The McCormack File
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I can’t wait to watch him play this year. Kid has been working hard, lost a bunch of weight and added muscle definition which is something to keep in mind when watching older highlight videos in particular.
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This might sound weird, but stay with me here.
McCormack should be a nice player in time, but its going to take a year with Hudy before he can really realize his potential. He’s done a great job working out to get in better shape. You can see it on his frame. But it appears that he’s less strong in game situations. He’s certainly more agile and athletic, but he’s not as strong. He knew how to use his bulk before, but he doesn’t know how to use the muscle.
The nice thing is that he has the tools to be very good, and he won’t be a OAD. He’s spending at least two, probably three or four years in Lawrence, so its okay that he is a little ways away because he’s not going to start right away IMO. He could end up being a three year starter, though and could end up posting some really strong career numbers (basically three years worth of 14 and 8).
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@justanotherfan I’m guessing w/his weight loss, hudy was a big factor in his decision.
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If Doke is gone the door is certainly open for him to start next to Dedric. It would be a tough competition between McCormack and De Sousa. I think both are solid fits next to Dedric. If Doke is back, Doke is starting.
If Doke does come back, Mitch might want to take a redshirt.
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Appears to have gone from a 13" vertical all the way to 17" vertical after the weight loss. BUT… that’s still better than the Morrii started with (and Lucas ended with!).
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MORE ARTICLES
http://www2.kusports.com/weblogs/tale-tait/2017/sep/25/impact-of-mccormack-commitment-goes-beyo/ http://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article175175841.html
The future journalism major — he wants to be a sports announcer someday — once described his game as “big” to the Lexington Herald-Leader. Kentucky at one point was involved in his recruitment as well as Maryland, Georgetown, Baylor, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, VCU and others.
“I can play the outside game to an extent. I know my bread and butter is inside,” he said Sunday. “I’m looking forward to playing as a freshman and giving forth whatever I can bring to the team.”
““He’ll do what you ask him to do,” Smith told USA Today. “He has a great attitude and he’s a great student. He’s a big guy and there’s not many 5-men who want to play down low. Dave knows what he is and goes to work.”
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David is the perfect recruit to sign with us. He is still a bit of a project player, only needing the polishing touches to set him up as a top NBA pick, probably within 2 years. As others have said, Hudy must be licking her chops in excitement to bring David into her program. David has done a great job himself in bringing down his weight. Now, he needs toning, mostly aerobic conditioning to handle the speed of D1. My hopes are we can keep him for at least two years.
I think it is a big plus he has been playing with Billy at Oak Hill. They surely must already have some chemistry built, and I can’t stress how important it is to have two prolific scoring big men who have established chemistry.
Watch David’s videos. One thing pops out more than anything else. After he finishes in the paint he gives a hard stare down to his opponent. He’s a real competitor with big man swagger… something we haven’t had in a long time. Basketball is still a street game. I know it is the playground ball in me, but I still think swagger is one of the key factors in winning, especially in the low post, where your big men truly defend the rim.
This recruit class promises to be a great one for us. We’ve been quick out of the blocks and our momentum is riding high!
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@justanotherfan Sometimes big bulky guys appear less strong in games than they are because they tend to be watched really closely by refs expecting fouls, and they let some contact cause a bit of backing away. I think as he gets used to being 15% lighter and as he gets coached on how to be lithe as well as strong, he will be able to use that strength to huge advantage. Udoka will do that this year, and showed a bit of a window on that in Italy.
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drgnslayr said:
David is the perfect recruit to sign with us. He is still a bit of a project player, only needing the polishing touches to set him up as a top NBA pick, probably within 2 years. As others have said, Hudy must be licking her chops in excitement to bring David into her program. David has done a great job himself in bringing down his weight. Now, he needs toning, mostly aerobic conditioning to handle the speed of D1. My hopes are we can keep him for at least two years.
I think it is a big plus he has been playing with Billy at Oak Hill. They surely must already have some chemistry built, and I can’t stress how important it is to have two prolific scoring big men who have established chemistry.
Watch David’s videos. One thing pops out more than anything else. After he finishes in the paint he gives a hard stare down to his opponent. He’s a real competitor with big man swagger… something we haven’t had in a long time. Basketball is still a street game. I know it is the playground ball in me, but I still think swagger is one of the key factors in winning, especially in the low post, where your big men truly defend the rim.
This recruit class promises to be a great one for us. We’ve been quick out of the blocks and our momentum is riding high!
3-4 year player probably. He has talked about getting his degree. Now if he absolutely explodes then perhaps he comes back later to finish his schoolwork. Sounds like a really grounded kid overall though.
As for his relationship with Preston, I do think that played a factor. It certainly didn’t hurt. Quote from an article: “I know him well. Billy is one of my boys,” McCormack said, acknowledging “there’s no way of telling” if Preston will be at KU as a sophomore.
As for how relevant swagger is, the 2012 team almost won a NC off of swagger and grit. So there is that.
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@BShark I agree about the 2012 grit. Swagger only goes so far, though, before it can backfire. Or it can reflect arrogance, which becomes confusion and discombobulation after a quick punch in the mouth. VCU appreciated the Morii swagger very much.
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@justanotherfan I don’t think McCormack will be a starter anyway. I think he backs up Dedric Lawson. I could see either KJ Lawson or De Sousa starting at the 4 next year. Maybe even Lightfoot.
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Can we cut the Lawsons?
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Can you imagine Doke and D-Mac in the same front line together…parade oh please!
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@HighEliteMajor I guess we could. But if Doke and Billy both leave, that leaves us with Mitch and two freshmen. Very thin again. Mitch and two freshmen plus the Lawsons is where I want to be. Stacked and very deep with lots of fouls to give.
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Yeah the team could theoretically afford it but one it would look awful and two Dedric will be the best post player on next year’s team.
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@HighEliteMajor Why would we do that?
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HighEliteMajor said:
Can we cut the Lawsons?
It’s probably not out of the possibility that De-Sousa/McCormack are insurance in case the Lawson’s don’t work out for some reason.
Self has essentially recruited over Lightfoot which could be his calling card to look elsewhere. That seems unlikely but today’s kids do the unthinkable.
He’s already recruited for Preston & Doke leaving as well. Gone are the days these recruits are the backups
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BeddieKU23 said:
HighEliteMajor said:
Can we cut the Lawsons?
It’s probably not out of the possibility that De-Sousa/McCormack are insurance in case the Lawson’s don’t work out for some reason.
Self has essentially recruited over Lightfoot which could be his calling card to look elsewhere. That seems unlikely but today’s kids do the unthinkable.
He’s already recruited for Preston & Doke leaving as well. Gone are the days these recruits are the backups
I think Mitch is more likely to take a RS than transfer. However if he is the 4th big next year which is quite possible I don’t think he would RS or transfer.
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I’m certainly not saying its likely given Lightfoot’s love for the KU program but at some point he’ll have to figure out what he wants from his basketball career. If that’s fighting for minutes as Self brings in bigger/taller/more athletic bigs then I give him all the credit in the world for sticking it out. I’m just so used to seeing kids choose “easy street” that you forget there are even kids that want to compete anymore. The rule change for transfers (immediately eligble) could change everything…
We’ll see what he can give us this season and what his role might be going forward, this is his opportunity to surprise a lot of people if can bring consistent effort, production to the table off the bench.
