Rockne's Roundtable

JoePH,

This is really a huge loss because his 73-inch wing span and excellent leaping ability made him so valuable both down low and in the perimeter. He is the Syracuse type of "length player" that gives ND so many problems. The Irish don't get many like him, so to be without him is a significant setback. You saw how much more vulnerable they were in the two road games where he was sidelined and the Irish were blown out by Marquette and St. John's.

I don't think anyone really "takes" his spot. Joey Brooks doesn't have his offensive skills, height or rebounding acumen. Freshman Eric Katenda has a similar frame at 6-9, 215, but he might be a bit raw, and Mike Brey usually has only a 7-man rotation that prefers older guys. Jack Cooley does not have Scott's athletic ability. Still, Cooley will be an extremely crucial figure who cannot just take a serviceable role next year. He was able to go balls-out this year because he knew he wasn't going to play more than 8-12 minutes per contest, and he could easily expend two, three or four fouls in the process.

Next year, his stamina and production will be extremely essential, as will be his smarts in not committing senseless fouls. If he can provide a quality 25 minutes or at least seven boards per game the way Scott did, that would be an important step. Right now, though, without Scott, this does not have the look of an NCAA Tournament team. If they do make it, hey, Mike Brey might be BE Coach of the Year for the fourth time in six years.