Washington's impairment isn't physical. 'Nough said.

That's a good point regarding the center situation. With the overall talent of M. Powell, it's a no brainer he won't be just hanging around within 10 ft. of the rim next season.

I guess D. Johnson will be back, who isn't that much worse than Washington from what i've seen, but if the Juco PF transfer Ricardo Ratliff can be signed, that would at least give us some hope for a strong inside game.

What we need on this team more than anything, is players who can handle the rock, make good basketball decisions, (Basketball I.Q.) and toughness.

When you look back at the most athletically talented team Nolan ever had, it had the likes of "Big O", Todd Day and Lee Mayberry. "Big O" and Todd Day both acted like idiots the majority of the time, and were also self-serving, show-boating, trash-talkers.

Now go back and look at the team that won it all. Scotty Thurman talked a little smack, but he was no dummy. Very smart with the basketball in his hands and was a very good ball handler-passer for a SF.

Corliss Williamson was the most physically gifted and was also a very smart, disiplined and coachable player.

Corey Beck had a very good understanding of the game. He knew his role and he stuck to it, no matter what. He was a talented 3 point shooter, but rarely took one.

He knew what he had around him and used the talents of the team to their full potential. He was the hardest working guy on the team. (C. Fortson should take notice)

All in all, when you look at the recruiting, it looks like we could be heading back in that direction once again.

Nolan had already proven we could win without a true center, so there's really no reason to believe that feat can't be accomplished again.

We had 2 guys coming off the bench that were 7'0" and 6'11", but weren't really used like true centers in Nolan's system.

Here's a big problem with recruits nowdays Hog fans should really think about.

They are structured and developed just like the rest of our current society.

Arrogant, selfish, greedy and very, very undisiplined. Did I leave anything out?

Most Hog fans would like to have the kind of athletes Kentucky has, but personally, I don't like "1 and dones". I'd like to be able to at least watch a player develope 3 years. Just a thought.

Welsh never impressed anybody more than one play here and there, but at least he's still on the team. That's more than most of his class can say.

Washington's not perfect by any means and sometimes frustrates the hell out of me, too. But when you look at how we’ve struck out under Pelphrey on recruiting a true center, we all may be wishing next year that Washington was still here.

Absolutely not.

Niether one of those guys come to play in each and every game. That's something you must have from your Sr. leadership.

Leaders have to be smart. Need I go any farther?

Too many minutes? I wouldn't exactly say 19 minutes is too much.

After Washington fouled out, this team was carried by Glenn Bryant's firey inside play, along with Rotnie Clarke.

Those guys are Freshmen and Sophs. Don't you think it should be Washington and Welshes responsibility to burden the load?

Both of those guys can beat you in multiple ways, our Srs. cannot.

Don't have a chance without him? They've already proven they do.

2nd team all-conference? Since when did last season's accolades carry over to the following year without any quality play being assesed?

Last season, he averaged nearly 15 points and 9 rebounds a game. He was 2nd in the SEC in rebounding.

This season, well, I think you know the story.

Sure, he's been injured, but that didn't effect the way he thinks when he STILL takes ill-advised 3s and commits the absolute most stupid fouls out of pure frustration. That's called lack of disipline. He also cannot shoot a FT if his life depended on it. Last I heard, it was at 54%.

Commend them if you want, but i'll be more than glad when their gone.

Ahh yes, I can see it now. The trees will sprout leaves, the flowers will be blooming and baseball will be in the air.