Kelly Wise is gone. Chris Massie is sidelined until January and Almamy Thiero is out until Christmas. Thiero will have a metal rod put in his right tibia today after stepping wrong last Friday. He will begin rehabilitation in three weeks.
Even with the losses, the Tigers will still have enough big men to compete down low.
Last season, Wise led the team in rebounds (10.30) and blocks (1.39), while averaging 11.2 points, second only to NBA rookie Dajuan Wagner’s 21.2 points. Massie did his share as well, pulling down 8.8 boards a game.
And although the loss forms a set back, the team isn’t throwing in the towel.
Center Earl Barron said that the majority of the post presence was lost with Wise, and as a result everyone will have to step up.
“We’ve got guys that are capable of playing post,” Barron said. “It’s just a matter of them getting confidence, a little more experience and playing time.”
“(Coach John Calipari) has been telling every big guy on the team that we’ve got to have some post presence. When we get the ball we just got to score to get by.”
But just getting by is not what the 7-footer has on his mind.
Entering his fourth and final year, Barron is aware that the pressure is on him.
“People are expecting a lot from me,” Barron said. “So I worked hard in the weight room this summer and put on a little weight. It’s just a matter of me going out there and playing.”
Though Barron is the only impact post player from last year who will start this season, he will have some help to carry the load of manning the middle.
Calipari said the absence on the block gives his other players a chance to get in the game and prove that they belong there.
That opportunity is being extended to centers Modibo Diarra and Almamy Thiero (upon his return) along with forward Duane Erwin.
Returning as a sophomore, Erwin said he’s up to the challenge of improving his game from the previous season.
“I’ll do more of the things I did last year,” Erwin said. “It will just be a lot more minutes, playing above the rim, rebounding and blocking shots.”
Although he is happy with his team’s overall performance thus far, Calipari still urges his players to keep giving their all.
“I’m expecting them to play really hard, compete and be active, be aggressive,” Calipari said. “I keep saying the bus or the boat is leaving port, you’re either on it or someone else is on it.”
It’s very likely that when captain Cal sets sail, Barron will be on board. With the added mass he’ll be more of a threat. So much so, that Calipari anticipates he will step inside and out.
“Earl’s still a good post player,” Calipari said. “He may not be as quick and active as Kelly, but he’s bigger. He has more of a chance at dominating the game than Kelly did.”
Just the same, Barron — along with Erwin, Diarra and Thiero may prove to be successful matches. However, if those combinations don’t quite work, it might be only a matter of time before one does. Calipari said next semester Massie will begin playing, possibly adding more depth to the frontcourt.
“When Massie joins the team the second term, now you have two guys that can add to that ability to throw the ball to the post and get it in the basket,” Calipari said.
No matter what the outcome, Barron said he will be ready, intending to give his all.
“I’m just going go out there and try to leave it out on the court every night,” Barron said.
“Do everything I can for this team to advance as far as possible.”
