I agree but also will raise you Purdue and Kentucky.. They have the two best big guys in the country and both lost round 1...Having small posts doesn't hurt you until it does. Texas was fortunate in it's NCAA run that Nunge was the only traditional post they faced in games against: PSU, Colgate, Xavier and Miami
So when a coach is building a team to take a deep NCAA Tournament run, having a couple solid bigs can help win the match-up battle. UConn was able to take advantage of two really solid traditional posts in Sonogo and Klingan plus a physical stretch PF in Caraban. We saw a talented small-ball Miami roster struggle against UConn's interior height and physicality.
I feel a big reason for Steve Prohm's lack of success, even when ISU was talented his first couple years, he could only win ONE way. We had to make a high % of jump shots to outscore people. We weren't going to play better defense, out rebound, out physical or even out execute teams in the half court.
Whereas, TJ gets how to build a roster. We will definitely have a preferred style, but we will be able to match-up to our opponents or create mismatches. And if we continue to play a trapping style half court defense, having a couple rim protectors is critical.
You need multiple guards who can dribble and be playmakers A LOT more than you need Zach Edy or Oscar Tshiebwe. Baylor won a national title with Mark Vital (6'5"), Everyday John, and Flo Thamba.
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