[Bearcat Revival]

He will not be playing in Europe with HERNOL Hall. Troy Gillenwater enrolled late at NMSU and was recently cleared, so Wilks should be soon enough. He might not make the exhibition games, but he'll be cleared.

[ralph1950]

He will not be playing in Europe with HERNOL Hall. Troy Gillenwater enrolled late at NMSU and was recently cleared, so Wilks should be soon enough. He might not make the exhibition games, but he'll be cleared.

If he is not cleared by the exhibition games, NKU Oct. 31, it will be a good indication that there is a serious problem and he will likely not be cleared for this season.

Mick has been quoted for a few days now "he may be cleared tomorrow". Well, as some wise sage once said, "tomorrow never comes". If he is not cleared by Oct. 31 I say "forgetaboutit".

[Bearcat Revival]

Wilks needs work on his game anyway. He's an athletic freak, but his jumper needs improvement. He can handle the ball and pass very well for a guy his size. Worst case scenario is he redshirts, gets stronger, and comes back a beast next year as a freshman...but I still doubt this will take much longer.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Wilks needs work on his game anyway. He's an athletic freak, but his jumper needs improvement. He can handle the ball and pass very well for a guy his size. Worst case scenario is he redshirts, gets stronger, and comes back a beast next year as a freshman...but I still doubt this will take much longer.

Bingo. A redshirt year, getting stronger and learning from practices, might be the Rx the MD ordered.

[Kindog202]

My vote is a redshirt, especially if he is only being counted on as being the 10th man on this year's team.

[Bearcat_DF]

My vote is a redshirt, especially if he is only being counted on as being the 10th man on this year's team.

I'm not sure if I remember the conversation here completely, but I thought that Jason Henry was the top recruit in this class and the most likely one to make an impact this year.

When we lost him, Wilks was billed as a replacement, who likewise could make an impact.

So, I don't think people were counting on him being the 10th man, I thought he was more like the 6th or 7th with hopes he could crack the starting line-up!

I'm going to have to look at the possible rotations before I go post on the realistic expectations thread, but with the loss of Williams, the loss of Henry, and now the possible loss of Wilks, my optimism is shrinking.

Go Cats!
DF

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Jason Henry was the 2nd highest RATED recruit (behind McClain) in the 2007 class and Wilks had similar RATINGS in 2008 class.

But neither Henry nor Wilks would have had a bigger impact than McClain. Nor Mitchell for that matter.

[Bearcat Revival]

If Williams hadn't gotten hurt, McClain would've rarely seen the court. Now, he's going to have to be counted on. Those rankings are based on potential not their ability to contribute immediately...otherwise Bishop's rating would have been higher. That guy is going to be better than anyone expected. Wilks is a freak, but again, his rating is based on his athletic ability and potential. That does not mean he would have been one of the big contributors this year.

[tophat]

Wilks was never expected to be an impact player this year. Anyone who saw him at Woodward could see he wasn't ready strength-wise. He should be cleared soon, and he may still be able to help this team. If he can help, I'd rather see him play than redshirt. We need help now, not 4 years from now when Mick's recruiting will be yielding dividends, and with a player like Wilks, he's more likely to have his eye on the NBA in 4 years.

[tophat]

I don't agree that but for Mike's injury McClain would rarely see the court. Regardless of Mike's status, Mac was recruited on the basis that he's expecting to see alot of court time, more as the season goes. He's the back-up center to Adam, who's going to get into foul trouble and will need to come out of games for various reasons.

[MikeInClifton]

Those rankings are based on potential not their ability to contribute immediately...

Some are judging current talent, some are future projections. Depends on who you read.

[Bearcat Revival]

Well anyone who has seen McClain's offensive game wouldn't think he's going to produce immediately...at least not in BE play. He can help on the defensive side, but he has a lot of work to do offensively...just like Wilks. Mick said it himself...he has a lot of work to do on offense, and when he does, he'll be gone because he's a 7-footer who can run.

[tophat]

Well anyone who has seen McClain's offensive game wouldn't think he's going to produce immediately...at least not in BE play. He can help on the defensive side, but he has a lot of work to do offensively...just like Wilks. Mick said it himself...he has a lot of work to do on offense, and when he does, he'll be gone because he's a 7-footer who can run.

Yes, but what he can do defensively could be extremely important, especially in the BE where Adam will likely be overmatched at times. You can't understate the importance of having a defensive intimidator inside. Again, Mick didn't get this kid away from UConn and Georgetown by telling him he was going to sit and watch his first year, and we can use him, with or without Mike. He's also much more physically ready than Wilks -- he weighs 250 lbs.

[Bearcat Revival]

I will definitely agree with that. I just don't want people to expect polished post moves from McClain. Most of his offense will be from putbacks and the foul line...which btw he does have a nice stroke. I hope he develops quickly, but I won't be shocked at all if he doesn't.