The sense I’m getting from a lot of comments here and around the Husky-verse is that fans are pinning a larger portion of the blame for the team’s terrible Pac-10 start on Matthew Bryan-Amaning.
In 22.1 minutes per game, the team’s former starting center has averaged 7.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, shot 45.3% from the field, and more than a block and steal per game.
Are these the stats I would’ve hoped for from the big Brit? No.
The litany of complaints about MBA is well-tred: he’s not aggressive enough, he gets down on himself and disappears, he’s not a great one-on-one defender. . .
Clearly, to this point, MBA is not everything we could ever want in a big man. But, he feels like the quintessential example of a guy who’s always being recognized for what he doesn’t do, rather than what he does.
Because Matthew’s also not a bad rebounder, gets his hands on loose balls, blocks (and goaltends!) reasonably well, and does have his share of post moves.
So, in my opinion, is he main reason for the team’s recent woes? No way. Of late, the Huskies have trouble shooting, penetrating, and pounding the ball inside. Matthew’s a big part of the latter, but our big men aren’t helped by the fact that neither of the other two are going well.
I’m not aiming to make excuses for the big guy. I just want to see the coaches use the pieces they have at this point, since we’re not reloading with guys like C.J. Wilcox, Desmond Simmons or Enes Kanter until next year. I do believe that if the Huskies can get things straightened out, MBA will be a big part of the answer.
But knowing how fragile the big guy’s confidence can be, I’m worried that the recent move to the bench will have diminishing returns.
What do you think? Let me hear you! And, thanks for coming!
Tags: Matthew Bryan-Amaning
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In the off season, I was hoping MBA would develop/progress to be the 3rd option… our low key presence for this year and next. His lack of aggression, offensively, is frustrating. It’s been a disappointment that he hasn’t taken advantage of the void Brockman left. Not that he had to play his style, but the minutes and opportunity to be the Huskies *big*. I think this could be our Achilles Heel this season and next.
I hope this team can turn it around, and I’ll root for them to do so, but unless the team is clickin’ on all cylinders, we will have a tough time repeating as champs.
Last comment… anyone but me notice how many inbounds plays have resulted in turnovers? A few inbounds plays have led to direct baskets, but it seems to me they never really have a plan to get the ball in and need to release to mid court…
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We all know we can’t point the finger single handedly at MBA, but to be quite honest, he makes it too easy on us to do so. He is blaringly our worst player and Romar did the right thing in replacing him with Breshers.
Bresher’s has so much more upside and he plays like a big man should… AGGRESSIVE. He does not shy away from contact and has a presence in the post. Once he gets himself into better shape and stays out of foul trouble I can see him making some noise down there.
MBA has had his chance in the spotlight and he has continued to digress as a player. Everyone in his corner will reference the games against the smaller conference teams where he beasted players half his size and strength. He has yet to impress me against an actual contender. He lacks the necessary intangibles to be a starter or even a scholarship player at the NCAA level. He likes to dunk… when nobody is there. He is the most fundamentally lacking player I have seen as a UW starter. I don’t mean to put the guy down, but we are losing, and he needs to realize he is stronger and more athletic than most of the guys he’s playing against. Until he does, he will play like he is scared and will continue his woes.
Next year should bring prominence back to the post with Mr. Kanter. I can’t wait.
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MBA is another cocky garbage player on the huskies who sucks.
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In regard to the inbounds plays, I totally agree. Early in the year it looked like there were no scripted plays to get the ball inbounds. Now it looks like there are plays, but the players are performing at a walk through speed. There is simply no excuse for poor execution of inbounds plays at the division one level. When I played that kind of effort would result the next day in our running until someone actually puked. These guys are SOFT.
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MBA is absolute garbage
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