I"m not crazy like these others who think he shouldn't be "welcomed back" after entering the portal, but there are quite a few other bigs I'd like to see us take a flyer on first because I think Awaka isn't good enough to start at the 5 and isn't a reliable scorer to start at the 4.
Without researching the data, I’d guess there’s no more than a few bigs in the portal that are more productive per minute than Tobe. His minutes were limited by playing behind Aidoo along with the obvious fouling. But, he didn’t get 4+ fouls every game and could have played more if the opportunity had been there. Tobe is very bright and is still only 19 years old - clearly room for more improvement. He knows the culture and expectations also.
Everyone has their opinions and my opinion is that he does have the ability to be a starter at the 5 and be an effective scorer in the post. The way he improved his free throws last season over his freshman season makes me think he may also develop a face up jump shot from 12-17’ which would allow him to play the 4 if Barnes wanted to go big. I’ve been wrong before so we shall see if he does return.
It’s just not modern basketball…opposing teams have shooters at the 4 and asking Awaka to chase around a guy who’s similar in size to say JJJ but shoots 40% from 3 isn’t a fair task. Sure, on the opposite end of the court Awaka would have the advantage, but you’d have an opposing 5 also helping in the lane because Aidoo is out there as well clogging the lane because he’s no risk to shoot the ball from outside 10’.
Houston was the #1 team for much of the year and poised to be a F4 team prior to the unfortunate injury while playing a guy smaller than Awaka all year at the 5. I’m not saying I wouldn’t take/like a bigger post, but suggesting you have to have Edey or Clingman on your roster doesn’t seem totally accurate, or fair, those guys are pretty uncommon. Also, Estrella is gonna be judging 6’11” 250lbs by start of this next season, how much bigger of an option do we need?
I am a fan of your character on the Vol show Cav, but I gotta say— a 6 8” guy who is that aggressive on the glass, blocks shots, and ties up balls is going to get fouls called. Rodman got a lot of fouls too. He will get better. Part of the problem is that his role is often coming in to be aggressive when Aidoo isn’t. He can definitely get to a better fouls per minute rate. He also isn’t going to play 36 minutes. All of this should be framed by saying, right now he isn’t back. He’s in a weird “show me” holding pattern. Usually these things resolve quickly or die on the vine. I want to hear he’s back, soon, or I’ll be betting against it. I currently don’t see any player we’re in on that I’d rather have in the role of playing 40-60% of the 5 minutes.
Fair points, but the tin hat with me is very strong. I wonder if there might be a name or two not yet in the portal that may be in play with us? Players have until the end of April or am I mistaken? Then again the most plausible explanation is that we are holding Awaka at arms length until other, more coveted players make decisions. At least it seems plausible to this old head.
We wouldn't have went to the elite 8 without him. How Tennessee assistant coach Rod Clark called his shot with Tobe Awaka in the win over Texas
